Riga to Vilnius transportation
 

We will be booking tickets for the bus from Riga to Vilnius for a trip at the end of April. From what I surmise, our only choices are at The Lux Express website http://www.luxexpress.eu/en -- either a “Lux Express” or “Lux Express Lounge.” The Lounge is almost double in price for an undefined amount of extra leg room and free hot beverages.

Does anyone have experience with these? I notice that the two “Lounge” choices have identical departure/arrival times as two of the non-Lounge choices – could they be different classes on the exact same bus?

Also, do I need to book in advance?

Thanks for any assistance!

I've been researching a trip to the Baltics. Looks like you also have the choice of Ecolines:

https://ecolines.net/en/

Not sure which bus company is better or if it really makes any difference.

We used eurolines.com from Tallinn to Riga and then on to Vilnius.

Found It comfortable. We bought our tickets a day ahead in case the bus was full.

Thanks, Andrew and Iris, for the other options. Doesn't appear to be much difference between the 3 -- slight price and schedule differences.

I'm also going to the Baltics next summer (July 2016) and will want to go from Tallin to Riga and then to Vilnius.

Iris, what time of year were you there? I'm hoping you don't need to get tickets ahead of time, but maybe in July you do.

I did this 3 years ago. Lux Express, don't know about Eurolines. There seem to be posh and non-posh buses. Although I booked the first-class bus, it was on old boneshaker and I got a refund! After that I didn't book ahead. I travelled in May and the buses were half full or less. On time, reliable, would certainly do it again. See my TR Gertie in Eastern Europe.

isabel; I think we were there in August. Our bus was full on both legs.

We wanted an early bus and I just wanted to make sure we got on the early bus, so booked a DAY AHEAD.

Not sure about posh, but we were comfortable and had toilet facilities if needed.

Eurolines.com is in many European countries.

ttt

I mentioned Ecolines above before I had even used them, but I did wind up taking them from Riga to Tallin and they were fine. The main rival seems to be Lux Express. I took Lux for another trip within Estonia - also nice. I would choose whichever bus is the most convenient and has the best price. You can save money on the buses by booking in advance. I waited until the last minute, and by then Ecolines was a few Euros cheaper than Lux Express - the only reason I chose them.

We ended up with Lux last year -- booked in advance online -- and it was fine.

I would be using Ecolines. It's same as LuxExpress, but more cheaper :)