August 2025. We’re travelling to the Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and more specifically their respective capitals Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. Are they interconnected by rail? Yes, but not in the most straightforward or userfriendly way possible. The Rail Baltica project should remedy this. Unsurprisingly though, this megaproject faces political and budgetary hurdles. It will most likely not be ready by 2030. But that doesn’t stop us. What to expect from the Baltics? Is it affected by overtourism?
I have a low-key ‘obsession’ with Rail Baltica, the megaproject aspiring to link Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius to Warsaw in Poland and thus ‘core Europe‘. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania use the the Russian broad gauge (1,524 mm, later 1520 mm), inherited from Tsarist Russia and the Soviet Union. Finland also uses the Russian broad gauge.
‘Core Europe’ uses standard gauge, 1,435 mm, championed by pioneer George Stephenson. There are many narrow-gauge railways as well, often 1,000 mm. There’s also the Iberian gauge of 1,668 mm used in Iberia: Spain and Portugal.
High speed trains, 250 kph and more, use standard gauge. Rail Baltica will use standard gauge and electric multiple units (EMUs) consisting of eight coaches. Which constructor or model is not decided yet. Alstom and Talgo are being named.
But that’s the future.
Tallinn – Valga / Valka – Riga – Vilnius in 2025
In December 2023, Lithuanian Railways (LTG Link) introduced a daily Vilnius–Riga service which proved immediately popular, to the extent that even the operator was surprised by the level of demand. The train is smoother and faster than the bus, and many passengers prefer the comfort on board – not least the LTG Link bean-to-cup coffee, which is a marked improvement on the instant coffee often offered by bus companies.
On 6 January 2025, rail travel in the Baltic States advanced further when the national railways of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia co-ordinated their timetables to create a through daily service from Vilnius to Tallinn, with one simple cross-platform change at border town Valga (Estonia) aka Valka (Latvia).
Tickets for the entire journey can be purchased directly via the LTG Link website. Although the Riga–Tallinn section remains slower by train than by bus, it offers a more relaxed and enjoyable experience, with better opportunities to see Latvian and Estonian life along the way.
The new service has been running for more than seven months and has exceeded expectations, frequently selling out several days in advance. In response to this popularity, an additional Tallinn–Riga train was added in February 2025, running on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. This extra service operates in one direction only and can be booked exclusively via the Estonian Railways (Elron) website at elron.ee.
The distances are not insignificant: Tallinn–Vilnius is 789 km (490 miles), Tallinn–Riga 441 km (274 miles), and Riga–Vilnius 348 km (216 miles).
By August 2025, the service runs daily in both directions and has established itself as a reliable link across the three Baltic States. Timetables can change due to engineering work, so it is always worth checking times before travelling.
For Tallinn–Valga consult elron.ee, for Valga–Riga see vivi.lv, and for Riga–Vilnius use ltglink.lt. In Estonian, Riga is shown as Rija. At Valga the transfer is seamless, with a simple cross-platform change.
Tallinn to Valga with Elron
The first leg is from Tallinn to Valga on an Elron train. These are modern, air-conditioned, very orange Stadler FLIRT diesel units with comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, power sockets and on-board information screens. Second class is unreserved, while first class offers wider seats and more space, though assigned places are rarely observed in practice. Tickets for this section, particularly first class, must be booked separately through the Elron website.
The train departs from Baltic Station (Balti jaam). Yes, the station is not called Tallinn Station (Tallinna jaam) or anything like that. There is a market, Balti Jaam Market or Balti Jaama Turg with some food options. In the station itself there’s a R-Kiosk.
Danny has become allergic to lettuce, which is shit. Because many pr-prepared food contains lettuce. Certainly sandwiches, wraps and baguettes.
The journey south is straightforward, with the train calling at Tartu, Estonia’s university city. If time allows, Tartu makes an excellent stopover. Its charming old town, riverside walks, academic atmosphere and distinctive wooden railway station have earned it the nickname of Estonia’s Oxford or Cambridge.
We didn’t.
At Valga, on Estonia’s border with Latvia, passengers step off the Elron train and cross the platform to join the waiting Lithuanian Railways service.
Valga to Riga with LTG Link (Vivi sector)
The Valga–Riga leg is operated by LTG Link but under contract to Latvian Railways, known as Vivi. The name Vivi comes from the Latvian phrase “Vienā vilcienā”, meaning “on the train”.
Pink soup
On this section the train is officially designated second class only. We sat in the pink section, wrapped for the Vilnius Pink Soup Fest of 31 May 2025.
Šaltibarščiai, commonly called pink soup, is a traditional Lithuanian cold soup made from kefir (fermented milk) and pickled beetroot, which gives it its characteristic bright pink colour. It is typically prepared with chopped cucumbers, dill, and served with a hard-boiled egg. Boiled or baked potatoes are usually eaten alongside it.
The dish is especially popular in summer, when it is valued as a refreshing meal during hot weather. It is considered part of Lithuania’s core culinary tradition, together with dishes such as potato dumplings (cepelinai), potato pie (kugelis), and potato pancakes (bulviniai blynai).
Although the main ingredients are standard, recipes vary by household or region, with differences in proportions or optional additions. In recent years, šaltibarščiai has also inspired unconventional versions such as desserts and novelty dishes.
The soup is widely recognised beyond Lithuania as well. In 2025, the food guide TasteAtlas ranked it among the world’s top three cold soups. Since 2022, Vilnius has hosted an annual event called Pink Soup Fest, dedicated to celebrating the dish in different forms.
The journey continues
The journey south into Latvia provides a window onto rural life, with farmland, forests and small towns passing by. Travellers may notice storks’ nests on telegraph poles and the distinctive change in architecture as the train nears Riga.
Approaching the city, the train crosses the broad River Daugava, with a first glimpse of Riga’s skyline to the right. From the bridge, the spire of St. Peter’s Church is particularly striking, and climbing its tower is a classic way to gain an overview of the Latvian capital. The train then draws into Riga Central Station, conveniently located for the old town.
Riga to Vilnius with LTG Link
South of Riga, the train continues towards Lithuania, this time operated directly by LTG Link with its modern Pesa 730 diesel units. These trains are fully air-conditioned and fitted with Wi-Fi, power sockets, toilets, large luggage racks, wheelchair space and an accessible toilet.
Catering is a highlight: hot and cold drinks, including bean-to-cup coffee, along with sandwiches and snacks, are brought to your seat by the train staff.
First-class passengers between Riga and Vilnius enjoy complimentary water, coffee and a chocolate brownie, with reserved seating included. In second class, seats are unassigned but capped in number, so advance booking is essential as trains often sell out.
The route south gives a broad impression of the Baltic countryside, with forests and fields dominating the landscape. On the final approach into Vilnius, the city opens up gradually, before the train pulls into Vilnius station, a few minutes’ walk from the historic old town.
Voyage, voyage
The journey is long, but if you like trains, you won’t mind. Both the FLIRT and the Pesa 730 are comfortable. Where possible, we travelled first class, because that’s how we roll. WiFi on board is soimetimes good, sometimes sketchy. WiFi on boards draws network from outside and being in a fast-ish moving train in the countryside… well, sometimes there’s not much network to ‘catch’.
We like long train journeys. So we enjoyed this very much.
Baltic States 2025
- REVIEW | The Loft by Brussels Airlines and Lexus business lounge at Brussels Airport A-Gates.
- REVIEW | Brussels Airlines Business Class Brussels to Munich.
- REVIEW | Lufthansa Business Lounge Schengen and Lufthansa Senator Business Lounge Satellite Schengen at Munich Airport Terminal 2.
- REVIEW | Air Baltic Business Class Munich to Tallinn.
- REVIEW | Swissotel Tallinn.
- TALLINN | Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour Estonian Maritime Museum.
- TALLINN | Estonian History Museum at the Great Guild Hall.
- TALLINN | LGBT tour at Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom.
- RAIL BALTICA | Baltic operators launch joint tender for regional trains.
- ESTONIA | How to spend a day in Tallinn.
- REVIEW | Pullman Riga Old Town.
- LATVIA | Riga Castle.
- LATVIA | Jugendstil in Riga ft Riga Art Nouveau Centre and Janis Rozentāls and Rūdolfs Blaumanis Museum.
- RIGA | National Library of Latvia and the Latvian Railway History Museum.
- RIGA | Baltā Kaza – Riga Ghetto – Latvian Academy of Sciences.
- REVIEW | 3 Pavāru Restorāns / 3 Chefs Restaurant in Riga.
- RIGA | Museum of the Barricades of 1991 and Museum of the Occupation of Latvia.
- LATVIA | Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation.
- LATVIA | 1.5 days in Riga.
More on cross-border trains
- SPAIN | Renfe suspends Paris high-speed project amid certification deadlock.
- Finland and Sweden to be linked by rail this summer.
- European Parliament rubberstamps new regulation to upgrade cross-border railway capacity coordination.
- GoVolta launches daily Amsterdam to Paris day train via Antwerp and Ghent, with tickets from €19.
- EUROPEAN SLEEPER | Brussels to Milan night train now via Antwerp, Breda and Eindhoven instead of Liège and Aachen.
- ÖBB NIGHTJET | New generation carriages to debut on Amsterdam–Zurich route in December 2026.
- 8.7 billion rail trips in Europe in 2024 as Switzerland leads and Belgium’s data remain unavailable.
- PASSENGER PACKAGE | Why the European Union’s new rail passenger package is proving so controversial.
- Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies unhappy with European Commission’s Passenger Package.
- NS will not run EuroCity trains to and from Eindhoven to Brussels.
- Deutsche Bahn, DSB and Vy present direct Berlin to Oslo route, from summer 2028.
- European Rail Passengers Union: EU must act now to make cross-border rail travel seamless, fair, and green: passengers demand guaranteed rights and simpler ticketing.
- NETHERLANDS | The Hague aims to become Europe’s gateway with direct links to Brussels, Berlin, and Paris.
- European Sleeper sets out vision for 40-route night train network across Europe, including London.
- RAIL BALTICA | Elron, Vivi, and LTG Link launch joint tender for regional trains.
- Trenitalia / FS Group advances Paris hub to power European high-speed expansion, looking at Belgium and the Netherlands in the long term.
- Train Charter Services replaces Keolis as operator for GoVolta trains.
- European Sleeper adds Aulnoye-Aymeries, Mons, and Liège-Guillemins to Paris-Brussels-Berlin night train service.
- DEUTSCHE BAHN | First ICE service to the Belgian North Sea coast, at Ostend, this summer.
- Brussels Airlines and Deutsche Bahn team up for Antwerp – Brussels Airport – Liège – Cologne ICE codeshare.
- Trenitalia unveils €2 billion investment plan and orders 74 new Frecciarossa high-speed trains.
- Belgium and the Netherlands work on Brussels to Eindhoven direct train, possibly via Antwerp.
- Belgian Mobility Minister wants to revive direct train service to Switzerland.
- NETHERLANDS | Arriva will not launch the Groningen to Paris service in 2026.
- Snälltåget to run Stockholm – Malmö – Copenhagen – Hamburg day trains from May 2026.
- Nox night trains: a smart new cabin concept or just an unachievable dream?.
- How firm are Eurostar and Deutsche Bahn’s “2030s” Germany to London train link plans?.
- Leo Express files plans for extraordinary 2026 Bratislava–Ostend and Venice–Northern Germany services.
- Rail should be functional, not fine art: EU leaders call for standardisation and lower costs.
- Subsidies for night trains? “You cannot fix this until someone builds more sleeper and couchette carriages”.
- Leo Express and Arenaways plan direct train between Prague and Venice.
- Italo targets the German high-speed rail market.
- Trenitalia eyes expansion into Germany’s high-speed trains market.
- European Commission wants to link all EU capitals by high-speed train by 2040… and that’s not going to happen.
- Travellers in Europe increasingly open to choosing trains over planes for short-haul journeys.
- REVIEW | European Sleeper night train.
- Paris Nightjet axed: France’s withdrawal threatens Europe’s night train revival.
- Iron Rhine gets renewed political attention in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
- ÖBB prioritises Railjet over Nightjet: Is the night train revival a False Dawn?.
- EUROPEAN SLEEPER | Brussels to Barcelona night train to stop in Avignon, Montpellier, Narbonne, and Girona.
- Trenitalia, Deutsche Bahn and ÖBB launch Frecciarossa EuroCity trains linking Berlin, Munich, Milan, Rome and Naples.
- EU train travel report sees increase in cross-border passenger trains and easier bookings.
- Brussels to Luxembourg by train under 2 hours by 2030?.
- Eurostar and five more train operators joined the European Agreement on Journey Continuation.
- ÖBB’s new Nightjet sleeper cars accommodate solo travellers with Mini Cabins.
- EUROCITY EC-8 | Basel to Cologne in SBB’s Panoramic Car.
- REVIEW | Trenitalia Frecciarossa 1000 Paris – Milan in Business Executive.
- RAIL TOUR OF EUROPE | How easy is touring Europe by train?.
- Eight train connections between the Netherlands and Belgium by 2030?.
- REVIEW | ÖBB Nightjet Amsterdam – Zurich night train.
- Nightjet Vienna/Innsbruck to Brussels, or how we got thrown off the train in Aachen.
- Why the expensive ÖBB Nightjet is really not that expensive.
- Ticket Distribution: the failure of railways to sell themselves.
- To use night trains in Portugal and Spain or not?.
- Night trains in Europe.
- Low-cost, long-haul trains to conquer Europe?.
- Fly now before it’s taxed and consider using the train instead.
Channel Tunnel updates
- Switzerland – United Kingdom direct train moves closer as SBB-CFF-FFS, SNCF Voyageurs and Eurostar sign memorandum of understanding.
- A London-bound Eurostar terminal at Antwerp-Central? Highly unlikely!.
- Trenitalia (FS Group) and Certares agree strategic partnership to expand international high-speed rail operations.
- #CROSSCHANNELRAIL | Expanding UK-Europe train links most realistically leading to Switzerland.
- CHANNEL TUNNEL | Virgin Trains gains access to Temple Mills, ORR snubs links to Germany and Switzerland.
- Eurostar unveils €2 billion Alstom ‘Celestia’ fleet of double-decker sustainable trains.
- Gemini Trains partners with Uber for Stratford to France Channel Tunnel route.
- Eurostar and St. Pancras Highspeed back major station expansion to double capacity amid growing international demand.
- EUROSTAR | London – Frankfurt, London – Geneva and Amsterdam – Antwerp – Brussels – Geneva from 2030?.
- Alstom wants its double-decker trains to ride through Channel Tunnel.
- London St. Pancras Highspeed pledges financial support for cross-Channel rail services.
- London St Pancras Highspeed and Getlink aspire to to triple train services to France, Belgium and the Netherlands and add services to Germany and Switzerland.
- Heuro wants to operate high speeds trains between Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, Paris and London from 2028.
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Italian private high-speed rail operator Italo is planning further international expansion after Germany, with Belgium and the Netherlands emerging as potential next markets from 2030–31.…
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Arriva’s plans to launch direct international train services from Amersfoort and The Hague to Paris can go ahead after Dutch regulator the Authority for Consumers…
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Dutch rail newcomer GoVolta has received regulatory approval to carry passengers between Dutch stations as part of its international train services, potentially giving travellers more…
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German start-up Nox Mobility will launch its first night train between Hamburg in Germany and Munich in Bavaria on 23 March 2027, initially operating three…
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