Taxis, Vilnius

Let's face it, taxi-drivers in Vilnius drive atrociously. Their cars are not always in the best of conditions, but never the less the drivers managed to make me feel quite safe and they know their way around. Even if they don't wear the seatbelt, it's required by law in Lithuania.

There are different rates for the fairs (1.40 - 3 litas/km) One if you hail a taxi in the street and another, if you call for one. It's way cheaper to call for a taxi - almost half the price. Make sure though to check the taximeter. Only once it was preset for the right rate. No hassle though, just point at it, and they change it to the proper rate. In all fairness we only drove with Martono Taksi, as it was the preferred taxi-company of the hotel where we stayed.

The first time you'll need a taxi is probably on arrival. If you bring your mobile and it operates abroad you dial the country code +370 then 240 00 04 (Martono). You can also buy a phonecard at the kiosk in the airport or railway-station then the number is merely 1422.

Obviously there are other companies one is Vilniaus Taksi +370 266 66 62. Short number 1800.

On our departure getting from the hotel to the airport we were basically screwed by our Martono taxidriver. Our suitcases were in the boot, we we're in a hurry, and then we noticed that the taximeter was out. Let's just say that the driver had a very good day.
And for you who're still reading: leave for the airport in time for you, to get out of the taxi and order another or make the driver turn on the meter before he let in the clutch.

I could see a lot of taxis waiting for consumers, esp. in front of the Cathedral Square. Hmm... I made a big mistake. I wanted to save some money on taxi (hmm... not that much) and I didn't take one to Vilnius TV tower... Instead, I tried unsuccesfully to get there by my car. Details: read in my the only Vilnius Tourist Traps tip.

Vilnius taxi was marked by yellow-black stickers on both sides and advertisement (lighted at night) of a taxi company with a phone number put on its roof. Each taxi had its own number as well. I didn't see any "unregistered" taxis although i was told (warned) about them before my trip (not true).

I could call for a taxi (hmm... better to know Polish or Russian, I suppose; tel. 1460, 400100 and others), to take it from a taxi stand or to stop an empty taxi on a street. I was told they were not very expensive, at least much cheaper than in any western European capital. I think I would spend around 20-30 Lt to get to TV tower AND back.

There are many taxis available in Vilnius at many different prices. Some are very cheap and some -expensive. Note that it is less expensive to call a taxi instead of getting one at street, also, that foreigners are sometimes cheated and higher price is said. Ask price per kilometer before using taxi and try to bargain if it is large. Normally, it should be around 1 Litas per kilometer if you called a taxi.
Taxis in Vilnius are either yellow or white and not older than 7 years, checkerboard pattern is on the sides. Although there are some illegal taxis, which are ussually older and has little or no signs that it is a taxi. You can use them if you want, but you have to know it's illegal, although nobody will put your in jail for this :) .
Telephones of main taxi companies should appear in telephone books. I am giving you one telephone I know.

In my opinion, taxis are the best way to get around Vilnius. They are ridiculously inexpensive, as long as you call in advance. The difference between ordering a taxi or taking one at random is huge - last week a driver tried to charge me 18 Lt for a trip that normally costs about 4.50.
A taxi from the airport to the old town should never cost more than 10-12 Litas -- bargain with the driver if he wants to charge you more.
My preferred taxi service is Ekipazas (see below). The cars are clean, and they call you when they arrive to pick you up.

I took a taxi (at 0945 hours) from the Hotel Rinno, Vingriu str. 25, to the airport and was charged 20Lt. I do not know whether this was a fair rate for the meter was not running. Based on my knowledge I suspect there was some element of overcharge. The hotel ordered the taxi for me and it was from Martono taksis.