The Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian passenger train operators Vivi, Elron and LTG Link have started to coordinate their timetables in order to connect the Baltic capitals by train as of January 6, Vivi said on December 9.
Note – this is not Rail Baltica.
The connection will initially be operated with rolling stock from all three carriers and will consist of two interchanges, one in Rīga and the other in Valga. The transfer time between the services is expected to be approximately 10 to 20 minutes.
Work is ongoing to reduce the number of interchanges soon (presumably to one), Vivi said.
The preparatory phase for the Baltic train service will start on December 15 this year, when the passenger carrier Vivi will adjust the departure time of its diesel train on the Rīga-Valga section to the arrival time of the Lithuanian LTG Link diesel train from Vilnius to Riga. From January 6 next year, passenger services from Valga to Tartu and onwards to Tallinn will be operated by an additional diesel train from the Estonian carrier Elron.
The total journey time from Vilnius to Tallinn is expected to take around 10 hours.
The Vilnius-Riga-Tallinn train service in Latvia will stop at Jelgava, Riga, Zemitāni, Jugla, Inčukalns, Sigulda, Līgatne, Ieriķi, Cēsis, Lode, Valmiera, Strenči, Lugaži.
More detailed information on the Vilnius-Riga-Tallinn train timetable, ticket prices, and purchase options will be available by the end of December, Vivi said.
