We are planning to travel in East Europe region during summer 2012. Will drive Vienna- Graz- Ljublana - Budapest - Prague - Kesky Krumlov - Vienna . Should we stop at Olomouc ? Can anyone recommend budget priced clean hotels ( family run ?) at good locations on this route , may be away from cities boundaries ? Any idea about car hire charges for a standard 4 seater car ?
Hello Ranjan,
So, you are not going to China next year?
Driving: it makes sense to rent a car and drive around only if you don't take the highway but secondary roads. Otherwise all you will see is just well built highways. Also, you may have trouble getting around and finding parking place. In the center of these cities, parking fees are rather steep. Fuel, highway tolls will also add a lot to the cost.
I am not sure about Vienna, but I know a cheap and reliable place in Budapest. Their most basic 4 seaters start at app 20euros a day (with unlimited mileage, including insurance and allows you to drive outside of the country), with app 170euros deposit. Here is their website: http://www.acerent.hu/autok.php?t=szemelyautok
I think renting out a car from Vienna, especially with a large car rental company, will be much more expensive - maybe 4-50euros a day.
http://www.viamichelin.com/ is an excellent website to calculate fuel costs and design routes.
I am not sure how easy it is to find family run guest houses in larger cities. Most travellers on budget choose hostels. You can find the rates for private rooms on hostels search engine websites. Best is to book your rooms at least two weeks before, as during the summer they fill up quickly.
I think you can find a decent low budget room for app 60euros / night in Vienna, Graz, Ljubljana or Prague. Budapest might be little cheaper, 40 euros.
Most family run guesthouses are in the countryside, along the road - usually advertised, clearly marked, so it is easier to find room than in the capital cities.
If you decide not to drive - there are some excellent buses running along Vienna - Prague - Budapest route: Student Agency czech bus company between Vienna and Prague, and Orangeways from Prague to Budapest, and Budapest to Vienna.
You can take train on Budapest - Ljubljana - Graz - Vienna line.
You could also combine train and renting a car. The countryside in Czech Republic is especially nice, but Slovenia, Austria through the Alpes can be very beautiful too
Hope this helps a little...
Best wishes from Beijing...
Hello Kichikacha,
It is lovely hearing from you again .
Yes , China is in my list , may be during 2012 second part .
In between we went to Vietnam , it was amazing and very beautiful. We went from Saigon through Da Nang , Hue to Saigon. And Halong Bay was an unbelievable experience.
The route we are planning for East Europe now is Budapest - Ljublana - Graz- Vienna - Kesky Krumlov- Prague - Berlin .
Yes, we will do some road trip starting with Budapest and end at Vienna. We will take the train from Vienna onwards .
I will contact the car hire link that you have provided , thanks lots for the info.
Need to find rooms in Berlin , as this is a new addition to our destination. Have booked rooms in all places except Ljublana and Graz . I am thinking it will be better to stop on the road near these cities where the scene is good and hotel rooms are available .
We travel from 16th. April , that will be early season I suppose.
I will discuss with you some day on longer and shorter trips to China . Will surely meet some day when I visit China .
There are so many beautiful places in the world we have to see.
Best Wishes from Bangalore .
Ranjan
I am also planning a trip to London and other parts of Europe next year. I have lot of friends studying in london and they generally book students hostels or Bed & Breakfast ins in Europe. I am told there are pretty decent hygine wise and very reasonable. I am yet to do my research and let you know as soon as possible. ==-snip-==
Hello Kichikacha,
I got into the website of the car hire service in Hungary , could make out approx. rate etc.
Do you have their contact details by any chance ?
I can then send them e mail to find out what exactly they can offer .
Thanks for your help, I appreciate
Ranjan
Hello Ranjan,
Nice to hear from you again.
I found the English version of the website:
http://www.acerent.hu/eng/autok.php?t=szemelyautok
They are located along the road from the airport to the center (app 10min by car from the airport). But I think you can arrange with them to pick up the car at the airport, for an extra fee.
I used them a few times. Their cars are basic but were doing the job well and they are the cheapest I found by far - that's why I dare recommend them.
On this website, you can find more links to rental companies. It is a list of companies that offer car rental with pick-up at the airport. http://ferihegy.lap.hu/autokolcsonzes__car_rental/20790456
Let me know if you have any difficulties with the language.
You can find the currency exchange rate on www.xe.com
I think it is a good idea to stay somewhere along the road at a guesthouse near Ljubljana and Graz. Both are relatively small towns, so it is easy to drive in to visit the place.
I have been to Berlin a few times, but the only hostel I stayed was on a boat. It was more like unique experience than great comfort - altough I think their 1. class private cabins are not too bad. Here is the link to their website: http://www.eastern-comfort.com/
It is not located in the center, but near the lively Krautzberg district. I remember there was a parking space and you could rent bicycles. Bicycle is the best way to get around the city. Berlin has excellent bicycle routes.
I am sure you can find some more central located place. At that time, I had booked it only because I though it was a fun to stay on a boat.
Send me a reminder once you're near Budapest, I can give you some tips where to go, eat, etc.
Let's keep in touch...
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