Baltic States
In the northeast of Europe, you’ll find the Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (from north to south). The three countries are not as popular as a travel destination, which made them even more interesting for us to explore. In the fall of 2024, we visited the region and gathered the most practical travel information for the Baltic States!
Travel Information Baltic States
The Best Travel Route for the Baltic States
We took a 10-day road trip through Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Want more details? Check out our full travel route and Google Maps guide for the Baltic States!
Baltic States Road Trip Itinerary 10 Days
We rented a car for this trip, which we highly recommend if you want to explore the countries properly. The Baltic States are low in population, with small villages scattered across vast meadows and forests. Public transport is limited and a rental car is quite cheap. We rented through Sunnycars, they offer an all-inclusive price with full insurance and free cancellation up to one hour before pick-up.
Visa and Entry Requirements
All three Baltic States are part of the European Union, so as EU citizens we didn’t need a visa. Always check the latest travel advice for your specific situation!
Travel Budget and Currency
The Baltic States are similar in price to other parts of Western Europe. Not really expensive, but not particularly cheap either. We were surprised by how modern and developed the countries were. There was not so much to see anymore from the Soviet era. All three countries use Euro as currrency.
Costs of our Road Trip through the Baltic States
European Euro Exchange Rate (EUR) | Revolut
Climate and Weather Baltic States
The climate in the Baltic States is moderate, comparable to many other countries in central Europe. The sea influences the weather slightly, so summers are never extremely hot. Wintermonths can get a little colder, especially further inland, with a good chance of snow. We traveled in October and enjoyed a mix of sunny days and cooler temperatures around 5°C.
Climate of Estonia | Wikipedia
Peak and Low Season
Like in most European countries, summer is the peak travel season. However, since the Baltic States are still relatively undiscovered, you probably won’t encounter massive crowds. If you’re tied to school holidays, we recommend visiting in autumn or spring break to avoid the crowds.
Popular Travel Attractions
The Baltic States are great for a city trip! Although we like nature over cities as outdoor travelers, we found Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius to be must-visit places and really liked all three cities! The medieval charm of Tallinn and the cozy old town of Vilnius were definite highlights. And of course, trying some local food is a must! Other well-known places we would recommend are: Rundāle Palace (Latvia), Hill of Crosses (Lithuania) and Saaremaa Island (Estonia). We found Latvia and Lithuania to be quite similar, while Estonia had more of a Scandinavian vibe. Want more travel tips?
Unique Places to Visit in Lithuania (5x)
Health and Safety Information
We felt very safe in all three Baltic States, with no major differences from what we’re used to in Western Europe. We did drink tap water without any issues. Always make sure to have travel insurance for emergencies and check whether you need any additional measures such as vaccinations.
Culture and Tradition Baltic States
The Baltic States have a complex history, having been occupied multiple times before gaining independence in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union. Nowadays, you won’t see much evidence of that era, as the countries have developed rapidly! You might spot a few old Soviet-style apartment blocks, but overall, the region feels modern and progressive. All three countries are part of EU these days, so border crossing is really easy.
Castles and history Baltic States: our travel route
Internet and Coverage in Baltic States
We had good mobile coverage throughout Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. If you have a European phone plan, your data will likely work as usual, but it’s always smart to check with your provider.
Looking for a data plan? We mostly use the Esim plan from Airalo for connectivity in foreign countries. Use the code MEIKE4854 for a €3,- discount on your first purchase!
