Vilnius Central Bus Station, Lithuania

Vilnius Bus Station is located at Sodų g. 22, 03211 Vilnius, just south of the Old Town. Vilnius Railway Station is only about 180 meters away, a two-minute walk across the square, which makes it convenient to switch between buses and trains. The main entrance on Sodų Street leads into the ticket hall, with the platforms and the covered waiting area behind the building.

The bus station sits in the Station District, an area of hotels, cafés, markets and new developments between the railway lines and the Old Town. Vilnius is Lithuania's capital and the center of Vilnius County, and regional buses connect the city with towns and villages across the county, from Trakai and Elektrėnai to Ukmergė and Šalčininkai. Because the station also links the capital with the rest of Lithuania and neighboring countries, it plays a central role in moving the students, commuters and visitors the region depends on.

Domestic buses run from Vilnius to almost every town in Lithuania, with frequent departures to Kaunas, where the journey takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. Buses to Trakai depart every 10–20 minutes from the station, and the Vilnius Bus Station has around 50 daily departures to Trakai, the lake town famous for its island castle about 30 minutes away. Other popular routes include Klaipėda, Palanga, Šiauliai, Panevėžys and Druskininkai.

International coaches run from Vilnius to Riga and Tallinn in the Baltic states, to Warsaw, Białystok, Gdańsk and Kraków in Poland, and to Berlin, Prague and beyond, with several direct bus routes and overnight journeys. Through international operators, the station serves routes to over 20 European and North African countries, including Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Ukraine, Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Norway, Portugal, Denmark, Finland and Morocco, although the most distant places usually involve one or more changes. Luxury buses from Vilnius include amenities like Wi-Fi and WCs, making long journeys more comfortable.

Vilnius Airport lies about 6 kilometers south of the city center. The quickest connection is the airport train from Vilnius Railway Station next door, which takes about 7–10 minutes, and city buses also run between the station area and Vilnius Airport, while a taxi or ride-hailing car takes about 10–15 minutes. For the Old Town, the Gate of Dawn is about a 10-minute walk north of the bus station.

City buses and trolleybuses stop right outside the station, and trolley buses No. 1, 2, 7 and 20 reach the station, linking it with the city center and residential districts. The nearest bus stop is on the street in front of the main entrance, and a route map is shown at the stop and in the Vilnius public transport app. Tickets for city transport are sold through the app and at kiosks, and they are valid on both buses and trolleybuses.

The Gate of Dawn, the only surviving city gate of Vilnius and home to a famous shrine, is about a 10-minute walk north, and from there Pilies Street and Didžioji Street lead through the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Halės Market, a 19th-century covered market with local food stalls, is about 10 minutes away on foot. Cathedral Square, Gediminas Tower and the bohemian Užupis district are about 20–25 minutes' walk from the station.

Lithuanian Railways (LTG Link) runs trains from Vilnius Railway Station, just across the square, to Kaunas, Klaipėda, the airport and other Lithuanian cities, as well as international services to Riga and Poland. The walk between the bus and railway stations takes about two minutes, so it is easy to combine a bus and train journey on the same day. Check both schedules before you travel, as bus and train timetables are not coordinated.

The station area grew up after the railway reached Vilnius in the 1860s, when Vilnius Railway Station opened and the district became the city's main gateway. The bus station developed beside it in the 20th century as coach travel expanded across Lithuania and later to neighboring countries. Today the area is entering a new chapter, with plans to redesign the station square and its surroundings into a modern, pedestrian-friendly transport hub.

The station has numbered platforms behind the main building, with domestic and international buses departing from different sections. Once you've arrived, check the departure and arrivals boards in the ticket hall, which show each bus's schedule, destination and platform, and use the station map near the entrance to find your way. International coaches usually leave from platforms 15–25, and it is worth confirming the platform on your ticket or in your operator's app.

You can buy tickets for domestic buses at the ticket offices in the station, from the driver on many routes, or online through bus ticket websites and operators' apps. International coach tickets are sold online by companies such as FlixBus, Lux Express and Ecolines, and some can also be bought at the station. A direct bus to Riga takes about 4 hours 20 minutes, and a roundtrip bus to Riga costs approximately €30 per person, with lower fares when you book early.

Step one is choosing your travel date: popular international routes such as Vilnius–Riga and Vilnius–Warsaw can fill up on Fridays, Sundays and holidays, so it pays to book early. Once you pay, your ticket is saved in your account or app and sent by email, usually with a QR code. Read the departure time, platform and seat number carefully before you travel, and show the ticket on your phone when boarding.

Free Wi-Fi access is available for travelers at the station, and the 2,000-square-meter covered waiting area offers plenty of places to sit before departure. Vilnius Bus Station features convenience stores and a pharmacy, along with cafés and kiosks, and the station has clean bathrooms that require payment. Staff at the ticket offices can help with timetables and platforms, and this FAQ offers practical tips for travelers from around the world, so you can plan your journey through Vilnius Central Bus Station with confidence.
How far is Vilnius Bus Station from Vilnius Railway Station?

Lithuanian Railways (LTG Link) runs trains from Vilnius Railway Station to Kaunas, Klaipėda, the airport and other cities in Lithuania, as well as international services to Riga and Poland. Buses to Belarus have also run from the bus station, but border crossings and rules can change at short notice, so always check the latest operator information before you travel. Check both the bus and train schedules in advance, as the timetables are not coordinated.

Vilnius Airport lies about 6 kilometers south of the city center. The fastest option is the airport train from Vilnius Railway Station next door, which takes about 7–10 minutes, while city buses and taxis take about 10–15 minutes depending on traffic. If you are travelling with friends, you can share a taxi or ride-hailing car to cut the cost per person.

The Old Town begins just north of the station, and the Gate of Dawn is about a 10-minute walk away. From there, Pilies Street and Didžioji Street lead through the UNESCO-listed Old Town to Cathedral Square and Gediminas Tower, about 20–25 minutes from the station on foot. Halės Market, with its food stalls, is also on the way.

The nearest bus stop is right in front of the station's main entrance, where city buses and trolleybuses stop. Trolley buses No. 1, 2, 7 and 20 reach the station, linking it with the city center and residential districts. Tickets for city transport are sold through the Vilnius public transport app and at kiosks, and a route map is shown at the stop.