The Baltics in 5 Days: An Itinerary From India

Five days in the Baltics is ideal for a south-to-north route: Vilnius and Trakai Castle in Lithuania, the Hill of Crosses and Rundāle Palace on the way to Riga in Latvia, and a final day in Tallinn's medieval old town in Estonia. Travel between May and September for long days, or in December for Christmas markets.

The three Baltic capitals are close, but each transfer takes most of a morning. Travelling in one direction, with stops on the way, turns those drives into sightseeing. This plan gives you realistic transfer times, explains what to cut and suggests changes for families, couples and travellers with parents.

The route at a glance

Days 1–2: Vilnius and Trakai

Day 1. Land in Vilnius, one of Europe's largest surviving baroque old towns, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk from the Gates of Dawn through the old town to the cathedral square, then climb to Gediminas Tower for the view at sunset.

Day 2. Trakai Castle, built on an island in a lake about 30 minutes west of the city, is the Baltics' most photographed castle. Visit in the morning, then return to explore Užupis, a bohemian district that declared itself a playful republic, with its own constitution displayed on a wall.

Days 3–4: The Hill of Crosses, Rundāle and Riga

Day 3. Drive north, stopping at the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, a pilgrimage site covered in tens of thousands of crosses, and at Rundāle Palace, a baroque palace with formal gardens. Arrive in Riga by evening.

Day 4. Riga's old town, the House of the Blackheads and St Peter's Church make a good morning. In the afternoon, walk the Art Nouveau district around Alberta iela, then visit the Central Market, housed in former zeppelin hangars. With more time, Sigulda and the Turaida Museum Reserve make a good half-day trip.

Day 5: Tallinn

Travel to Tallinn by intercity bus, private transfer or a short flight. Tallinn's old town, with its medieval walls, towers and Town Hall Square, is compact and walkable. Climb to Toompea Hill for the viewing platforms over the red roofs, and visit Kadriorg Palace if time allows, before flying home.

This route is a condensed version of our Baltic capitals with Helsinki trip, which adds Sigulda, a ferry to Helsinki and Suomenlinna over seven days.

Where to stay

Getting there and around

There are no direct flights from India. Most travellers fly to Vilnius, Riga or Tallinn with one stop via the Gulf, Istanbul, Helsinki or another European hub. Between the capitals, intercity buses are comfortable and frequent; a private driver lets you stop at the Hill of Crosses and Rundāle on the way. Within the cities, the old towns are best on foot, with trams and taxis for longer hops.

Food along the route

Baltic cooking leans on potatoes, rye bread, dairy and meat, but vegetarians will find more choice than expected in the capitals. Try Lithuanian cepelinai with mushroom filling or potato pancakes, Latvian grey peas, and cold beetroot soup in summer. Indian restaurants exist in all three capitals. Jain travellers should arrange meals in advance and carry some snacks for travel days.

Why this order works

Travelling south to north spreads the long drives across two days with stops, rather than one tiring transfer. Ending in Tallinn makes it easy to add Helsinki by ferry if you can extend.

Timing this route

May to September brings long daylight, outdoor cafés and festivals, with midsummer celebrations in late June. December brings Christmas markets in all three old towns, but short days and cold weather. Spring and autumn are quieter and cooler, with good hotel prices.

What to cut if you are short on time

With four days, skip Vilnius and fly into Riga, then travel to Tallinn. Or keep Vilnius and Riga and skip Tallinn. Do not try to add Helsinki without a sixth day.

Variations for families and parents

Children enjoy Trakai Castle, the zeppelin-hangar market and Tallinn's city walls. For parents, choose hotels near the old towns to reduce walking on cobblestones, and break long drives with stops. Some old-town streets are steep, especially in Tallinn.

For couples and honeymooners

Couples often enjoy a sunset from Gediminas Tower, a slow evening in Riga's Art Nouveau quarter and a night in Tallinn's old town, with Helsinki as an extra day by sea.

With an extra day or two

A sixth day lets you take the ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki, about two hours each way, for the harbour, the cathedral, the rock-hewn Temppeliaukio Church and the sea fortress of Suomenlinna. With a seventh day, add Sigulda and the Gauja valley from Riga, or the seaside resort of Jūrmala, about half an hour from the city, with its long sandy beach and wooden villas. Our Nordics itinerary continues naturally from Helsinki if you want a longer northern trip.

If it rains

Rain is common in summer and autumn, but each capital has good indoor options: the Palace of the Grand Dukes in Vilnius, the Latvian National Museum of Art and the Art Nouveau Museum in Riga, and Kadriorg's art museum and the Fotografiska gallery in Tallinn. Cafés are part of the culture, so a wet afternoon is easy to fill.

Practical tips

Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere, though small market stalls may prefer cash. Many people speak English, especially younger people. Carry your passport on travel days, even within Schengen, as checks can happen. Book Trakai and Rundāle visits early in summer, when tour groups arrive by mid-morning.

Budget and packing

All three countries use the euro, and prices are generally lower than in Western Europe or the Nordics. Save by using intercity buses and booking hotels early for summer and December. Pack layers in every season, a rain jacket, comfortable walking shoes for cobblestones and warm clothes in winter. Before you book, read our Baltics trip guide from India and best time to visit the Baltics. Apply for the Schengen visa through the official channel, such as VFS Global.

A BagPackerMe planner can arrange this route privately, with one named planner, WhatsApp support throughout and vegetarian and Jain food planned in.

Your questions, answered

Can I see all three Baltic capitals in 5 days?

Yes, if you travel in one direction, from Vilnius to Tallinn or the reverse, and accept two travel days of four to five hours. Each capital gets about a day, which suits first-timers.

Do I need a separate visa for each Baltic country?

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are all in the Schengen area, so one Schengen visa normally covers them. Apply to the country where you spend the most nights, through the official visa application channel.

How do I travel between Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn?

Comfortable intercity buses and private transfers take roughly four to five hours between neighbouring capitals. Short flights also connect them, and a newer rail service links some cities, though timetables change.

Is it worth adding Helsinki?

Yes, if you have a sixth day. Ferries from Tallinn take about two hours, and Helsinki's harbour, cathedral and the sea fortress of Suomenlinna make a full day out.