Getting There & Away in Vilnius

Good to Know

• Vilnius Airport is one of Europe's most efficient small airports—all transport reaches Old Town in 15–25 minutes, remarkably fast for airport access.
• Bus 88 runs 24/7 and directly connects airport to city center; an excellent budget-friendly option for any arrival time.
• The Airport Express train (7 minutes, €0.80) is faster and more comfortable than buses if luggage is substantial; central station is a short walk to Old Town.
• Download the Trafi app before arrival—it's the primary tool for real-time journey planning, route optimization, and mobile ticket purchase for public transport.
• Avoid taxis waiting directly outside the airport terminal; they are notoriously overpriced. Use the official taxi rank or Bolt app instead.
• Lithuania uses the Euro (€). ATMs are available in the arrivals hall. Credit/debit cards are accepted almost everywhere in the city.
• For domestic travel within Lithuania, trains and buses are affordable and reliable. Kaunas (104 km, ~1.5 hours) and Klaipėda (376 km, ~4 hours) are easily accessible day trips or overnight stays.
• International rail connections to Warsaw, Riga, and other European cities are well-coordinated; from Warsaw, onward trains reach Berlin, Vienna, Prague, and beyond.
• Vilnius serves as an excellent hub for day trips: Trakai Castle (28 km, 40 min) is the most popular; Kaunas, Paneriai, and Kernavė are also accessible within a few hours.
• Public transport operates 24/7 with night buses (routes N88, N101–N105) serving late-night travelers. Regular daytime buses typically run 5:00 AM–midnight.
• The Vilniečio kortelė (physical transport card, €1.50) is worth buying if planning multiple public transport journeys; it allows flexible ticket loading and free transfers.
• Car rental is available at the airport but not necessary for the city center (Old Town is car-free for non-residents). Useful primarily for countryside and castle exploration.