Getting Around Lithuania

Air

There are no scheduled internal flights. Lithuania's compact size means it makes more sense to get around by car, bus or train.

Road

Side of the road

Road Quality

There is a good network of roads within the country. Modern four-lane motorways connect Vilnius with Klaipeda, Kaunas and Panevezys.

Car Hire

Available from local and international firms.

Coach

A good coach network connects Vilnius with major towns and cities around Lithuania and beyond. You can buy tickets online at www.autobusubilietai.lt.

Regulations

The minimum driving age is 18. Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in towns, 70-90kph (43-56mph) on country roads and 100-130kph (62-81mph) on motorways. Winter conditions can be severe in Lithuania so winter tyres are a legal requirement from November to March. Dipped headlights are also compulsory all year round.

Documentation

Most European nationals should be in possession of EU pink format driving licences. Otherwise, a national driving licence is sufficient, if supported by photo-bearing ID.

Urban travel

Public transport in urban districts includes buses and trolleybuses, which usually run from 0500 to 2300, but times do vary between routes. You can buy tickets either at news kiosks before boarding or from the driver. Minibuses are less crowded but more expensive. Taxis display illuminated Taksi signs and can be hailed in the street, found at taxi ranks or ordered by phone.

Rail

Lietuvos Gelezinkeliai (tel: +370 7005 5111; www.litrail.lt) provides good connections from Vilnius to Kaunas, Klaipeda and Siauliai. Twice-daily passenger trains (including a sleeper train) connect Vilnius with the Baltic coast. Though the train does not stop in Palanga, the major resort on the Baltic coast, passengers to Palanga usually get off at Kretinga station or in Klaipeda and then reach Palanga by bus.

Passengers to Neringa (Nida, Juodkrante) can go to Klaipeda by train and then take a bus. Suburban trains going to Ignalina connect Vilnius with the popular lake district of the National Park. You can reach the ancient Trakai Castle by taking the suburban train going to Trakai.

Water

Local ferries connect Klaipeda and the Curonian Spit. Klaipeda is also home to yacht clubs.