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Does anybody have any advice for travelling on a budget in Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia? This will be in March.

My only specific question at this stage is getting from capital to capital, Sofia to Budapest to Belgrade to Podgorico etc to Split to catch the ferrry to Ancona in Italy.

I have a UK passpost, do I need visas etc?

Thanks

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I have some advice - if somebody tells you about a hostel full of sexy girls, it might be best to think twice before going there...

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Originally posted by Tyrannosauruschex
I have some advice - if somebody tells you about a hostel full of sexy girls, it might be best to think twice before going there...
If this thread tops 100 posts, this will still have been the best tip there. Thanks

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Originally posted by asromacalcio
Does anybody have any advice for travelling on a budget in Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia? This will be in March.

My only specific question at this stage is getting from capital to capital, Sofia to Budapest to Belgrade to Podgorico etc to Split to catch the ferrry to Ancona in Italy.

I have a UK passpost, do I need visas etc?

Thanks
If you're there for a month get an interrail ticket to cover the zones you're after - a one off cost for unlimited rail travel, and the rail network is good. Might even cover some ferries, IIRC.

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Originally posted by rhb
If you're there for a month get an interrail ticket to cover the zones you're after - a one off cost for unlimited rail travel, and the rail network is good. Might even cover some ferries, IIRC.
Don't you have to be under 30 (or 25) for something like this?

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Originally posted by asromacalcio
Don't you have to be under 30 (or 25) for something like this?
nope, it's just more expensive once you're 26+

http://www.statravel.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/uk_division_web_live/hs.xsl/559.htm?WT.srch=1&gcid=S14242x121&keyword={KeyWord}&rw.cm=Google,PPC,interrail

not necessarily the best site to buy from, but a reputable one. shop around though.

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Originally posted by rhb
nope, it's just more expensive once you're 26+

http://www.statravel.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/uk_division_web_live/hs.xsl/559.htm?WT.srch=1&gcid=S14242x121&keyword={KeyWord}&rw.cm=Google,PPC,interrail

not necessarily the best site to buy from, but a reputable one. shop around though.
Thanks

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Originally posted by rhb
nope, it's just more expensive once you're 26+

http://www.statravel.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/uk_division_web_live/hs.xsl/559.htm?WT.srch=1&gcid=S14242x121&keyword={KeyWord}&rw.cm=Google,PPC,interrail

not necessarily the best site to buy from, but a reputable one. shop around though.
Why do people over 26 have to pay more? What's the justification for such blatant age discrimination?

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I lived in Romania for a short while and two years in Bulgaria. I can give you some tips about both countries, but tell me how long you'll be there in each country and what are you looking for, so I can know what to suggest...

Don't forget to get some of that amazing Transilvanian palinca! (also called tsuica in some parts of Romania)

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Originally posted by Sam The Sham
Why do people over 26 have to pay more? What's the justification for such blatant age discrimination?
They generally earn more (or carry less debt) so can afford to pay more. also demand is less as they're usually jetting abroad by that age. That's capitalism for you.

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Originally posted by Palynka
I lived in Romania for a short while and two years in Bulgaria. I can give you some tips about both countries, but tell me how long you'll be there in each country and what are you looking for, so I can know what to suggest...

Don't forget to get some of that amazing Transilvanian palinca! (also called tsuica in some parts of Romania)
Probably not Romania now, but a week in Bulgaria based in Sofia. I'd also like to get over to Belgrade and Podgorico. As such, I'm happy to follow my nose but safety tips and tips on how to get about from place to place and over borders would be useful. And finally, visa requirements, I have a UK passport.

Thanks

You can PM me if you prefer.

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Originally posted by asromacalcio
Probably not Romania now, but a week in Bulgaria based in Sofia. I'd also like to get over to Belgrade and Podgorico. As such, I'm happy to follow my nose but safety tips and tips on how to get about from place to place and over borders would be useful. And finally, visa requirements, I have a UK passport.

Thanks

You can PM me if you prefer.
You have no previous visa requirements visiting Serbia, Bulgaria or Romania. The last two are in the EU, so it's just stamp and go.

For Serbia, I don't remember if you still have to buy a visiting visa at the border but I think it's also stamp and go now. Anyway, even in the worst case scenario, you won't need to go to embassies/consulates beforehand and can do everything at the border.

But, the most useful tip I can give you is:
DO NOT SKIP ROMANIA. The Carpatians (the areas around Brasov, Sighisoara, Sinaia) are probably the place in Europe I find the most beautiful and surprising. Particularly if you rent a car (but it's also very nice by train) there's plenty of small fortified citadels and beautiful beautiful landscapes. If you're short on time, skip Bucharest, but DON'T skip the Carpatians.

If you like nature and are going in the Spring, then don't skip the Danube delta, either.

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Originally posted by Tyrannosauruschex
I have some advice - if somebody tells you about a hostel full of sexy girls, it might be best to think twice before going there...
If you find such a place then get to the Embassy and get a credit card a.s.a.p. and make it non-budget! 😛

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Originally posted by Palynka
You have no previous visa requirements visiting Serbia, Bulgaria or Romania. The last two are in the EU, so it's just stamp and go.

For Serbia, I don't remember if you still have to buy a visiting visa at the border but I think it's also stamp and go now. Anyway, even in the worst case scenario, you won't need to go to embassies/consulates beforehand and ...[text shortened]... you like nature and are going in the Spring, then don't skip the Danube delta, either.
How about hiring a bike? Anyway, I like the sound of all that, maybe I'll cut the Italy leg of the holiday out and fly from and to Sofia, touring around by bike and train. Maybe car. I might need an internation licence though and as I am resident outside the country where my licence was issued that might be tough. I'll look into that.

How about safety and language? I speak five languages including Italian and OK Russian, will these and English be enough, or would I need to learn a bit of the local lingo too.