Getting Around

Lithuania Airport Guide: Vilnius and Kaunas

How Vilnius and Kaunas airports compare for a Lithuania trip, from transfers into the city to which one to book.

Last updated September 2026

A passenger jet parked at an airport gate in warm evening light
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Lithuania has two main airports worth knowing, plus a small seasonal one at Palanga on the coast. Vilnius is the main gateway. Kaunas is a smaller budget hub. Which one to book depends on the route and the rest of the trip.

Vilnius Airport is the main Lithuania airport, with the widest range of direct routes and an easy transfer into the city. Kaunas Airport suits budget-carrier routes, around ninety minutes from Vilnius by bus. Flying into one and out of the other works well for a trip covering both cities.

Vilnius Airport: the main Lithuania airport

Vilnius Airport sits about seven kilometers south of the Old Town. A taxi or app-based ride reaches most central hotels in fifteen to twenty minutes outside rush hour. A train also runs straight to the main railway station.

This is the airport with the widest range of direct routes into Europe. It usually offers the most flexible schedule too.

Kaunas Airport: the budget-carrier option

Kaunas Airport sits outside Lithuania's second city. It is a common entry point for budget airlines. Reaching Vilnius from here takes about ninety minutes by bus, and the train via Kaunas city takes longer. Travelers flying into Kaunas should plan for that extra transfer time. Do not assume a Vilnius-level arrival experience.

Flying into one airport and out of the other

This works well for a trip that already plans to visit both Vilnius and Kaunas. Landing in one city and departing from the other avoids backtracking. It can also open up cheaper fare combinations that a single round-trip airport would miss.

Comparing Lithuania's airports with flight options

See the Lithuanian flights guide for how routes and airlines compare at each one. Book further ahead for better fares, especially in summer.

What's new for Lithuania airports in 2026

The main change for 2026 affects arrivals from outside Schengen.

Since 12 October 2025, the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) has logged non-EU visitors on short stays. It does this when they cross the Schengen outer border. It records passport details, fingerprints and a facial image, and it replaces passport stamps. The European Commission says it has run at all Schengen borders since April 2026.

Flights from other Schengen countries have no passport control on arrival in Vilnius or Kaunas. Check the EU's official EES page before you travel. ETIAS, a separate travel authorization, has not started yet.

Both airports are run by Lithuanian Airports, which lists current flights.

Planning a Lithuania trip around either airport is easier with a printable outline. Get the free Baltic Trip Planner below.

Ground transport options at each airport

Vilnius Airport offers a train, a bus and taxis, all reaching the city center within twenty minutes. The train runs directly to the main railway station, a short walk from Old Town. Buses cost less than a taxi but take a little longer, especially during rush hour.

Kaunas Airport has fewer options overall, mainly bus service timed around flight arrivals and taxis. A rental car is also worth considering at Kaunas. The ninety-minute drive to Vilnius gives more flexibility than a fixed bus schedule. See the car rental in Lithuania guide for pickup details at both airports.

Choosing an airport based on your itinerary

A Vilnius-only trip should book Vilnius Airport without much thought. The transfer runs shorter, and the route choice runs wider.

A trip that starts in Kaunas works well flying into Kaunas first. Seeing its architecture early, then flying out of Vilnius at the end, makes sense too.

A trip focused mainly on budget travel should compare fares into both airports first. A Kaunas fare can sometimes beat a Vilnius one by enough to justify the extra transfer time.

What to expect on arrival at either airport

Both airports run smooth, modern terminals. Long lines, common at bigger European hubs, are rare here. Lithuania uses the euro, so most visitors from the eurozone need no exchange at all.

Luggage carts and clear signage make the arrivals process straightforward at either location. This holds even for a first-time visitor unfamiliar with the layout.

Verdict on choosing a Lithuania airport

Book Vilnius Airport, the main Lithuania airport, for the widest schedule choice. It also gives the easiest transfer into the city. Book Kaunas Airport instead if it fits a budget fare, or the trip already includes Kaunas. Flying into one and out of the other suits a trip covering both cities well.

Questions people also ask

Which Lithuania airport should I fly into for Vilnius?

Vilnius Airport, a short taxi or train ride from the Old Town. It has the widest range of direct European routes.

Is Kaunas Airport a good option for a Lithuania trip?

Yes, especially for budget-carrier routes. Allow around ninety minutes to reach Vilnius by bus.

Can I use one Lithuania airport to fly in and the other to fly out?

Yes. Flying into Vilnius and out of Kaunas, or the reverse, works well for a trip that already moves between both cities.

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