Student public transport in Vilnius & Kaunas

In both Vilnius and Kaunas, full-time students get 80% off city public transport — but you must carry the right student card and (in most cases) load the discount onto a transit card or app first.

The short version

• Discount: 80% off city bus, trolleybus and (in Vilnius) some rail tickets for full-time students.
• What you need: a valid student card — the LSP (Lithuanian Student Identity Card, also called LSIC) or, for EU/EFTA students, an ISIC.
• Part-time students: not eligible. The concession is for full-time studies only.

Which card — LSP or ISIC?

This is where the path differs by status, so check carefully.

• Non-EU/EFTA full-degree students: you generally need the LSP/LSIC card to claim the transport discount. ISIC alone is usually not accepted for the city concession.
• EU/EFTA full-degree students: you can use either the LSP or an ISIC.
• Erasmus / exchange students: eligibility varies. You typically need an eligible student card and full-time status — confirm with your university international office, as not every short-stay student qualifies.

The LSP is issued by the Lithuanian National Union of Students and is ordered online at lsp.lt. There is a small fee to issue it (around €10–€22 depending on study level, as of 2026 — check the current price on lsp.lt). Some universities cover the cost for first-year students, so ask yours first.

Vilnius — JUDU

Vilnius runs on the JUDU system (buses, trolleybuses and some city trains). You'll need a Vilniečio / JUDU card to load tickets, or you can use the Trafi or m.Ticket apps.

Prices from JUDU as of 2026 — confirm current fares on judu.lt. "Weekday-only" monthly passes are slightly cheaper if you don't travel at weekends.

You can buy and top up at "Lietuvos spauda" and "Narvesen" kiosks, or in the apps. Tell the seller your discount type the first time so it registers on your card.

Kaunas — KVT

Kaunas uses the KVT network. Load tickets onto a Kauno kortelė (Kaunas Card) or use the Žiogas app. Buying from the driver costs more and gives no free transfer, so use the card or app.

Prices as of 2026 — confirm on kvt.lt. The student discount on monthly tickets has been quoted as both 50% and 80% during recent fare changes; the 80% rate reflects the national concession for full-time students, but verify the exact figure on the official KVT page before you rely on it.

Practical tips

• Validate every ride. Tap your card or activate the app ticket each time you board, even with a monthly pass.
• Use the apps for planning. Trafi works in both cities for routes and live times.
• Free transfers are included within the time window on time-based tickets — handy for short hops.
• Long-distance buses and trains give students a smaller discount (around 50%), separate from the city concession.