I am traveling SOON and with children. Any guidance on whether we should fly into Vilnius, Riga, or Tallinn? This will be a quick trip but we hope to visit each capital before flying home. Is one airport more user- or English-friendly than the others?
All three airports about the same. We had no issues with any of them. English is spoken in all three countries and is not an issue. Are you thinking of traveling to all three cities?
Riga is the most modern, Tallinn is a close second. Vilnius was more Sovietesque. (But also the smallest terminal of the three so easiest to get in and out of.)
Fly into one and out of another. If you are visiting each capital then it makes sense to go in one direction and not backtrack. So either fly into Talinn and out of Vilnius or vice-versa.
How are you getting between capitals?
Thanks!
I am trying take my kiddo to a concert toward the end of the trip. Plan is to fly in to Vilnius then travel by train or bus. Aiming to spend a couple of days in each city with a travel days added in.
Days 1-2: Fly from US to Vilnius
Days 3-4: Vilnius x2
Day 5: travel to Tallinn
Days 6-7: Tallinn x2 (concert on last night)
Day 8: travel to Riga for (possible bonus concert on first night)
Days 9-10: Riga x2
Day 11: Fly home from Riga to US
You should consider flying to Tallinn first. Then fly from Tallinn to Vilnius. Then take the train from Vilnius to Riga. Traveling from Vilnius to Tallinn by train or bus is going to be a long day.
You make an excellent point. The trip is longer than I anticipated. Rush planning is not fun!
However, the concert was the impetus for this trip. It must happen, ideally twice. I'll keep brainstorming
Thinking I'll just enjoy a longer stay in Lithuania, then travel to Latvia for a longer stay, capped off by the concert. We'd miss Estonia, but possibly see more/enjoy more of the areas we visit.
Thinking I'll just enjoy a longer stay in Lithuania, then travel to Latvia for a longer stay, capped off by the concert. We'd miss Estonia, but possibly see more/enjoy more of the areas we visit.
I like that approach, there is a lot to see and experience in both towns. Sometimes less is better when planning a trip.
I would also think 2 of the cities would fill your time. You did say that the concert in Tallinn was the impetus for the trip, though. That changed?
All three capitals are interesting and can easily fill several days, but picking only 2 gives you time to not rush. If you feel like you need to, you can throw in a day trip from each.
Great point about day trips!
The band is touring & performing in both Tallinn & Riga, so we can just catch the Riga performance. Twice would've been nice, but I'm a novice traveler so paring down is likely wise.
What’s the band’s name?
As much as I'd love to answer you, my privacy instincts feel like I've revealed too much. I can update upon our return, though
If you ARE a novice, then I think you are wise to pull back to two. They are all 3 delightful locations. I did a loop through last fall. Here’s my report, in case it’s helpful
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/baltics-september-2024
CWSocial did a trip (with a trip report) in 2023 that was very helpful to me (but I don’t have the link handy).
Thanks so much! I have a lot of prep to do in very few days, so I truly appreciate each of you
I have flown in and out of Vilnius and in to Tallinn. Both airports are small and close to the center of town. The airports are easy to manage. Only speaking English will not be a problem. I hope you enjoy your trip. We loved all 3 cities plus smaller towns on both trips.