How Much Does Vilnius Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Vilnius is one of Europe’s most affordable capital cities, offering a rich Baroque atmosphere and deep history without the price tag of Western hubs. While costs have risen as the city's culinary and specialty coffee scenes have matured, travelers can still manage on a solo budget of roughly $77 / €65 per day. Mid-range visitors should expect to spend closer to $206 / €175 per day to enjoy boutique stays and full-service dining. The city's compact size and efficient transit make it easy to explore without overspending on transport. With its unique blend of UNESCO-listed architecture and the quirky independent spirit of districts like Užupis, Vilnius provides exceptional value for travelers seeking an authentic Baltic experience.
Is Vilnius expensive to visit?
Vilnius is highly affordable for a European capital — expect a daily budget of $77–$565 / €65–€480 depending on your travel style.
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Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Vilnius
$77
per person /day
$206
per person /day
$565
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $230 | $618 | $1,695 |
| 5-Day Trip | $383 | $1,030 | $2,825 |
| 7-Day Trip | $536 | $1,442 | $3,955 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to maintain a 10-20% buffer to cover the Vilnius City Tax and the common $0.59 / €0.5 fee for public toilets in the Old Town. This also accounts for the 10% service charge that is often automatically added to restaurant bills for groups of six or more.
How Does It Compare?
See how Vilnius stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Vilnius
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant Typical for a lunch special or a hearty plate of Cepelinai (potato dumplings). | $14 €12 |
| Draft Beer (0.5L) in a bar Craft beers or central Old Town bars may charge up to ~$7.65 / €6.5. | $5.89 €5 |
| Flat White / Cappuccino Lithuania has a very strong specialty coffee culture. | $4.12 €3.5 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Public Transport 30-min ticket Most common ticket for short hops within the city. | $1.18 €1 |
| Public Transport 24h pass Valid for 24 hours from the moment of activation on the bus/trolleybus. | $8.83 €7.5 |
| Airport to City Center Train The fastest way to reach the main station (7 mins), but runs less frequently than buses. | $0.94 €0.8 |
| Ride-hail (Bolt) City to Airport Prices fluctuate based on demand. Bolt is the dominant app in Lithuania. | $14 €12 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed in central hostel Average rate for a well-rated central dorm. Weekend rates often spike to ~$65 / €55. | $45 €38 |
| Mid-range boutique hotel room Covers comfortable 3-4 star hotels in or near the Old Town. | $112 €95 |
| Luxury hotel suite Price for top-tier establishments like the Kempinski or Stikliai. | $335 €285 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Gediminas Castle Tower Admission Includes the museum inside the tower and the best panorama of the city. | $9.42 €8 |
| Palace of the Grand Dukes (Full Route) This is the most comprehensive ticket for all four exhibition routes. | $15 €13 |
| Museum of Occupations (KGB Museum) Located in the former KGB headquarters; photography costs an extra ~$2.35 / €2. | $7.06 €6 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Prepaid SIM Card (Data Heavy) Local SIMs offer better value than eSIMs for heavy data users. | $14 €12 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is a mix of hearty traditional staples and a thriving third-wave coffee culture where a flat white averages $4.12 / €3.5. A filling meal at an inexpensive restaurant, such as a plate of Cepelinai, typically costs $14 / €12, while a 0.5L draft beer in a central bar usually stays around $5.89 / €5.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Šnekutis
$8.24–$18 / €7–€15Užupis / Stepono g. · Local chain
Try the 'Fried Bread' (keptas duona) with cheese for ~$6.47 / €5.5 — the ultimate local snack.
Jammi
$6.47–$12 / €5.5–€10Multiple locations · Local chain
The most popular late-night food spot in the city. Very consistent quality.
Pinavija Cafe & Bakery
$3.53–$14 / €3–€12Vilniaus g. · Bakery
Best place in the city to try 'Kibinai' (traditional pastries) without going to Trakai.
Būsi Trečias
$9.42–$19 / €8–€16Totorių g. · Local chain
A family-run brewery famous for their flavored beers and huge portions of local food.
Beigelistai
$5.3–$11 / €4.5–€9Literatų g. / Užupis · Bakery
Great for a quick, affordable lunch in the heart of the artistic Užupis district.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the city is inexpensive with 30-minute public transport tickets priced at only $1.18 / €1 and 24-hour passes for $8.83 / €7.5. For airport transfers, the 7-minute train ride to the central station is a bargain at $0.94 / €0.8, while a ride-hail service like Bolt into the center costs approximately $14 / €12.
Accommodation Overview
A central dorm bed averages $45 / €38 per night, though these rates often climb to $65 / €55 during busy weekends. Mid-range travelers can find high-quality boutique hotels for roughly $112 / €95, while luxury suites at premier establishments like the Kempinski cost about $335 / €285.
Accommodation Budget in Vilnius
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Use the m.Ticket app to purchase and activate 30-minute ($1.18 / €1) or 60-minute ($1.77 / €1.5) digital tickets for buses and trolleybuses.
- 2 Look for 'Dienos pietūs' (daily lunch specials) served between 11:00–14:00, where local cafes offer a soup and main course for approximately $8.24–$11 / €7–€9.
- 3 Dine at Šnekutis on Stepono gatvė for some of the city's most affordable traditional farmhouse ales and rustic Lithuanian cuisine.
- 4 Take the airport train for $0.94 / €0.8 instead of a taxi; it is the cheapest and fastest way to reach the main station area.
- 5 Refill water bottles at the public drinking fountains located in Town Hall Square (Rotušės aikštė) to save on bottled water costs.
- 6 Visit national museums on the last Sunday of the month when many, including the Palace of the Grand Dukes, offer free admission.
- 7 Buy groceries or ready-to-eat snacks at Halės turgus (Halės Market) near the station for lower prices than central supermarkets.
- 8 Avoid the $9.42 / €8 Gediminas Castle Tower elevator if you are mobile; the walk up the hill is short and the view from the top of the hill itself is free.
- 9 Use the 'Cyclocity' bike-sharing scheme for short trips; the first 30 minutes of each ride are free after paying a small registration fee.
- 10 Stick to the Naujamiestis (New Town) district for dinner, where prices for a 0.5L beer and entrees are often 20% lower than in the heart of the Old Town.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jun, Jul, Aug
+30-50%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-25-40%
May, Sep
Winter is very cold but extremely affordable. May and September offer ~20°C (68°F) weather with fewer crowds than July.
Events to Watch
- ● Vilnius City Fiesta (early Sept): +25% hotels
- ● Kaziukas Fair (early March): +40% hotels, very crowded
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Walking through the Republic of Užupis to read its 'Constitution' displayed on Paupio Street.
- 2 Climbing the Hill of Three Crosses for the best panoramic sunset view of the city skyline.
- 3 Exploring the Open Gallery, an outdoor street art project in the Naujamiestis district.
- 4 Entering the Vilnius Cathedral to admire the architecture (access is free outside of mass times).
- 5 Walking through the Bernardine Gardens, a landscaped park along the Vilnia River.
- 6 Visiting the 'Literatų Street' wall, an outdoor gallery dedicated to famous writers connected to the city.
- 7 Wandering the historic Rasos Cemetery, the oldest and most atmospheric burial ground in Vilnius.
- 8 Exploring the Gates of Dawn and viewing the sacred icon from the street below.
- 9 Walking the 6km forest trail within the Pavilniai Regional Park to see the Pūčkoriai Outcrop.
- 10 Visiting the Tuskulėnai Peace Park and Memorial Complex grounds.
- 11 Admiring the Pink 'Kumpis' (Hala) building and the vibrant street art around the Train Station district.
- 12 Walking through the Presidential Palace courtyard during public opening hours on weekends.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Hot Air Balloon Flight over Old Town
Vilnius is one of the few European capitals where balloons can fly directly over the historic center.
Tasting Menu at Nineteen18
One of the best fine-dining experiences in the Baltics, focusing on local farm-to-table ingredients.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Vilnius
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Vilnius and what they cost
Trakai Island Castle
$5.65 / €4.8 by Train or Bus
$14 / €12
$41 / €35
Kaunas
$16 / €14 by Train (Intercity)
Free
$65 / €55
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
No
Excellent - even small kiosks and most market stalls accept contactless cards.
Rounding up is standard for cafes. In restaurants, ~10% is expected for good service, but not legally required.
Use bank-affiliated ATMs (SEB, Swedbank, Luminor) to avoid high fees. Avoid Euronet ATMs which charge ~$4.71 / €4 per withdrawal.
Connectivity
eSIM: $4.71–$9.42 for 1GB (7 days) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $5.89–$14 / €5–€12 for 10-20GB
WiFi: Excellent - free high-speed wifi is standard in virtually every café, hotel, and even public parks.
Buy a local 'Pildyk' or 'Ežys' SIM card at any Narvesen kiosk for ~$5.89 / €5; it's much cheaper than international eSIMs.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Vilnius.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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