Will countries not on the Euro still accept the Euro in some countries and cases? We'll be in Hungary,Slovakia, Poland and the Czech Republic. Thanks!

IME border towns may but not generally throughout the country so you will need local currency

I day tripped from Berlin to a town just over the Polish border and there they were using in the supermarkets both euros or zlotys - but because so many Germans flocked here for lower prices

i noticed the same thing in Bratislava recently in supermarkets but not generally elsewhere

Slovakia will be adopting the Euro next year I hear. Whether that makes them more inclined to accept the Euro now I can't say.

garden:

Most stores in these countries (as well as in other countries bordering on the € zone) will accept the €, especially just over the border.

Be prepared, however, that as a rule they will accept paper money only and give change in the local currency.

Be also aware that the exchange rate will be between lousy and scandalous.

Enjoy your trip

Phil.

Some tourist sites may do you a favor and accept euros (although many won't) but they will give you a terrible rate of exchange.

Is there some reason you can;t just use the local currency like everyone else?

In my narrow experience:

Some places in Poland accept euros.

Euros do not -- or did not, 3 years ago -- cut it in Hungary.

Slovakia and Czech Republic are probably at some mid-point between Poland and Hungary, in terms of euro-friendliness.

Accepting Euros instead of the local currency is an additional service that a merchant might provide or not. If he does, it will cost you extra in terms of exchange rate.

Unless you spend an hour in transit in each country, you better think whether the convenience of once not going to an ATM is worth runnign around looking for a merchant offering this service, and then acepting 10-20% higher prices.

I paid with euros for my meals in the airports in Hong Kong and Sydney in 2006

some public pay phones in London and U.K. have accepted euros for several years