3 Weeks to Explore Eastern/Central Europe

Budapest 4 full days not including travel days is a good stay.

Dubrovnik, IMHO is best arrive early one day, spend the night and travel on late the next day. We drove down the coast to Perast for 2 excellent nights then on to Titograd for a 65 euro flight to Belgrade. Enjoyed Belgrade more than I thought we would and now wish we had spent 2 nights instead of one. But think 3 nights would be pushing it. Another 65 euro flight got us Belgrade to Budapest in an hour. Have also flown Budapest to Istanbul for about $250 on Turkish Air, but the drive across Bulgaria to Istanbul on another trip was much more fun.

How had you planned to get from town to town?

Thank you for telling me about your trip! Good to know Dubrovnik could be done in fewer days.

I'm planning to get around by rail... I'm still deciding whether I should get the Balkan Pass or get point-to-point tickets.

You must not realize that this area is not really served well (or at all) by rail. Dubrovnik, for example - the closest train station is in Split. Plitvice - no rail. You are likely looking at buses and flights.

I think you really have to start in Dubrovnik (3).
Bus and ferry up the coast thru Split (2) to Plitivice (1) and on to Zagreb (3).
From Zagreb then by train to Istanbul via Belgrade (2) and Sofia (2).
Fly from Istanbul (4) to Budapest (4).

This may be too much to compress in to 3 weeks if you wish to make stopovers in Belgrade and Sofia.

The man in seat 61 can give you guidance for the train from Zagreb to Istanbul.
http://www.seat61.com/Turkey.htm#via%20Belgrade

I've had a couple of friends take the train to Istanbul.....not really something I would recommend. Besides flights are cheap.

First of all, I don't think you are stretching yourself too thin. 3-4 days in each city sounds like my kind of pace.

I'm currently planning a trip that includes some of these stops as well. According to my research, the best way to get around Croatia is by car. I plan to rent a car in Zagreb, drive to Plitvice Lakes (so pretty!) and Split, and drop it off in Dubrovnik. It looks like it's the easiest, fastest, and cheapest option. Check out this website to compare transportation options.

You should definitely fly to Istanbul from Belgrade. It will save you tons of time and effort.
Have fun on your trip!

Wonderful!!

I feel good about the pace too!

I really like the idea of flying from Belgrade to Istanbul. Thank you so much!!!!