Page 394 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

392 SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Getting Around Vilnius woes in the short term. With
the rise in the number of
The best way to explore Vilnius is on foot as most sights such vehicles, tailgating and over-
as churches, museums, restaurants and cafés are within easy taking have become standard
walking distance of each other. It is only a short walk to the practice. Central Vilnius has an
main sights from the city’s main thorough fare, Gedimino exten sive one-way system,
which can be quite tricky to
Avenue. Vilnius’s Old Town is among the biggest in Europe negotiate without a road map.
and much of the city’s inner traffic is kept to roads that circle its
boundary. To reach the sights and restaurants that lie outside Parking
the city centre, visitors can use the reliable network of
trolleybuses and buses. Taxi services are usually trustworthy Multi-storey car parks in Vilnius
are few. Most often drivers use
but getting around by road is best avoided at rush hour.
roadside parking. In the city
centre, drivers can use
controlled parking bet ween
8am and 6pm, using a pay-
and-display machine. Parking
is more expensive in the Old
Town. Failing to pay results in
a wheel-clamp, a lengthy wait
and then a very heavy fine.
In parked cars, all objects,
including bags and clothing
should be locked out of sight.
Taxis
Modern trolleybus, part of Vilnius’s public transport network
Taxis are easily available in
Buses and Trolleybuses
peak hours, especially early Vilnius, although during rush
Vilnius has a very dependable mornings and late evenings. hour and late on weekend
network of trolleybuses and The problem is further com- evenings it may be necessary
buses with frequent services that pounded by the erstwhile to call several companies
span the city. Some of the older Soviet city planning. The lack before finding a free cab.
vehicles are now being replaced of roads is a serious issue that Ordering a taxi by telephone is
with modern ones. However, Vilnius’s city council is strug- cheaper than hailing one on
public trans port is best avoided gling to solve with the help the street. The average charge
during rush hour, when trolley- of EU funds. However, road is €0.50 per kilometre, though
buses and buses are crowded. construction causes further prices are higher at night.
A detailed map of the city’s bus blockades, adding to drivers’ Companies such as Romerta
routes is available on the Vilnius
Transport website. The time-
tables for every stotelė (stop) can
be viewed by clicking “autobusų”
for buses and “troleibusų” for
trolley buses. Few services run
between 11pm and 5am.
A standard bilietas (ticket) is
valid on both buses and trolley-
buses. This must be bought in
advance at a kiosk or from the
driver on boarding, and then
validated by punching it in one
of the machines on board.
Passes for one, three and ten
days are available. Penalties for
travelling with out a valid ticket
are high.
Driving in Vilnius
Traffic density has increased
rapidly in Vilnius in recent years,
resulting in congestion during A busy road in Vilnius during peak traffic hour