What’s the best way to travel on a budget in Ukraine and Poland?
A month from now, I have a week in which to see western Ukraine and eastern Poland. I want to especially see Odessa and then go to Bialowieza National Park in Poland. If I can, I also want to see Chisinau, Moldova. I’d rather use trains than flights, as I have about $500 to spend total. I have to start from and end up back in Budapest. Does anyone have good suggestions for how to see this less-visited part of Eastern Europe without spending a gigantic amount of money?
Specifically, it’s hard to find any information at all on the rail service around here.
If anyone really knows much about traveling in Ukraine or has been to Bialowieza, that would be so great. Thanks.
If you want to use the trains in this part of the world you better speak the languages. I live in Ukraine and would be VERY hard pressed to buy a ticket, read it, board, etc. without my girlfriend (who speaks Ukrainian). I can do well in Hungary because I speak Hungarian, but unlike airports, where all announcements are in the local language and English, all announcements in train stations are only in the local language. There is also a problem with crime on trains in Eastern Europe, especially since you’re wanting to go to the "less-visited" parts of the country alone. In Ukraine, for example, you should buy a compartment with a door that locks, but that means purchasing tickets for at least one other bed (for which you will need another passport). You are safer to go with a tour group in this part of the world. Crime is not everywhere, but you need to be careful and not get yourself in a situation where you cannot deal with the language barrier. You can travel quite nicely for $500 for a week, but you have planned a little much I think for that week. Pick either Poland or Odessa and focus on that area. Find a reputable travel agency to advise you on tickets and purchase them for you. And make sure you don’t get yourself in a place you can’t get out of, just in case the worst happens.
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If you want to use the trains in this part of the world you better speak the languages. I live in Ukraine and would be VERY hard pressed to buy a ticket, read it, board, etc. without my girlfriend (who speaks Ukrainian). I can do well in Hungary because I speak Hungarian, but unlike airports, where all announcements are in the local language and English, all announcements in train stations are only in the local language. There is also a problem with crime on trains in Eastern Europe, especially since you’re wanting to go to the "less-visited" parts of the country alone. In Ukraine, for example, you should buy a compartment with a door that locks, but that means purchasing tickets for at least one other bed (for which you will need another passport). You are safer to go with a tour group in this part of the world. Crime is not everywhere, but you need to be careful and not get yourself in a situation where you cannot deal with the language barrier. You can travel quite nicely for $500 for a week, but you have planned a little much I think for that week. Pick either Poland or Odessa and focus on that area. Find a reputable travel agency to advise you on tickets and purchase them for you. And make sure you don’t get yourself in a place you can’t get out of, just in case the worst happens.
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I live in Ukraine and have visited Poland and Hungary
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