There are more possibilities. The most likely is this:
Budapest-train/bus-Bratislava-train/bus-Prague-train-Krakow-train-Berlin.
or
Prague-train/bus-Bratislava-train/bus-Budapest-bus/overnight train-Krakow-train-Berlin

Buses are generally lots cheaper than trains. For details about the possibilities, see this thread http://www.eurotrip….

I’d vote for train over bus for all of this unless budget is the major consideration. Train will be more comfortable and probably faster. It’s possible that a railpass may save some money over point to point tickets, but I think it’s unlikely with this itinerary.

thanks for your help

thanks so much for your help

another question if you don’t mind: we’ve decided first to fly to Budapest; we’re going to end up in Berlin; we’re going to meet a friend either in Prague or in Bratislava/Vienna; and we’re going to visit Krakow before meeting our friend.

So would it best to go budapest-krakow-bratislava/vienna-prague-berlin or budapest-krakow-prague-bratislava/vienna-berlin?

Or what about budapest-bratislava/vienna-krakow-prague-berlin ?

thanks again for all your help

I’d probably go for Budapest-Bratislava/Vienna-Krakow-Prague-Berlin, but would probably base the final decision on how the train schedules work out. Use the German rail system website http://reiseauskunft… for schedules anywhere in Europe — it’s the most complete and easiest to navigate in English.