Which place is cheaper, Minsk or Vilnius?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vilnius or Minsk?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Vilnius and Minsk. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Vilnius or Minsk?
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital and largest city in the country of Lithuania. It has a population of more than 500,000 residents and is located in the valley between the Neris River and the Vilnia River in the southeastern part of the country. Visitors come to the city for its beautiful Old Town, impressive architecture, and fascinating culture. In 2009 it was named the European Capital of Culture along with the city of Linz, in Austria.
Minsk
Minsk is the capital city of Belarus, centrally located. Situated on the Svislac and Niamiha rivers, it is also capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and was the capital of the former Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1919-1991. It is a modern city dominated by monumental Stalinist architecture with many of its museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Lithuania.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVilnius €94Minsk €59
The average daily cost (per person) in Vilnius is €94, while the average daily cost in Minsk is €59. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Vilnius and Minsk in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVilnius €42Minsk €29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVilnius €84Minsk €58
Compare Hotels in Vilnius and Minsk
Looking for a hotel in Vilnius or Minsk? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Vilnius Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vilnius €8.30Minsk €11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vilnius
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vilnius:
- Airport Bus Transfer to/from Central Bus Station: $3.20
- Riga: Bus Transfer to/from Vilnius: $20
- Vilnius Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Riga: $23
- Private Vilnius Airport Arrival Transfer: $27
- Vilnius Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Warsaw: $35
- Arrival Transfer from Vilnius VNO Airport to Vilnius by Minivan: $45
- Vilnius Airport Transfer: $51
- Vilnius Airport (VNO): Bus Transfer to/from Gdansk: $51
- Vilnius Private 1-Way Airport Transfer: $53
- Private Transfer from Vilnius Airport to Lithuania: $141
- Jewish Heritage Sites Private Tour with Transfer: $213
- Hot Air Balloon Ride with Hotel Transfer: $213
Is it cheaper to fly into Vilnius or Minsk?
Prices for flights to both Minsk and Vilnius change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayVilnius €40Minsk €19
Typical Food Prices in Vilnius
Some typical examples of dining costs in Vilnius are as follows:
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Dinner for Two€13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vilnius
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vilnius.
- Dinner in local family: $74
- Flavors of Vilnius - Private Walking Food Tour: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vilnius €9.72Minsk €18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Vilnius
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Vilnius are as follows:
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Walking Tour€5.79
Tours and Activities in Vilnius
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vilnius are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
- Secrets of Old Vilnius Smartphone App GPS Audio Walking Tour: $6.00
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.39
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.39
- Vilnius Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.50
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Skip the Line: Europos Parkas, Open-Air Museum Ticket Vilnius, Lithuania: $12
- Vibrant Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $14
- Regular walking tour of Soviet Vilnius: $18
- Regular walking tour of Jewish Vilnius: $18
- Regular walking tour of Soviet Vilnius: $18
- Regular walking tour of Jewish Vilnius: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVilnius €6.38Minsk €13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Vilnius
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Vilnius from other travelers:
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Beer€4.34
Sample the Local Flavors in Vilnius
Also in Vilnius, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Beer degustation at Bear & Boar Brewery Taproom: $43
- Vilnius Private Pub & Bar Crawl Tour & Hidden Gems: $46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vilnius and Minsk, we can see that Vilnius is more expensive. And not only is Minsk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Minsk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Minsk and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Vilnius would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vilnius than you might in Minsk.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vilnius Expensive? and Is Minsk Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vilnius or Minsk?
Minsk has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vilnius. When comparing the sizes of Vilnius and Minsk, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Vilnius or Minsk?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Vilnius or Minsk in the Summer?
Both Minsk and Vilnius are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Vilnius in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
Vilnius is around the same temperature as Minsk in the summer. The daily temperature in Vilnius averages around 18°C (65°F) in July, and Minsk fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Minsk. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vilnius. Vilnius usually receives less sunshine than Minsk during summer. Vilnius gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Minsk receives 258 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Vilnius usually receives less rain than Minsk. Vilnius gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Minsk receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVilnius 18°C (65°F)Minsk 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Vilnius or Minsk in the Autumn?
Both Minsk and Vilnius during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Vilnius for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Vilnius is around the same temperature as Minsk. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vilnius in October average around 8°C (46°F), and Minsk averages at about 8°C (47°F).
In the autumn, Vilnius often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Minsk. Vilnius gets 94 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minsk receives 99 hours of full sun.
Vilnius usually gets more rain in October than Minsk. Vilnius gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Minsk receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVilnius 8°C (46°F)Minsk 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Vilnius or Minsk in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vilnius and Minsk. The winter months attract visitors to Vilnius because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Minsk in the winter. The weather in Vilnius can be very cold. In January, Vilnius is generally around the same temperature as Minsk. Daily temperatures in Vilnius average around -5°C (23°F), and Minsk fluctuates around -5°C (22°F).
Vilnius usually receives less sunshine than Minsk during winter. Vilnius gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Minsk receives 46 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Vilnius usually receives around the same amount of rain as Minsk. Vilnius gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Minsk receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVilnius -5°C (23°F)Minsk -5°C (22°F)
Should I visit Vilnius or Minsk in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vilnius as well as Minsk. The natural beauty are the main draw to Vilnius this time of year.
Vilnius is cooler than Minsk in the spring. The daily temperature in Vilnius averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Minsk fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
In the spring, Vilnius often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Minsk. Vilnius gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minsk receives 176 hours of full sun.
Vilnius usually gets more rain in April than Minsk. Vilnius gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Minsk receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVilnius 7°C (45°F)Minsk 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Minsk and Vilnius
| Vilnius | Minsk | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | -5°C (22°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (26°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (33°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.