German Rail pass and night train questions

It won't work Prague to Vienna for sure. Berlin to Prague maybe bus only, and doubtful for Budapest to Munich. Look at the map on the flyer you download from the DB GRP page.

PS for Berlin to Prague you need a train to Leipzig, then IC Bus to Prague. No go Prague to Vienna and Vienna to Budapest and Budapest to Munich.

Why not forget the pass and just buy point to point Sparpreis tickets?

Beds in real sleeping compartments (as opposed to couchettes) tend to be considerably more expensive than a budget hotel, and far less comfortable. Even couchettes are often more expensive that a decent low-end hotel room--and I'm talking about a single room. Two people sharing would certainly pay less at a hotel. And they'd have a chance of actually getting a reasonable amount of sleep.

No, I am not a fan of night trains.

Sam's routing suggestion is based on the German Rail Pass, which is a specific product covering trains in Germany as well as some extras like the bus from Nuremberg to Prague; but that's not a good fit for your trip. A European East Pass for about $211 would cover about 2/3 of your trip, also not an ideal fit. The only pass that covers all these countries is the Eurail Global pass, 5 travel days for about at $323. As far as further promotions, you just have to wait and see - they are not announced in advance.

Three of your legs are through Austria and Austrian trains are not always bookable more than 3 months in advance of the travel date, although I do see that you can buy the night train ticket now through DB. 135 euros per person is the Semi-Flex price for the night train with double sleeper, but by booking now, you can choose the non-flex price for 69 euros per person. This is the whole ticket for the route, not related to a rail pass.

You need not have a rail pass in your hand to make passholder reservations for the overnight train, or any train, but DB does not handle those online; you either book through a US agent, or by phone to Europe, or in Europe. One benefit of the pass is that you don't need seat reservations on daytime trains on these routes, so you can keep your schedule flexible. But if you're actually ready to book all the trains ahead, then you could get similarly discounted tickets for each one instead of a rail pass.

See also:
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/buying-tickets

With nonrefundable tickets bought now, these are typical prices I see for July at Deutsche Bahn and OEBB, the Austrian national railway.
Munich to Berlin, 39.80 EUR for 2
Berlin to Prague, 39.80 EUR for 2
Prague to Vienna, 28.00 EUR for 2
Vienna to Budapest 28.00 EUR for 2

The Budapest to Munich Night Train is 58.00 EUR for 2 for seats in the carriage, or 199.00 EUR for 2 with a private couchette compartment.

That is less than 194 EUR for 2, about $225 US at current exchange rate. As you have learned, even with a railpass, you have to pay up for sleeping accommodations on night trains. I'd do it as a day train and spend a comfortable night in a hotel, which in Budapest will be about half the upcharge for a sleeper in a decent hotel.

So now you know the extra cost you are paying for the flexibility of a railpass.

Hi,

With a pass these route you have listed offer night trains if you decide on that option...I would. They are: Vienna to Budapest, Munich to Berlin, and Prague to Vienna.

If you dispense with the sleeper option and just want to sit in a six seat compartment, that is what the pass will cover. You only need to buy a seat reservation.

The pass allows you to board no guaranteed seat. For that you pay a little extra for the seat reservation. I've been doing this option on every single trip since retirement

"...when most people buy rail passes anyway." Be advised these people are not just Americans, they're from South America, Japan, China, and South Korea, as the pass literature is written in their languages as well, which it should be.

@ Shira...If you want to go the cheapest using the rail pass on the night train, don't choose the Sleeper, sit in a compartment or, if offered, in the general seating area. I never choose the Sleeper option.