Does Vilnius have a metro or trams?

No. Vilnius runs entirely on buses and trolleybuses — there is no metro and no tram network. The city is compact, so between public transport, walking, cycling and ride-hailing apps you can get anywhere easily.

How much does a student need per month in Vilnius?

Budget at the higher end of the national range, as Vilnius is the most expensive city in Lithuania. Rent is the biggest variable: a dormitory room is far cheaper than a private flat in the centre. See the cost figure in this guide and check current prices yourself.

Which universities are in Vilnius?

Vilnius University (VU), Mykolas Romeris University (MRU), Vilnius Tech, ISM University of Management and Economics and European Humanities University (EHU) are all based in the city, and Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) has an Education Academy here. Check each programme's language of instruction on the official site.

Where do students usually live in Vilnius?

Many start in a university dormitory, then move to a shared flat. Popular student areas include the Old Town and Naujamiestis (central but pricier), Antakalnis and Saulėtekis (near the VU and Vilnius Tech campuses), and cheaper outer districts like Fabijoniškės or Pašilaičiai with good bus links.

Is Vilnius a good city for nightlife and culture?

Yes. As the capital and biggest student city it has the densest mix of bars, clubs, live music, theatres, galleries and festivals in the country, much of it walkable in and around the Old Town and Užupis.

Studying in Vilnius: a student guide

Vilnius is Lithuania's capital and its biggest student city — a compact, walkable place with a UNESCO-listed Old Town, the most universities in the country, and the liveliest culture and nightlife. It's also the most expensive city in Lithuania, so budget accordingly. Here's what to expect as a student.

The vibe

Vilnius is small for a capital — comfortably walkable, green, and built around the Neris river and the baroque Old Town. It packs a lot into a short distance: medieval streets, the artists' "Republic of Užupis", glassy office towers across the river in Šnipiškės, and leafy residential districts a short bus ride out.

For students it's the obvious centre of gravity: the most programmes, the biggest international community, the most going on after class. It feels safe, calm and easy to settle into, with English widely spoken among young people and university staff.

Cost of living

Vilnius is the priciest city in Lithuania — rents and going-out costs run higher than in Kaunas or Klaipėda. A typical student month sits at the upper end of the national range:

€350–€700unverified

Rent is the single biggest swing in that figure:

A dormitory room is by far the cheapest option.
A room in a shared flat costs more, and rises the closer you are to the Old Town and centre.
A whole studio or one-bed to yourself is the most expensive choice.

Stretch your budget

Living slightly outside the centre — in a district with a direct bus or trolleybus line — can cut your rent noticeably while keeping your commute short. The city is small, so "outer" rarely means far.

For the detail, see our guides on average student rent in Vilnius, the overall cost of living for students, and Vilnius vs Kaunas on cost.

Neighbourhoods students live in

Area	What it's like	Good for
Old Town (Senamiestis)	Cobbled, historic, central, lively — and pricier	Being in the thick of it; EHU and ISM are here
Naujamiestis (New Town)	Artsy, central, cafés and galleries, good transport	Walkable city life without paying full Old Town prices
Antakalnis	Green, calmer, riverside; near the Saulėtekis campus area	VU and Vilnius Tech students; a quieter pace
Saulėtekis	The university quarter to the north-east, lots of dormitories	Living next to campus on a budget
Žvėrynas	Leafy, characterful, near the centre — can be expensive	A quiet, pretty base if your budget allows
Fabijoniškės / Pašilaičiai / Justiniškės	Outer residential districts, cheaper rents, frequent buses	Saving on rent with a manageable commute

Most international students start in a dormitory for the first year, then move into a shared flat once they know the city. See how to apply for a dormitory and where students live in Vilnius for more.

Getting around

Vilnius runs on buses and trolleybuses — there is no metro and no tram. The network is run via the city transport system, with timetables and route planning on stops.lt / judu.lt and in the journey-planning apps.

How tickets work:

Buy a reloadable Vilniečio kortelė (city card) for a small fee from kiosks, supermarkets, post offices and service points, then load tickets onto it. You can also pay via the official mobile ticket app.
Validate every time you board — tap the card on the reader as you get on.
Options range from short single-trip tickets to 1-day, 3-day and 5-day passes and longer-term tickets, which are better value if you travel a lot.

Students: get the discount card

Fares and student discounts change, and the cheapest option depends on how often you travel. Don't rely on a price you read online — check current fares and the student discount on the official Vilnius transport site, and make sure your student status is registered so you qualify.

Because the city is compact, plenty of students walk or cycle for everyday trips, and ride-hailing apps (Bolt and similar) are cheap and everywhere for late nights. For the detail see how to buy a bus ticket in Vilnius, the student transport card, cycling and bike rental, and Bolt vs public transport.

The universities based here

Vilnius has more universities than anywhere else in Lithuania. The main ones for international students:

Vilnius University (VU) — founded in 1579, the oldest and largest university in the country, with students from 90+ countries and a wide range of English-taught programmes. Its faculties are spread across the city, with the historic central campus in the Old Town and science faculties out at Saulėtekis. (VU also has faculties in Kaunas and Šiauliai.)
Vilnius Tech (Vilnius Gediminas Technical University) — the city's main technical university, strong in engineering, IT, architecture and the built environment, with its campus in the Saulėtekis quarter.
Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) — focused on social sciences, law, public administration and international relations, on a modern campus in the north of the city (Ateities g.).
ISM University of Management and Economics — a private business and economics university in the city centre, with most subjects taught in English.
European Humanities University (EHU) — a liberal-arts university in the Old Town, originally founded in Minsk and relocated to Vilnius.
Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) — based mainly in Kaunas, but its Education Academy (teacher training and education) is located in Vilnius.

Always check the programme, not just the university

Not every programme at these universities is taught in English, and tuition fees and application deadlines change with every intake. Confirm the language of instruction, the current fee and the deadline on the specific programme's official admissions page before you apply or plan a budget.

If you're choosing where to apply, see our cost comparison in Vilnius vs Kaunas and is studying in Lithuania worth it.

Culture, nightlife and the vibe

As the capital, Vilnius has the densest cultural scene in Lithuania — most of it within walking distance of the centre:

Old Town and Užupis are the heart of it: independent cafés, wine and cocktail bars, courtyards, galleries and street art. Užupis, the bohemian "republic" across the river, has its own playful constitution and a strong artistic streak.
Nightlife clusters around the Old Town and Naujamiestis — bars, live-music venues and clubs, busiest from Thursday to Saturday.
Theatre, concerts and festivals run year-round, from classical and jazz to street-food markets and the huge Midsummer (Joninės) and city-festival celebrations.
Green space is everywhere — riverside paths, parks, and Vingis Park for runs, picnics and open-air events.

The international and Erasmus scene is the largest in the country, so it's easy to find societies, language tandems and events. For ideas see things to do in Vilnius on a weekend and making friends as an international student.

A capital that still feels human-sized

Vilnius gives you a full capital-city experience — universities, jobs, culture, an airport with good connections — without the scale or stress of a megacity. For most international students it's the easiest place in Lithuania to land and build a life.