Overall, I like this itinerary and you appear to have done your homework in terms of finding the best interrail pass/passes. I wouldn’t be excited about the section between Budapest and Dubrovnik as that looks like an awful lot of time in transit compared to the amount of time you actually get to spend anyplace. I’d also be uncomfortable with the number of overnight trains/buses in the short time span in this area. Have you looked for a cheap flight or two for this section? Use www.whichbudget.com to see which low fare airlines fly which routes and check our cheap flights forum for more links, tips and help.

Agree with OL to look for cheap flights. You will be tired on the trip and grateful for an actual bed to sleep in at the end of the day.

Couple things I’d think about:

Any reason why so many days in Naples? Worth a couple hours tops, to see the Archeological Museum, IMO. I’d reallocate to either the Amalfi Coast for 3-4 days. I prefer Sorrento as a base where you can daytrip to Pompeii, Amalfi, Capri, Positano, Paestrum, Salerno, etc. Or you could visit Cinque Terre, which is beautiful.

I think you’d want more time in Florence…one day really isn’t enough to see all the sights. I’d cut one day trip, or maybe try to see both Pisa and Siena in the same day. Siena is lovely to stroll around and you could spend more time there, but Pisa really can be “seen” in a few hours.

Split is fine, enjoyable for an afternoon, but I prefer the nearby island of Hvar (1 hr from Split by ferry).

Thanks for your feedback!
So do you agree it is best to get the 22 day pass, instead of the 1 month pass? As it seems that in eastern europe i’m more likely to be getting busses. I will look into the flights, I have been trying to work out how to tweak that part of the schedule, as it does seem too much travelling time!

OK, so cut down naples and increase Florence. Thanks for your tips on Italy, I have never been so wasn’t sure how long i would need in each place! I will also look into Hvar.

Any ideas what sort of costs I will be looking at for an itinery like this?

Probably. Your UK based interrail pass will probably be more expensive that point to point tickets in Eastern Europe and, as you state, you will be taking the bus as there is no train to Dubvonik. Are you planning hostel dorms, 1 star hotels or hotel rooms with en-suite bath and how much time do you intend to spend finding hotel/hostel rooms? Are you planning on self-catering, food from street vendors and markets, low end cafes, or actual restaurants? Will you be using subway and bus or taxi’s to get around these cities? Do you intend to visit ALL the important museums, take the elevator or tram to the top of everything, take every city tour, engage in serious drinking or clubbing, eat meals on these overnight trains?

I might spend an afternoon in Naples (they have a good museum of artifcats from Pompeii) but agree with OldLady about using nearby Sorrento as a base.

Naples is, for the most part, a big, extremely dirty congested city with a lot of petty crime (i.e. purse snatchers on Vespas are the #1 problem. Do not put your passport/moeny in your purse).

I am planning on staying in dorms, maybe a few private dorms along the way to keep my mother happy! I am happy to eat wherever, but my mum is a vegetarian, and would probably prefer proper restaurants. We will be using subways and buses rather than taxis and definitely no clubbing or drinking with my mum!!

I have looked at flights between some of the destinations in south east europe (the section between Budapest and italy) and I cant find anything cheap. Does anyone have any suggestions on an alternative itinery between Budapest and crossing to italy?Maybe destinations that aren’t so far away from eachother.

Private rooms* (not dorms)

Have you considered looking for cheap flights from Vienna (or Bratislava) as opposed to Budapest? It would be quick and easy to get back to Vienna to catch a flight. Also check our “cheap flights” forum for hundreds of flight search engines, links and tips. Post specific questions there for help from Don and the experts. I think Air Croatia has some relatively cheap flights and some of them honor the Europe by Air $99 (US) flight pass, although I don’t know if you’d qualify for that: www.europebyair.com I see a “Croatia on Sale” ad on the site right now.

I’d guess you could be quite comfortable in the style you’ve mentioned at around $125 US (77 GBP) per person per day — not including your city to city transportation. Invest in a good budget-type guide book and spend some time looking for reasonably priced hotels. I believe Let’s Go and Lonely Planet both have small sections on vegetarian dining in each major city. I would try for hotel rooms under $130 per night ($65 each). Private rooms in hostels will be cheaper so look at pensions, hotels and B & B’s in Eastern Europe and then use private rooms in hostels to avoid the very high hotel prices in the big Western European cities. I have found good prices for mid-range hotels and hostels under the “bookings” tab on this site, but it always pays to check a few different booking sites for comparison and to try to book directly with the property.

P.S. One of my all time favorite Eurotrips was Southern France with my mother.