I'm thinking about taking a trip to my parent's homeland, Lithuania. Has anyone been? Is it worth it?
What's it like?
The exchange rate, good or bad?

I'd love to know!

I went to Vilnius last year for a conference. I only had one extra day at the end of my two-day conference, so didn't get to see the rest of the country - but really liked Vilnius. It's quite picturesque, with cobbled streets, old buildings, lots of restaurants, and a street market. Am hoping to go back one day to see more the country.

From what I remember the local currency (Litas) is tied to the Euro.

Welcome to FT friskyfriskers
My Dad was born in Lithuania and always talked about returning. He died much too young and never realized his dream so I am also very interested in the responses you receive.

We went to Lithuania a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. We visited Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda and Nida on the Curonian Spit.
The people were very friendly although didn't speak much English, we got on by in German and basic Russian. We travelled by bus/ferry/train and didn't have any problems.
We especially liked the boat ride from Kaunas to Lida and the whole Curonian Spit was a very nice experience, it's beautiful and the sand dunes 7 the lagoon is great in the summer!
A good guide to the area is on http://www.inyourpocket.com/lithuania/en/

Labas! (Hello!)

Yes, I have been to Lithuania (well, I live only about 100 kilometres from this nice country). If you could explain more specifically what your interests are, probably, I could give you some more detailed information.

The Baltics is certainly a very nice place to visit (well, maybe not in winter). A lot of information is on the web, www.vilnius.lt and www.kaunas.lt are good starting points if you need some info about these cities. Just try searching and you will find lots of info.

Send me an email if you want info on some specific questions, and I'll try to answer.

Glad I checked the board - you've come to the right person, in the period since Nov 1990 to date I've visited Lithuania some 30 times (USG official), on temp duty have spent more than one and a half years there. The exchange rate is now much less favorable than it used to be - hangs around 3 to 1 USD, and it used to be pegged at 4. VIlnius is a charming city, features highlights of baroque & gothic ecclesiastical architecture - it had been a center of free-thinkers in the 16th & 17th centuries, so the church had to wow the locals with its might. Service encounters in Vilnius can all be negotiated in English (hotels & restaurants esp., some shops). Polish & Russian useful, too, as about 35-40% of the population of Vilnius itself is Slav - eg., taxidrivers tend to be Slavs. To buy: amber, linens, on the former feel free to negotiate, esp. with the open-air merchants in Pilies street. Any specific questions (hotels, restaurants, what to do outside Vilnius, car rental), post them here, I'll check again rytoje (tomorrow). Iki pasimatymo, Gummer.

I'm going to LT in January...no choice in timing. I have the following questions:
* GSM phone coverage?
* how difficult to take a train from Vilnius to Tallinn (I have to go onward to Helsinki)...the Deutsche Bahn website shows it as being about 38 hours with one train change...or is there a better way
* is a visa required for US citizen
* A/C power plugs follow what model?
* phone jacks follow what model?
Thanks

I'll be riding the rails through there as well next August, and would be grateful for transit info.

JP

Great thread. I've been curious about the Baltics myself.

I was thinking of just going to Tallinn next summer, but now I'm thinking it might be nice to do Vilnius-Kaunas-Riga-Tallinn and then maybe St. Petersburg and finally Helsinki.

Sounds like Deustchebahn might do the trick transit-wise?

Good coverage in Vilnius. Good coverage at our conference hotel which was a long way outside Vilnius

European two-pin

It was RJ11 in my hotel room. According to www.kropla.com it's either RJ11 or Russian. (I can thoroughly recommend that web site for information on travel technology)




[This message has been edited by Aviatrix (edited Nov 19, 2003).]

Currently there are no trains running from Riga to Tallinn, which means that there is no way to get from Vilnius to Tallinn by rail (unless you want to change trains in Russia, which explains the 38 hours quoted above).

To get from Vilnius to Tallinn there are 2 options:

1. By bus (2 direct busses per day)- see www.eurolines.lt, www.eurolines.ee or www.eurolines.lv

2. By plane. I know that AirBaltic offers great prices between Riga and Tallinn/Vilnius (see www.airbaltic.lv). One problem you might encounter is that these routes are operated on weekdays only. Riga-Vilnius is only Tue, Wed, Thu. But then, you can always stop for a couple of days to enjoy Riga.

Let me know if you have questions.

US citizens can enter Lithuania for up to 90 days without visa.

I will be arriving in Vilnius on a Friday afternoon. What is the best/safest way to a hotel in the city? Taxi, shared van?

Also a good hotel recommendation would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

I have not been to the baltics yet, i plan on going to the capitals of all 3 in June on my way to Germany for the World Cup. I have learned from people online and travelers who have been, that taxi's in the baltics are generally a rip off. Especially if you dont speak the language at all. If you are flying into the airport in Vilnius. Its very close (5km) to city center so you figure you can get ripped off that badly, but from what i've read its 25-30Lts, vs 1.40Lt on a bus to the main train station in town..

I guess it depends on your budget and level of adventure, getting on a bus without knowing the language with your bags..

Good luck! i'm looking forward to my Baltics experience

I have not been yet, but the Baltics are still on my "list". Here is a link that may help - http://www.toandfromtheairport.com/lithuania.html

I travel with just one carryon and would try the bus - all part of the complete travel experience.