Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 12:59 am-
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!