Riga to Vilnius – 7 Best Ways to Travel in 2026

Picture this: you are in Riga. What’s next? I say, go to Vilnius! It is only 300 km away. Maybe you are thinking that after Riga (and maybe also Tallinn) you don’t want to see another Baltic capital. Think again! Lithuania in general is very different from Estonia and Latvia. History, religion, and culture; you will not be disappointed to discover that Vilnius is nothing like the others. Lithuania has royal history and Vilnius represents that: the grand architecture, the wide streets, the Catholic churches, and the Central European feel.

Here are some options for getting from the Latvian capital to the Lithuanian one. We have brought out the estimated time and cost of travel, how much hassle you will have making travel arrangements and how much fun you will have on the trip on a scale of 1 to 5.

1. Riga to Vilnius by Bus

TIME: 4 hours
COST: €15 – €22
HASSLE: 1 (very easy)
FUN: 2 (not really)

There are three companies running scheduled departures between Riga and Vilnius – LuxExpress, Ecoline and FlixBus. All of them advertise free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and some sort of entertainment system, so nothing revolutionary there. Lux Express also offers “Relax” seats that are a bit wider and more comfortable, but expect to pay around €10 extra for those.

Taking the bus is probably the most sensible and painless way to travel between Riga and Vilnius if all you care about is getting from A to B and maybe working or napping along the way. The bus stations in both cities are close to the centre, departures are frequent, and the buses are fast and comfortable.

Sure, you don’t stop to see anything — you just go straight from city to city. But if that’s all you need, why not? Bring snacks, max out the free Wi-Fi, watch a movie, listen to an audiobook, read a real book, or (do it like I do) just snooze. Fall asleep in Latvia and wake up in Lithuania. Awesome.

2. Riga to Vilnius / Vilnius to Riga one-way sightseeing tour

TIME: 12 hours
COST: 95€
HASSLE: 1 (just book here: Riga-Vilnius Sightseeing Tour Bus or Vilnius-Riga Sightseeing Tour Bus)
FUN: 5 (all the funs)

You want a road trip but don’t want to drive or plan the route? Say no more. Turn a “lost” travel day into one of the highlights of your trip with Traveller Tours. A fun and knowledgeable driver-guide takes you and up to seven other travellers on a full-day adventure through Latvia and Lithuania.

You start in Riga and end in Vilnius (or the other way around). Along the way, you learn about local history, see impressive architecture, and enjoy the countryside. Typical stops include Rundāle Palace in Latvia, the Hill of Crosses, and Kaunas in Lithuania, among others. It’s a great way to experience South Latvia and North Lithuania without rushing.

You can find more information as well as book the sightseeing bus from here:
Riga to Vilnius sightseeing tour bus
Vilnus to Riga sightseeing tour bus

If you have a question about this tour please contact Traveller Tours at booking@traveller.ee

3. Riga to Vilnius by Car

TIME: from 3,5 hours
COST: fuel (from 40€) + renting (starting from 100€ per day) a car if needed
HASSLE: 3 (easy + renting pain)
FUN: 4 (fun)

Also known as: just drive it.

Driving in the Baltic countries is easy. We mostly follow the rules, the roads are decent, and even if you get a bit lost, you’re never that far from where you want to be — these countries are small (unless you end up in the wrong one… oops).

You’ll need a car, obviously — rented, borrowed, or owned. Don’t expect petrol stations every ten kilometres, though, so don’t leave refuelling to the last minute. Circle K is a solid choice, especially for important food and toilet stops.

Personally, I love the freedom of pulling over in a random village just because it looks interesting. So don’t shoot straight from Riga to Vilnius. Wander. Explore. Be adventurous.

4. Riga to Vilnius by Plane

TIME: flight 0,50 hours + transfer = min 2,5 hours
COST: starting from 30€ AirBaltic
HASSLE: 2 (easy)
FUN: 2 (not really)

Fly, baby, fly! A bit boring in my book, but fast and straightforward. That said, it doesn’t actually save you that much time. Yes, the flight itself is short, but airport security, waiting around, and transfers add up to roughly the same total travel time as going by road.

It also costs more. But hey, if you’re using frequent-flyer points or just really enjoy airports, go for it. Enjoy the overpriced and mostly inedible airport food and security checks. Seriously, bring your own snacks. Whatever they try to sell you on board should not be called food — and definitely not at that price.

5. Riga to Vilnius by Train

TIME: ~4–5 hours
COST: ~€24–35
HASSLE: 2 (finally reasonable)
FUN: 3 (surprisingly pleasant)

Good news: this section is no longer a tragedy.

There is now a direct train connection between Riga and Vilnius, operated by LTG Link in cooperation with Latvian railways. The train runs once daily, connects the city centres, and takes a bit over four hours. No border chaos, no changing trains, no odyssey through neighbouring countries.

Is it the fastest option? No. Is it the most flexible? Also no. But it is comfortable, relaxed, and very civilised. If you like trains and don’t want to deal with traffic or airports, this is finally a solid choice in the Baltics.

6. Riga to Vilnius by Bike or Foot

TIME: several days
COST: unknown (bikes, accommodation, food)
HASSLE: 3 (some hassle is to be had)
FUN: 4 (so worth it)

Because why not?

The terrain is friendly: no mountains, no trolls under bridges, and in summer cycling or hiking is a fantastic way to experience the Baltics. There are several route options. You can follow the coastline for a while and then cut inland towards Vilnius — a very long but scenic way around. Or you can shortcut by train to Daugavpils and cycle south through Aukštaitija National Park, with its lakes and quiet landscapes.

It takes effort, yes. But the reward is real.

7. Riga to Vilnius by Private Transfer

TIME: ~4 hours (non-stop)
COST: ~€220–300 per vehicle
HASSLE: 1 (zero stress)
FUN: 4 (you’re in control)

If you’d rather keep things simple and comfortable, a private transfer is one of the easiest ways to travel from Riga to Vilnius. Instead of dealing with stations or schedules, a driver picks you up right at your door in Riga and takes you straight to where you’re staying in Vilnius. You just settle in and let someone else handle the road.

Another nice bonus is flexibility. Many transfer services are happy to stop along the way if you want a break, a coffee, or a quick look around a town like Šiauliai or Panevėžys. This option works especially well for families, small groups, or anyone travelling with extra luggage — and for those who prefer a smooth, low-effort journey over juggling connections and timetables.

You can book the Riga-Vilnius Sightseeing Tour Bus here:

Tour from Riga to Vilnius
Tour from Vilnius to Riga

Did we miss something? Let us know in the comments section.

If you are looking for tips on how to get from Riga to Tallinn then check out this post: 6 Ways How to Get from Tallinn to Riga (or from Riga to Tallinn)