We will be travelling to eastern europe in July to Prague, Vienna, Krackow and Budapest, in that order. We will have a car and have two days between the time we leave Krackow and arrive in Budapest. Any suggestions of towns to see between these two destinations? Also, any suggestions for the free day we have after leaving Vienna headed toward Krackow? Finally, I was wondering if it is better to use euros or pay in the country's currency while in Poland, Czeck Republic and Hungary. Should I get the currency for the country I am going to when I am about ready to leave the country I am in? Thank you. Sara
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
I'd recommend using the local currency, and getting it in-country at an ATM. Only Austria uses the euro. Although you may find merchants in the other countries who accept the euro, they will usually give you a horrible exchange rate.
Posted by
OP
San Diego
15 posts
Thanks, Tom. That's what I'll do.
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
There is a very scenic drive from Krakow to Budapest. Drive to Zakopane, Lysa Polana, Stary Smokovec, Poprad etc. You go first through High Tatras and then Low Tatras /but they are not low/ in Slovakia. And yes, beside Austria Slovakia is also using Euro.
Posted by
Phoenix
26 posts
Hi Sarah! When I arrived in Krakow by train from Vienna late one night in 2007, I attempted to exchange some euros for the local zloty. Unfortunately, it was too late, so I had to pay for a taxi in euros instead - meaning that we overpayed by about 300% - 15 euros instead of 15 zloty(being desperate for a taxi, disoriented in a new city, and having no Polish language skills to negotiate). Poland is supposedly in the process of transitioning to the zloty, but I would check in Vienna and try to have Polish cash on hand when you arrive in Poland - at least 50 zl. should get you through the first day. You will definitely be ripped off if you try to pay in Euros because of the exchange rate -although the locals will probably not mind your paying that way! When we were in Prague, however, we were only visiting for a day and did not arrive with any Czech currency. There, for some reason, it was less unreasonable to pay in Euros. In both countries, you can withdraw local currency from the many ATMs.
I then lived in Krakow for several months as a student, so I can add a few words of advice on your travel. I highly recommend visiting the Tatry mountains that border Poland and Slovakia on one of your free days. With a car, you'll be at an advantage as many sights are not on the main train line. There is an several-hundred year old wooden church - a UNESCO site- at Debno, (Kosciól sw. Michala Archaniola), a funicular in Zakopane, and a castle in Niedzica with spectacular views of the Dunajec reservoir valley. Also consider walking on one of the many trails through the Tatry near Dolina Koscieliska and riding one of the folksy rafts on the river between Poland and Slovakia. Also consider visiting Nowa Huta and Auschwitz outside of Krakow. Good luck!
Posted by
OP
San Diego
15 posts
Hi Melissa,
Thank you for your comments. They are very helpful. I will take your advice regarding the money and the sightseeing. We will be going to Auschwitz on a day trip while we are in Krakow.
Thanks again.
Sara
Posted by
Fort Pain, Alabama, USA
41 posts
Did you really mean Prague-Vienna-Krakow-Budapest "in that order" ??? Appears to be a LOT of backtracking and unessesary travel !!!
Posted by
Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
290 posts
For a great side trip between Krakow and Budapest, spend a day in Eger. Pick up RS 'Eastern Europe' guidebook; it covers in detail all the places you are going and then some.
I have to agree with Joe. Unless there is some specific reason to take the stops in the order you propose, it would save a lot of driving to go Prague, Krakow, Budapest, Vienna.