Eastern Europe

Hello Andrew 😊

I was in Estonia last year. Yes, it is generally safe. There was more action while I was there than there usually is. Take a look at my blog about Estonia but dont let it scare you. Things like that dont usually happen. :D

I think Slovakia is also safe. I have travelled in the former Czechoslavakia and other former Eastern block countries periodically since 1989. No significant safety problems to report.

The former Eastern block countries and the Baltics are cheaper than Central Europe but they are catching up pricewise.

There is plenty to do in those countries. There is as much to do as there is in Western Europe. Also there is the history element. If you are interested in that you could visit the museums to see how it was in the communist days.

I have not been to Russia but many people travel there alone. You will certainly need a visa. I was going to go to Russia around 10 years ago. I changed my mind because the visa was hard to get and it involved handing over my credit card details to a hotel in Moscow. I heard that it has become easier to get the visas. Use a reputable agent to help you with this.

I go to and from Eastern Europe in various ways. I have flown, gone by train and by car. Go by whichever offers the best prices or whichever is the most convenient.

One thing to beware of are taxi drivers. Avoid them if possible. Public transport is generally good anyway.

I generally spend 30 to 50 Euros per day in those countries. That would be a basic backpackers budget. Food and drinks are as good as in any Western country now, unlike when I first travelled over there. They have their local specialities but if you dont fancy that then there are lots of foreign restaurants and fast food places.

Mel Reply to this

Hi, I'm from Lithuania (one of three Baltic countries). If you need any help or advices, pls let me know 😊 This is a cheap country for sure, and there are very beautiful places to visit. It is worth to go by air. We have air Baltic airline. If you wish to visit all Baltic countries (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia) they have such product as baltic pass.
Do you like active vacations?
Reply to this

Of the five countries you mentioned, I don't think any can be classed as "Eastern Europe", and only Latvia and Lithuania were part of the Soviet Union. Your trip will take you to the Baltic states and Central Europe, which will give you a true feel for what Europe is like.

As for Moscow, getting a Russian visa shouldn't be too problematic - there's a fair amount of beaurocracy but they'll give it to you in the end! It's a brilliant city, but daunting if you don't read cyrillic and very expensive.

J Reply to this