Vilnius - Latvia trains...

Train travel between the Baltic states has become a bit of a shambles in recent years, with buses the most common way to travel between the capitals.  However, you don't have to endure a bus journey.  Since January 2018 a Lithuanian train has crossed the border at weekends and link Vilnius with Daugavpils in Latvia, from where daily Latvian trains run to Riga.  A refreshing alternative to a bus!

Update 2023:  The cross-border Vilnius-Daugavpils trains have been suspended since 2020, it's not known when they will resume.

On other pages:  Warsaw - Vilnius   Riga - Tallinn

Vilnius ► Riga

You can do this journey in one day with only a brief few hours in Daugavpils, or you can stop in Daugavpils overnight, it's up to you.

Step 1, take a Lithuanian train from Vilnius to Daugavpils in Latvia.  This runs at weekends only.  You can check these Vilnius-Daugavpils train times at ltglink.lt.

* Service to Daugavpils suspended since 2020 due to Covid-19

If you want to stop off for a few hours in Daugavpils, you can read about the town at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daugavpils. 

If you want to stop off in Daugavpils overnight, hotels are incredibly cheap.  For a hotel near the station with great reviews try the San Mari Hotel or the Hotel Leo, housed in a 19th century building 500m from the station.  For an ultra-cheap place, try SL Nams.

Step 2, now take one of the daily trains from Daugavpils to Riga.  You can check these Daugavpils-Riga train times at www.pv.lv.

Riga ► Vilnius

You can do the journey in one day, or stop overnight in Daugavpils.

Step 1, take one of the daily trains from Riga to Daugavpils.  You can check these Riga-Daugavpils train times at www.pv.lv.

If you want to stop off for a while in Daugavpils, you can read about the town at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daugavpils. 

If you want to stop off in Daugavpils overnight, hotels are incredibly cheap.  For a hotel near the station with great reviews try the San Mari Hotel or the Hotel Leo, housed in a 19th century building 500m from the station.  For an ultra-cheap place, try SL Nams.

Step 2, now take a train from Daugavpils to Vilnius.  This runs at weekends only.  You can check Daugavpils-Vilnius train times at ltglink.lt.

How much does it cost?

• Vilnius - Daugavpils costs €9.00

• Daugavpils - Riga costs €7.05

How to buy tickets

• You can buy tickets at the station.  No prior reservation is necessary or possible.  Tickets cannot sell out!

• Simply save time, you can pre-buy & print the Lithuanian ticket online at ltglink.lt.  You can pre-buy & print the Latvian ticket online at www.pv.lv.

What are the trains like?

Vilnius to Daugavpils by Lithuanian train...  This is a classic Soviet-era local train, 2nd class only, shown above left arrived at Daugavpils.  There's no catering so bring your own beer and picnic.  Photos courtesy of Scott Lee 2018.

Daugavpils to Riga by Latvian train...  This is similar Soviet-era local train, also 2nd class only but with a modernised interior.  Photos courtesy of Scott Lee 2018 & Martin Kop

Vilnius to Riga by bus

Alternatively, there are regular buses from Vilnius to Riga run by various operators, fare €12-€28, journey time 4h15, try Omio.com (formerly GoEuro.com) for Ecolines or www.luxexpress.eu for Lux Express.

Back to home page