Wondering how to pay for metro and bus rides in Lithuania - cash only, or do cards work too?
I was impressed by Vilnius buses. From my Airbnb in Žvėrynas, I could hop on bus #3G straight to the airport. Paid €1.20 with my card, no issues. The Trafi app linked smoothly with my Visa and even offered English menus. On another day, in Kaunas, I rode to Žalgiris Arena and tapped my Wise card without thinking. No need to deal with euros in coins, though you can still hand cash to drivers if you want. Lithuania’s system is really tourist-friendly.
My only complaint in Vilnius was that not every validator worked with foreign cards. On a bus from Stotis to Užupis, my N26 card got declined twice and the driver shrugged. Ended up scrambling for coins from a Swedbank ATM near the station. Some kiosks also refused to take bigger notes for tickets. So yes, cards work most of the time, but don’t assume - always keep small euro bills in your wallet, especially if you’re traveling late in the evening.
When I stayed at Jimmy Jumps Hostel in Vilnius Old Town, I relied on trolleybuses to reach the TV Tower and the airport. The drivers preferred small coins, but at the Gedimino prospektas stop I saw people tapping their cards right on the validator near the door. Once, my Revolut card didn’t process, so I bought a ticket at the kiosk near Vokiečių Street. Overall, both options exist, but I’d say download Trafi before you arrive - saves hassle with change.
Lithuania doesn’t have a metro, but Vilnius has a good bus and trolleybus system. At Vilnius Bus Station, I bought a single ticket for €1 in cash directly from the driver, but you pay €0.80 if you use the Trafi app or buy at Narvesen kiosks. In Old Town near Cathedral Square, I tapped my Mastercard on the bus validator and it worked perfectly. Kaunas buses also support contactless payments. Cash works everywhere, but using cards through the app or directly at validators is faster and slightly cheaper.