News
2026-09-04
Discovering Hidden Gems by Train: Ieva’s Favorite Routes
In her search for beautiful scenery and new discoveries in Lithuania, content creator and photographer Ieva often chooses to travel by train. While traveling on routes operated by “LTG Link,” the passenger transport company of the LTG Group, she has discovered destinations that captivate not only with the sights at the final stop but also with the landscapes that unfold along the way.
With more than 75,000 followers on Instagram, Ieva makes no secret of the fact that the train has long been an integral part of her travels.
“On the train, I can relax, take a walk, work, or simply watch the scenery go by through the window. Besides, this mode of transportation is the most convenient way to cover some of these routes. As a content creator, it’s important for me to be able to film and capture moments from my trips, and doing that while driving a car would be much more difficult,” says Ieva, sharing recommendations for her favorite routes.
Vilnius–Turmantas Route
“There are also many lakes near Vilnius, but they’re often quite crowded; however, if you take the train toward Pabradė, Švenčionėliai, or Ignalina, you can discover much quieter places. There’s no shortage of lakes, rivers, and hiking trails here, and you can go kayaking or mushroom picking,” says Ieva.
It seems that other travelers are also discovering this route more and more often. According to data from “LTG Link,” nearly 5,000 more passengers traveled on the Vilnius–Turmantas route this summer than during the same period last year.
Vilnius–Trakai Route
“I don’t go to Trakai as often in the summer because of the large number of tourists. But if I do go in the summer, I choose a weekday—it’s fun to go paddle boating,” says Ieva. According to her, this route is charming in every season. One of Ieva’s most memorable trips to Trakai was in the winter, when she walked across the frozen lake to reach the Užutrakis Manor.
Trakai remains one of the most popular train destinations in Lithuania. Interest in this route doesn’t wane even in the summer—this year, about 8,000 more passengers traveled on it than during the same period last year.
Vilnius–Klaipėda Route
Although many people choose this route to reach the seaside, Ieva recommends not skipping the stops along the way. Šiauliai turned out to be her greatest discovery. “After visiting this region many years later, I saw it with completely new eyes,” she says.
Kretinga also left a lasting impression, and the content creator recommends visiting the winter garden there and stopping by a cozy little Greek café. According to Ieva, it’s precisely these kinds of places that often turn out to be unexpected travel discoveries.
Vilnius–Warsaw Route
“I chose this route primarily for the experience of traveling by train itself. I wanted to see what a longer international trip is like and simply enjoy the journey,” says Ieva.
According to her, international train travel allows you to slow down and focus more on the journey itself, rather than just the final destination.
International train travel saw significantly greater interest this summer—the number of trips increased by 35 percent. The most popular route was to Warsaw, but for many travelers, this was just the first stop before continuing on to Berlin, Prague, Vienna, or other European cities.