Articles about traveling to Vilnius often state round figures without any source: 'from 40 euros per day' or 'one of the cheapest European cities'. In reality, the price depends on three things: where you stay, how many times a day you eat at a restaurant, and how many paid attractions you visit. In this article, every price has been verified in the summer of 2026 from official sources: public transport operator JUDU, the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania (Valdovų rūmai), MO Museum (MO muziejus), and the National Museum of Lithuania.
At the end of the article, you will find three specific daily budgets, compiled from the same figures, not round guesses.
Travel from the Airport and Getting Around the City
Vilnius Airport is about 6 km from the Old Town. The cheapest option, bus No. 88, runs to the city center and Europa Square approximately every 20 to 30 minutes, with the journey taking about 20 minutes. After midnight, night bus 88N operates on the same route. The ticket price is the same as a regular city ticket (see below). If you choose Bolt or a taxi, the journey to the Old Town usually costs from €12 to €18, depending on traffic and time of day.
In the city, a single bus or trolleybus ticket, valid for 30 minutes, costs €1 if purchased via the JUDU or Trafi app, m.Ticket, a JUDU card, or simply by tapping a contactless bank card on the validator. A ticket allowing transfers within 60 minutes costs €1.25. If you travel frequently throughout the day, a 24-hour ticket costs €7.50, and a 3-day ticket, €13.50. These prices are valid from July 1, 2026, when the Vilnius City Council approved a new public transport tariff system, so in older articles and even some places online, you may still find previous, lower prices.
The Old Town (Senamiestis), Užupis, and most of what you'll want to see on your first visit are reachable on foot within 15 to 20 minutes, so many visitors don't spend more than the cost of one ticket on transport per day.
Accommodation: What to Expect by Budget
Vilnius remains one of the cheapest EU capitals for accommodation, but the difference between categories is significant.
- Hostel: A bed in a shared room costs from €15 to €30 per night. Most hostels are located in the Old Town or near the bus and train station, within a 10 to 15-minute walk from the center.
- Mid-range hotel or apartment: Comfortable accommodation in a double room or apartment in the Old Town or New Town (Naujamiestis) costs from €55 to €110. This category offers the widest choice, from family-run guesthouses to international hotel chains.
- High-end hotel: 4 and 5-star hotels located in restored Old Town buildings cost from €130 per night, often more during summer or December Christmas market weekends.
If you are planning your trip in June, July, or August, or during the December Christmas market weekends, book your accommodation at least a month in advance. Otherwise, only more expensive or options further from the center will remain.
Food and Drinks: Real Prices
Lithuanian cuisine is hearty and inexpensive, and the price difference between 'lunch like a local' and 'dinner at a restaurant in the evening' is significant.
- Lunch from the daily menu: On weekdays, from approximately 11 AM to 3 PM, most cafes and restaurants offer a 'daily lunch' (dienos pietūs): soup and a main course for a price ranging from €6 to €9. This is the cheapest way to taste restaurant-quality food.
- Kibinas: In small bakeries in and near the Old Town, this pastry, inherited from the Karaim community, with meat or vegetable filling, costs from €2 to €3 per piece, making it a great quick snack between attractions.
- Cepelinai at a Lithuanian tavern: Šnekutis (Šv. Mikalojaus g. 15) is one of the most famous places to try traditional cepelinai (potato dumplings) with crackling sauce. Prices range from €6 to €13, depending on the portion and filling.
- Dinner at a restaurant: In a mid-range restaurant in the Old Town, dinner with a main course costs from €20 to €35 per person, excluding drinks. If you desire a higher-end experience, see the separate Michelin Restaurants in Vilnius guide, where dinner with wine pairing can cost from €160 per person.
- Coffee and beer: In cafes, a cappuccino costs from €2.50 to €4.50, and a pint of local craft beer in a bar, from €4 to €6.
For those who prefer to choose their own products, it's worth visiting Halės Turgus (Halės Market) near Pylimo Street, the city's oldest covered market, where you can buy fresh bread, cheese, and smoked meats cheaper than in any Old Town restaurant. For a wider selection by district and price, see the Vilnius restaurant list.
Tickets to Museums and Attractions
Many of the most important things in Vilnius can be seen for free (see next section), but if you plan to visit several museums, here are the exact current prices.
- Gediminas Castle Tower (Gedimino pilies bokštas): An adult ticket costs €8, a concession ticket, about €4. The tower is open daily from 10 AM to 8 PM (in summer, until 9 PM). If you don't want to walk up, a funicular takes you up the hill for €2 one way.
- Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania (Valdovų rūmai): A full ticket, covering all four visiting routes, costs €16 for an adult, individual routes, from €4 to €10. Students and seniors receive a 50% discount. A family ticket for one adult with children costs €18, and for two adults with children, €34.
- MO Museum (MO muziejus): An adult ticket costs €11, a concession ticket, €6. The museum is open daily from 10 AM to 8 PM, except Tuesdays, when it is closed.
- Vilnius Pass: A card offering free entry to over 20 attractions and discounts in shops and restaurants costs €39 (24 hours), €49 (48 hours), or €59 (72 hours). The version including public transport for 24 hours costs €46.50. The card is only worthwhile if you genuinely plan to visit at least three or four paid attractions during that time, otherwise, it's cheaper to buy tickets separately.
What's Free in Vilnius
Most of what makes Vilnius interesting for a first-time visitor costs nothing.
- Walking around the UNESCO-protected Old Town (Senamiestis) and Pilies Street (Pilies gatvė) with its side streets.
- Literatų Street (Literatų gatvė), an outdoor gallery with dozens of artworks dedicated to writers associated with Lithuania.
- The bohemian district of Užupis, which calls itself a self-governing republic, and its constitution, displayed in several languages on a wall.
- Vilnius Cathedral (Vilniaus arkikatedra) and St. Anne's Church (Šv. Onos bažnyčia): entry to both is free.
- The Hill of Three Crosses (Trijų Kryžių kalnas), offering views of the red-roofed Old Town.
- The Gate of Dawn (Aušros vartai), one of the few remaining gates of the old city defensive wall.
An entire day can be spent without paying anything for sightseeing. The only unavoidable expense will be food.
Three Daily Budgets: How Much You'll Really Spend
The figures are calculated by summing the prices mentioned above, not including flights or travel to Vilnius.
- Budget traveler: from €35 to €58 per day. A bed in a hostel (from €15 to €30), daily lunch and a cheap dinner or kibinai (from €18 to €22), one ticket if needed (€1), occasionally one paid attraction, amortized over several days (€0 to €5).
- Mid-range traveler: from €105 to €165 per day. A mid-range room or apartment (from €55 to €90), daily menu lunch and dinner at a restaurant (from €35 to €45), public transport or a couple of Bolt rides (from €7 to €15), one paid attraction (from €8 to €16).
- Luxury traveler: from €250 per day. A high-end hotel (from €130), dinner at one of the Michelin restaurants (from €85 to €215 per person), taxi instead of public transport (from €20 to €40), a guide or tickets to several museums (from €20 to €50).
The difference between a budget and mid-range budget largely depends on accommodation, not food or tickets. Therefore, if you want to save the most, first negotiate or look for a room, not the price of lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a single public transport ticket cost in Vilnius?
A single bus or trolleybus ticket, valid for 30 minutes, costs €1 when purchased via the JUDU or Trafi app, m.Ticket, or with a contactless bank card. A ticket with transfer capability within 60 minutes costs €1.25. These prices are valid from July 1, 2026.
What is a realistic daily budget in Vilnius?
For a budget traveler, €35 to €58 per day is sufficient, a mid-range trip requires €105 to €165, and a luxury trip from €250 per day, not including flights.
Is Vilnius safe for tourists?
Yes, Vilnius is considered one of the safest European capitals, with a low crime rate. Standard precautions are sufficient: keep an eye on your belongings in crowded Pilies Street or on public transport.
When is it cheapest to travel to Vilnius?
Accommodation prices are highest in June, July, August, and during December Christmas market weekends. In January, February, March, excluding winter holidays, and November, room prices can be significantly lower.
Is the Vilnius Pass worth buying?
Only if you genuinely plan to visit at least three or four paid museums or attractions during your chosen period. For one day with one or two attractions, it's usually cheaper to buy tickets separately.
How much does it cost to travel from the airport to the city center?
By bus No. 88, the same as a regular city ticket (€1), the journey takes about 20 minutes. Bolt or a taxi costs from €12 to €18.
