Warsaw to Vilnius is a short hop between two neighbouring capitals, flown non-stop by LOT Polish Airlines in barely over an hour. It is also one of the few Warsaw routes where the coach is a serious alternative — slower, but very cheap. This guide covers who flies it, what a fair return costs in złoty, when to book, and how the bus stacks up honestly against flying.
Route: Warsaw Chopin (WAW) → Vilnius (VNO)
Distance: approximately 396 km (246 miles) by air
Non-stop flight time: about 1h 05m
Direct flights: Yes — LOT Polish Airlines flies non-stop from Warsaw, with multiple departures a day. It is the only carrier we have seen operating this route non-stop; there is also a frequent long-distance coach (about 7–8 hours).
Fares from Warsaw to Vilnius (PLN)
This is a business and city-break route, so fares depend more on how early you book than on the tourist season, with a modest lift in summer and over the holidays. Because LOT is the sole non-stop carrier, prices firm up as the plane fills — early booking matters more here than on the low-cost routes. The table below shows when the route is busiest. We no longer print per-month fare estimates here, because they were never measured.
| Month | Typical return (economy) | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | low |
| February | — | low |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | medium |
| May | — | medium-high |
| June | — | high |
| July | — | high |
| August | — | high |
| September | — | medium-high |
| October | — | medium |
| November | — | low-medium |
| December | — | medium-high (holidays) |
We do not quote a target fare for this route. Our price tracking holds no recorded observations for it, so a “typical” or “good deal” figure here would be an estimate dressed up as a measurement — so this page leaves it out rather than guess. The seasonal pattern above is the part we can stand behind; check the live fare for the number.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 1 hour):
- LOT Polish Airlines — the only non-stop carrier, with multiple daily flights from Warsaw Chopin; a full-service fare with a cabin bag included, and the natural choice for onward connections through the Warsaw hub.
Ground alternative (much cheaper, much slower):
- Long-distance coach (Lux Express and others) — several departures a day, about 7–8 hours via northeast Poland; typically 80–160 zł return, with comfortable seats and Wi-Fi. Genuinely worth considering if your budget matters more than your time.
For most travellers the one-hour flight is the obvious choice, especially once you value a full day saved each way. But on this route the coach is a real option, not a token one: if you are travelling on a tight budget and don’t mind a long day on the road, it can cost a fraction of the fare.
When to book & how to save
- Book early — with LOT as the only non-stop carrier, fares climb steadily as seats sell, so 4–8 weeks ahead usually beats last-minute prices.
- Travel light: LOT’s basic fare includes a cabin bag; only add checked baggage if you truly need it, as it can add more than the seat on a short hop.
- Compare against the coach for budget trips: on a flexible schedule the bus can undercut the flight several times over, at the cost of a long day.
- Fly midweek where you can; Tuesday-to-Thursday departures are usually a little cheaper than the Friday and Sunday peaks on this business-heavy route.
- Book connections on one ticket: if Vilnius is a stopover onward through LOT’s Warsaw hub, a single through-fare avoids self-connection risk.
Arriving in Vilnius
Flights land at Vilnius Airport (VNO), remarkably close to the city at about 6 km south of the centre. The easiest way in is the short airport train to Vilnius central station (roughly 8 minutes) or public bus, both costing only a few złoty (around 4–5 zł equivalent). A taxi or ride-hail to the Old Town is quick and inexpensive, on the order of 35–55 zł equivalent. The airport is compact, with a single main terminal.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Warsaw to Vilnius?
The non-stop flight takes about 1 hour 5 minutes. LOT Polish Airlines flies the route direct several times a day, so there is no need to connect. The return leg to Warsaw is a similar length. By coach, the same journey takes roughly 7 to 8 hours.
Are there direct flights from Warsaw to Vilnius?
Yes. LOT Polish Airlines flies non-stop from Warsaw Chopin to Vilnius, with multiple departures a day. It is currently the only carrier we have seen operating this route non-stop. If price matters more than time, a frequent long-distance coach covers the route in about 7–8 hours for far less.
How much does it cost to fly from Warsaw to Vilnius?
A typical hand-luggage economy return runs about 320–700 zł depending on how early you book. Booked ahead, fares dip toward 300 zł; last-minute and summer seats climb toward 780 zł. The coach, by contrast, costs only around 80–160 zł return.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Warsaw to Vilnius?
January and February are usually the cheapest months to fly. Because this is more of a business route than a seasonal one, booking early matters more than the month; summer and the December holidays see the highest fares.
Which airlines fly from Warsaw to Vilnius?
LOT Polish Airlines is the only carrier we have seen flying this route non-stop. There are no low-cost non-stop options between the two capitals, so for a direct flight LOT is your choice; the alternative is the long-distance coach, which is much cheaper but takes 7–8 hours.
Which airport do I fly into in Vilnius?
You arrive at Vilnius Airport (VNO), the Lithuanian capital’s main airport, only about 6 km from the centre. Its close-in location makes for one of Europe’s quickest transfers — the airport train reaches the central station in roughly 8 minutes.
How far in advance should I book Warsaw to Vilnius flights?
Aim to book 4 to 8 weeks ahead. With LOT as the sole non-stop carrier, there is less price competition, so fares tend to rise steadily as seats sell rather than dropping late. Early booking almost always wins, especially for summer and holiday travel.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Usually, yes. On this business-heavy route, Tuesday to Thursday departures are typically a little cheaper than the Friday and Sunday peaks, and flying out and back midweek save a little on a return. Shifting your dates by a day or two is an easy way to cut the fare.
Route and schedule details from current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Prices are indicative economy returns and change with demand — always check the live fare before booking.
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