Latvia

The best way to see the Baltics is by car. There are so many unique hidden stops that are not accessible by public transportation. This summer, my boyfriend and I took a four-day road trip through Lithuania and Latvia. 

When it comes to scenery, the area reminded me of the Midwest US, corn fields after corn fields. Not the most excited, but I was also surprised by how many lakes and ponds there were. And each one we passed was full of locals enjoying the water. 

Logistics

Car Rental

We rented through Hertz online and picked up our car at Vilnius International Airport. We did not need an international driver’s license, but we did have to pay an extra fee to cross the border between Lithuania and Latvia.

Parking

This is the MOST important part of this guide.

Parking was the most challenging thing in the whole process. There were several pay apps, but you needed a Lithuanian or Latvian phone number, and there were pay machines, but we could not get most of them to work. 

Save yourself all the trouble and download Unipark to find and pay for parking in the Balkans. 

Parking is by zone. You can park on the street (if parking is allowed) or in a lot in that zone for the same amount of money. The app will tell you the rules for each zone, and you can add extra time in the app. 

Road Condition

The roads are in good condition. It is easy to navigate, but I do recommend studying up on the road signs. Be careful of cars driving up the median during traffic.

Smoking

We noticed a lot of cars pulled over on the side of the highway, smoking. After Cliff pointed it out, I looked it up and learned that smoking in cars is banned entirely in Lithuania and banned when children are in the car in Latvia and Estonia.

Gas 

Gas stations were plentiful. Circle K was the most popular. In fact, it was more popular for its food. There was a line just for their sandwiches and hot dogs. We had trouble using our credit card at the pump. It wanted a chip and pin card, which we didn’t have. Just bring cash. Pump first, then pay inside.

Stops

We started in Vilnius, Lithuania and drove to Riga, Latvia, then back. Check out my map for even more unique attractions.

Hill of Crosses Šiauliai, Lithuania

The Hill of Crosses is said to have been established around 1831. It was destroyed by the Soviets three times, but people continue to bring the crosses. I had read that it was pretty unimpressive, and we almost didn’t stop, but I am glad we did. It doesn’t look like much from the front, but it is huge. 

If headed from Latvia, there is an official parking lot on the left of the road with a souvenir shop, but I recommend driving past this and parking along the road on the right. It is a quicker walk and you can avoid the tourist buses. 

Padaliai-Čiobiškis Ferry Čiobiškis, Lithuania

I love weird, unique things, and this was my favorite find. This was a river-powered ferry across the Neris River. Since the early 1900s, there had been several ferries and even permanent bridges connecting both sides, but they had been demolished during times of war. In 1990, a local man, Gediminas, purchased the ferry and restored it.

I only had a waypoint on Google Maps. I didn’t know if it was still in operation or what the hours were. We got off the main highway and headed into the corn fields. We quickly ended up on a dirt road. Finally, after about 6 miles, we found it. Gedminias and his family run the ferry from spring to early fall. We paid 8 euros for two people and one car. The ferry ride takes less than five minutes.

Trakai Island Castle Trakai, Lithuania

The Castle was built in the 14th and 15th centuries and was the royal residence for the Grand Duke of Lithuania. Beautiful Lake Galvė surrounds it. 

We did not expect this to be as touristy as it was, but we were also there on a holiday. You can rent a boat or a paddleboard to explore the lake. There were food and souvenir stands lining the lake and the path to the castle. You need to pay an entrance fee to get into the castle, but you can walk around the grounds for free. 

Parking was a free-for-all. The residents in the area were using their yards for parking. We were able to find a spot in a resident’s yard for 5 euros. 

Aleksotas Funicular Railway Kaunas, Lithuania

Since 1935, the funicular has been used by locals to avoid the uphill trek. At an inclination of 18 degrees, the ride takes you 436 feet in 4 minutes.

After crossing over the Aleksot bridge out of town, there will be a parking lot on the right at the base of the tram. It is best to take this five-minute ride up and then walk down the path next to the track. You can pay on the train. 1 euro one-way.

Check out my guides to Riga, Latvia and Vilnius, Lithuania.