Following the closure of Lithuania’s remaining border crossings with Belarus, direct bus routes from Lithuania to the neighbouring country have been suspended. However, some companies are now offering long detour routes, including a 46-hour bus journey to Minsk via Latvia, Estonia and Russia, costing just over €100 one way.
Despite the restrictions, there remains steady demand among passengers wishing to travel to Belarus.
After Lithuania shut its final two crossings with Belarus earlier this week to curb smuggling balloons carrying contraband cigarettes, bus travel across the border has been halted until at least December, though the closure may be extended.
The Šalčininkai crossing has been fully closed to both people and vehicles, while Medininkai remains partially open only to those covered by exceptions – such as diplomats, those holding simplified transit documents, and citizens of Lithuania or other EU and NATO countries returning home.
According to the State Border Guard Service (VSAT), the restrictions also apply to bus passengers and drivers who do not fall under the listed exemptions.
Refunds for cancelled tickets
When the border closure was announced, some carriers reportedly continued to sell tickets to Belarus-bound routes for a short period.
But Gintaras Nakutis, president of the Lithuanian Passenger Transport Association (LKVA), told LRT.lt that none of those journeys took place.
“On the first day of the closure, several buses with passengers were already waiting in line. When it became clear that the closure would be long-term, the buses turned back to Vilnius, and passengers were refunded. All advance sales have since been suspended,” Nakutis said.
46-hour journey through four countries
According to Nakutis, some operators are still exploring alternative ways to transport passengers from Vilnius to Belarus – for example, via border crossings in Poland.
Remigijus Dvareckas, head of the Lithuania–Poland region for the coach operator Ecolines, confirmed a rise in passenger traffic to Warsaw, from where travellers can continue to Minsk.
“We’re seeing a noticeable increase in passengers travelling from Lithuania towards Warsaw, and then onwards by bus to Minsk – as well as the reverse direction from Belarus via Warsaw to Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn,” he said.
Dvareckas did not specify exactly how much passenger traffic to Belarus via Warsaw had increased. Meanwhile, the State Border Guard Service (VSAT) previously told LRT.lt that up to 10,000 Lithuanians travelled to Belarus each month – roughly 300 people per day. At the same time, just over 1,000 Belarusian citizens crossed the border to and from Lithuania daily.
The Ecolines website also advertises a complex detour from Vilnius to Minsk with two transfers: from Vilnius to Riga, Riga to Pskov via Estonia, and then Pskov to Minsk.
The entire journey takes just over 46 hours, costing €106 one way.
No data to suggest travellers swapped planes for buses
Ingmar Roos, CEO of coach operator Lux Express, told LRT.lt that while there has been a small rise in passenger numbers in recent weeks, it is too early to link the trend directly to airport disruptions or border closures.
“There has been a slight increase in both ticket sales and search numbers. However, this growth is modest and, in our view, more related to seasonal travel patterns rather than the recent incidents at Lithuanian airports or any public reluctance to fly,” said Roos.
“The increase could be due to upcoming holidays, school breaks, or generally higher travel activity at the end of October and early November. It’s too soon to call it a clear trend,” he added.
According to Roos, there is slightly greater interest in routes from Vilnius to Riga and Vilnius to Warsaw, but this appears tied to seasonal changes rather than fear of flying or recent airport closures.
Border closed for a month
As reported earlier by LRT.lt, the Lithuanian government decided last week to close the Medininkai and Šalčininkai crossings for one month, though Medininkai remains partially operational under limited exceptions.
“The crossing will remain open, in both directions, for diplomats, those travelling under simplified transit procedures to and from Kaliningrad, Lithuanian citizens and their family members returning home, as well as citizens of the European Union, NATO countries, the European Economic Area and the Swiss Confederation, and those holding residence permits in Lithuania. Humanitarian crossings will also be allowed, subject to approval by the State Border Guard Service,” Interior Minister Vladislavas Kondratovičius said during the Cabinet meeting.
Additional exemptions have been approved for citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, the Holy See and Ukraine, along with their family members, as well as Belarusian nationals working as technical staff at these countries’ diplomatic missions in Belarus.
The border closures were introduced in response to waves of contraband-laden balloons launched from Belarus, which have forced temporary shutdowns of Lithuanian airports.
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