your brain is literally like a water melon <| sep |> As a dial up modem , KSSHHHHHHHHHH SKREEEEEEE ACHHHHHHH . DONG , SKREEDONG SKREEDONG . DEE BOOP . DAHHHHHHhhhhhhh . WELCOME . YOUVE GOT MAIL . <| sep |> Hes a legend at city for me as well <| sep |> I backpacked around Europe for 10 collective months . I never ever booked in advance . 99 percent of the time I booked only a few days ahead . You can always find a place to stay even in peak summer ! Given December is low season then you ' ll have no drama at all finding a bunk and the prices are damn good around that time . Flexibility is one of the best things to have on the road . Random tips I guess would be the following . Pack light . Know which countries use the Euro or their own currency and always arrive with like say at least 50 bucks of the local cash for small shit like food , quick cab ride if you get lost or whatever . I remember once seeing this stupid foreign couple try to pay for some things in a Grocery store in Prague with Euros and the look on the cashier ' s face just said it all . When your in the hostels just be really friendly and chat to people . You ' ll make new mates super fast . Also be nice to the reception staff and ask them where they would go to eat , drink and party . Really great getting that insider knowledge . I usually bought some chocolate or gave them a beer from the shop and they appreciate those things . Great hostel recommendation for Budapest is The Groove hostel . Really nice cosey place , wonderful staff and everyone mingles there as it ' s only a 35 capacity hostel and all rooms converge into the lounge area so you get to know everyone . I don ' t stay in any other hostel in Budapest and everyone I have recommended it too have loved it ! If you have darker skin or could pass for African or Middle Eastern then always have your passport on you ready to show police . Especially on the trains and buses . Try your very best to arrive in each city during the day . Much easier to find your way around . Won ' t feel as rushed or confused . Always have a back up way of accessing money . Be it a second card and some cash stowed away in the hostel locker . Things happen and you don ' t want to be screwed with no back up option . Good luck mate ! Dingo