Europe

Minimum cost for a stay in Vilnius, Lithuania

18 Jan '24

26 | 0

What is the minimum cost for a touristic stay in Vilnius, Lithuania?

[dfads params='groups=86&limit=1&orderby=impression_count&order=ASC&return_javascript=1']

If you are looking for a budget-friendly destination in Europe, you might want to consider Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Vilnius is a charming city with a rich history, a vibrant culture, and a lot of attractions to explore. But how much does it cost to visit Vilnius for a touristic stay? In this blog post, I will break down the main expenses of a trip to Vilnius, such as flights, accommodation, transportation, food, and activities.

[dfads params='groups=88&limit=1&orderby=impression_count&order=ASC&return_javascript=1']

Flights
The cost of flights to Vilnius depends on your departure point, the season, and the airline you choose. However, you can find some great deals if you are flexible with your dates and book in advance. For example, I flew with Ryanair from Liverpool Airport to Vilnius and my flights cost only £4.99 each way! That’s less than £10 for a return flight! Of course, this was a special offer and I flew on a Sunday and a Tuesday, which are usually cheaper than weekends. I also didn’t take any extra baggage and only travelled with a backpack, which saved me some money on luggage fees.

Accommodation
Vilnius has a wide range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. You can find hostels, guesthouses, apartments, hotels, and even yoga houses. I stayed at Mai Ram Yoga House, which was a gorgeous place near the Old Town. It was very tranquil, spacious, and comfortable, with a lot of plants, a meditation corner, and a free-standing copper bath. It also had a small restaurant and offered yoga sessions for guests. I paid £98 for two nights, which was a bit more than I usually spend on accommodation, but it was totally worth it for the quality and the experience.

Transportation
Vilnius is a fairly compact city and you can easily walk to most of the attractions in the Old Town and the city center. However, if you want to explore further or visit some places outside the city, you might need to use public transportation or taxis. The public transportation system in Vilnius consists of buses and trolleybuses that cover most of the city. You can buy tickets from kiosks or on board with cash or card. A single ticket costs 1 euro if you buy it from a kiosk or 1.5 euros if you buy it on board. You can also buy daily or weekly passes that give you unlimited rides for 5 or 8 euros respectively.

Another option is to use Uber, which is very affordable and convenient in Vilnius. I used Uber to get to and from the airport and it cost me £6.09 for the first ride and £4.96 for the second ride. The airport is about 6 km from the city center and the ride takes about 15 minutes.

Food
One of the best things about visiting Vilnius is trying the local cuisine, which is hearty, delicious, and inexpensive. You can find many restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and street food stalls that serve traditional Lithuanian dishes as well as international options. Some of the typical foods you should try are cepelinai (potato dumplings stuffed with meat or cheese), kibinai (pastries filled with meat or cheese), šaltibarščiai (cold beetroot soup), skilandis (smoked sausage), and šakotis (spit cake). You can also enjoy some local drinks such as beer, mead, kvass (fermented bread drink), or gira (fermented rye drink).

The average price for a meal in Vilnius is around £10-£15 per person in a mid-range restaurant or £5-£10 per person in a cheap eatery. You can also find some great deals for breakfast or lunch menus that include soup, main course, dessert, and drink for around £5-£7 per person. I spent around £44 on food during my three-day trip to Vilnius.

Activities
Vilnius has plenty of activities to keep you entertained during your touristic stay. You can visit some of the historical and cultural landmarks such as Gediminas Castle Tower (£4.22 entrance fee), Cathedral Square (free), St Anne’s Church (free), Užupis Republic (free), Museum of Genocide Victims (£3 entrance fee), or Palace of the Grand Dukes (£7 entrance fee). You can also enjoy some of the natural attractions such as Vingis Park (free), Bernardine Gardens (free), or Verkiai Regional Park (free). If you want to have some fun, you can try some of the quirky and unique experiences such as hot air balloon ride (£100 per person), escape room (£15 per person), or beer spa (£30 per person).

One of the highlights of my trip was visiting Trakai, a medieval town about 28 km from Vilnius. Trakai is famous for its picturesque castle on an island in the middle of a lake. You can take a train from Vilnius to Trakai for £1.76 and then walk or take a bus to the castle. The entrance fee to the castle is £5.50 and you can explore the museum and the grounds. You can also rent a boat or a kayak and enjoy the lake views.

The average price for an activity in Vilnius is around £5-£10 per person, but you can also find some free or very cheap options. I spent around £18.69 on activities during my three-day trip to Vilnius.

Summary
So, how much does it cost to visit Vilnius for a touristic stay? Based on my experience, I spent a total of £181.37 for three days in Vilnius, which is below my budget of £200. Here is the breakdown of my expenses:

Flights – £9.98
Accommodation – £98
Transportation – £11.05
Food – £44
Activities – £18.69

Of course, this is just an example and your costs may vary depending on your travel style, preferences, and season. However, I hope this blog post gives you an idea of how affordable and enjoyable Vilnius can be for a touristic stay. Vilnius is a beautiful city with a lot to offer and I highly recommend visiting it if you have the chance.