This page explains how to travel by train or ferry from Vilnius to other European cities.
Information current for 2024. Suggested hotels in Vilnius. Click here for journeys starting in another city.
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Train travel within Lithuania
Trains are a good way to travel between Vilnius, Kaunas & Klaipeda. Lithuanian Railways (LTG) passenger services are now branded LTG-Link.
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Vilnius to Kaunas (104 km) takes between 1h05 & 1h42, up to 15 trains daily.
The fare is €8 in 2nd class, €10 in 1st class, a little more on an express.
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Vilnius to Klaipeda (376 km) takes around 4h10, up to 6 trains per day.
The fare is €24.80 in 2nd class, €35.30 in 1st class.
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Check times at ltglink.lt. For English, change LT to EN at top right.
Vilnius to Riga
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A new daily train links Vilnius & Riga from 27 December 2023, see the Vilnius to Riga page.
Vilnius to Tallinn
In a few years time the new Rail Baltica project will hopefully make this a routine journey by fast direct train. But in the meantime it is indeed possible to make this journey by train via Riga, if you want to avoid a lengthy journey in a long-distance bus.
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Step 1, travel by morning train from Vilnius to Riga, see the Vilnius to Riga page.
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Step 2, in the afternoon, travel from Riga to Tallinn by bus (or travel by train next day), see the Riga to Tallinn page.
Vilnius to Warsaw for €25
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A comfortable air-conditioned train service now links Vilnius & Warsaw for €25, leaving Vilnius at 12:30 every day, change Mockava & arrive Warsaw Centralna at 20:15. Easily bookable online. No longer any need to spend 9 hours on a bus!
Vilnius to Berlin & Germany
Option 1, Vilnius to Berlin - the fastest option
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Day 1, travel from Vilnius to Warsaw as shown on the Vilnius-Warsaw page.
The train leaves Vilnius at 12:30 every day, change at Mockava, arriving Warsaw Centralna at 20:15.
The fare is €25, easily booked online at ltglink.lt.
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Stay overnight in Warsaw. The Polonia Palace Hotel is excellent, historic, relatively inexpensive for such a good hotel, and it's just across the road from the station. For something much cheaper, but still with great reviews and near the station, try the Hotel Metropol next door to the Polonia Palace or the nearby Novotel Warsaw Centrum. Also see the Warsaw Centralna station & city information.
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Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train on any departure you like, see the timetable here.
Change in Berlin for other destinations all over Germany.
Fares start at €27.90 in 2nd class or €39.90 in 1st class. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Booking opens 60 days ahead. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.
Above, the Vilnius to Warsaw train service involves a simple cross-platform change at Mockava from a Lithuanian train to a Polish one. Courtesy of Martin Kop.
Option 2, Vilnius to Hamburg & Germany using the DFDS ferry from Klaipeda to Kiel - the inexpensive ferry alternative
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Step 1, take a morning train from Vilnius to Klaipeda, there are several trains a day, journey time around 4h40.
See ltglink.lt for times & tickets. Allow plenty of time between train & ferry in Klaipeda, hours not minutes.
In Klaipeda, the DFDS ferry terminal is 5 km south of the station. Bus 9 links the city centre (Baseino Street bus stop, see walking map from station to bus stop) to the Strėvos Street stop near the ferry terminal roughly every 15 minutes, taking 11 minutes. Fare €1, pay the driver or tap a debit/credit card on the reader. See walking map from Strėvos Street bus stop to DFDS ferry terminal. Or take a taxi.
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Step 2, sail from Klaipeda in Lithuania to Kiel in Germany with DFDS Seaways. A ferry sails 6 days a week, departure time varies between 15:00 & 23:00 and arrival in Klaipeda next day (day 2) in the afternoon or evening roughly 21 hours later, see www.dfds.com for ferry times, dates & fares. The ferry has 2 & 4 berth cabins with shower & toilet, plus extra-comfort Commodore Class cabins with TV & minibar. There are restaurants and bars on board too.
In Kiel, the DFDS ferry terminal is 5.3 km from Kiel Hbf, see location map. Walk 700m to the starting point of Bus 60S at Schwentinestrasse and take bus 60S every 15 minutes to Kiel Hbf. Or take a taxi from the ferry terminal to the station, 13 minutes.
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Step 3, take a train from Kiel to Hamburg, trains run regularly taking around 1h15. For train times & tickets use the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
Step 1, take a train from Vilnius to Klaipeda. Above, Vilnius station. Photo courtesy of Yuk Wah Chu.
Above left, Klaipeda station. Above right, an express train from Vilnius at Klaipeda. Courtesy of Lewis Baston.
Step 2, take a ferry from Klaipeda to Kiel with cosy cabins, cafe-bar, self-service & à la carte restaurants.
Vilnius to Stockholm, Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Oslo
Option 1, using the Klaipeda-Karlshamn ferry - the fastest and easiest option
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Day 1, take a train from Vilnius to Klaipeda.
On most days you'll find a train leaving Vilnius at 13:19 and arriving Klaipeda at 17:48, but by all means take an earlier one.
The train fare is €24.80 in 2nd class, €35.30 in 1st class.
Book the train at the station, check times & prices at ltglink.lt, you can buy online if you like.
In Klaipeda, the DFDS ferry terminal is 5 km south of the station. Bus 9 links the city centre (Baseino Street bus stop, see walking map from station to bus stop) to the Strėvos Street stop near the ferry terminal roughly every 15 minutes, taking 11 minutes. Fare €1, pay the driver or tap a debit/credit card on the reader. See walking map from Strėvos Street bus stop to DFDS ferry terminal. Or take a taxi. The TT Line ferry terminal is further south, 8.4km from Klaipeda station.
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Day 1, travel from Klaipeda to Karlshamn by ferry.
Two ferry lines operate this route, DFDS and TT Line. DFDS have the more modern ships with the better facilities, they sail daily, typically leaving Klaipeda at 21:00 arriving Karlshamn at 09:00. Check-in closes 1h before sailing time. TT line also sail daily with more basic ships, typically sail at 20:00 arriving 08:00.
There is a restaurant and a range of cosy shared or private cabins, all with en suite toilet & shower.
Fares start at just €60 with a bed in a shared cabin.
Book the ferry at the Direct Ferries website (which can compare and book both TT Lines and DFDS) or book DFDS at www.dfds.com.
In Karlshamn, the ferry terminal is 3 km from the station, a 40 minute walk (see walking map) or take a taxi for about €20. If you want a taxi, pre-book one from either Karlshamns Taxi +46 454 150 65 or Sverigetaxi +46 454 122 67).
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Day 2, for Copenhagen:
Öresund trains run from Karlshamn to Copenhagen every hour taking 2h33. Arriving at 09:00 with DFDS, you should make a train leaving Karlshamn around 11:36 and arriving Copenhagen at 14:15.
The fare is around 337 SEK, about €30, fixed-price.
Check train times and buy a ticket at www.oresundstag.se or buy at the station. You don't need to book in advance.
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Day 2 for Stockholm:
You should make the 11:36 Öresund train to Hässleholm, connecting with a fast 200 km/h X2000 train to Stockholm Central arriving 17:37. Times may vary, check them at www.sj.se, allowing at least 2 hours between ferry and train.
You might typically pay 850 SEK (about €70) if you book in advance, but prices vary.
Book from Karlshamn to Stockholm at www.sj.se or if you have any problems, at Omio.com.
Vilnius station. Photo courtesy of Yuk Wah Chu.
Step 1, take a train from Vilnius to Klaipeda. Above left, Klaipeda station. Above right, the express train from Vilnius. Courtesy of Lewis Baston.
Step 2, sail from Klaipeda to Karlshamn overnight with DFDS. That's Luna Seaways at Klaipeda on the right. Photo courtesy of Matias Lq.
Step 3, take the hourly Öresund train from Karlshamn to Copenhagen, change at Hässleholm for Stockholm. More about Öresund trains.
Option 2, using the Tallinn-Stockholm ferry - a longer way round
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Step 1, travel from Vilnius to Riga to Tallinn as shown above.
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Step 2, an excellent overnight ferry links Tallinn with Stockholm every night with a range of comfortable cabins, bars, restaurants. For times, fares & online tickets see www.tallinksilja.com.
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Step 3, take a train from Stockholm Central to Oslo, Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Malmo or anywhere else in Sweden, Denmark or Norway. You'll find more detail on the Trains from Stockholm page.
Option 3, by train all the way - the overland option
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Day 1, travel from Vilnius to Warsaw as shown on the Vilnius-Warsaw page, leaving Vilnius 12:30 every day, change Mockava & arrive Warsaw Centralna at 20:15. Fare €25, easily booked online.
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Stay overnight in Warsaw. The Polonia Palace Hotel is excellent, historic, relatively inexpensive for such a good hotel, and it's just across the road from the station. For something much cheaper, but still with great reviews and near the station, try the Hotel Metropol next door to the Polonia Palace or the nearby Novotel Warsaw Centrum. Also see the Warsaw Centralna station & city information.
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Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Berlin, Hamburg then Copenhagen and beyond as shown on the Trains from Warsaw page.
Vilnius to Helsinki
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Step 1, travel from Vilnius to Riga to Tallinn as shown above.
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Step 2, take a ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki. Several ferry companies operate both conventional ships (2½ hours) & fast ferries(1½ hours) from Tallinn to Helsinki. Services run daily. For times, fares & online tickets see www.tallinksilja.com, www.eckeroline.com.
Vilnius to Minsk
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There are three daily direct trains from Vilnius to Minsk, using modern air-conditioned electric trains either owned by Belarus Railways or Lithuanian Railways. Journey time between 2h38 & 2h55.
You go through passport control before bearding, boarding ceases 10 minutes before departure. Feedback would be appreciated.
This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions.
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Fare around €17 in 2nd class or €30 in 1st class.
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You can check times & buy tickets online for at least two of these three trains at the Lithuanian Railways website ltglink.lt. You can buy tickets in either direction, they are issued as e-tickets which must be printed out. Tip: Minsk can be written Minskas in Lithuanian.
Vilnius to St Petersburg
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Step 1, travel from Vilnius to Riga as shown above.
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Step 2, a comfortable sleeper train runs from Riga to St Petersburg as shown here. It doesn't pass through any part of Belarus.
This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions.
Vilnius to Moscow
Option 1, by direct sleeper train Vilnius-Moscow - this train passes through Belarus, transit visa necessary
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There is a daily sleeper train from Vilnius to Moscow leaving Vilnius around 19:10 and arriving Moscow Byelorusski around 09:10 next morning. You can check times at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru and note that you can't buy tickets from rzd.ru for this train in this direction, as tickets must be collected from a Russian station. The train has 2-berth sleepers & 4-berth sleepers. This train passes through Belarus, so a Belarus transit visa is needed. The fare is around €50 in a 4-bed sleeper if you buy at the ticket office.
This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions & war in Ukraine.
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To check train times and book online in either direction, use the Real Russia booking system here. Real Russia charge a mark-up over ticket office prices, included in the prices they show. For journeys starting in Vilnius you'll need to have tickets sent to you (at a small extra charge) as the e-ticket option doesn't work for departure from Vilnius, only for departure from Moscow.
Option 2, via Riga avoiding Belarus
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Step 1, travel from Vilnius to Riga as shown above.
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Step 2, take the Latvijas Express overnight sleeper train from Riga to Moscow as shown here. This does not go through any part of Belarus.
This train was suspended due to Covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions & war in Ukraine.
Vilnius to Western Europe: Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Germany & Spain
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Day 1, travel from Vilnius to Warsaw as shown on the Vilnius to Warsaw page, leaving Vilnius 12:30 every day, change Mockava & arrive Warsaw Centralna at 20:15. Fare €25, easily booked online.
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Stay overnight in Warsaw. The Polonia Palace Hotel is excellent, historic, relatively inexpensive for such a good hotel, and it's just across the road from the station. For something much cheaper, but still with great reviews and near the station, try the Hotel Metropol next door to the Polonia Palace or the nearby Novotel Warsaw Centrum. Also see the Warsaw Centralna station & city information.
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Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Luxembourg or anywhere in Germany by train in single day, for times, fares & how to buy tickets see the Trains from Warsaw page and select your destination.
For example, Warsaw to Amsterdam starts at €37.90, Warsaw to Brussels from €49.90. Fares vary like air fares, so book ahead.
Buy a ticket from Warsaw to Brussels, Amsterdam or Germany at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.
For Warsaw to Paris, you'll need to split the booking in Berlin.
Booking opens 60 days ahead when starting in Poland. You print your own ticket or can show it on your laptop or phone. I recommend registering when prompted, so you can log on at any time and check or reprint tickets.
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For Spain, travel to Paris, stay overnight, catch a TGV to Barcelona next day (Day 3 from Vilnius).
Vilnius to Central & Southern Europe: Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Switzerland, Italy
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Day 1, travel from Vilnius to Warsaw as shown on the Vilnius to Warsaw page, leaving Vilnius 12:30 every day, change Mockava & arrive Warsaw Centralna at 20:15. Fare €25, easily booked online.
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Stay overnight in Warsaw. The Polonia Palace Hotel is excellent, historic, relatively inexpensive for such a good hotel, and it's just across the road from the station. For something much cheaper, but still with great reviews and near the station, try the Hotel Metropol next door to the Polonia Palace or the nearby Novotel Warsaw Centrum. Also see the Warsaw Centralna station & city information.
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Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Vienna, Prague, Bratislava or Budapest by train as shown on the Trains from Warsaw page. Buy tickets as shown.