+ 1h

Vilnius

Official language

Lithuanian

Language capabilities

Russian, German or English

230 volts; two-pin round plugs / adapter required for three-pin Swiss plugs

Banks

8.00/10.00 - 16.00/18.00 h (Mon - Fri)
Opening hours vary. Some banks also open on Saturdays.


Shops

8.00/10.00 - 19.00/20.00 h (Mon - Fri)
8.00/10.00 - 16.00/17.00 h (Sat)
Opening hours may vary. Supermarkets are open until 21.00 or 23.00 h and many also open on Sundays.

• 1 January: New Year's Day (Naujieji metai)

• 16 February: Day of the Restoration of the State of Lithuania (Lietuvos valstybės atkūrimo diena)

• 11 March: Day of the Restoration of Lithuania's Independence (Lietuvos nepriklausomybės atkūrimo diena)

• Easter Sunday and Easter Monday (Velykos)

• 1 May: Labour Day (Tarptautinė darbo diena)

• 24 June: St John's Day / Day of Dew (Joninės, Rasos)

• 6 July: Statehood Day / Coronation of Mindaugas (Valstybės diena / Lietuvos karaliaus Mindaugo karūnavimo)

• 15 August: Assumption Day (Žolinė)

• 1 November: All Saints' Day (Visų šventųjų diena)

• 2 November: All Souls' Day (Vėlinės)

• 24 December: Christmas Eve (Šv. Kūčios)

• 25 and 26 December: Christmas holidays (Šv. Kalėdos)

The following documents are required to enter Lithuania:

• A valid Swiss identity card or Swiss passport.

• No visa is required.

• Minors: a travel authorisation is recommended for minors travelling alone, with only one parent or without either parent. More information is available under travel authorisation for travel with children.

Lithuania has a temperate continental climate that is significantly influenced by the Baltic Sea. The following is an overview of the country's different climatic regions.

Coastal region (Klaipėda, Palanga):

• Summer: comparatively cool, with average temperatures of 17°C to 20°C in July.

• Winter: mild, with average temperatures around freezing, from 0°C to -5°C in January.

• Spring/autumn: moderate, with average temperatures between 5°C and 15°C.

Central Lithuania (Kaunas, Šiauliai):

• Summer: somewhat warmer than on the coast, with average temperatures of 18°C to 22°C in July.

• Winter: colder than on the coast, with average temperatures of -5°C to 0°C in January.

• Spring/autumn: similar to the coast, with average temperatures between 5°C and 15°C.

Eastern Lithuania (Vilnius, Panevėžys):

• Summer: warmer than in the western regions, with average temperatures of 19°C to 23°C in July.

• Winter: cold, with average temperatures between -5°C and -2°C in January.

• Spring/autumn: also moderate, with average temperatures between 5°C and 15°C.

Temperatures by season:

• Summer: average maximum temperatures range between 20°C and 25°C but can rise above 30°C.

• Winter: average minimum temperatures range between -5°C and -10°C but can fall even lower during cold spells.

• Spring/autumn: temperatures vary considerably between 5°C and 15°C, depending on the month and weather conditions.

The ideal time for your trip to Lithuania:

• Beach holidays: mid-June to mid-August.

• City breaks: spring, in May or June, or autumn, in September or October.

• Winter holidays: December to February.

• Mobile phone use: using a mobile phone in Lithuania may incur roaming charges. Travellers are advised to check the fees before departure and, if appropriate, purchase a special roaming package to reduce costs.

• Wi-Fi: free Wi-Fi is available in many hotels, restaurants, cafés and public areas.

• Prepaid SIM cards: a local prepaid SIM card can be purchased for local calls and mobile data. Lithuania's main providers include Telia, Tele2 and Bitė.

• Vilnius Old Town: a UNESCO World Heritage Site with more than 1,200 historic buildings, including the cathedral and Gediminas Tower.

• Trakai Island Castle: a Gothic water castle on an island in Lake Galvė, known for its picturesque setting and the history of Lithuania's grand dukes.

• Hill of Crosses (Kryžių kalnas): a pilgrimage site with thousands of crosses and a symbol of Lithuanian resistance to occupation.

• Curonian Spit (Kuršių nerija): a UNESCO World Heritage Site with impressive sand dunes, fishing villages such as Nida and a distinctive natural landscape.

• Kaunas Old Town: historic buildings including Vytautas Church, the cathedral and Kaunas Castle.

• Grūtas Park: an open-air museum south of Druskininkai displaying a collection of Soviet monuments and artefacts.

• Palanga Beach and pier: a popular Baltic Sea resort with a long sandy beach, promenade and pier.

• Dzūkija National Park: a forested area in southern Lithuania with clear lakes and access to the Čepkeliai Nature Reserve.

• Freedom Square (Laisvės aikštė), Panevėžys: the city's central square, surrounded by cultural institutions, cafés and modernised public spaces.

Lithuanian cuisine is strongly influenced by Slavic, German and Scandinavian traditions. Frequently used ingredients include potatoes, beetroot, cabbage, pork, fish, particularly near the coast, and mushrooms. Some of Lithuania's traditional specialities include:

• Cepelinai (zeppelins): large potato dumplings filled with meat or curd cheese, often served with sour cream and bacon.

• Šaltibarščiai: a cold beetroot soup with yoghurt, cucumber and dill, particularly refreshing in summer.

• Kugelis: a potato pudding prepared with onions and bacon and usually baked in a casserole dish.

• Juoda duona: dark rye bread and a staple food in Lithuania, often served with butter or garlic.

• Rūkytas karpis: smoked carp, a traditional speciality during the Christmas season.

• Koldūnai: dumplings filled with meat, curd cheese or mushrooms, similar to Russian pelmeni.

• Šakotis: a traditional Lithuanian spit cake shaped like a tree and served at celebrations and special occasions.

• Alus (beer): Lithuania is known for its wide variety of local beers, including craft beers.

• Greetings: in Lithuania, a firm handshake is customary. A friendly greeting may begin with the Lithuanian expressions “Labas” for hello or “Sveiki” when addressing several people. “Labas rytas” is used in the morning and “Labas vakaras” in the evening.

• Saying please and thank you: these are important and appreciated forms of courtesy. “Prašau” means please and “Ačiū” means thank you. The polite expression “Labai ačiū” means many thanks.

• Clothing: dress in urban areas is often casual, but appropriate clothing is expected at religious sites and upmarket restaurants. Warm clothing is essential in winter, when temperatures can become very low.

• Dining culture: Lithuanian dining culture is rich in traditions. Guests are expected to remain seated until everyone at the table has finished, particularly on festive occasions. Show respect for local specialities such as cepelinai and šaltibarščiai.

• Smoking: smoking is prohibited in public buildings, including restaurants and bars, except in designated smoking areas.

• Tipping: tipping is customary, and the bill is often rounded up. An appropriate tip is around 10-15% of the bill.

• Other: be punctual for appointments, as punctuality is appreciated. Avoid political discussions unless the other person shows an interest. Photography without permission is often prohibited in religious sites and at certain historic places.

• Drinking water quality: drinking water in Lithuania is generally of good quality and meets EU standards. Tap water is safe to drink, particularly in cities and most rural areas. In very remote areas, bottled water may be advisable if there is any doubt about a local private supply.

• Vaccinations: no specific vaccinations are generally required to enter Lithuania. Travellers are nevertheless advised to keep routine vaccinations up to date, particularly those for diphtheria, tetanus, polio and measles.

• Medical care is available in the larger cities. Outside them, it is not always fully available. The European Health Insurance Card must be presented for medical treatment. Further information is available from the Common Institution under the Federal Health Insurance Act.

• If you depend on particular medication, carry an adequate supply. Many countries have special rules on medicines containing controlled substances, such as methadone, and substances used to treat mental health conditions. If necessary, check with the responsible foreign diplomatic mission, embassy or consulate, before departure.

• Before and during your trip, follow media reports about the current situation and remain in contact with your tour operator.

• Further information on the current security situation is available from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

• The risk of terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out in Lithuania.

• Driving licence: the Swiss driving licence is recognised; an international driving permit is recommended as a supplementary document.

• Car hire: depending on the rental company, the minimum age is between 21 and 25.

• Traffic rules: dipped headlights or daytime running lights must be used during the day throughout the year. Winter tyres are mandatory from 10 November to 31 March.

• Vehicle equipment: a first-aid kit, high-visibility vest, fire extinguisher and warning triangle must be carried in the vehicle. A CH sticker is required on a Swiss vehicle if its registration plate does not already display a compliant national identifier.

• Blood alcohol limit: it is 0.4‰ for standard drivers. A zero limit applies to novice drivers with less than two years' driving experience, professional drivers, motorcyclists and certain other vehicle categories.

• Long-distance trains: Lithuania has an efficient intercity rail network connecting major cities such as Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda and Šiauliai. Trains are comfortable and provide a reliable way to cover longer distances.

• Regional trains: these serve smaller towns and rural areas and often connect with the intercity network.

• Buses: buses are widely used for domestic travel and connect towns and villages not directly served by rail. Both intercity and local services are available.

• Urban transport: Vilnius and Kaunas do not have tram networks. Both cities operate buses and trolleybuses; Vilnius also has express and night-bus services.

• Tickets: tickets can be purchased at railway and bus stations or online. Local ticketing systems vary by city. In Vilnius, tickets are available via the JUDU card, the JUDU app and contactless payment on board. Visitor information is available from JUDU.

• Vilnius International Airport (VNO): direct flights from Zurich during the summer 2026 schedule.

• Kaunas International Airport (KUN): no direct flights from Switzerland; connecting services are available.

• Palanga International Airport (PLQ): no direct flights from Switzerland; connecting services are available.

Major airlines operating in Lithuania include Ryanair, Wizz Air, airBaltic, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa and SWISS.

00 41 (disregard '0' preceding Swiss area codes)

General emergency number: 112

Regional Consular Centre Nordic and Baltic Countries
c/o Embassy of Switzerland
Valhallavägen 64
114 27 Stockholm
Sweden
Tel.: +46 8 676 79 00
Email: stockholm.cc@eda.admin.ch

Embassy of Switzerland in Latvia
Smilšu iela 8
LV-1050 Riga
Latvia
Visitor entrance by appointment: Aldaru iela 2/4
Tel.: +371 67 33 83 51
Email: riga@eda.admin.ch

Consulate General of Switzerland in Vilnius
Lvovo 25-702
09320 Vilnius
Lithuania
Tel.: +370 5 203 29 69
Email: vilnius@honrep.ch

Special legal provisions

• The law sets various punishable blood alcohol limits for drivers. Further information is available under Driving under the influence of drugs.

• Violations of drug laws are punishable by several years' imprisonment.

• Prison conditions are worse than in Switzerland.

Natural hazards

• Heavy rainfall: it can cause flooding, landslides and damage to infrastructure. Travel may also be temporarily disrupted. Follow weather forecasts as well as warnings and instructions issued by the local authorities. Further information is available from Meteo Lithuania: Weather Warnings.

Specific regional risks

• Border area with Belarus: the situation along the border with Belarus is tense. Some border crossings are temporarily closed. For current information, consult the Lithuanian authorities' website.