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Forum Question Posted By: Replies:
Kaunas
Traveling with family (3 adults and 2 young kids) from Kaunas to Klaipeda.
Posted: Thu July 21, 2011 11:59 AM UTC
Hi!

We are travelling with our family and grandmother from Kaunas to Klaipeda on monday. Could somebody please help me, what would be best way to travel? Bus or a taxi? How much would it cost to get a taxi, approximately? Are busses often crowded? We were thinking about renting a car, but my husband is a bit scared to drive there. Is the traffic bad in Kaunas and Klaipeda? Thank you in advance!

Niina
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 niina^_^ 8 replies

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Kaunas
Re: Traveling with family (3 adults and 2 young kids) from Kaunas to Klaipeda.
Posted: Thu July 21, 2011 12:10 PM UTC
Hi
We drove around Lithuania and Latvia when our daughter was 2, and it was an absolute pleasure! The roads were excellent (courtesy of EU funding, I understand) and the traffic was pretty light outside of the big towns - and although Kaunas and Klaipeda have city status, they are really only medium sized towns compared to cities elsewhere in Europe. Just be aware that parking in city centres - particularly Kaunas - can be a bit of a mission, but if you're staying there, then I am sure that your hotel can give you guidance on how to achieve this
Obviously they drive on the right hand side of the road, so you would have to take this into account if you come from the UK, Ireland (or some Commonwealth countries such as Australia, New Zealand or South Africa). If this idea appeals, then just be sure to check whether there's any charge for dropping off the car in a different city to where you hired it (we used Sixt at the time, who were excellent and didn't charge for this).
I am sure that it is quite possible to do this on public transport, but with little ones and older ones in tow, a car is probably less hassle than a train or bus.
My gut feel is that a taxi is going to break the bank, but I could be wrong.
Regards
Cathy

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Kaunas
Re: Traveling with family (3 adults and 2 young kids) from Kaunas to Klaipeda.
Posted: Thu July 21, 2011 01:39 PM UTC
Taxi is too expensive. City tarif is roughly EUR/km, you want to go around 320 km, but the driver probably will want to pay the trip both ways - I guess it would make around 600 EUR or more.

Buses are not very crowded, but it depends on the day of the week and time. Be aware, that some have numerous stops and some are "express"- wthout stops on route. Check schedules and prices here: http://www.autobusubilietai.lt/
I think it is the best option.

Driving is unpleasant in the cities as you do not know the streets. To get out of Kaunas will be easier, but in Klaipeda without GPS could be tricky as the signs of directions/streets are not always good. Highway Kaunas-Klaipeda is very easy and good.

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Kaunas
Re: Traveling with family (3 adults and 2 young kids) from Kaunas to Klaipeda.
Posted: Thu July 21, 2011 01:57 PM UTC
Your best option is to take a bus and they usually are not crowded. I never pre-booked ticket and just bought ticket at Bus Station window about 1/2 hour before departing. From Kaunas to Klaipeda takes about 2 3/4 - 3 hours. Taxi is out of the question as it would be very expensive. Driving is not as bad as London, but Klaipeda is quite busy and roads are not marked that well. Unless you study city map before hand and memorize streets, you could get lost quickly. I traveled that route several times by Bus and was very happy with results. And bus service in Klaipeda is also very good. Just do not forget to activate your bus ticket when you get on Bus. If bus is stopped and inspected and your ticket is not activated, they can fine you on the spot.

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Kaunas
Re: Traveling with family (3 adults and 2 young kids) from Kaunas to Klaipeda.
Posted: Thu July 21, 2011 02:04 PM UTC
Good tips!
I think that the bus is probably a good option if the following conditions are fulfilled:
1. Grandmother is nimble enough to handle the bus journey
2. You're not trying to handle a lot of baggage as welll as two squirming children - 3 adults to 2 children is a manageable ratio!
If this isn't the case and you decide to hire a car, then the simple answer is to hire a GPS at the same time, as I agree that the street signage in Klaipeda leaves a good deal to be desired! Fortunately, GPSs - unlike people that you might stop and ask for directions on the street - can be relied on to speak good English!
Regards
Cathy

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Kaunas
Re: Traveling with family (3 adults and 2 young kids) from Kaunas to Klaipeda.
Posted: Thu July 21, 2011 05:11 PM UTC
Thank you all for great tips. Maybe we just forget the taxi idea and try to find a car to hire or take a buss.

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Kaunas
Re: Traveling with family (3 adults and 2 young kids) from Kaunas to Klaipeda.
Posted: Thu July 21, 2011 06:08 PM UTC
Obviously they drive on the right hand side of the road, so you would have to take this into account if you come from the UK, Ireland (or some Commonwealth countries such as Australia, New Zealand or South Africa).
---

i think the poster is finnish, so driving on the right hand side should not be a problem.
from what weve seen in latvia (and i would presume its similar in lithuania) and what ive heard from people here in finland often taking the route through estonia, latvia, lithuania, poland, driving shouldnt be a problem in regards to traffic, etc.

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Kaunas
Re: Traveling with family (3 adults and 2 young kids) from Kaunas to Klaipeda.
Posted: Thu July 21, 2011 07:35 PM UTC
Traffic is not a problem outside of 3 cities. But inside Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipeda traffic can be quite bad. I was given a ride by a Lady Teacher to a school I was going to to give a short program in Klaipeda. There was a traffic backup and she took to the back streets. I noticed we were going 90 KPH down a narrow cobblestone street and it bothered me. I asked her if she drove like this all the time. She looked at me and smiled. I guess that was my answer. They do tend to drive fast in tight conditions. Reminded me of London.

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Kaunas
Re: Traveling with family (3 adults and 2 young kids) from Kaunas to Klaipeda.
Posted: Mon July 25, 2011 12:56 PM UTC
http://www.airport-express.lt/index.php?lang=en&back=1

There is a airport buss - express directly from Kaunas to Klaipeda. Please, check the link and buy tickets on-line to be sure you have a place.
Taxi is the worst choise. Driving is nothing, because you will get from Kaunas Airport to highway without entering Kaunas. You will drive then 210 kilometers straight all the time, spead limit is 130 in summer time. There are many cafes on the road, so if you need to stop, you will find the place.
Trafic is different from Scandinavian, maybe more sporty style speeding from the start, etc.. but you can be sure it is nice to drive here, not much trafic at all. Once my friends from Holland stoped in the highway to take photo of only their car in all the road :-) I can't say that it is always so empty. EU money worked well on some roads, but even during Soviet time Lithuanian roads were famous of beeing good.

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