Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

64 NORTH EASTERN EUROPE

Practical & Travel Information

After many years of being excluded from the tourist map
of Europe, Lithuania is now drawing a large number of
eager visitors. Tour operators are increasing in number
and offer a great variety of packages to the region. Most
air lines fly to Vilnius, which has direct connections with
many European cities. Lithuania is not, how ever, covered
by Eurail or InterRail, making travelling by train from
Western Europe relatively expensive.

WHEN TO VISIT

The best time to visit the
country is from May to
October, when the weather is
generally pleasant and rarely
cold. Nearly all the best
festivals take place in summer,
and some small museums and
historic sights are only open
between May and September.
This is also the ideal time to
explore the region’s natural
attractions, by visiting one of
the many national parks or
walking in the country side.
Autumn is often splendid in
the Baltic States, but the
weather can turn chilly as
early as October.

DOCUMENTATION

Citizens of EU member-states,
the US, Canada, Australia
and New Zealand can enter
Lithuania for up to 90 days
in a half-year period on pre-
sen tation of a valid passport.
Those wishing to stay beyond
90 days will need to apply
for a national long-term visa
or a residence permit.
Visitors from other countries
should enquire about visa
requirements at the relevant
embassy or consulate before
travelling. The official website

HEALTH AND SECURITY

Lithuania is generally a safe

country to visit with instances

of theft and mugging rela-

tively rare. However, visitors

should remain vigilant in

Vilnius, partic ularly in and

around the Old Town.

After years of under funding

ligoninė (Lithuanian hospitals)

are in rather poor condition.

Emergency treatment is free,

but visitors will need to pay

for medi cation and any

subsequent medical treatment.

FACILITIES FOR

THE DISABLED

Although there has been

great improvement in recent

years, Lithuania as a whole

is not very well equipped

in providing facilities for

the disabled. The situation is

best in Vilnius, where a large

number of new buses and

trolleybuses provide access

for disabled people.

BANKING AND

CURRENCY

Banking hours in Lithuania

vary, with branches operat-

ing from 8am to 5pm on

weekdays. Banks in big

cities open on Saturdays

from 8am to 3pm or 10am

to 5pm.The national currency

of Lithuania is the litas, which

is usually abbreviated to

Lt. One litas consists of

100 centai. Foreign currency

can be easily exchanged in

banks or exchange bureaus.

There is a wide network of

ATMs across the country,

most of which accept all

major international credit

and debit cards.

COMMUNICATIONS

Lithuania has a highly

developed communications

network. Mobile phone usage

is high and broadband

Internet access is widespread.

Public payphones only accept

telefoniputka (pre paid cards),

which are available at

of the Lithuanian Ministry of

Foreign Affairs offers infor-

mation on visa regulations.

For detailed information on

ent ry regulations and visa

costs, visitors are advised to

check the official website of

the European Commission.

EU citizens are not subject

to customs regulations, pro-

vided they adhere to EU

guidelines. All visitors should

check for any customs duty

or special permission required

to export a cultural object

before buy ing one.

VISITOR INFORMATION

All cities and most major

towns in Lithuania have a

tourist information office,

which is usually located in

the town centre. The coun-

try’s official tourism website

lists all the tourist infor mation

centres across Lithuania.

In the case of very small

towns, the office may be

situated in a museum or

historic building. Tourist

offices are usually open from

9am to 6pm on weekdays,

but opening hours are more

erratic in remote places and

it is advis able to check in

advance. Free brochures

covering local and national

sights are avail able at these

offices. Lithuania also has

tourist offices in London,

Finland, Sweden and Russia.

THE CLIMATE OF

LITHUANIA

Lithuania has a temperate

climate. The country usually

gets its first snowfall in

November. Winters are long,

with temperatures dipping to

-5º C (23º F). Summers

generally last from mid-May

to late August when

temperatures average

18º C (64º F) in the capital

city of Vilnius. Summer

evenings are pleasant, with

some short spells of rain.

VILNIUS

22 /72

11 /52 10 /50

monthApr Jul OctJan

-4/25

6

hrs

10

hrs

2

hrs

1

hrs

36

mm

78

mm

73

mm

48

mm

2 /36

12 /54

3 /38

-9/16

° C/F

0°C

32°F