Car Hire Vilnius International Airport

Car Hire

Vilnius Airport is the main gateway and the largest and the busiest airport in the Baltic state of Lithuania. The airport is around four miles south of the capital city, Vilnius, which is one of the oldest cities in Europe. The capital’s historic city centre features distinct Baroque architecture which has resulted in it obtaining status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Exploring Lithuania and the rest of the Baltics by car is pleasant as you have at your disposal the Via Baltica, a highway stretching from the Czech Republic to Poland and the Baltic states. Driving here is a rewarding experience as you get to discover many little gems along the way.

Who to Book With
A total of 12 car rental agencies have desks at Vilnius Airport. The usual international brands are present: Sixt, Hertz, Avis and Budget. There are also local brands Autobanga, Autocom and a few others. The counters of most of the suppliers are found on Level 1 in the Arrivals area.

Need to Know Essentials
You will need to show the following documents at vehicle collection:

- National driving licence or International Driving Permit
- ID with photo (such as a passport)
- Copy of the booking confirmation
- Your credit card

Here are our FAQs with more details.

Driving
Driving in the city is not recommended during the evening rush hour, which begins at around 17:00. Choke points arise in many areas at this time, especially in the city centre. Generally, driving in Lithuania, including driving in Vilnius, is pleasant, especially when doing daytrips out of the city. The motorways which link the main cities of Vilnius, Panevezys and Kaunas are generally well-maintained. The speed limit here is 80mph but it is reduced to 68mph in winter when the motorways become slippery. That said, some of the rural roads are in poor condition and some feature potholes which may prove a threat to the well-being of your car.

Our Lithuania guide for drivers has more info.

Transport

Generally, you can drive yourself to the city easily as the airport is located close to the downtown area. Public transport from the airport is available in the form of trains, buses and taxis. Whichever option you choose, your travel time should be no more than 20 minutes.

Trains
Vilnius Airport has a dedicated railway station called Oro Uostas right outside the terminal building. Trains, run by Lithuanian Railways, transport passengers from the airport to the Central Railway Station, around three miles away. The ride only takes about seven minutes and a ticket costs £0.60.

Taxis
The queue for waiting taxis is outside the terminal, right by the sidewalk. It is highly recommended that you book a cab prior to arrival to get more affordable rates. You can book a cab via Etaxi. Make sure to use the official taxis as some unofficial ones overcharge passengers.

Taxi prices:
Vilnius Airport to Vilnius city centre costs around £10

Buses
A number of local, intercity and even international buses depart from the airport. Bus 1 (Vilniaus Autobusai 1) runs to the Central Station for buses and trains in the city. Bus 2 runs through the financial district to Šeškinė. A ticket on either bus should not cost more than £1. There are buses to Klaipeda, located along the Baltic Sea coast, and to Riga, capital of Latvia, as well.

Facilities

Terminals
Vilnius Airport only has one terminal building, with Arrivals on Level 1 and Departures on levels 2 and 3. More than two million passengers went through its gates in 2012. The regular flights here are mostly to European cities, such as London, Moscow, Vienna, Brussels, Frankfurt and others.

Parking
There are areas for short-term parking, long-term parking and business parking. The airport also offers a Meet & Greet service which covers valet parking and assistance to the check-in gates. Fifteen minutes of parking is free. Parking for a day costs from £1 to £1.50.

Wi-Fi
The Vilnius Airport terminal is equipped with a Wi-Fi service that is free of charge for six hours of use. There is an internet portal on Level 2 right next to the Amber Shop.

Information Services
Information counters are located on both Level 1 (near the exit) and Level 2 (near the entrance).

Useful Numbers
Passenger Information: +370 5 230 6666

Accessibility
There are facilities to call for assistance at many points on the airport premises. The areas in the car park for persons with reduced mobility have this facility. The same goes for the bus stop and the boarding area on Level 2. Lifts are provided as well as toilets which are designed for handicapped passengers.

Restaurants and Bars
There are more than 10 establishments in the airport serving food and beverages. Passengers about to fly can head to Ricardo Pizza on Level 3 near Gate A-2. Outside the secure zone of the Departures area is Café Olympic and Café Air & Pub. Coffee & Snacks Café and Pizzaland are found in the Arrivals area.

VIP Lounges
Vilnius Airport has one paid VIP lounge located in a separate facility outside the terminal building. It has its own car park. Check-in and other formalities are taken care of here. The lounge is equipped with a TV, Wi-Fi and DVDs.

Money and ATMs
Currency exchange offices and ATMs can be found around the airport. Medicinos Bankas currency exchange has a location next to the check-in desks on Level 2 Departures area. In the Arrivals area close to the exit and right next to the florist, there is an ATM.

Shopping
Various shops can be found on levels 1 and 2 of the terminal building. Travel Retail Vilnius sells souvenir items in the Departures area. Near Baggage Claim C in the Arrivals area is Duty Free and Travel Value. A larger Duty Free and Travel Value store can be found on Level 2, past the check-in counters.