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How to get from Riga to Vilnius
Express coaches between Riga and Vilnius take about 4 h–4 h 30 and run many times a day, making them the usual choice. Flights take about an hour in the air, and driving takes about 4 h on the A7/A2 roads via Panevėžys.
Best option: Bus. Coaches are frequent, comfortable and go from city centre to city centre for a fraction of a flight's door-to-door time and cost.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bus Express coaches from Riga International Bus Station to Vilnius bus station (Lux Express and other companies) | about 4 h–4 h 30 | many departures a day, including overnight | about €15–35 | Both bus stations are close to the old towns. Book online for the best fares. |
| flight Flights from Riga to Vilnius (airBaltic) | about 1 h in the air, 3 h or more door to door | a few a day | about €50–150 | Only worth it when connecting to another flight. |
| car A7 south from Riga to the border, then the A10 and A2 via Panevėžys to Vilnius | about 4 h | fuel only; no tolls for cars | There is no passport control at the border (Schengen), but carry ID. | |
| train Cross-border passenger trains between Riga and Vilnius, where operated | longer than the coach | limited | about €15–30 | Cross-border rail services between Latvia and Lithuania have been relaunched and changed in recent years; check whether trains are running and their schedule before relying on them. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Choose a coach with power sockets and Wi-Fi; most express coaches on this route have both.
- Overnight coaches save a night's accommodation but arrive very early.
- Vilnius bus station is next to the railway station, about 15 minutes on foot from the old town.
- Book ahead for Friday and Sunday evenings.
Common questions
What is the best way from Riga to Vilnius?
For most travellers, an express coach. It takes about 4 h–4 h 30, departures run throughout the day and night, and both terminals are near the old towns. Flying is faster in the air but not door to door, and costs much more.
Is there a train from Riga to Vilnius?
Cross-border passenger trains between Latvia and Lithuania have been reintroduced in recent years, but services are limited and timetables have changed. Check the current schedules of the national rail operators before relying on a train. The new Rail Baltica high-speed line is still under construction.
What is the cheapest way from Riga to Vilnius?
The coach, typically about €15–35 when booked in advance. Fares rise close to departure and at weekends. Driving costs only fuel and has no tolls for cars, but you may face a drop-off fee if you rent one way between the two countries.
Do I need my passport at the border?
Latvia and Lithuania are both in the Schengen area, so there are normally no passport checks at the border. You should still carry a passport or national ID card, as random checks can take place and coach companies may ask for ID.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.