Overview
Lithuania is a country in Europe according to naturegnosis. Lithuania is a country of castles, lakes, forests and vast plains bordered by mountains and sand dunes on the Baltic Sea coast. The capital Vilnius is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, mainly because of its baroque old town.Lithuania gained its independence as a republic in 1918 and as a state in 1991 shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 2018 Lithuania celebrated 100 years of independence as a republic. Already in 1995 the change to the market economy was completed. The dispute with Poland over the course of the border was settled in 1992 with the signing of a friendship and cooperation agreement. After negotiations with the Russian Federation, the last Russian troops left Lithuania in August 1993. Lithuania is the largest of the three Baltic States. Since joining the European Union in 2004, Lithuania has secured its place on the world market and the number of visitors is constantly growing. Since 2015, Lithuania has also been in the euro zone.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
Lufthansa (LH) flies Vilnius several times a day from Frankfurt/M. directly to. Air Baltic (BT) connects Munich and Berlin non-stop with Vilnius. Furthermore, Ryanair (FR) flies the Berlin-Vilnius route several times a day. Austrian Airlines (OS) operates daily flight services from Vienna to Vilnius. Air Baltic (BT) offers flights from Zurich via Riga to Vilnius and Swiss (LX) flies from Zurich in cooperation with Lufthansa (LH) via Frankfurt/M. to Vilnius.
Flight times
Frankfurt/M. – Vilnius: 2 hours; Munich – Vilnius: 2 hours; Berlin – Vilnius: 1 hour 30 minutes; Vienna – Vilnius: 1 hour 45 minutes (both non-stop); Zurich – Vilnius: 3 hours 45 minutes (with stopover).
Departure fee
None.
Arrival by car
The Via Baltica leads from Germany via Poland to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Lithuania has a well-developed road network connecting the republic with all neighboring countries. The easiest way to reach Lithuania from Germany, Austria and Switzerland is via Poland (border crossings: Kalvarijai and Lazdijai); from Austria there is also the possibility to travel via the Czech Republic and Poland. Long-distance bus: Ecolines offer regular bus connections from Germany, Austria and Switzerland to Lithuania. The bus company TOKS, a member of Eurolines, offers regular international bus connections to Latvia, Estonia, Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy, Belarus, to the Kaliningrad region of Russia and Ukraine. Toll: There are no tolls on Lithuanian roads for cars, motorcycles and mobile homes; A vignette is only mandatory for trucks and buses with 8 or more passengers plus the driver. Documents: The national driving license is sufficient. Those arriving via Belarus require a transit visa, which must be obtained before departure.
Arrival by train
The state railway company Lietuvos geležinkeliai operates the railways in Lithuania. There are connections to all surrounding countries. Train travelers from Berlin and Vienna reach Vilnius via Warsaw (journey time: 19 hours). The Berlin-Warsaw Express runs several times a day from Berlin to Warsaw. From Poland to Lithuania, on the other hand, there is only a connection at weekends. For the train journey from Warsaw to Vilnius, a ticket to Bialystok must first be purchased from the Polish railway and then a second ticket from the Lithuanian railway to Vilnius.
rail passes
The Interrail One Country Pass and the Interrail Global Pass are also valid in Lithuania.
Arrival by ship
Klaipeda is the only year-round ice-free seaport in the Baltic States; it is served by numerous cruise ships and ferries.
Cruise ships
Phoenix, Hapag Lloyd Cruises, Transocean, Plantours, Hansa Touristic and MSC, among others, call at Klaipeda on their cruises departing from German ports.
Ferry provider
Ferries operated by DFDS Seaways daily connect Klaipeda with Kiel (journey time: 19 hrs 30 mins) and with Karlshamn in Sweden (journey time: 13 hrs). TT-Line runs every Friday from Rostock via Trelleborg (Sweden) to Klaipeda. The return journey ends in Travemünde (arrival on Mondays).
Transportation
Traveling by plane
There are no domestic flights in Lithuania.
Traveling by car/bus
The Lithuanian road network is well developed. Modern four-lane highways lead from Vilnius to Kaunas, Klaipeda and Panevezys. Toll: There are no tolls on Lithuanian roads for cars, motorcycles and mobile homes; A vignette is only mandatory for trucks and buses with 8 or more passengers plus the driver. Petrol stations are available all over Lithuania and are usually open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Right
Condition of the roads
Roads are generally in good condition; most country roads are also paved. However, secondary roads are often unpaved and can only be reached via gravel paths.
Road classification
Motorways and other trunk roads are numbered with the letter A and a number. Motorways are signposted in white letters on a green background; other highways with white letters on a blue background.
Car rental
Rental cars are offered by both international and local car rental companies; even with a driver. Drivers must be at least 18 years old.
Taxi
Taxis (taksi) can be found at taxi ranks in towns, but can also be hailed by phone or hailed on the street. Regular taxis are identified by a taxi sign on the roof. Tourists should avoid taking unsigned taxis or ask about the fare before boarding.
Bicycle
Bicycles and scooters can be rented in the towns.
Coach
Almost all towns in the country can be reached by bus. The bus company TOKS NEO offers a variety of regular connections in Lithuania between Vilnius and Klaipeda, Mažeikiai and Palanga. TOKS NEO bus tickets can be purchased online.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: – Seat belts are compulsory. – Children under the age of 12 must be transported in an appropriate child seat. – alcohol limit: 0.4 ‰; for drivers who have held their driving license for less than 2 years: 0.0 ‰. – Telephoning at the wheel is only permitted with a hands-free system. – Lights must also be switched on during the day. – Winter tires are compulsory between November 10th and April 10th. – A safety vest and a fire extinguisher must always be carried in the car. – The traffic light is different than in Germany: green – flashing green – yellow – red. The flashing green corresponds to yellow in Germany. When the traffic light is yellow, you are no longer allowed to drive. Speed limits: – in built-up areas: 50 km/h; – on rural roads: 90km/h; – on expressways: 110 km/h; – on motorways: 130 km/h.
Roadside Assistance
The ADAC foreign emergency call offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance comprehensive assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, loss of documents and money, and medical emergencies. The emergency number is available around the clock; for vehicle damage: tel. +49 (0)89 22 22 22, for illnesses: +49 (0)89 76 76 76. The ADAC partner club in Lithuania is Lietuvos Automobilininku Sajunga (LAS) in Vilnius, tel. +370 (0 )5 444 555 55.
Documentation
The national driver’s license and a passport must be carried. Those arriving via Belarus require a transit visa, which must be obtained before departure. If you are traveling via Belarus, it is also advisable to take your international driver’s license with you. For citizens of EU and EFTA countries, the license plate number is valid as proof of insurance. Nevertheless, EU and EFTA citizens are recommended to take their international motor insurance card with them in order to be able to enjoy full insurance cover in the event of damage and to make it easier to record the accident. Otherwise, the statutory minimum liability insurance coverage applies. It is also recommended to use the uniform,
Note on travel by road
Bicycles and horse-drawn carriages are also permitted on all roads except for the motorways, and they are often unlit even when it is dark. Night driving should therefore be avoided as far as possible.
Traveling in the city
Buses and trolleybuses operate in the cities. Vilnius has an extensive bus network. Information on timetables is available online at Vilniustransport. Tickets are cheaper at kiosks than on the bus. There are also privately operated minibuses, so-called Maršrutai, which follow the same routes as public buses and stop at hand signals. If you live in the center of Vilnius, you can easily explore the city on foot.
Locally on the way by train
The state railway company Lietuvos geležinkeliai regularly connects Vilnius with all major cities such as Kaunas, Klaipeda and Siauliai. Trains run from Vilnius to the Baltic coast several times a day; but not to Palanga, the most popular bathing and health resort on the Baltic Sea. From Kretinga or Klaipeda travelers can reach other places by bus; from Klaipeda among others Nida and Juodkrante on the Curonian Spit. Suburban trains towards Ignalina connect Vilnius with the Lake District in the Trakai Nature Reserve.
rail passes
The Interrail One Country Pass and the Interrail Global Pass are also valid in Lithuania.
