The Baltics by train

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

The three Baltic states — Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — are small, well-travelled countries with an unusual rail situation: domestic networks that work reasonably well within each country, but cross-border connections that are currently limited and slow. For a region where the main cities are just a few hundred kilometres apart, trains are not always the obvious choice between countries. Here is what the current network offers, and what is coming with Rail Baltica.

Estonia: Elron and the network from Tallinn

Elron operates Estonia's passenger rail services with a modern fleet of Stadler diesel multiple units — among the newest rolling stock in the Baltics. Services run from Tallinn Balti jaam (Baltic Station) outward across the country. The network is compact, reflecting Estonia's small size.

Main routes:

• Tallinn to Tartu — about 2 hours on the fastest services; Tartu is Estonia's university city and the country's second most-visited destination. Multiple trains daily.
• Tallinn to Pärnu — roughly 2 hours; the beach resort town in summer.
• Tallinn to Narva — around 2 hours 30 minutes; the eastern border city with Russia.
• Tallinn to Viljandi — about 2 hours 30 minutes, a slower rural route.

No reservation is needed on Elron trains; you can buy tickets at the station, from the onboard conductor, or via the Elron app. Fares are low and the trains are clean and comfortable. Tallinn's Baltic Station is walking distance from the Old Town and well connected to the city.

Latvia: LDZ and the network from Rīga

LDZ Pasažieru pārvadājumi (Latvian State Railways passenger division) runs services out of Rīga Central Station, one of the most striking Art Nouveau railway stations in Europe. Domestic services cover the main cities, but the network is mainly suburban and regional in character.

Key routes:

• Rīga to Sigulda — about 1 hour; the gateway to Gauja National Park, extremely popular with locals and visitors.
• Rīga to Jūrmala — about 30 minutes; the beach resort town, reached by frequent electric suburban trains.
• Rīga to Jelgava — under 1 hour.
• Rīga to Daugavpils — about 3 hours 30 minutes; the southeastern city near the Latvian–Lithuanian–Belarusian border area.

International direct trains from Rīga to Tallinn and Vilnius were suspended or greatly reduced in recent years; the situation has changed and current timetables should always be checked before planning cross-border rail travel in the region. Bus connections between the three capitals are frequent and often faster given current rail infrastructure.

Lithuania: LTG Link and the network from Vilnius

LTG Link (part of Lithuanian Railways, Lietuvos geležinkeliai) operates passenger services from Vilnius station and Kaunas station, Lithuania's two main rail hubs.

Key routes:

• Vilnius to Kaunas — about 1 hour 30 minutes; the country's second city and former capital.
• Vilnius to Klaipėda (coast) — roughly 3 hours to Lithuania's only port city on the Baltic Sea.
• Kaunas to Klaipėda — around 2 hours 30 minutes.
• Vilnius to Šiauliai — about 2 hours; gateway to the famous Hill of Crosses.

LTG also runs international services to Warsaw (Poland) — the Vilnius–Warsaw train takes about 8 to 9 hours and is the key international connection for overland travel out of Lithuania into Western Europe.

Cross-border rail in the Baltics: current limitations

Inter-Baltic rail travel is currently patchy. Direct trains between Tallinn, Rīga and Vilnius have been limited, with buses generally faster and more frequent. The Pan-Baltic rail corridor is served more by coaches than trains at present. Always check current timetables — the situation is in flux as Rail Baltica development progresses.

From Lithuania, the Vilnius–Warsaw rail service is the best international rail connection. From Estonia, the ferry to Helsinki (operated by Tallink, Eckerö Line and others) is the natural connection northwest.

Rail Baltica: the future of Baltics by rail

The most significant rail project in the region is Rail Baltica — a new standard-gauge (1,435 mm) high-speed rail line planned to connect Tallinn, Pärnu, Rīga, Panevėžys and Vilnius, with an extension to Warsaw. The current Baltic network is built on the wider Russian gauge (1,520 mm), which has historically made through-running from Western Europe impossible.

Rail Baltica will change that fundamentally: a line integrated with the European network, with design speeds of up to 250 km/h, expected to cut Tallinn–Rīga to under 2 hours and Tallinn–Vilnius to around 3 hours 30 minutes. The project is EU-funded and under active construction as of 2026, with the full line expected to open in phases in the late 2020s and early 2030s. By the time it opens, the calculus of inter-Baltic travel will shift significantly in favour of rail.

For the broader context of European rail connectivity, see our guide to most scenic train journeys in Europe.

Practical notes

• All three countries use their own currencies or, in the case of Estonia and Latvia, the euro. Lithuania also uses the euro. Cash is not always needed — cards are widely accepted in cities.
• Interrail and Eurail passes are valid in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, though on the limited domestic networks their value is mainly for longer stays or combined with bus journeys.
• For inter-Baltic travel currently, Lux Express and Simple Express buses are often faster and more frequent than trains.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a direct train from Tallinn to Vilnius?

Not currently as a regular through service. Travel between the three Baltic capitals by rail typically requires changing trains and may involve waiting times. Buses are generally faster and more practical for inter-Baltic city-to-city travel until Rail Baltica opens.

What is Rail Baltica and when will it open?

Rail Baltica is a new standard-gauge high-speed rail line being built to connect the three Baltic capitals to each other and to the European rail network via Poland. It is under construction as of 2026, with the full corridor expected to open in stages from the late 2020s onward.

How do I get from Tallinn to Helsinki by rail or ferry?

There is no rail connection; the Baltic Sea separates Finland from Estonia. Ferries cross between Tallinn and Helsinki in about 2 to 2.5 hours on fast operators such as Tallink and Eckerö Line, running multiple times a day.

Can I travel from Vilnius to Warsaw by train?

Yes. LTG Link operates a Vilnius–Warsaw direct train taking about 8 to 9 hours. It is one of the most useful international rail connections from the Baltic region into the broader European network.