Bootsmadeforwalkin

Spending but a few days with a tour group in Vienna and Budapest. Only monetary needs are lunch and trinket purchases. How much cash should I expect to have on hand for those purchases. I understand many places do not accept credit cards, even with a chip. Also, I understand Vienna is more "business casual" in dress. No tennis shoes ever? Even if going to touristy locations? Concert halls I'm expecting more "dressy"... coat/slacks for men, dresses/suits for women?
I've read Budapest is more casual. Do women over 40 wear shorts or just slacks/skirts/dresses? Do tourist men wear shorts or just slacks? How about $ in Budapest? Same tips as Vienna? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

MmePerdu

Rules that may apply to the citizenry, don't generally apply to tourists where dress is concerned. If going there to work, then "when in Rome..." or Vienna or Budapest. If going as a tourist, you'll be perceived as a tourist and no need to fret. In general, I'd say Vienna is a bit more formal than Budapest but again, not for tourists, except, as you mentioned, possibly for certain events.

If you're clean and tidy and not flaunting too much skin, you'll be fine. Tennis shoes, also fine. In any city, it's always a safe bet to leave the shorts in the suitcase, until you get to the beach.

Andrew

Use your ATM card in each country take out as much local currency as you need in each place. Notify your credit union or bank ahead of time that you will be traveling, when and where, so they don't disable your card as fraud protection after first use. Also find out what the cost to use the card is in Europe. European ATMs owned by banks usually charge nothing, but your financial institution may charge a per-use fee plus a currency conversion fee. Obviously, you want to minimize your ATM use if you incur a per-use fee time.

scdreamer

Just returned from Vienna a few days ago (Budapest, too) and we saw plenty of people wearing tennis shoes. It was close to 90 degrees while we were there, and there were lots of people wearing shorts, too. Most were obviously tourists, but still, we saw quite a few. Not so much in Budapest, but it wasn't as warm while we were there.

Actually, the only tacky American dress mode that we DIDN'T see was people wearing their jammies out in public - those ugly plaid flannel pajama bottoms that are seen out in public in the U.S.

bilboburgler

1) Whatever you do, ensure that you have tickets for the Budapest underground if you use it and stamp the ticket on entrance to the platforms. Ticket police and fake ticket police come and go but are difficult.

2) Shorts, only in the Spas, where you will need shower shoes for walking about. Watch out if you are in an outdoor spa and a storm comes through, get out!

3) Linen jackets at least for Vienna

4) Pajamas...... no really, in public...

5) Don't walk down the street eating food or sucking on a plastic bottle (I'm sure you don't need to be told but if we have to worry about PJs.....)

6) Lunch, it depends. If you want fizzy kid's drinks you will need extra but if all you want is a three course adult meal with wine you should get by with E15-20 (say salad, main dish and sweet) and a little less in Forints depending on interest rates (you'll find Hungary is extra heavy on the meat rations as they never went hungry under the Russians). If you just want a sandwich you can get by on lots less. If you want an international branded product heaven knows but avoid International beers and spirits as you pay a hefty premium for damaging the environment.

7) Trinkets.... you'll find that not all Tabacs have stamps for international postcards, but rubbish costs what you pay for it.

8) Dollars in Budapest.. Don't do it, like offering glass beads to Native Americans. You may get by with Euros but expect to get stung for it

9) Tips, don't do it. You are in a civilised part of the world where people get paid to do their jobs. Though you will find some staff expect American's to have no idea how to behave and throw money around. Basically that means bell-hops. Generally round up to the nearest Euro or 100 Forints in restaurants or bars, but don't be surprised if the cash gets returned to you.

10) Much as I dislike street food, Vienna does have some good choices, investigate. Do go for coffee and cake.

11) Smoking is still an issue in Austria, don't be surprised.

12) Do say hello to people, Austrians are both formal and friendly and will be surprised if you don't say hello to reception staff in the hotel (also you need Gruss Gott in your vocab), when you leave the lift, say goodbye . Similar in Hungary, but different language, don't worry they know they speak a weird language, but just learning a few words goes a long way.

13) Don't drop litter in Austria (Hungarians seem more laid back, but do it there either), do watch out for broken glass more in Hungary, they seem surprised that bottle shatter!

bilboburgler

(Hungarians seem more laid back, but DON'T do it there either) .... sorry my mistake.