Create Your Experience in Riga

Time difference:
GMT +2 hours

Ethnic population:
81% Lithuanian, 9% Russian, 7% Polish

Electricity:
The electricity current is 220V AC 50Hz so if you are coming from the UK bring a European plug adaptor with you.

Taxis:
Taxis are not as cheap as they once were with fuel prices rocketing and taxi drivers aware that a fast buck can be made out of naïve new arrivals to the country. It pays to agree a fare in advance rather than relying on the metre. It is cheaper and safer to phone for a taxi from a recognised company rather than to hail one in the street.  Ask your hotel reception to call one for you if necessary.  Do not use taxis that are unmarked; they are illegal and usually cost a lot more than registered taxis.

Emergencies:
In the event of an emergency call 02-police, 03-ambulance, 01-fire.

General costs:
As the Lithuanian economy grows at rapid price so do local prices. For the moment though, Vilnius will seem ‘cheap’ when compared to Stockholm, London, Paris and the like.

Dining in Vilnius:
There is now a fantastic range of restaurants in Vilnius to suit all pockets and taste buds. This varies from café- style eateries to 5-star luxury eating experiences that will keep even the snobbiest French restaurant critique happy. When it comes to national dishes that will stick in the memory you shouldn’t miss out on the ‘Zeppelin’. With more calories than a bath full of hot chocolate these air-balloon shaped parcels of cheese and/or meat are loved and hated by foreigners in equal measure.

Real estate:
Real estate is booming in Vilnius with a large number of new, tall-but-thin skyscrapers springing up all over the capital city. Just how much further the residential market can go before there is a ‘correction’ is open to question, but the business property market still looks very profitable.

Transport to Vilnius:
Both Vilnius Airport and Kaunus Airport are expanding their operations. The following airlines operate out of Vilnius:
Aeroflot, Air Baltic, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Czech Airlines, Estonian Air, Lithuanian Airlines, Finnair, LOT, Lufthansa and SAS.
Vilnius Airport is around 5km from the centre of the city.
There are no longer any bus shuttle services to Vilnius from Kaunus Aiport. Please contact us for details of our transfer service.
There is a bank kiosk in the airport as well as an ATM machine.
The main train line to Vilnius operates from Poland (in the south) and Latvia (in the north). There are also trains running towards Belarus. You require a visa in advance to travel to Belarus.
There are a lot more options with bus rather than train with international departures to Latvia, Estonia and Poland as well as to Russia, Germany and beyond.
For up to date train information check out: www.litrail.lt

 Money matters:
The official currency of Lithuania is Litas (Lt).  Major credit cards are widely accepted and ATM machines can be found in most banks and hotels.  There are numerous currency exchange kiosks in the capital Vilnius and travellers-cheques can be cashed at some banks.
You should ensure that any Sterling you take to Lithuania is in Bank of England notes.  Banks and Bureaux de Change have, on occasion, refused to exchange Scottish or Irish notes, as they do not recognise them as Sterling.

Driving regulations:
If driving into Lithuania in winter, equip your car for severe conditions.  Winter tyres are a legal requirement in Lithuania between 10 November and 1 April.  Dipped Headlights are also compulsory from 1 September until 1 April.
The speed limits, unless otherwise indicated, are 50km/h in towns, 90km/h on country roads and 110km/h on highways.
If you do not have an EU-photocard driving license you will need to also carry either an international driving license or your passport.
 Do not drink and drive.  The legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.04%.  Those found over the limit face a fine and possible imprisonment.
 When travelling by car, border officials will ask for the following documents:
1) A passport with a validity of at least 6 months 2) Original car registration documents (copies are not acceptable) 3) International vehicle insurance (Green Card).
You will also need to have appropriate car insurance valid for Lithuania.
 
Health and visa regulations:
Visas are not required to enter Lithuania.  As an EU passport holder you will need a full EU passport with at least six months validity.  
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Lithuanian Embassy in your country.

Health:
UK nationals should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK.  The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Lithuanian nationals.  You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.  
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.
 You should seek medical advice about tick-borne encephalitis if you intend to visit forested areas.