3 days in Vilnius: itinerary

Three days splits cleanly: two days in the city, one out of it. The list below is the short version — what to do, what it costs and when it is open. Prices are 2026 estimates; confirm on the operator's site before you go.

If you only have one full day, use the one-day plan instead and treat the rest as extras.

Everything on day one and two sits inside a 2 km walk. Cathedral Square is the natural start; Pilies gatvė runs north to the university, and Užupis is a 10-minute walk east across the river. Gedimino prospektas carries the museums and the main bus and trolleybus lines.

For day three, Vilnius train station is a 15-minute walk south of the Old Town. Trains to Trakai leave from there; buses to Kaunas also run from the station and from the bus station next door.

Walk the Old Town early. By mid-morning in summer the main streets fill, and the courtyards and the university are calmer before 10:00. Užupis is best in the late afternoon, when the light hits the river side.

Check opening days before you commit a day. Many Vilnius museums close on Mondays, and the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights is the one most people regret missing. Trakai castle also keeps reduced days outside summer.

Money: cards work almost everywhere in Vilnius, including small cafés. Keep a little cash for markets and for the Trakai ticket window if the machine is down. Tipping is modest — round up or leave 5–10%.

Getting around: the Old Town is a walking zone, so pick a hotel inside it or just outside the ring. For anything further, buy a single ticket on the bus or trolleybus, or use a ride-hailing app; a taxi from the airport to the centre is a short ride and cheap by Western European standards (2026 estimate).

Weather decides your day order. May–September is the reliable window, September often settled and golden. December works for a Christmas-market city break but expect dark afternoons and cold. In winter, put the museums on the coldest day and keep the walking day for the clearest one.

If you are weighing a pass against paying as you go, do the maths on your own list first — a pass only pays off with three or more paid sights in 72 hours.

Short answers to the questions people ask most about a three-day Vilnius stay.

Vilnius Airport is about 6 km south of the centre. Bus and train links run to the city, and a taxi or ride-hailing car is a short, inexpensive ride (2026 estimate). Allow extra time on public holidays.

From elsewhere in Lithuania, trains and buses connect Vilnius with Kaunas, Klaipėda and the coast; the Lithuania guide covers the wider route. Within the city, the Old Town is walkable and the rest is covered by buses and trolleybuses.

For day three, Trakai is the easy option: a train from Vilnius station takes roughly 30 minutes, then a walk to the castle. Kaunas is about 1h 15m by train and suits a full day. Confirm the current timetable before you leave.