Kaunas International Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Kaunas airport is in Karmėlava, 15 km northeast of the centre: local bus 29 links the two round the clock, every 30 minutes, taking about 30 minutes for 1 euro; a taxi covers the same distance in 20 minutes for about 20 euros. There's no real hotel cluster around the terminal, so even for a one-night layover it's almost always worth heading into the city, where both the chain hotels and the restaurants are concentrated. Those after the old town can aim for the Old Town at the river confluence, while those who prefer nightlife and shops choose Laisvės alėja, the long pedestrian avenue a few minutes from the station.

Old Town and the Santaka

City centre · Bus 29 from the airport to the centre in about 30 minutes, then 10-15 minutes on foot to the Old Town; a direct taxi takes 20-25 minutes.

Best for: Travellers who want the castle, the cathedral and the medieval streets of the Old Town within walking distance.

Pros

Kaunas Castle, the cathedral and the town hall reachable in a 15-minute walk
The city's most distinctive quarter, at the confluence of the Nemunas and the Neris

Cons

Fewer chain hotels than around Laisvės alėja: the choice is more limited
Bus 29 doesn't stop right in the Old Town, so a short walk is needed

Recommended hotels in this area

BEST WESTERN Santakos Hotel: Less than 100 metres from the Old Town, a 15-minute walk from the castle, the cathedral and the town hall; in-house art gallery and free sauna.

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Laisvės alėja and the station

Neighbourhood · The same bus 29 from the airport, with a stop closer to this area than to the Old Town, about 25-30 minutes; taxi 20 minutes.

Best for: Travellers who want the pedestrian avenue with its bars and shops close at hand, or who value being near the station for getting around by train too.

Pros

Laisvės alėja, Europe's longest pedestrian avenue, with restaurants and shops open until late
The Ibis Kaunas Centre is right by the railway and bus station, handy for combining several modes of transport

Cons

A busier and less polished area than the Old Town on some side streets
On weekends the venues along the avenue stay noisy until late

Recommended hotels in this area

Radisson Hotel Kaunas: 185 metres from Laisvės alėja: Two Senses restaurant with contemporary Lithuanian cuisine, free sauna and gym.
Moxy Kaunas Center: 160 metres from Laisvės alėja, compact rooms and a round-the-clock bar with local dishes; 200 metres from the Kaunas State Theatre.
Ibis Kaunas Centre: A one-minute walk from the railway and bus station, with quick access to the main road to the airport; the Old Town is within walking distance.

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