Is Vilnius safe?
Safe with normal care. Pickpockets in tourist spots and a few rough streets near the station are the main worries.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2026-04-27.
- Homicide rate in Lithuania: 2.6 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Lithuania: 8.1 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Vilnius at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpocketing in the Old Town and on buses, bag theft from café tables, and some drunken fights on weekend nights. |
| At night | Central areas are fine at night. Buses run until about midnight; Bolt is cheap afterwards. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women; harassment is rare. Normal drink care in clubs. |
| Other risks | Icy pavements Dec–Mar |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Street taxis charging far above meter rates; use Bolt
- Bar-hosts inviting you to clubs with huge bills
- ATM skimmers: use machines inside banks
Take care
- Old Town clubs and bars late at night: spiked drinks and padded bills
- Around the bus and train stations after dark: pickpockets and drunks
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Shops sell alcohol only 10:00–20:00 (Sundays 10:00–15:00), and only to people aged 20+.
- Drinking alcohol in public places is banned.
- Headlights must be on at all times when driving.
How Vilnius compares in Lithuania
Quick answers
Is Vilnius safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women; harassment is rare. Normal drink care in clubs.
Is Vilnius safe at night?
Central areas are fine at night. Buses run until about midnight; Bolt is cheap afterwards.
What is the crime rate in Vilnius?
Pickpocketing in the Old Town and on buses, bag theft from café tables, and some drunken fights on weekend nights. Nationally, Lithuania records 2.6 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Vilnius?
Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112.
More about Vilnius
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Go Vilnius
- Vilnius Public Transport
- Vilnius Airport
- Santaros Klinikos
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.