Lithuania to Iceland: Flying Vilnius to Reykjavík and Planning a Two-City Trip

Vilnius and Reykjavík sit about 2,800 kilometres apart, at opposite corners of northern Europe. For years, getting from one to the other meant a change of planes somewhere in Scandinavia or Germany.

That changed in spring 2026, when a direct route opened between the two capitals. If you live in Lithuania, or you are spending a few days in Vilnius anyway, Iceland has suddenly become a realistic add-on rather than a separate expedition.

The direct flight from Vilnius to Reykjavík

Wizz Air started flying Vilnius to Keflavík on 30 March 2026. The route runs twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, under flight number W6 1963.

Scheduled flying time is about four hours and twenty to thirty minutes. Autumn timetables have the flight leaving Vilnius in the afternoon and landing at Keflavík in the early evening, local time.

Like most budget routes, the schedule can shift between seasons. Check the airline's own site before you lock in hotel nights on either end, and do not assume the summer pattern will hold in winter.

Other ways to travel from Lithuania to Iceland

Two flights a week will not suit every plan. If your dates do not line up, one-stop connections through Nordic hubs such as Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm or Helsinki are the usual fallback, and Riga is worth checking too.

A connection adds hours, but it can also open up better times or a cheaper fare. Some travellers deliberately build in a night in a Nordic city on the way, which turns one trip into three.

Riga is a few hours from Vilnius by bus, and its airport has its own set of connections. If you go that way, leave a generous margin between the bus arrival and your flight, since a missed ground transfer will not be covered by the airline.

Getting to Vilnius Airport

Vilnius Airport sits only a few kilometres south of the centre, which makes it one of the easier airports in the region to reach. City buses link it with the centre, and a short train ride connects the airport stop with the main railway station.

If you are staying in the Old Town, a taxi or ride-hailing app is quick outside rush hour. Our guide to Vilnius public transport covers tickets and the apps you will want before the trip.

For an afternoon departure, you can usually spend the morning in the city, check out late and still have time to spare at the airport.

Time, money and paperwork

Iceland keeps the same clock all year, on UTC. Lithuania moves its clocks, so the difference is two hours in winter and three in summer. You gain those hours flying west and lose them on the way back.

Both countries are in the Schengen Area. EU citizens travelling between them normally do not pass passport control, but airlines still ask for a valid passport or national ID card, so keep one with you.

Lithuania uses the euro, while Iceland uses the Icelandic króna. Cards are accepted almost everywhere in Iceland, including small cafés and petrol stations, so most visitors never handle cash at all.

Packing for the jump north

Vilnius winters are cold and often dry. Iceland's are milder on the thermometer but wetter and much windier, and the weather can turn several times in one afternoon.

A windproof, waterproof shell matters more in Iceland than an extra heavy coat. Add a warm mid-layer, a hat that will not blow off and shoes with real grip for icy paths and wet rock.

Budget airlines charge for larger cabin bags and checked luggage, so decide what you need before booking rather than at the gate. Our seasonal guide to visiting Vilnius is a useful reference for the Lithuanian side of the packing list.

From Keflavík into Reykjavík

Keflavík International Airport is on the Reykjanes peninsula, roughly 50 kilometres from Reykjavík. Airport buses timed to arrivals take about 45 minutes to reach the city.

Many visitors pick up a rental car at the airport instead. That makes sense if you plan to explore beyond the capital, though an evening arrival in winter means driving your first kilometres in the dark.

The Blue Lagoon lies close to the airport, so some travellers visit on the way in or out. Entry has to be booked in advance, especially for popular time slots.

Planning a two-city trip

With flights on Mondays and Fridays, the natural rhythm is either a long weekend in Iceland or a full week. A Friday to Monday trip gives you three nights, which is just enough for Reykjavík and one day trip.

A Monday to Friday or Friday to Friday trip opens up much more. You can drive the south coast to the black-sand beaches near Vík, or loop around the classic sights east of the capital.

Many first-timers start with the Golden Circle: Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall. It is an easy day by car from Reykjavík. For route ideas and driving tips, read more about planning a Golden Circle Iceland self-drive at nrf.is, which covers practical Iceland travel from northern lights to hot springs.

On the Vilnius side, give yourself at least one relaxed night before or after the flight. Our guide on where to stay in Vilnius can help you pick a neighbourhood that suits an early start or a late return.

A first evening in Reykjavík

If you land in the early evening, keep the first night simple. Reykjavík is small, and the centre around Laugavegur, the old harbour and Hallgrímskirkja is easy to cover on foot.

Many restaurants serve dinner until late, and a walk along the waterfront past the Harpa concert hall is a good way to shake off the flight. Save the bigger sights for the next morning, when you have daylight and fresh legs.

When to go

Each season changes the trip completely. From late May to July, Iceland has very long days and almost no darkness, which is ideal for driving and hiking.

From September to April, the nights are long enough for northern lights, if the skies are clear and solar activity cooperates. Winter days are short, though, so plan fewer stops per day and keep a buffer for road closures.

Spring and autumn are a good compromise. Prices often soften, roads are mostly clear, and you get a bit of both daylight and dark skies.

Costs to expect

Iceland is one of the more expensive countries in Europe, and the difference from Vilnius is noticeable. Restaurant meals, alcohol and rental cars cost well above Lithuanian prices.

Supermarkets help a lot. Many travellers buy breakfast and lunch supplies in Reykjavík and save restaurants for the evening. Booking accommodation early matters too, especially outside the capital, where the choice is limited.

Flights themselves can be one of the cheaper parts of the trip if you book early and travel light. The direct route has made that part of the equation simpler than it has ever been.

A quick checklist before you book

Confirm the current flight days and times, and match your accommodation to them. Decide whether you need a car, and if so, read the insurance options carefully, since gravel and wind damage are common in Iceland.

Pack layers rather than bulk, carry your ID, and set aside a little extra in the budget. Then enjoy the contrast: baroque church towers one week, lava fields and glaciers the next.

Cover photo: Keflavík International Airport terminal by APK, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.