Landing at Vilnius (VNO) is quick; getting on the road should be the same. This guide explains renting car in vilnius airport from start to finish—what documents you need, how deposits and insurance usually work, where pick-up/return happens, and how to keep your costs predictable. It reflects current, Lithuania-specific practices so you can choose confidently and drive away in minutes.
Why renting car in vilnius airport makes sense
Public transport is decent and taxis are easy to find, but a rental car gives you three advantages that are hard to beat:
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Speed: VNO sits by main routes (A3/A1), so you reach the centre in ~15–20 minutes and other cities without transfers.
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Flexibility: build your own itinerary—Trakai, Kaunas, the Baltic coast, Aukštaitija lakes—on your schedule.
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Value for explorers: with unlimited mileage inside Lithuania (common at VNO), you pay your daily rate plus fuel, no matter how many detours you take.
If you plan day trips, travel with family, or carry gear, renting car in vilnius airport usually beats rideshares and intercity buses on both time and comfort.
Documents and driver requirements – keep it simple
What you will typically be asked for:
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Driving licence: Latin alphabet licences are accepted; if not, bring an International Driving Permit alongside your original licence.
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Passport or national ID: photo identification for the contract.
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Driver experience: a minimum of 2 years is standard.
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Lead driver name = payment name: make sure your card or payer details match the contract holder.
Add-ons: a second driver is often included at no extra charge; a third driver can cost a small daily fee (for example, €5/day). Always list everyone who will drive—insurance applies to named drivers only.
Booking and payment: advances, deposits and methods
Aim for clarity before you fly:
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Reservation advance: expect a modest prepayment (around €50) to confirm your booking; it is applied to the rental price later. If you cancel late or do not show up, that advance is not refunded.
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Security deposit: taken at pickup and released at the end if there is no new damage:
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€400 for newer cars,
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€150 for older models. Choosing full insurance with €0 deductible often removes the deposit entirely.
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How to pay: card, bank transfer, or cash at pickup can be available—confirm your preferred method in advance.
Practical tip: if you prefer not to tie up funds, select full cover with zero excess and confirm that the no-deposit option applies to your vehicle class.
Insurance and liability for renting car in vilnius airport
Here is how coverage typically breaks down, in plain English:
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Mandatory third-party liability and comprehensive (CASCO) are included.
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Standard deductible: around €800—your maximum liability if the car is damaged while you are responsible.
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Full-cover upgrade: for a daily fee, you may reduce liability to €0 (and, as noted, often skip the deposit). -
Reporting rule: any accident, scrape or incident should be reported within 24 hours; late reporting can void coverage.
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Exclusions (know them): off-road use, racing, and driver training are generally not covered; lost keys/documents usually incur a fixed charge (e.g., €200).
Decision shortcut:
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Choose standard cover if you are comfortable with an excess and prefer a lower daily rate.
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Choose full cover if you want €0 liability, no deposit, and the simplest handover at the counter.
Mileage, routes and cross-border rules when renting car in vilnius airport
One of the best parts of renting in Vilnius: no mileage limit within Lithuania with many local providers. For trips abroad, the rules shift slightly:
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Inside Lithuania: unlimited kilometres—drive freely.
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Cross-border trips: daily caps are common—300 km/day (cars) and 500 km/day (vans), calculated over the whole rental (e.g., 10 days = 3,000 km allowance). Extra kilometres are billed at a small, transparent per-km rate that may vary by car age.
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Eligible vehicles: international travel is usually allowed only in cars still under manufacturer warranty; older models may have extra conditions. Always list the countries you will visit on your agreement.
Fuel policy is simple and traveller-friendly: full-to-full. You receive a full tank; you return full. If you bring the car back with less, the shortfall is charged at the rate specified in your contract.
Pick-up, return and after-hours – how renting car in vilnius airport works on the day
Where to go: VNO concentrates rental operations at the Car Rental Centre in the multi-storey car park P4. Follow the airport signs from Arrivals; vehicles are collected and returned in the same complex. Open hours depend on the company; after-hours pickup/return is usually available by prior agreement.
Running late? Standard policies at VNO are straightforward:
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Delay over 1 hour (without prior notice): expect about €10 per hour.
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Delay over 3 hours: typically counts as an extra rental day.
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After-hours service: available by arrangement and may include a small fee. (Confirm by message or email so both sides have it in writing.)
Handy routine at pickup: check fuel level, tyre condition and existing marks, and take a quick set of photos (four corners + interior + fuel gauge). Do the same when returning the car.
Smart itineraries from VNO (all doable in a day)
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Trakai & Vilnius loop (0.5–1 day): collect the car, drive to Trakai Island Castle, circle back to Vilnius Old Town and Užupis.
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Aukštaitija lakes (full day): scenic roads north-east of Vilnius; picnics and wooden church spires along the way.
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Kaunas & Pažaislis (full day): straight shot on the A1; stop at Pažaislis Monastery and Kaunas Old Town.
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Baltic coast weekend: VNO → A1 west to Klaipėda; ferry to the Curonian Spit for dunes and wooden villas (budget for ferry and ecological entry fees).
Safety and road etiquette in Lithuania
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Lights on, always: daytime running lights are mandatory.
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Follow posted limits: Lithuania changes motorway/expressway limits seasonally—drive to conditions.
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Winter ready: rentals are fitted with seasonal tyres; in winter, accelerate and brake gently and keep greater distance.
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Breakdown basics: put on a reflective vest, place the warning triangle, call the 24/7 roadside assistance number on your agreement (coverage applies across Europe).
FAQ about renting car in vilnius airport
1) Can I avoid paying a deposit? Yes—if you choose full insurance with €0 deductible, many providers do not take a deposit. Otherwise, expect €150 (older cars) or €400 (newer cars) held at pickup.
2) Is mileage truly unlimited? Within Lithuania—yes with many firms. For international trips, expect daily caps (300 km cars / 500 km vans) with a small per-km fee above the allowance.
3) Which payment methods work? Card, bank transfer, and cash on pickup are commonly accepted—confirm your preference when you book.
4) What happens if I lose the key or documents? A fixed fee (often €200) applies; contact assistance immediately so a replacement can be arranged.
5) Where exactly is pickup/return at the airport? Follow signs to the Car Rental Centre in car park P4; collect and return in the same complex. After-hours service is by prior arrangement.
6) How are late returns charged? After roughly 1 hour late without notice, ~€10/hour is typical; 3+ hours late usually counts as another rental day.
Final checklist for renting car in vilnius airport
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Before you fly: book early; choose insurance level (deposit vs no deposit); add extras (child seat, second/third driver).
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At pickup: bring licence + ID; confirm fuel level, mileage rules, countries, return time/place; photograph the car and gauges.
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On the road: keep the contract and assistance number handy; refuel before returning.
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At return: arrive on time, take final photos, hand over keys as instructed, and request the final confirmation by email or SMS.