Find the cheapest flights from Riga to Vilnius in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: Riga (RIX) → Vilnius (VNO)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 3h 30m – 5h 30m (1 stop)
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €85 | low |
| February | €80 | low |
| March | €70 | low |
| April | €85 | medium |
| May | €95 | medium |
| June | €115 | high |
| July | €135 | high |
| August | €140 | high |
| September | €95 | medium |
| October | €65 | low |
| November | €55 | low |
| December | €120 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- airBaltic (direct): from €65 — airBaltic offers the most frequency (5-7x daily). Book directly on their website for the best selection of flight times.
- Ryanair (direct): from €55 — Ryanair only operates 2-3x weekly on this route. Checked-in bag is almost mandatory – pre-book to avoid €25 gate fee.
- LOT Polish Airlines (connecting): from €120 — Only worth considering if airBaltic/Ryanair prices are unavailable. LOT connection via Warsaw adds 3-4 hours minimum.
- Finnair (connecting): from €140 — Expensive connecting option via Helsinki. Only useful if you have Finnair Plus status or connecting from Asia.
Booking Strategy
The Riga-Vilnius route is one of Europe’s shortest at just 260km, making direct flights the clear choice. Book 2-4 weeks ahead for the best airBaltic deals – they dominate this route with nearly hourly departures on weekdays. November is the cheapest month with return fares as low as €55, while August peaks at €140. Tuesday and Wednesday are consistently the cheapest days to fly, saving you €15-30 compared to Friday-Sunday departures. Use Google Flights to track airBaltic prices, or check their website directly for the lowest fares. Ryanair occasionally undercuts airBaltic by €10-15 but check baggage fees carefully – their gate bag fee of €25 makes the total price similar to airBaltic. Avoid last-minute bookings as prices jump 60-80% within 3 days of departure.
Route Tips
- airBaltic dominates this route – check their website first as they offer the most flight times and their prices are competitive with Ryanair once bags are included
- Vilnius Airport is small and efficient – arrive 90 minutes before departure; the coffee shop near Gate 3 serves excellent Lithuanian coffee
- Both Latvia and Lithuania are in the Schengen Area – no passport controls between Riga and Vilnius, just bring your EU national ID or passport
- If arriving late at night, the Vilnius Airport train station connects directly to the city center every 15 minutes until midnight
- Use the Bolt app for airport taxis – expect to pay €8-12 to the old town, half the price of airport taxis
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Riga to Vilnius?
The direct flight from Riga (RIX) to Vilnius (VNO) takes exactly 1 hour and 0 minutes, making it one of Europe’s shortest commercial flights. airBaltic operates the majority of direct flights (approximately 5-7 daily on weekdays, 3-4 on weekends), covering the 260km Baltic route in under an hour. If booking connecting flights via Warsaw (LOT) or Helsinki (Finnair), expect a minimum 3 hours 30 minutes travel time with the layover typically lasting 1-2 hours.
How much does it cost to fly from Riga to Vilnius?
Direct flights start at €55 in November when demand is lowest, with typical off-season prices between €65-85 for a one-way ticket on airBaltic or Ryanair. Peak season (July-August) sees prices rise to €120-140 for the same direct flight. Round-trip fares range from €110-170 depending on season and how far in advance you book. Connecting flights via Warsaw or Helsinki cost €120-180 minimum and are rarely worth the extra time unless you have specific scheduling constraints.
Are there direct flights from Riga to Vilnius?
Yes, direct flights are readily available and are by far the best option. airBaltic operates 5-7 direct flights daily on this route (hourly on weekday mornings/afternoons), with a flight time of just 1 hour. Ryanair also serves this route 2-3 times weekly with even cheaper base fares. No other airlines offer competitive direct service – connecting through Warsaw or Helsinki is possible but adds 3-4 hours for a marginal price difference.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Riga to Vilnius?
November is the cheapest month with average one-way fares of €55-65, followed by October (€65-80) and March (€70-85). These shoulder-season months see lowest tourist demand between the summer peak and December holidays. The most expensive period is July-August when Baltic summer draws tourists, with fares averaging €120-140. December also sees elevated prices around €120 due to holiday travel. If possible, avoid Friday-Sunday departures which add €15-30 to any fare.
Which airlines fly from Riga to Vilnius?
Two airlines operate direct flights: airBaltic (dominant carrier with 5-7 daily flights) and Ryanair (2-3 weekly flights). airBaltic offers the best combination of schedule flexibility and service – their Basic fare includes a small carry-on, with checked bags starting at €15 online. Ryanair is slightly cheaper for the fare itself but their €25 gate bag fee often makes them more expensive overall unless traveling extremely light. Connecting options include LOT via Warsaw and Finnair via Helsinki, though these are rarely worth the extra 3-4 hours.
What airport do I fly into in Vilnius?
You will arrive at Vilnius International Airport (VNO), located 15 kilometers south of Vilnius city center. The airport is small and modern, with efficient customs for EU arrivals. To reach the city center: the train takes 7 minutes (€1.80, runs every 15-20 minutes), bus #3 runs every 10-15 minutes and takes 20 minutes (€1), or a taxi via Bolt/Yandex costs €8-12. The airport is compact – arriving 90 minutes before your flight is sufficient for domestic and EU routes.
How far in advance should I book Riga to Vilnius flights?
Book 2-4 weeks ahead for the best prices on this route. Booking 7-14 days before departure typically yields the lowest airBaltic fares as they release their cheapest Economy Saver seats. Booking 6+ weeks ahead can sometimes yield €10-15 savings but prices generally don’t drop further. Within 3 days of departure, prices jump dramatically (60-80% increase is common). The sweet spot is 2-3 weeks ahead, particularly for Tuesday-Wednesday departures. Avoid booking on weekends when business travelers push prices up.
Is it cheaper to fly from Riga to Vilnius on weekdays?
Yes, Tuesday and Wednesday are consistently the cheapest days to fly this route, with savings of €15-30 compared to Friday through Sunday departures. The cheapest time to fly is early morning (6-8 AM) or late evening (after 8 PM), while peak departure times around 10 AM-2 PM carry premium pricing. Weekend travel (especially Sunday afternoon returns from Vilnius) commands the highest fares. If your schedule is flexible, shifting from a Friday departure to Thursday evening can save €20-40 on airBaltic.
Data updated: 2026-03
