The Hill of Crosses is a unique and sacred site, covered with over 200,000 crosses of different shapes and sizes. The exact origins of the hill are unknown, but it has become a symbol of faith and hope. Despite facing many efforts to destroy it by Tsarist and Soviet rulers, the hill stood strong. After Lithuania regained independence in 1990, it became a popular place for pilgrims. In 1993, Pope John Paul II's visit brought it worldwide attention. Visitors continue to leave crosses, rosaries, and other items, praying for health, well-being, and wishes to come true.
Hill of Crosses is a site of pilgrimage about 12 km north of the city of Šiauliai
If you're ever in Lithuania, make sure to visit this pilgrimage destination—many non-religious visitors also come to admire this remarkable monument. Sadly, even though it's one of Lithuania’s must-see attractions, the Hill of Crosses is not easily accessible by public transport. But if you've decided to visit, here are the available options for getting there.
By public transport:
If you decide to visit the Hill of Crosses by public transport, be ready to wake up early! It's a long trip. If you want to return to Vilnius the same day, you'll need to leave early in the morning. First, you need to travel from Vilnius to Šiauliai, a town in Northern Lithuania. You can get there by train (which is faster and cheaper) or by bus.
Vilnius - Šiauliai:
By train
Trains are a more environmentally friendly way to travel, which is especially important for us, as Vilnius has been named the European Green Capital of 2025.
The train ride takes between 2 hours and 10 minutes and 2 hours and 30 minutes. There are three morning trains from Vilnius to Šiauliai. The earliest one leaves at 5:34 AM, but we recommend sleeping in and taking the later train at 7:05 AM. However, be sure to check the timetable for each day, as it may vary slightly on weekends. Ticket prices range from 9.30 EUR to 16.80 EUR. You can purchase your ticket at the train station (Geležinkelio g. 16, Vilnius), online, or on the train. If you buy the ticket on the train, there is an additional 2 EUR fee.
You can check the train schedules at ltglink.lt/en
By bus
The bus ride takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes to 3 hours and 30 minutes. Tickets for some buses can be bought online, but most people usually buy them at the bus station (Sodų St. 22, Vilnius). A bus ticket to Šiauliai costs around 18 - 19 EUR.
You can check the bus schedules at autobusubilietai.lt/en.
Once in Šiauliai
Congratulations! You’ve made it to Šiauliai. Now, you’re only 12 km away from your destination. If you arrived by train, head to the Šiauliai bus station (Tilžės g. 109, Šiauliai), which is less than a 10-minute walk. Once you leave the train station, turn left and walk along Dubijos Street. After about 5-7 minutes, you’ll reach Tilžės Street. Turn right, and you’ll easily spot the bus station.
At the bus station, find platform number 8 and wait for the bus to Joniškis (Šiauliai - Joniškis route). The bus departs at 8:25 AM, 10:25 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:10 PM, 2:15 PM, 3:40 PM, 5:05 PM, and 8:30 PM (on Mondays, Fridays, and Sundays).
Ticket costs around 1 EUR (cash only). You can check the bus schedules at autobusubilietai.lt/en
You’ll need to get off at the DOMANTAI stop, which is the third stop from Šiauliai. The easiest way is to tell the driver you’re going to the Hill of Crosses, and they will let you know when to get off. It takes about 20 minutes to reach Domantai from Šiauliai.
Once in Domantai, you’ll still need to walk about 2 kilometers or 20 minutes to the Hill of Crosses. Look for the brown sign saying “Kryžių kalnas” and follow the road. Soon, you’ll spot your destination in the distance!
Click here for Google Street View to get familiar with the place before visiting.
Bus stop where you should get out to reach the Hill of Crosses. Screenshot from Google maps made in 2025 Jan 21st.
After the visit get back to DOMANTAI bus stop towards Šiauliai. Buses to ŠIAULIAI leave at:
12:12, 13:03, 14:03, 15:02, 17:27, and 19:03 (on Mondays, Fridays, and Sundays).
You can check the bus schedules at autobusubilietai.lt/en
To get back to Šiauliai from the Hill of Crosses wait for the bus in this bus stop. Screenshot from Google maps made in 2025 Jan 21st.
NB! If you’re getting hungry, it’s best to have some lunch before heading to the Hill of Crosses, as there are no restaurants in the area. Luckily, the Šiauliai bus station is located in a shopping mall Saulės miestas. Most of the restaurant brands there are popular across the country and well-liked by locals. However, there are no Lithuanian cuisine options available.
By Taxi
If taking a local bus to Domantai seems too difficult, you can take a taxi from Šiauliai. The price is usually around 10 EUR (from Šiauliai train station), but it may vary depending on the time of day. This is a good option if you are traveling with a small group of friends or family, as a car can easily fit up to 4 people.
We checked the price and route on the BOLT app, which works throughout the country and is available in many cities. It's safe to use even if you don't speak Lithuanian, as the price is shown before the taxi is booked, and the driver cannot change it on a whim or overcharge you.
By car
The total trip to the Hill of Crosses from Vilnius takes around 2 hours and 33 minutes (219 km), depending on the route suggested by your preferred navigation app. The official address is Jurgaičiai, 81439 Šiauliai District Municipality. To get there, drive along the A2 highway towards Panevėžys for 127 km, then take the bypass around the city and follow the signs to Šiauliai. Once in Šiauliai, continue on the A12 road towards Joniškis and Riga. When you see the sign for "KRYŽIŲ KALNAS — 2 km," turn right.
There are designated parking lots near the Hill of Crosses, along with a souvenir shop and other facilities for travelers.
Fun fact: The A2 highway was the site of the famous Baltic Way, a peaceful political demonstration on 23 August 1989. Approximately two million people joined hands to form a human chain spanning 690 kilometers (430 miles) across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The road is now marked with smaller and larger crosses commemorating this historic event.
Vilnius - Riga sightseeing bus:
One of the best things to do when traveling through the Baltic capitals is to stop at the Hill of Crosses on your way to Riga. The tour lasts 10-12 hours and includes several stops along the way. It's also a small group tour, with a maximum of 8 people. Interested? Check out the offer: Vilnius Riga Sightseeing Bus.
Price: From 89 EUR/person
Still have questions? Chech out our other tips for things to do in Vilnius and Lithuania or contact us at hello@vilniuswithlocals.com and we will be happy to help you!