What train pass to purchase?

If you are willing to commit to specific trains, you can save a bundle vs. buying a rail pass. For example, I just returned from Austria and Germany and booked four separate train trips for our family using the "Sparscheine" fares on the OeBB and the "Savings Fares" on Deutschbahn site. As compared to a two-country (Austria-Germany) rail pass with 5 trips allowed in one month, I saved approximately 50% by booking point-to-point trips with the special fares vs. buying the rail pass. One caveat is that you need to purchase tickets on-line as early as possible because there are only a finite number of special fares available and eventually they disappear. Also, if you miss your train you are out the cost of the ticket, although Deutschbahn had an optional insurance policy (but I don't know what it covered in such a case). Fortunately, we showed up early at the stations and did not have any problems. Since you are leaving in July, you should still have an opportunity to purchase the discount fares.

I agree with everything in Robert's post. Here's a good discussion of why a railpass is not, these days, usually the best option: http://tinyurl.com/bkw4u6c For train routes and schedules (and prices if the train starts in Germany), use the Bahn website. Here's Rick's tutorial on it: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/db_tips.htm Here's where to look to buy discounted tickets for trains starting in other countries: http://tinyurl.com/bo8x6o6

Marissa, Are you and the two friends under 26? If so, I suggest the Youth Austria-Ger. Pass, if you decide on a Pass. Personally, I wouldn't because you're doing too few long rides where you can ride the ICE. In my view I use a Pass for ten long rides. For the non-Austian or non-German portions of the rides, the point to point ticket will cover it. IF you want to go the entire route Frankfurt-Prague by train, take the ICE Frankfurt to Dresden, change to an EC train to Dresden.

For how ever it works into your decision making the Vienna to Budapest ticket, purchased in country a few days in advance will cost about 19 euro last time I checked. The Prague to Vienna ticket isn't much more.