The Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, “the Baltics” for short, are ideal for a multi-country tour. Each of the capital cities provides a bite-sized taste of its country but each can stand on its own if you want to delve deeper.
Popular Itineraries for Baltics Tours
Although every Baltic vacation package we create is unique, there are some popular routes and itineraries that we are asked for frequently. Our sample itineraries provide some ideas for you to consider as a basis for your own private tour combining all three or any two of the Baltic countries. For each of these itineraries, you can get a rough idea of the price using the Price Guide function. We cover many more destinations in these three countries than those listed here, and our expert trip planners will work with you to incorporate any places in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania you want to go.
* Starting price is per person, based on double occupancy in 3 star accommodation, in the most affordable month an itinerary is offered. Airfare to Europe is not included.
Click on your choice of itinerary, select number of travelers in your party, month of travel, and desired star level of accommodation to get an approximate price. Submit the enquiry form with any additional details and we can start planning your customized trip.
Baltics Vacation Reviews
Our Baltics vacation packages provide a hassle-free way to see these captivating countries. We take care of all the details, all you have to worry about is enjoying the one-of-a-kind experiences that will make this the vacation of a lifetime. Below you’ll find the most recent three reviews and testimonials from guests who have visited the Baltic states with our help recently.
It was so relaxing to know that we were being taken care of, while still being so personal and ""on our own"" instead of with a big group. The worst part was when we were around groups of other Americans that were so demanding and unaware that they were the strangers there.
Visited : Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Netherlands
Itinerary : Helsinki, Tallinn, Parnu, Riga, Klaipeda, Vilnius, Warsaw, Krakow, Amsterdam
Rating :
JayWay took care of the nitty-gritty details, but allowed us to plan our time and experiences ourselves. They helped customize our trip and made traveling between 5 cities easy and pleasant.
Visited : Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Poland
Itinerary : Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki, Krakow
Rating :
Extremely helpful, all guides and drivers were outstanding, and the final trip plans were just what we wanted. They listened and they came through.
Visited : Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland
Itinerary : Warsaw, Vilnius, Klaipeda, Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki
Rating :
The Baltics
– Just Far Enough Off The Beaten Path
For such small countries, you’d think that they’d be practically identical, but each of the Baltic three has its own appeal and personality. Once reluctant members of the USSR, they won their independence back in the early 90s, in the “Singing Revolution” but these countries are far older than that and their histories are full of tales of emperors, dukes and knights. Since gaining independence each fledgling democracy has developed rapidly and visitors nowadays can enjoy excellent tourism infrastructure, interesting cuisines and high standards of service without the crowds of mainstream European destinations.
Just want to hit the capitals?
A popular itinerary involves spending three nights in each of Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. This gives you a full day to see the city itself and a full day for a day trip to see the countryside before moving on to the next city. We suggest private transfers between the cities because we are able to arrange for stops along the way. Break your journey at places like seaside spa town Parnu in Estonia, countryside oasis Sigulda or majestic Rundale Palace in Latvia and the poignant Hill of Crosses in Lithuania.
Or dig deeper?
We have far more destinations than just the capitals and could easily arrange for a week or ten day itinerary in each of Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania, or a two country itinerary that combines two capitals and some smaller towns and cities in between. Lithuania’s second city Kaunas in the middle of the country is easily worth a couple of days, or you could visit the UNESCO-listed Curonian Spit while staying in coastal Klaipeda. Latvia’s seaside resort town Liepaja combines a resort feel with a deep history. In Estonia you could take your pick of university town Tartu or the beach and spa town Parnu, an ideal place to unwind.
You’re in the best hands
Our expert Baltics travel advisors and trip planners will work with you to create your dream vacation itinerary. You’ll stay at the very best hotels, apartments or B&Bs. You choose how you want to spend your days, either enjoying day trips and city tours with our trusted partners or taking a day off to wander on your own. Before you arrive and during your trip our on-the-ground staff in both Estonia and Lithuania are on hand by phone or email for any help you need. With our years of experience in arranging trips in the Baltics we’re perfectly placed to create the most memorable trip you’ve ever experienced.
Why Travel with JayWay?
You only travel somewhere for the first time once. By taking a custom tailored trip you get a seamless trip, to your choice of destinations and at your own pace, planned by professionals and supported by locals on the ground in Europe.
Save Precious Time
Planning an amazing trip takes time. Our friendly travel advisors and experienced trip planners will listen to your needs and craft your personal dream itinerary. We will maximize your vacation time and enjoyment – we know the best way to get around and how to spend your hard-earned time off.
Have Peace of Mind
You’re in safe hands from the very beginning. Even before you arrive your dedicated tour manager in Europe will be in touch to help you prepare. When you arrive they’ll meet you and be available by phone, email and IM for the rest of your journey with us, for anything you need.
Make Memories Forever
Travel can create memories that last a lifetime. You’ll return home with indelible recollections of beautiful sunsets, magical vistas, fascinating stories, and meals so delicious you’ll want to fly back every time you think of them. This is why we do what we do.
Frequently Asked Questions about Travel to the Baltic States
Most of our guests travel to the Baltics from the US by air, unless they are already traveling in a neighboring country. As there are no direct flights from the US to any of the capitals, Helsinki which has direct flights to New York and other east coast hubs is a popular addition. From there it’s a short ferry ride to Tallinn.
Due to the geography of the region it makes sense to start a three country tour in either Tallinn or Vilnius with Riga as the mid-point of your trip.
Being located relatively far north in Europe, the Baltic states receive most visitors in late spring through fall. While southern Europe can get stiflingly hot in August, it’s a great time to explore the Baltics. In recent years all three capitals have been gaining in popularity as Christmas market destinations. There’s a Christmas tree rivalry between Riga and Tallinn going back years!
If you are concentrating just on the capital cities, a ten day itinerary gives you a reasonable pace for a baltic capitals tour that isn’t too rushed, with three nights in each city. If you want to see smaller towns and cities then you’ll need at least two weeks.
Helsinki in Finland is a common addition to Baltic itineraries thanks to direct flights to the US. A high speed train connection from there to St Petersburg can make adding Russia to your trip a definite possibility. For a through-the-looking glass glimpse at an alternate reality for the Baltic states, Lithuania’s neighbor Belarus can be an intriguing option. Poland and Lithuania is another popular combination, especially for those with roots in the region.
There are no rail links between the Baltic states so the best way to get around is by road. We can arrange private drivers so you can make stops along the way between the countries, or you can travel by bus if budget is a concern. Long distance buses in the Baltic states are very comfortable, especially the ‘Lounge’ seating class. One way car rental is an option though the one way fee means it is usually only a little more expensive to have a private driver for the long distance transfers and you avoid all the hassle that comes with renting a car.
We try not to play favorites with our destinations, instead it depends what you’re looking for from a vacation…
For several years now all three of the Baltic states have used the Euro. Lithuania was the last of the three to transition. Nowadays traveling between all three countries is much simpler.
The song festivals held in the Baltic states are UNESCO-intangible-cultural-heritage-listed events. They take place in summers, on a four year cycle in Lithuania and a five year cycle in Latvia and Estonia. The next Lithuanian festival will take place in 2022, the next Latvian festival will be in 2023 and it’s Estonia’s turn again in 2024.
Each country has its own language: Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian. None of these languages are part of the Slavic language group, which contains Russian. When part of the USSR Russian was taught in schools, but English displaced Russian as the main foreign language soon after independence. For many the Russian language is a reminder of the Soviet occupation and they would rather not speak it even if they can. There are Russian minorities in all three Baltic states with the largest concentration being in Riga, the capital of Latvia.
All our tour itineraries in the Baltics are designed as private tours. You’ll travel “semi-independently” between destinations. In each city you’ll have local guides for each walking tour, unlike on a group tour where it is often the same guide throughout. This guarantees the guide is truly an expert in their city and country. Should you wish to include some meet with other travelers, by joining a day tour, we can arrange for that as part of your itinerary.