Mike, thanks for this useful advice, especially the mention of the Eastern European rail pass. I hadn't had a clue that it existed. It sounds perfect for us.

Between this advice, your explaining the Hilton/Amex AXON option over at the Hilton forum and your previous very good info re South Africa, I feel like you should open a travel consulting service. My wife and I will be your first customers!

Anyway, on the EE rail pass:
1) If you have the pass, do you simply show up at the rail station at the day and time of the train for the tix, or do you need to reserve the tix and seats beforehand?
2) Do you recall whether there is an additional charge for specific seat assignments? Or do you simply find an open seat yourselves?
3) Also, I noted in the OP, I'll actually meet my wife in Krakow. Would you know if I can get our Krakow-Budpaest tix and seats while in Budapest, or only in Krakow?
4) Any experience with overnight trains and berths on your trip? If so, does the pass do you any good in that regard or are sleepers a completely different category?

Thanks for any additional info.