Advice? First trip to Eastern Europe

Hello there!

I am planning to travel to Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary at the end of January and I would love advice on ways to get around, where to stay and what to do! I am a novice traveller (I have only been to a few places in Europe and I'm currently 4 months into a 10 month volunteering stay in the Middle East). Oh yes, I am definitely on a budget,due to the aforementioned volunteering! Thanks in advance for any advice that you can give me

Ha! I'm living in Budapest right now so this is right up my alley.

I haven't been to Bulgaria yet, but have traveled a lot in Hungary and in Romania.

It's easy to get around here on a budget (especially Romania) however prices aren't that cheap anymore (thanks EU!). On the countryside prices drop dramatically but in big cities like Budapest things cost about as much as they would in Canada, perhaps slightly cheaper overall.

Look at $10 - $20 per night for a hostel room. Around $20 per day if you're eating out at restaurants (less in Romania). As for things to see, I suggest Budapest, Pecs, and maybe Eger for Hungary. Romania - Brasov (nice, but I think a little over-rated by guidebooks), Timisoara and other towns in Transylvania. Bucharest, in my opinion, is easily one of the worst cities I've ever been to. I have no desire to go back, but you'd might as well give it a day or two. Its big, ugly, dirty, smelly, chaotic, packs of dogs all over the place stuff like that. Really quite a shame.

Bulgaria - No idea. Haven't been there yet.

Good luck!

If you go to budapest, try Enter Hostel.
They have nice room, the staff is very helpful and the location is just perfect. they have website enterhostel.uw.hu
anyway, there is always lots of things to do in budapest. especially pest side.
good luck

I stayed at a private hostel called Backpack Guesthouse in Budapest(Takacs MenyhÈrt u. 33., , Budapest, Budapest Fovar). It was a really cool place to stay, also cheap, about 7$ a night( but that was 6 years ago) It's a bit far from the center, but if you don't mind walking a bit further(atleas 25min walk from downtown)but it's worth it. The hostel itself is a bungalow with a regular kitchen and living room like a house at home. On Sundays they make dinner for all the guest for free. There's also a nice backyard to hangout in. The living room has a tv with over 200 movies to watch for free. They also offer a laundry service. The staff have good ideas for things to do with your time. THe rooms all have themes. I stayed in the Bob Marley room. This room also had real beds as opposed to bunkbeds. As far as I know it is still operating.

Ren