Trains and buses in Lithuania — the complete guide
What is the best way to travel between Lithuanian cities by public transport?
Trains (LTG Link) cover the main Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda axis efficiently. Buses (Toks, Kautra, Lux Express) fill gaps — including Druskininkai, Šiauliai, and smaller towns. Both are cheap, punctual and easy to use.
Lithuania’s intercity public transport system is reliable, affordable and largely straightforward to use. The train network covers the main cities; buses fill in the towns that trains don’t reach. Here is a practical overview.
The train network — LTG Link
LTG Link (formerly Lithuanian Railways or Lietuvos Geležinkeliai) operates all passenger rail services in Lithuania. The network is not extensive by Western European standards, but it covers all the routes that matter for travellers:
Main routes and journey times
| Route | Type | Duration | Fare | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vilnius – Kaunas | IC/Regio | 55-80 min | €5-9 | Every 30-60 min |
| Vilnius – Trakai | Regional | 30-35 min | €1.50-2 | Roughly hourly |
| Vilnius – Paneriai | Suburban | 7-15 min | €0.75-1 | Several daily |
| Vilnius – Klaipėda | IC (direct) | 3h 30m-4h | €10-18 | 4-6 daily |
| Kaunas – Klaipėda | IC | 2h-2h 20m | €8-14 | Several daily |
| Vilnius – Šiauliai | IC | 2h-2h 30m | €8-14 | Several daily |
Train types
IC (Intercity): The main long-distance trains. Modern FLIRT rolling stock (Stadler Rail), air-conditioned, with reserved seating. The standard for Vilnius–Kaunas, Vilnius–Klaipėda and other long routes. First class available.
Regio: Regional trains serving shorter routes and more stops. Older rolling stock in some cases. No reservation required.
Suburban: Operated around Vilnius for short-distance routes (Trakai, Paneriai, Vaidotai). Simple point-to-point with no reservation.
Booking and buying tickets
LTG Link app: The most convenient option. Download before you travel. Set up payment card. Tickets are digital — show on your phone or email.
ltglink.lt website: Full schedule search and ticket purchase. Select Lithuanian or English language toggle.
Station ticket windows: Available at all major stations. Staff generally speak basic English. Credit cards accepted at most windows.
Automatic machines: At Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda stations. English language option.
On board: For regional and suburban trains, you can sometimes buy from the conductor on board (slightly higher price). For IC trains, you should have a ticket before boarding.
Discounts
- Youth (16-25): 30-50% discount on many IC routes
- Children under 14: Travel free if accompanied by a paying adult, or at 50% reduction depending on fare type
- Senior (60+): Discounts on most services
- Group tickets: Discounts for groups of 3+
Vilnius Central Station
Vilniaus geležinkelio stotis (Geležinkelio g. 16) is the main hub for all services. The station building was renovated in recent years and has good facilities: luggage storage, ticket windows, café, WiFi. The intercity bus terminal is directly adjacent — useful for combining train and bus for onward journeys.
Kaunas Station
Kaunas geležinkelio stotis (Geležinkelio g. 16) is in the Naujamiestis district, 20 minutes on foot from the Old Town. City bus connections available; Bolt coverage is good.
Klaipėda Station
Klaipėdos geležinkelio stotis (Priestočio g. 1). In the city centre, within walking distance of the Old Town and the ferry terminal for the Curonian Spit crossing.
The bus network
Buses are essential for reaching destinations the train doesn’t serve — Druskininkai, much of rural Lithuania, and cross-border routes.
Main intercity bus operators
Toks: The largest Lithuanian bus operator. Routes from Vilnius to Klaipėda, Druskininkai, Šiauliai, Palanga, Kaunas and most smaller cities. Comfortable modern coaches. Booking: toks.lt.
Kautra: Covers similar routes, often with similar or slightly lower prices. Booking: kautra.lt.
Lux Express: Premium comfort coaches on the main Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda route and Baltic capitals connections (Riga, Tallinn). WiFi, power sockets, coffee onboard. Booking: luxexpress.eu. Price premium but worth it for longer journeys.
Ecolines: International routes — Vilnius to Warsaw, Riga, Tallinn, Minsk, and beyond. Booking: ecolines.net.
Flixbus: Limited Lithuania coverage (mainly Warsaw–Vilnius) but expanding.
Key bus routes (from Vilnius)
| Route | Duration | Fare | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vilnius – Kaunas | 1h 20m-1h 45m | €4-7 | Toks, Kautra |
| Vilnius – Druskininkai | 1h 30m-2h | €5-9 | Toks |
| Vilnius – Šiauliai | 2h 30m-3h | €7-13 | Toks, Kautra |
| Vilnius – Klaipėda | 3h-4h | €8-18 | Toks, Kautra, Lux |
| Vilnius – Palanga | 3h 30m-4h | €9-16 | Toks |
| Vilnius – Nida (seasonal) | 4h 30m-5h | €12-18 | Seasonal operator |
| Vilnius – Riga | 4h-5h | €10-20 | Lux Express, Ecolines |
| Vilnius – Warsaw | 7h-9h | €15-30 | Ecolines, Flixbus |
| Vilnius – Tallinn | 9h-11h | €15-30 | Lux Express |
Vilnius intercity bus terminal
Vilniaus autobusų stotis, Sodų g. 22. Directly adjacent to Vilnius Central Station — a 25-minute walk from Cathedral Square or a €5 Bolt ride. Modern facility with ticket windows, automatic machines, waiting hall, café. Most buses depart from numbered platforms — check the departure board.
Booking: At the terminal windows, online via eticket.lt (Lithuanian booking aggregator that covers multiple operators), or via operator websites. For popular summer routes (Vilnius–Klaipėda, Vilnius–Nida), book at least a few days ahead in July-August.
Practical tips
Checking current schedules
Both train and bus schedules change seasonally. Always verify at:
- Trains: ltglink.lt (has English)
- Buses: eticket.lt (aggregator, English available) or individual operator sites
Luggage
Trains: No luggage restrictions or fees. Overhead racks and under-seat space.
Buses: Small carry-on in the overhead; larger bags in the hold (usually free, sometimes €1-2 for the luggage compartment).
Connectivity during the journey
All LTG IC trains have WiFi (quality varies — works well on newer trains). Lux Express buses have reliable WiFi and power sockets. Mobile 4G coverage is excellent on all main routes between Lithuanian cities.
Night buses and trains
Last departures:
- Vilnius–Kaunas: last train roughly 22:00-23:00
- Vilnius–Klaipėda: last bus/train roughly 21:00-22:00
- Vilnius–Druskininkai: last bus around 20:00-21:00
If you miss the last departure, Bolt to your destination is expensive (Vilnius–Kaunas ~€50-60; Vilnius–Klaipėda ~€120-150). Book accommodation ahead if you are relying on late services.
Getting between cities without going via Vilnius
Not all routes go through Vilnius. Some direct connections:
| Route | Duration | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Kaunas – Klaipėda | 2h | Train (direct IC) |
| Kaunas – Druskininkai | ~1h 30m | Bus |
| Klaipėda – Šiauliai | ~2h | Bus |
| Kaunas – Šiauliai | ~2h 30m | Bus |
The Kaunas–Klaipėda train is particularly convenient for coast-bound travellers who arrive in Lithuania via Kaunas Airport or who are making the Kaunas→Klaipėda→Curonian Spit circuit.
International train connections
Lithuania’s main international train links:
- Vilnius–Warsaw: 2 daily trains (~9 hours via Białystok) — see EC (EuroCity) connections at ltglink.lt. Rail is slower than the bus for Warsaw but more comfortable.
- The RailBaltica project: The planned high-speed rail link connecting Warsaw–Kaunas–Riga–Tallinn is under construction. Partial opening (Kaunas to Riga) is anticipated 2026-2028 — check current progress before planning travel that relies on it.
See our Vilnius to Trakai guide, Vilnius to Kaunas guide, and Vilnius to Klaipėda and Curonian Spit guide for destination-specific detail.
Frequently asked questions about trains and buses in Lithuania
Do I need to book Lithuanian trains in advance?
For regional and suburban trains (Trakai, Paneriai), no advance booking is needed. For IC trains (Kaunas, Klaipėda), booking 3-7 days ahead secures the best fares. July–August, book at least 1-2 weeks ahead for Klaipėda trains.
Are there sleeper trains in Lithuania?
No domestic overnight sleeper trains. International services to Moscow and St Petersburg historically included sleepers, but these are not operational or advisable given the current political situation.
Can I bring a bicycle on Lithuanian trains?
Yes — bicycles are accepted on most trains with a bicycle space reservation (typically €1-5 additional fee). Confirm with LTG Link when booking. LTG FLIRT IC trains have designated cycle spaces.
Is the Vilnius–Riga bus comfortable?
Lux Express’s Vilnius–Riga service (4-5 hours) is comfortable with airline-style seats, WiFi, and complimentary coffee. Standard intercity buses on the same route are fine but less comfortable. For the money, Lux Express is worth the small premium for a 4+ hour journey.
How does the bus to Druskininkai work?
Direct buses from Vilnius Bus Terminal to Druskininkai (Toks operator) run several times daily, taking approximately 1.5-2 hours. Druskininkai has a small bus terminal in the town centre. No train service to Druskininkai. Return buses are reliable; check the last departure if planning a day trip (usually around 18:00-20:00).
