Vilnius airport to city centre — all transport options
Vilnius: Airport private transfer
What is the best way to get from Vilnius Airport to the city centre?
The train is fastest and cheapest — 8 minutes to Vilnius Central Station, €0.90. Bolt costs €6-9 and takes 15 minutes to the Old Town. Public bus (routes 1 or 2) takes 30-40 minutes and costs €1. Avoid taxi ranks — they overcharge significantly.
Vilnius Airport (IATA: VNO) is 6 km south of the Old Town — close enough that the journey is fast and cheap by almost any method. The one trap to avoid is the taxi rank outside arrivals, where prices are consistently inflated.
| Where | Vilnius Airport (VNO), 6 km south of the Old Town |
| Cost | Around €0.90 by train, €6–9 by Bolt |
| Time needed | 8 minutes by train, 15–20 minutes by Bolt |
| Getting there | Dedicated airport train station, or the Bolt pickup zone outside arrivals |
| Best time | Any time — trains run roughly 06:00–22:00, Bolt runs 24 hours |
Vilnius Airport at a glance
Vilnius Starptautiskā lidosta (Vilnius International Airport) has two terminals. Terminal 1 handles most scheduled airlines (Ryanair, Wizz Air, airBaltic, LOT, Finnair). Terminal 2 is for some charter flights. Both terminals connect via a covered walkway and share the same arrivals hall.
The arrivals hall has: tourist information desk, currency exchange (poor rates — use city ATMs instead), ATMs (Luminor and SEB are reliable), car rental desks (Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Avis), and bus/train directions.
Airport code: VNO
Distance to Old Town: 6 km
Standard journey time: 8 min (train) / 15-20 min (Bolt/taxi, outside rush hour)
Option 1 — Train (fastest and cheapest)
The airport has its own dedicated train station — look for the signed passage through the terminal building (follow “Train” or “Geležinkelis” signs from arrivals).
- Route: Vilnius Airport → Vilnius Central Station (Vilniaus geležinkelio stotis)
- Journey time: 8 minutes
- Frequency: Roughly every 30-60 minutes during the day; check ltglink.lt for current schedule
- Cost: €0.90 (buy at the ticket machine at the station or online)
- Operating hours: Approximately 06:00–22:00 (confirm for late/early flights at ltglink.lt)
From Vilnius Central Station, the Old Town is 25 minutes on foot (head north on Sodų g., then Pylimo g., then into the Old Town via your hotel’s directions) or a €4-5 Bolt to your specific destination.
Best for: Solo travellers, budget-conscious visitors, those arriving during the day. The night trains do not run after approximately 22:00; for late-night arrivals use Bolt.
Option 2 — Bolt (most flexible)
Bolt (ride-hailing app, dominant in Lithuania) is the most convenient door-to-door option from the airport if you have mobile data.
- Cost: €6-9 to most Old Town locations (varies by time of day and destination)
- Journey time: 15-20 minutes outside rush hour; 25-35 minutes during weekday morning/evening peaks
- How to use: Open the Bolt app (download and set up before you leave home), set your destination, and the car meets you at the designated pickup zone outside arrivals (look for the ride-sharing zone signs — not the taxi rank)
Important: The Bolt pickup zone is slightly separate from the main taxi rank outside the exit doors — follow the “Ride-sharing” or “App taxis” signs if visible, or simply walk away from the rank toward the car park side.
Surge pricing: Expect higher prices on Friday/Saturday late nights, during major events, or in heavy rain — fares can reach €12-15 in these conditions.
Vilnius: Airport private transferOption 3 — Bus (cheapest, slowest)
Routes 1 and 2 connect the airport to the city centre. Route 1 runs to Lukiškių Square in the Old Town area; route 2 follows a slightly different route through the city. Check stops and frequency via the Vilnius City app or Google Maps.
- Cost: €1.00 for a 30-minute ticket (Trafi app or JUDU card), €1.25 for 60 minutes by contactless card on board
- Journey time: 30-40 minutes to the city centre (stops frequently along the route)
- Frequency: Every 15-20 minutes during the day
- Luggage: No luggage restrictions; buses do get crowded at peak hours
- Night service: Limited — check the last service time if arriving after 22:00
Best for: Budget travellers with just a carry-on, travellers arriving during the day without heavy luggage, anyone with good knowledge of the city and no rush.
Option 4 — Taxi rank (avoid)
Taxi stands are immediately outside the arrivals exit. Licensed metered taxis do operate here but many drivers at the stand prefer to quote flat prices rather than run the meter — and quoted prices are typically €15-25 for the city centre.
If you choose a taxi from the rank, insist on the meter. All licensed Vilnius taxis are required to use meters; a driver who refuses to run the meter is not legally operating correctly.
The simple rule: Use Bolt. Save €10-15 over a taxi rank. Use the money for a better dinner.
Option 5 — Private transfer (groups and VIP arrivals)
Pre-booked private transfers make sense for:
- Groups of 3+ where cost-splitting approaches Bolt’s per-person rate
- Business travellers needing meet-and-greet with name card
- Late night arrivals with heavy luggage and no app confidence
- Travellers with mobility requirements Vilnius: Airport transfer private
Prices for private transfers from Vilnius Airport to city centre typically run €20-35 depending on vehicle size. Book in advance via tour operator platforms or your hotel’s concierge.
Arriving from Kaunas Airport (KUN)
Wizz Air and Ryanair also serve Kaunas Airport (KUN), located 15 km from Kaunas city and approximately 115 km from Vilnius.
If you fly into Kaunas Airport and need to reach Vilnius:
- Bus from Kaunas city to Vilnius: roughly 1 hour, €3-9 depending on service
- Transfer service Kaunas Airport → Vilnius: ~1 hour direct, €15-25 per person via private transfer Vilnius: Kaunas airport to vilnius transfer
Alternatively, use a Bolt or taxi from Kaunas Airport to Kaunas Bus Station (Kaunas autobusų stotis), then take the bus or train to Vilnius.
Night flights and late arrivals
If your flight arrives after 22:00, the airport train service may have ended for the night. Your practical options:
- Bolt: Reliable at any hour — expect slightly longer wait times after midnight (5-10 minutes) and possible surge pricing
- Pre-booked private transfer: Arrange before you leave — the driver will be waiting in arrivals regardless of flight delays
- Night bus: Route N1 provides limited overnight service but runs infrequently after midnight — only practical if you know exactly where you are going
Practical airport arrival checklist
- Before landing: Download Bolt app and verify payment method
- In arrivals: Walk past the currency exchange (poor rates) and taxi rank touts
- Get a SIM or activate roaming (Tele2 and Bite have desks in arrivals)
- Choose train (cheapest, fastest), Bolt (most flexible), or bus (budget)
- For cash: Use the Luminor or SEB ATM in arrivals — better rates than currency exchange
If your flight lands late, or you are arriving with a group and heavy bags, the app, SIM and cash steps are easier with a driver already waiting. Check that the driver has your flight number so a delay does not leave you unmatched, and keep the pick-up details saved offline next to your Bolt backup. If you prefer a pre-arranged ride to your hotel, you can look at a Kiwitaxi transfer from Vilnius airport before you fly.
Which option fits your trip
If you’re arriving with just a carry-on and know roughly where your accommodation is relative to Vilnius Central Station, the train is hard to beat on price and speed. If you’d rather go door-to-door without walking the last stretch, Bolt is the best all-round option and works at any hour. Once you’ve arrived, see the getting around Vilnius guide for how to keep moving around the city, and the where to stay in Vilnius guide if you haven’t booked accommodation yet — your choice of neighbourhood affects which airport option makes most sense.
Matching the transfer to your first days
The best airport option often depends on what you plan to do in the first hours. If you land in the morning and your room is not ready, the train to Vilnius Central Station lets you drop your bags, walk into the Old Town and start with the Vilnius Old Town guide or a first stroll around Cathedral Square. If you arrive tired in the evening, a door-to-door ride is usually worth the small extra cost, because you skip the last stretch on foot with a suitcase.
Travellers who plan to see a lot in a short stay should think about the whole trip rather than the transfer alone. A weekend visitor can follow the weekend in Vilnius itinerary, while a longer stay fits the 2 days in Vilnius itinerary or a broader plan with day trips. Having a rough plan before you land makes it easier to choose a hotel location, and so the right way in from the airport.
If you will leave the city by car at some point, for the coast, Druskininkai or the countryside, the car rental in Lithuania guide explains how renting works. The airport arrivals hall has rental desks, but for a stay focused on Vilnius itself a car is rarely needed in the first days, and public transport plus Bolt covers almost everything.
Small details that make arrival easier
A few habits smooth the first hour. Keep your phone charged so the Bolt app and your accommodation address are ready as soon as you step out of arrivals. Save the address in the original spelling, with Lithuanian diacritics, so a driver or the app finds it without confusion. If you are meeting friends who arrive on a different flight, agree on a meeting point in the city instead of waiting at the airport, since the train and Bolt make that easy.
If you travel with children, a pushchair or a lot of bags, think about the walk at the other end before you pick the train. The Vilnius with kids guide has more ideas for families settling in. Visitors on a tight budget can pair the train with the tips in the Vilnius on a budget guide, which covers where else the money goes once you are in town.
First time in Vilnius?
If this is your first visit, the airport transfer is also a good moment to sort out a few other basics — a local SIM or eSIM, cash for small purchases, and a rough sense of how many days you’ll need. The Vilnius travel tips for first-time visitors guide covers the essentials beyond transport, and the how many days in Vilnius guide helps with planning the rest of the trip once you’ve landed.
Shared airport bus transfer to Vilnius Central StationFrequently asked questions about Vilnius airport transfers
Does Vilnius Airport have free WiFi?
Yes — Vilnius Airport has free WiFi throughout the terminal, including in arrivals. Use this to set up your Bolt account or download navigation apps if you haven’t done so before arrival.
Can I walk or cycle from Vilnius Airport to the city?
The distance is 6 km but the roads between the airport and the city are not pedestrian or cyclist-friendly — no safe pavement or cycle path for most of the route. Do not attempt to walk or cycle from the airport to the centre.
Are there luggage lockers at Vilnius Airport?
Yes — paid luggage storage is available in the terminal. Useful if you arrive early before hotel check-in and want to explore without luggage.
How do I get from Vilnius to the airport?
Reverse of the above — Bolt (€6-9), train from Vilnius Central Station (8 min, €0.90), or bus from the city centre. Allow at least 1 hour before departure time for check-in, plus 15-20 minutes travel time from the Old Town.
Is there direct transport between Vilnius and Riga or Tallinn airports?
Bus services (Lux Express, Ecolines) connect Vilnius to Riga (~4-5 hours) and Tallinn (~9-11 hours). These depart from Vilnius intercity bus terminal, not the airport. For intercity Baltic bus travel, see trains and buses in Lithuania.
Do I need cash for the airport train or bus?
No — both accept card or app payment (ticket machines and the Trafi app), so cash is not essential for the transfer itself. It’s still worth having a little cash on hand for the first day generally; withdraw from the Luminor or SEB ATM in arrivals rather than the currency exchange desk.
Is it worth pre-booking a private transfer instead of using the train or Bolt on arrival?
Usually only for groups, late-night arrivals, or travellers who want a name-card meet-and-greet with no app dependency. For a solo or two-person trip landing during the day, the train or Bolt is cheaper and just as reliable, with no need to book ahead.
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