Riga to Vilnius is a short hop between two Baltic capitals — a genuine 50-minute nonstop with airBaltic, but also one of the few routes where the coach is the smarter choice for most travellers. This guide covers who flies it, what a fair fare looks like in euros, and why the frequent Lux Express bus often works out cheaper and just as convenient.
Route: Riga (RIX) → Vilnius (VNO)
Distance: approximately 260 km (160 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 50 minutes
Direct flights: Yes — airBaltic is the only airline flying nonstop, with roughly 23 flights a week. For most trips, though, the ~4-hour Lux Express coach is cheaper and more frequent.
Fares from Riga to Vilnius (EUR)
Because airBaltic has the nonstop to itself, this very short flight can carry a surprisingly high fare for the distance. Prices firm up in the summer travel season (June–August) and around the Christmas/New Year peak, and ease off in the quieter winter and shoulder months. The figures below are typical economy return fares in euros; a one-way often costs a little more than half a return.
| Month | Typical return (economy) | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €80 – €150 | low |
| February | €80 – €150 | low |
| March | €90 – €160 | medium |
| April | €90 – €170 | medium |
| May | €100 – €180 | medium |
| June | €110 – €190 | high |
| July | €120 – €200 | high |
| August | €110 – €190 | high |
| September | €100 – €170 | medium |
| October | €90 – €160 | medium |
| November | €80 – €150 | low |
| December | €100 – €190 | high (holidays) |
Reference points: a good airBaltic return on this route sits around €90–€120 when booked ahead, and a light-fare one-way can appear from about €45–€60. But the Lux Express coach runs from roughly €15–€25 each way — so once you add checked bags and getting to and from the airports, the bus frequently beats flying on total cost.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 50 minutes):
- airBaltic — the only nonstop operator, flying its Airbus A220s roughly 23 times a week between Riga and Vilnius, in Economy and Business. Handy mainly as a connection feed to airBaltic’s wider network out of Riga.
The overland alternative (usually cheaper and more frequent):
- Lux Express coach — around 3½–4½ hours city-centre to city-centre, several departures a day, with WiFi, power sockets and free hot drinks. Fares from about €15–€25 booked ahead. Other operators run the corridor too, so there are 20+ departures a day in total.
Because the flight is so short, the real time saving over the bus shrinks once you factor in getting to Riga airport, check-in, security and the transfer into central Vilnius. If you’re connecting onto a longer airBaltic flight, the nonstop makes sense; for a standalone city-to-city trip, the coach is usually the better value.
When to book & how to save
- Book 3–6 weeks ahead for the lowest airBaltic fares; last-minute prices on a monopoly route can jump sharply.
- Compare the bus first. For a standalone trip, the Lux Express coach is often cheaper all-in and drops you in the city centre, not at an out-of-town airport.
- Travel light. airBaltic’s cheapest fares include only a small cabin bag — adding checked luggage can double the price of such a short hop, so pack carefully.
- Fly midweek (Tuesday to Thursday) and avoid Friday/Sunday peaks to shave a little off the fare.
- Use the flight as a connection. The nonstop is most useful when you’re joining an onward airBaltic service from Riga rather than travelling point-to-point.
Arriving in Vilnius
Flights land at Vilnius Airport (VNO), only about 6 km south of the old town — one of the closest capital-city airports in Europe. A metered taxi or ride-hail into the centre takes around 10–15 minutes and costs roughly €10–€15. There’s also a frequent airport bus and a short train link to the central station, both under a couple of euros. If you take the Lux Express coach instead, it terminates at Vilnius bus station, right beside the train station and a short walk from the old town.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Riga to Vilnius?
The nonstop airBaltic flight takes about 50 minutes gate to gate. It’s a very short hop, so once you add check-in, security and the transfers to and from the airports, the door-to-door time isn’t far off the roughly 4-hour Lux Express coach between the two city centres.
Are there direct flights from Riga to Vilnius?
Yes. airBaltic is the only airline flying nonstop between Riga and Vilnius, with around 23 flights a week on its A220s. There’s no other scheduled nonstop carrier on the route. For point-to-point travel, many people take the frequent Lux Express coach instead, which is usually cheaper.
How much does it cost to fly from Riga to Vilnius?
A typical economy return runs about €80–€200 depending on the season, with a good advance fare around €90–€120. Because airBaltic has the nonstop to itself, prices can be high for such a short distance — the Lux Express coach from around €15–€25 each way is often the cheaper option.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Riga to Vilnius?
The quiet winter months of January, February and November are usually the cheapest, with returns from around €80. Summer (June–August) and the Christmas/New Year holidays are the busiest and most expensive, so travel in the shoulder seasons if you want the lowest fare.
Which airlines fly from Riga to Vilnius?
Only airBaltic operates the nonstop flight. No other airline flies the route directly. The main alternative is overland: Lux Express and other coach operators run the Riga–Vilnius corridor many times a day, typically for less money than flying.
Which airport do I fly into in Vilnius?
You arrive at Vilnius Airport (VNO), the Lithuanian capital’s main airport, just about 6 km from the old town. It’s an easy 10–15 minute taxi ride into the centre, and there are cheap airport bus and train links as well.
Is it cheaper to take the bus from Riga to Vilnius?
Very often, yes. The Lux Express coach costs from roughly €15–€25 each way, runs several times a day, and connects the two city centres directly — no airport transfers or baggage fees. For a standalone trip it usually beats airBaltic on total cost; flying mainly pays off when you’re connecting onto a longer route from Riga.
How far in advance should I book Riga to Vilnius flights?
Aim to book 3 to 6 weeks ahead. On a single-carrier route like this, fares tend to climb as the departure nears, especially in summer and around the holidays, so early booking is the safest way to lock in a fair price.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — check the live fare before booking.
