Eastern Europe

[moosebee]

Hi all,
I am travelling to Poland,Ukraine, Romania,Hungary and Czech Republic very soon. Has anyone rented a car to travel in these areas? I have heard of horror stories before there. Also how are the other modes of transportation there? Thanks to all that answer.
moosebee

[worldwidemike]

Honestly, you might want to look into what it would cost you to hire a car AND driver combination...at least in Romania and the Ukraine. My guess is the others are "Western" enough that you'd be able to get by driving yourself. That is just a guess, mind you, as I have not rented a car in E. Europe.

I would do some internet searches of travel agencies in those particular countries, and ask them what the going rate is for a car and driver. Naturally, they will likely try to sell you a more expensive package tour, but with persistance, you might get some info and referrals out of them. If you keep hammering away at them saying you are trying to do it cheaply, and that you aren't interested in a package tour, they might persuaded to "custom design" something for you at a backpacker rate.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes...!

worldwidemike

[tumblezweedz]

Haven't rented in those specific countries, but here in Lithuania you can usually get a cheap car (and driver, sometimes) if you wait til you're in country and go through a local agency. Also, check www.inyourpocket.com, to see if they have city or country guides for the places you want to go. (I know they cover a couple of cities in Poland, and I'm pretty sure Prague. Don't know about the others.) The website is pretty extensive, but the books are a treasury of info - usually cost about $2 in country, more through the website, I'm sure.

Good luck!