Traveling in Central Europe
Hi;
My wife and I leave Canada on April 26th for Budapest (4 days), Bratislava (2 days), Vienna (5 days), Prague 5 days and touring Bohemia by car - Carlsbad, Marienbad , Ceske Budejovice, Ceske Krumlov, etc.(4days). Any suggestions would be appreciated. Is the Euro being accepted in Prague, Bratislava and Budapest?
Thanks

We paid for our apartment in Prague in cash, in euros. That option was advertised on the apartment website.

I doubt it is a generally available option.

Others -- corroborate?

A number of places in Prague and Budapest and Bratislava quote prices in euros but, in my limited experience, expect payment (CC or cash) in the local currency -- and they set the conversion rate, when accepting cash.

Overall your allocation of time is generous at each stop.

I'd say 2 days in Bratislava is more than I would give it -- others dissent from my view, though. I would add a day to Budapest and subtract from tiny B'slava....

...which does however have great restaurants. If I can find the names (fellow-travellers chose them) I will post.

If you want Budapest-specific info you will find lots on this site. If you have specific questions, please post them here.......

No - you will need to pay in the local currencies - except for Austria, which uses euros. Some larger tourist places in Hungary or the Czech Republic may do you a favor by accepting euros - but the exxchange rate will be awful.

Use ATMs to get local currency..it is by far the easiest way.

I liked Bratislava and feel like it doesn't get enough credit but it is small. It has a really nice little old town city center. The Slovaka Restaurant was very nice and a great place to go for authentic food. If you are arriving by train you will NOT have a good impression (and be aware that there is no ATM at the train station (that I could find anyway))but once you get to the old town area it's quite different and charming. I'll be posting some Budapest information in a separate new thread.

Erice,

I second Dennis' comments on Bratislava. Another big plus there: If you enjoy classical music or opera, it's the best deal in Europe and a good excuse to stay overnight.

The communists did their best to uglify the place with the blockhouses of Petrzalka and the big bridge cutting the old town in two. But the city fathers have focused their revival efforts on the Old Town, banning cars and sprucing it up. The result: a taste of Old Europe pre-automobile cafe society.
I think it's one of the most charming spots anywhere.