LithuaniaTravel guide

Train

LTG Link runs the rail network. Vilnius–Kaunas trains run hourly and take 70–90 minutes. Buy tickets at stations, online, or on the train when boarding at a rural station without ticket facilities. Buying on the train adds a €2 service fee. Station ticket machines accept bank cards. Information Centre staff can help you use the machines, but do not sell tickets. Many routes have few trains and can sell out. Tickets are for a specific train, and earlier bookings are likely to cost less. Trains have more room than buses for large bags, skis and bicycles. Low platforms and high doors can make boarding difficult for people with limited mobility.

Bus

Buses serve all towns, all three airports and most villages. Vilnius–Kaunas buses run every 30 minutes and take about 90 minutes. Autobusubilietai.lt has timetables and tickets in English and other languages. It accepts bank cards and includes some international routes. Check the journey time, shown as “trukmės”. Some routes take long detours or require a change in Vilnius. Town buses and trolleybuses are cashless. Pay with a travel card or tap your bank card. Students with Lithuanian or European International Student Identity Cards can get a 50% bus discount.

Car

Drive on the right and keep headlights on at all times. Follow posted speed limits, which are shown in kilometres per hour. Some limits change with the season and road conditions. Turn right at a red light only when a green arrow allows it and the turn is safe. Lanes marked “A” are bus lanes, while “A / TAKSI” lanes also allow taxis. Other drivers may enter these lanes only to turn right. Winter tyres are required from November 10 to April 1. Studded tyres are allowed from November 1 to April 10. Minor roads may have potholes. Watch for wild animals, especially when it gets dark early in winter.

Journey planning

Google Maps covers public transport well in Vilnius and includes intercity buses and trains. Local transport information may have gaps in smaller towns and rural areas. Bus and railway booking websites cannot plan a journey combining both types of transport. Check each part separately.

Vilnius Old Town

Explore a partly pedestrianised historic district with churches, the university quarter, a cathedral and a castle. It is recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a World Heritage Site.

Užupis

This artistic district in eastern Vilnius playfully declares itself an independent republic.

Trakai Island Castle

Its red towers and waterside setting make it one of the country's most attractive castles.

Curonian Spit and Hill of Witches

A short ferry ride from Klaipėda reaches this long strip of dunes and forest. Near Juodkrantė, wooden sculptures illustrate local stories and legends.

Hill of Crosses

This site, 12 kilometres north of Šiauliai, holds over 100,000 crosses of many sizes.

Aukštaitija National Park

Its lakes and forests are home to elk, deer and wild boar.

Cepelinai

Potato dumplings filled with meat, also called “Zeppelins”.

Šaltibarščiai and rye bread

A summer soup made with beetroot and soured milk. Dark rye bread, called ruginė duona, goes well with soup.

Kugelis and bulviniai blynai

Kugelis is a baked potato dish. Bulviniai blynai are grated potato pancakes served with sauces.

Traditional meat dishes

Vėdarai is pig intestine stuffed with potato. Skilandis is pig stomach filled with ground meat and garlic, then cold-smoked.

Fish

Pike and perch may be baked whole or stuffed. Silkė is herring, served marinated, baked, fried or in jelly.

Pastries and desserts

Žagarėliai are thin, curled fried pastries with powdered sugar. Spurgos are doughnuts, often filled with jam.