Need cash when I land, best place in Lithuania? Airport or places in the city?
I once exchanged €100 at Vilnius Airport and realized later I’d lost about €15 compared to city rates. Now, I just go straight to an SEB ATM in arrivals. Withdrew €60 and it lasted two days since most of my meals and transport were paid with card. In Vilnius Old Town, I spotted several small bureaus with better rates, but honestly, ATMs are easier. Lithuania is very card-friendly, but I liked having a little cash for markets and bus tickets.
Airport exchange desks in Vilnius are fine for emergencies but not competitive. Lithuania uses the euro, so the most convenient approach is ATMs - Swedbank, SEB, and Luminor are the main ones. Withdraw directly in euros, which locks in the bank rate. Exchange offices in the city can handle USD or GBP if needed, but most travellers just use ATMs. A safe plan is to withdraw €50-70 on arrival, then rely on cards. Airport counters should only be a last resort.
On arrival in Vilnius, I ignored the exchange desk and used a Swedbank ATM. Worked instantly with my Mastercard. Later, I saw exchange offices in the Old Town offering slightly better rates for USD and GBP, but since everything is in euros, ATMs are the simplest option. Restaurants, taxis, and hotels accept cards, so cash isn’t essential. I just kept €80-100 for smaller places. Airport counters are overpriced, so stick with ATMs or city exchanges if you must.
Vilnius Airport has exchange counters, but rates are much worse than in the city. Since Lithuania uses the euro, the easiest option is ATMs from Swedbank, SEB, or Luminor, which are right at arrivals. I usually withdraw €50-100 to cover initial costs, then pay by card for the rest. The country is very card-friendly, but smaller shops, buses, and markets sometimes prefer cash. No point using airport counters unless you’re arriving with foreign currency and urgently need euros.