Vilnius to Riga
There is no direct train from Vilnius to Riga, and the bus takes over four hours with no stops. A private car covers the same ground door to door, on your schedule, and turns the transfer into the first afternoon of your trip rather than a wasted half day.
We collect you from your Vilnius hotel or the airport, drive northwest to the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, then cross into Latvia for Bauska and, if you like, the baroque palace at Rundāle. You arrive at your Riga hotel relaxed, with luggage carried and the route explained along the way.
Stops we can build in.
- Hill of Crosses
- More than one hundred thousand crosses on a low hill near Šiauliai, left by pilgrims for two centuries. Twenty quiet minutes, no ticket needed.
- Bauska
- A small Latvian town for lunch, with a 15th-century castle above the river meeting point. A natural halfway break.
- Rundāle Palace (optional)
- Latvia's baroque showpiece, by the architect of the Winter Palace in St Petersburg. Add about ninety minutes for the rooms and the formal gardens.
What the price covers.
- Private sedan or van, with fuel, tolls and parking
- English-speaking driver
- Hotel or airport door pickup in Vilnius
- A relaxed stop at the Hill of Crosses
- Bottled water and child seats on request
- Door delivery to your Riga hotel
Comfort for the distance.
Sedan for up to three with luggage, van for up to eight. Both carry full-size cases easily. Tell us your group and case count and we send the right vehicle.
- Is there a direct train from Vilnius to Riga?
- No. There is no direct train, and the intercity bus takes over four hours with a connection. A private car is faster door to door and lets you stop at the Hill of Crosses on the way.
- How long is the drive?
- About three hours forty-five without stops. With the Hill of Crosses and a Bauska lunch, allow five hours. Add ninety minutes if you visit Rundāle Palace.
- Can we add Rundāle Palace?
- Yes. It sits a short way off the route between Bauska and Riga. We build in the time and you buy entry on arrival.
- How many people and how much luggage fit?
- A sedan takes three travellers with cases, a van up to eight. Note any oversized items such as skis or golf clubs on the form so we send the right vehicle.
- What does the price include?
- Fuel, tolls, parking, the driver, and door pickup and drop-off. Palace entry and lunch are extra and optional.