The fairy-tale like residence of the rulers of Lithuania, the lakes with picturesque shores, and the heritage of the Karaims make Trakai a unique destination not only in Lithuania but in the entire Europe! Trakai Castle, located in this attractive town, is a must-visit landmark loved by locals and foreign travelers alike. This enchanting spot is often included in day trips from Vilnius. However, it’s located 28 Km from the capital. So you might be wondering what is the best way to reach Trakai? Let us help you!
Picture: © A. Bobbit
First of all, plenty of buses and trains run between and Trakai every day, both of them taking about 40 minutes to make the journey.
By bus
Find your way to Vilnius Bus Station (Sodų Str. 22). The best place to buy the ticket is in the ticket office, not the driver. It usually costs around 3.00 - 4.00 Eur/per adult, but there are discounts for students and pensioners.
There aren't many platforms at the bus station; they are all visible from one spot, so it should be easy to locate the one you'll need.
Buses to Trakai run approximately 20 times per day (more in summer), at intervals of about 30-40 minutes. More information and online tickets are available here: www.autobusubilietai.lt
By train
Find your way to the Railway Station (Geležinkelio Str. 16). Tickets at the ticket office on online will cost 3.10 Eur/ per adult. If you decide to come back with a train too, it’s better to buy return ticket as well. Trakai train station doesn’t work long hours and buying return ticket ensures you 5 percent discount. If you forgot to buy it in the beginning of the trip or Trakai train station was closed - don’t worry. There is an option to buy the ticket from the conductor on the train. However, a service charge of 2 EUR is applied to all passengers.
Trains to Trakai run 7 times per day. More information: bilietas.ltglink.lt/
How to get from train/bus station to the castle?
Regardless of whether you choose to arrive by bus or train, expect a longer walk. Train station is 3 km to the castle ( around 3.6 km if you go by a lake side). The bus station is a bit closer - 2.3 km to the castle. We highly recommend choosing the lakeshore route to Trakai Castle. The way is rather picturesque, with plenty of lovely places for a picnic or even a swim in the lake along the route. You can buy some refreshments before you go at the grocery store RIMI located in Trakai bus station.
Map of Trakai with lakeshore route to Trakai Castle
However, if walking longer distances is harder for you, local municipality offers couple of options:
Trakai City bus
City bus leaves from Trakai bus station Platform 1. Ticket will cost 2 Eur/ per adult, students can expect a discount. Payment in cash or by card on board.
Get out at the stop: ISLAND CASTLE & TOURISM INFORMATION center. Please note that there are different schedules for weekends and working days!
Trakai bus station © trakai-visit.lt
Does Trakai have a TAXI?
You can also use the same Bolt app as in Vilnius city. The ride from Trakai bus station to the castle will cost around 3 EUR per trip, making it more convenient if there are 2-3 people traveling. However, if you decide to travel from Vilnius to Trakai castle it will cost from 30 EUR per trip.
Reaching Trakai by car
If you decide to rent a car, take the A1 (E85) highway west out of the city, followed by the A4 in the direction of Druskininkai, then the A16 (E28), which takes you the rest of the way. Driving time depends on traffic, but usually takes between 20 and 30 minutes.
Eco-friednly sightseeing Tours to Trakai
Since Vilnius was the European Green Capital 2025, we want to take part in sustainability efforts and promote eco-friendly tours to Trakai. There are two tours available — one by us and one by our friends and colleagues from Bike Baltic. By choosing these tours, you will not only leave a smaller CO2 footprint, but also support small local businesses and experience Trakai like a local.
Full day self-guided bike tour to Trakai
If you enjoy cycling and love exploring new places by bike, this tour is perfect for you! It gives you the best of both worlds — the freedom of traveling on your own without the stress of planning the route or buying tickets. The tour includes train tickets, a bike with a helmet and lock, a map with a route, and tips on what to see in the area.
More info: bikebaltic.com/st_tour/self-guided-bike-tour-in-trakai/
Bike around Trakai © Ieva B.
If traveling solo is not your cup of tea, you can join
Trakai Tour by Train
NB: we offer the tour regularly only in summer! For the off-season only private options available.
This tour is perfect for travelers who want to explore in a responsible way but prefer not to travel alone. Join a group of fellow travelers and discover Trakai like a local with our professional guide. During the tour, we walk by lakes, parks, and old traditional houses. You will learn about the history, local geography and nature. You will also hear interesting stories about the Karaim people, a small community that came from Crimea and has lived in Trakai for many years.
Our guide Kristina is passionate about nature and sustainable travel . Vilnius with Locals photo
Tour price includes:
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Professional guide passionate about nature and sustainable travel
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Train tickets to Trakai and back
Tour price does not include:
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Tickets to the Trakai Island Castle
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Food and drinks, for example, tasting Kibinai
More info: www.vilniuswithlocals.com/tours/trakai-tour-by-train
Tips and tricks to come back from Trakai city center to the train station
If you spent the whole day walking around Trakai and don’t want to walk all the way back to the train station, we have good news for you. You don’t have to! You can take a public bus, a scooter, or even a boat to get back and give your feet a rest. Here are clear instructions on how to do it!
Trakai City bus
To go back to the train station from Trakai Castle, you need to reach the bus stop called PILIS. It is on Trakai Street, across from the Castle Island Viewing Deck, next to the public toilet. See the screenshot from Google Maps to help you find it. Local buses come every 30–40 minutes. The ride takes about 6–10 minutes (5 bus stops) and costs €2 per person.
NB! Not every bus goes directly to the train station. Some stop at the Trakai bus station, but it is only 600 meters from there to the train station.
Screenshot from Google maps with bus time table
By boat
Our favorite way to go from Trakai center to the train station in summer is by boat! You can find a few local people offering boat trips from the piers next to the Trakai Fire and Rescue Service. The timetable matches the train schedule, and the boats will drop you off less than 100 meters from Trakai train station, with enough time to catch your train and find your seat. The price starts from €5, and you can pay in cash or, with some providers, even by card!
Water taxi from Trakai Fire and Rescue Service piers
That’s it! Hope this post helped you to plan your trip to Trakai. Just don’t forget to take your swimming suit and sunscreeen if it's summer! There is nothing more relaxing than a dive into the lake after a tour in the castle.
Vilnius with locals team on the way back to Vilnius