In July, Vilnius launched regular routes for its new electric passenger boats, offering residents and visitors a sustainable and quiet way to travel along the Neris River. These innovative boats operated throughout the city until the end of October.
The boats, named Lašiša (Salmon) and Rytas (Morning) through a public vote that engaged thousands of residents, were inspired by nature, local legends, and the Neris River ecosystem.
This season (July-October), more than 22,000 passengers travelled along the Neris River on the new electric boats. High occupancy rates – reaching 80% on weekends – show that residents of Vilnius are increasingly choosing sustainable mobility options. With zero emissions and quiet electric motors, the vessels blend harmoniously into the city’s natural environment.
The inaugural season began with remarkable success: from day one, the boats attracted crowds eager to try this new mode of public transport. High demand continued throughout the entire season. During the first weeks, due to the large number of passengers, Public Transport Controllers helped manage queues, assist with boarding, and ensure safe and orderly operations.
“Navigation on the Neris is not only a new way to move around the city – it’s also a sign that the capital is advancing toward sustainability, technology, and a more comfortable urban lifestyle. The river’s potential is far from fully used today. Our ambition is to make the Neris a true backbone of city life: a place where people can enjoy the riverside year-round, both in the city centre and in other districts. It’s a space that brings people together, showcases the city, and offers a fresh perspective – even for us, the locals,” said Valdas Benkunskas, Mayor of Vilnius.
“We’re pleased to see that residents are discovering the Neris not only as a leisure area but also as a convenient mobility option. We’ve noticed that passengers increasingly combine boat trips with other public transport modes – trolleybuses, buses, or shared mobility services. This shows a growing tendency among city residents to plan trips sustainably and mix different mobility options as needed,” said Loreta Levulytė-Staškevičienė, CEO of JUDU.
According to her, the boat stops were planned to ensure smooth transfers to other public transport routes. For example, the Žvėrynas and Mindaugas Bridge stops are located near major public transport hubs, enabling passengers to easily continue their journey by trolleybus or bus using the same ticket.
“Such integration is one of our goals in creating a modern, sustainable mobility network where travelling from point A to point B is smooth and hassle-free. We want public transport to become a convenient everyday choice – whether commuting to work or enjoying leisure time by the Neris,” — Levulytė-Staškevičienė added.
Ticket Prices
Seniors aged 80 and over can enjoy river trips starting at just €0.60. A family ticket offers a convenient way to experience the Neris together: it is valid for two adults and up to three children, all travelling on a single ticket for €7 (€9 when purchased on board). A standard ticket costs €4 on board or €3 when purchased via the m.Ticket or Trafi mobile apps.
2026 Navigation Season: More Boats and an Extended Route
Next year, both residents and visitors will have even more opportunities to travel by river. The 2026 season will feature four electric boats: Rytas, Lašiša, Geležinis Vilkas, and Smilga.
The boats will operate on a newly extended route: Business Triangle – Žvėrynas Bridge (Žvėryno tiltas) – White Bridge (Baltasis tiltas) – Green Bridge (Žaliasis tiltas) – Mindaugas Bridge (Mindaugo tiltas) – Šilas Bridge (Šilo tiltas) – Žirmūnai Beach (Žirmūnų paplūdimys). Boats will run every 30–35 minutes, and the full route from the Business Triangle to Žirmūnai Beach will cover 7.9 km.
The 2026 navigation season is expected to begin in the second half of April, in accordance with the order of the Inland Waterways Authority. The season will end in late October under the same regulation.
About JUDU
JUDU is responsible for public transport, parking services, and traffic management in Vilnius. The city sees around 735 million trips per year, including 209.5 million public transport journeys. Together with the Vilnius City Municipality, JUDU implements innovative solutions that allow residents to choose from a variety of mobility options when planning their trips.
