14-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania

  • Day 1: Tallinn, Estonia
    5 hours (118.4 miles) from Riga, Latvia

    Explore Tallinn's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with historical buildings and cobbled streets. Don't miss a visit to the beautiful Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Toompea Castle.

  • Day 2: Tartu, Estonia
    2 hours 45 minutes (109.6 miles) from Tallinn, Estonia

    Spend a day in the university town of Tartu, visit the Tartu Art Museum, and stroll around the majestic University of Tartu, the oldest academic institution in Estonia.

  • Day 3: Cesis, Latvia
    3 hours 30 minutes (166.3 miles) from Tartu, Estonia

    Take a walk through the charming town of Cesis, visit the Cesis Castle and the St. John's Church, and hike the beautiful Gauja National Park.

  • Day 4: Riga, Latvia
    1 hour 30 minutes (54.6 miles) from Cesis, Latvia

    Spend a day in the beautiful city of Riga, Latvia's capital. Visit the stunning Art Nouveau district, stroll around the Central Market, and explore the Riga Castle.

  • Day 5: Liepaja, Latvia
    4 hours 30 minutes (141.5 miles) from Riga, Latvia

    Explore the seaside city of Liepaja, known for its beautiful beaches, unique architecture, and underground military tunnels.

  • Day 6: Klaipeda, Lithuania
    2 hours 15 minutes (92.6 miles) from Liepaja, Latvia

    Spend a day in Klaipeda, a charming port town. Visit the Curonian Spit, explore the old town, and enjoy delicious Lithuanian cuisine.

  • Day 7: Moletai, Lithuania
    3 hours 15 minutes (142.8 miles) from Klaipeda, Lithuania

    Visit Moletai, a small town known for its beautiful lakes and national parks. Go hiking or kayaking, and enjoy the pristine nature of Lithuania.

  • Day 8: Vilnius, Lithuania
    2 hours (67.3 miles) from Moletai, Lithuania

    Spend a day in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Visit the Gediminas Castle, explore the Uzupis district, and enjoy the vibrant nightlife of the city.

  • Day 9: Trakai, Lithuania
    40 minutes (17.6 miles) from Vilnius, Lithuania

    Visit Trakai, a picturesque town known for its beautiful castle surrounded by lakes. Take a boat tour, stroll around the town, and try the famous Kibinai dumplings.

  • Day 10: Kaunas, Lithuania
    1 hour 30 minutes (61.4 miles) from Trakai, Lithuania

    Explore Kaunas, the second-largest city in Lithuania. Visit the medieval Kaunas Castle, stroll around the Laisves Aleja, and enjoy the panoramic views from the Christ's Resurrection Church.

  • Day 11: Jurmala, Latvia
    1 hour 30 minutes (59.6 miles) from Kaunas, Lithuania

    Visit Jurmala, a seaside resort town known for its long white-sand beaches, natural beauty, and traditional wooden architecture.

  • Day 12: Sigulda, Latvia
    1 hour 45 minutes (70.8 miles) from Jurmala, Latvia

    Explore the town of Sigulda, located in the Gauja National Park. Visit the Turaida Castle, go bobsledding, and enjoy a scenic cable car ride.

  • Day 13: Parnu, Estonia
    2 hours 15 minutes (110.9 miles) from Sigulda, Latvia

    Spend a day in Parnu, a popular summer resort town known for its beautiful beaches, spas, and lively atmosphere.

  • Day 14: Tallinn, Estonia
    1 hour 45 minutes (97.3 miles) from Parnu, Estonia

    Explore more of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, and visit any of the places you may have missed on Day 1.

Time and Costs Estimates:

  • Tallinn Old Town (2 hours, free)
  • Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (30 minutes, free)
  • Toompea Castle (1 hour, free)
  • Tartu Art Museum (2 hours, €6)
  • University of Tartu (1 hour, free)
  • Cesis Castle (1 hour, €3)
  • St. John's Church (30 minutes, free)
  • Art Nouveau district in Riga (2 hours, free)
  • Central Market in Riga (1 hour, free)
  • Curonian Spit (3 hours, €20 for the ferry)
  • Gediminas Castle (1 hour, €5)
  • Uzupis district in Vilnius (1 hour, free)
  • Trakai Castle (2 hours, €8)
  • Kaunas Castle (1 hour, €5)
  • Jurmala beach (3 hours, free)
  • Turaida Castle (1 hour, €7)
  • Parnu beach (2 hours, free)
  • Total Estimated Costs (€54)

Transportation:

Public transportation is a viable option for getting around the cities. Taking buses or trains between cities in Latvia and Estonia is relatively cheap as well. To save money, consider purchasing a Baltic Latvian or Baltic European Rail Pass. Hitchhiking is also a common way of traveling in the Baltics. However, note that some of the smaller towns and areas may not have much public transportation. The estimated cost for transportation is €50-100.

Useful Tips:

If you have extra time, consider visiting the beach towns of Jurmala and Parnu. If you have less time, remove Sigulda from the itinerary. While you’re visiting the Baltic countries, keep in mind that many hostels offer cheap yet comfortable accommodation, and local food markets sell fresh produce for times when you're looking for a budget meal.

Airports:

Tallinn Airport (TLL) is the largest airport in Estonia and is located about 2.5 miles south-east of Tallinn’s city center. Riga International Airport (RIX) is the largest airport in Latvia and is located about 6 miles west of Riga’s city center. Kaunas International Airport (KUN) is Lithuania’s second-largest airport and is located about 6 miles north-east of Kaunas’ city center. Vilnius International Airport (VNO) is Lithuania’s largest airport and is located about 3 miles south of Vilnius’ city center.

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