Baltic Trip--Too Ambitious for 4 weeks?

Well we've done a similar trip by car although we started and ended in Riga. Why by bus? Buses are kinda iffy schedule route wise and can be limiting to say the least. If you do decide to go the car rental option it's much cheaper to rent and return in the same country. Driving in all of the mentioned places is easy if you allow yourself time and buy a decent road map.

Thanks Marie! We're not opposed to car rental and will certainly consider it! Where did you begin your trip?

I only have experience with the Poland part of your trip. I agree with the previous writer who questionned travel by bus between cities. The train system is faster and more reliable. If you have time, I'd suggest adding Wroclaw and Torun to your itinerary and be sure to see Malbork Castle near Gdansk. One warning: Poland is co-hosting the European Cup games this summer. Check to see if your travel schedule will keep you ahead of the crowds for the soccer games. Feel free to write if you have any specific questions.

Thanks Anita for the suggestions of the additional cities--also the European Cup reminder. We decided to begin our trip in Poland in May to avoid the June crowds (hopefully that's a good strategy!)

We've done parts of your trip at two different times. We traveled by bus from Tallinn to Riga to Klaipeda to Vilnius. Bus was recommended to us for that portion. Others on this board have suggested trains in that region, but our experience on a regional train in LT was evidence that the trains are not on par with Western Europe. We traveled by train from Vilnius to Warsaw to Krakow, and it was fine. IMO your plan is ambitious, but not overly so.
Good luck.

As I recall, there are three different train options in Poland. They run on the same tracks but require different tickets. Each is a little different in speed, number of stops, and amenities. They're roughly like the three types of trains that run in Germany, but operate under different brand names (rather than all under a single banner, DB in Germany). All are priced well below normal Western European fares. I don't think any of them require reservations, so you shouldn't have trouble booking as you go. Busses are probably even cheaper and may work better for certain legs of your trip. I'd check out the point to point options as you go and pick the one that seems best.

We did parts of your proposed trip in reverse. Our trip was: Stockholm, Marieham (Aland islands), Turku - Helsinki - Tallinn - Riga - Vilnius. The first two legs were on a ship, the Turku-Helsinki on a train, ferry to Tallinn and the rest was on a bus. This was about 8-9 years ago. As Galen noted, trains weren't much of an option when we traveled. Buses were reliable and ran on time. We used Eurolines to travel. Their websites will give you timings and possibly cost. If you have 4 weeks, you can easily do what you are proposing. Ours was a 2.5 week trip. Travel within Poland is straightforward and by the time you get there most of the rail construction should be over (if using the trains). One thing to check on is the train route between Poland and Vilnius. In the past this used to go through Belarus - which required a visa. I believe that the line has been rerouted (based on a post I read on this forum) - but check. Belarus is known to take people off the train if you don't have a visa.

Thanks all for the helpful information! We're watching airfares into Krakow and home from Helsinki!

You can do that trip without a car. You can go Krakow-Warsaw-Gdansk by train. The only real way to get from Gdansk to the Baltics is to fly. You can fly direct from Gdansk to Riga with Air Baltic, which is cheap. But then you would have to bus to Vilnius and back to Riga. natively, you can fly Gdansk to Vilnius with a stop in Riga. Once in Vilnius you can bus to Riga, then on to Tallinn. We used Lux express which was very comfortable. Then ferry over to Helsinki. Four weeks is plenty of time to do this trip. We found 1-2 days was plenty in Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga and Warsaw. An extra day in Gdansk will allow you to hit the castle. Krakow is good for 4 if you want to do Auschwitz and the salt mine. With 4 weeks you can do a really slow pace or add some stops/day trips to some places. As others have said, you may want to choose a different time in case you are planning on attending the soccer games.

"One thing to check on is the train route between Poland and Vilnius." We traveled the Vilnius to Warsaw route in 2009 and it did not pass through Belarus. However, there was a stop at or near the border to change trains--different gauge track!! I encourage you to check seat61 for the latest. Enjoy.

A great suggestion Galen! We're looking at all of that right now! Thank you!

Sharon, It looks like you're getting plenty of help to build a good plan. I've done parts of Europe by car and train, but not these countries, so let me comment on my Vilnius experience. I was there September 1999, meeting a couple pen friends. English was less spoken than in Germany, Italy, etc., but German actually was useful. Due to their still-not-lost-to-memory separation from the Soviet Union, Russian is not really popular in the country, but tolerated well enough in the capital city. Most of what you'll want to see there is an easy walk for the average American of 50 (or 60) years. I spent more time south of the river (old town) than north (newer). The Soviet-like apartment blocks are just out of the downtown area, hardly visible unless you go there, for instance, to see the radio/TV tower maybe not worth it if you're short on time. Do, however, include the smallish museum that was where Nazi prisoners were once kept, then later KGB prisoners. Some, but not all, info was in English, maybe even more now. The National Museum at the foot of the castle hill is worth a stop, as well.
Sounds like great plans you have ahead. Enjoy!

Labas Sharon! I can surely shed light on suggestions for the Baltic States. In particular the capital of Vilnius. It is a pity Rick Steves has outdated information about the Batlic States on his website. Vilnius, Lithuania The old town or Senamiestas was included on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1994. It is one of the largest in Eastern Europe. It is located between two rivers--Vilna and Neris. The city is very multicultural and has great architectural diversity. It can be described as southern architecture beneath the northern sky! The ruins of castles, network of meandering streets, church spires, bell towers, and red tile roofs make Vilnius a charming city just waiting to be discovered! Best Airline: Finnair or LOT Polish Airline (I purchased a ticket to Vilnius for April 2012 for $888 round trip) Best Travel Guide: Bradt Travel Information: http://www.litrail.lt/ http://www.autobusustotis.lt Language: The official language is Lithuanian. Polish and Russian is spoken as well. English is widely spoken especially among the young 35 and under. The locals really admire the fact that you know a few words in their beautiful native language which is the OLDEST in Europe! Currency: Litas 1 Litas= 38 US cents or 2.62 Litas = 1 USD. Please check the exchange rates before leaving for your trip. What to See: Vilnius University Vilnius Cathedral Our Lady of Dawn St. Annes Cathedral The Church of the Holy Spirit Museum of Genocide St. Teresa Cathedral
President's Palace Gedminas Tower Castle Valdviu Rumai (Lower Castle will open in *2013.) Vilnius City Gate (Partially reconstructed) Trakai Island Castle (Outside of Vilnius)

Vilnius, Lithuania Where to Stay: Narutis Hotel (**) Luxury at its Best!!!!! Shakespeare Boutique Hotel() Very Romantic Grotthus Hotel () Very Romantic Novotel Hotel () Modern and Chic Where to Eat: Lithuanian Restaurants Lokys Beer restaurant "Aula" Zemaiciai FORTO DVARAS on Pilies Gatve European Restaurants Prie Katedros Restoranas "Sonnets" TORES Restoranas (Panoramic view of the Old Town*) "Horizontas" Italian Restaurants Fiorentino Restoranas Da Antonio Vynine "Saint German" St. Valentino German Restaurants "Bunte Gans" "Graf Zeppelin" Steakhouses HELIOS Center Steakhouse Hazienda Cafes Bistro 18 Ida Basar
Balzac Markus Ir Ko

Vilnius, Lithuania Things to Do: Vilnius is a breathtaking city! Get a Bird's Eye View and take an air balloon ride! Hot Air Balloon Sites: http://www.ballooning.lt/ http://www.oreivystescentras.lt/eng/balloon_rides/balloon_flights/ Belamontas Entertainment and Recreation Center Website: http://www.belmontas.lt/about-belmontas/ Beautifully reconstructed mill complex. Great outdoor restaurant! Trakai Island Castle http://www.trakai-visit.lt/ St. Peter and Paul Church
Great example of Baroque Architecture!!! For more suggestions please go to www.kofl144.weebly.com