Ukrainian refugees can use Vilnius public transport for free

They also get free access to the city’s museums

The Lithuanian capital Vilnius continues to be one of the European cities to express the most outward support for the plight of Ukrainians fleeing their country amid the Russian invasion. The latest decision by the city authorities was to grant free access to refugees on the board of the vehicles of the capital’s public transit network. Likewise, refugees will also be able to visit the municipal museums free of charge.

Ongoing solidarity

Ukrainians will only have to present their identity document to the ticket controllers as verification - no tickets or other documents will be required.

What’s more, public transport in the capital will also be free of charge for foreigners who have resided legally in Ukraine but left the country due to the war and consequently arrived in Vilnius.

With a Ukrainian passport, one can also visit the museums owned by the municipality free of charge.

"Hundreds of war-torn Ukrainians have already reached Vilnius, over 100 Ukrainian children are already in school, and adults will soon be on their way to new jobs. Leaving your native home and settling in a new place is definitely not easy, especially in a situation like this. I am glad that Ukrainians will not have to think about transportation costs,” exclaimed Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Šimašius on the occasion.

“Vilnius together with Ukraine” - everyone who wants to help or has ideas on how to do it will find all the necessary information on a specially dedicated website. There one can also find the most relevant information for Ukrainians coming to the Lithuanian capital - concerning education, medicine, transport, and social services. The information will be constantly updated.

Meanwhile, in another sign of support for Ukraine, Vilnius has installed a road sign marking Minsk, the capital of Belarus, as occupied by the Kremlin due to the country’s involvement in Russia’s aggression.

“The distance to free Kyiv is 779 kilometres. The distance to Kremlin-occupied (temporarily) Minsk is 187 kilometres,” Mayor Remigijus Šimašius posted on Facebook on Thursday morning. “A new road sign in Vilnius. Our Belarusian neighbours, wake up.”