Business Hours
 Banks: 09:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday
Post Offices: 07:30 to 19:00, Monday to Friday; 08:00 to 16:00, Saturday Government Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday Department Stores and Shops: 09:00 to 18:30, Monday to Saturday Business Offices: 09:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Cautions
Most visitors to Lithuania enjoy a trouble-free holiday, and don’t experience crime-related problems.
 As in most tourist destinations, petty criminals pose a potential threat for visitors. Local pick-pockets and purse-snatchers target unsuspecting tourists at transportation centres, on buses and trains and at major attractions. It’s important to keep valuable items in a safe place, and to avoid obvious displays of wealth.
For those who choose to drive, Lithuania’s motorways and roads can be hazardous for those unaccustomed to local driving conditions and customs. Traffic accidents increase significantly at night time.
Electricity
 Electricity:220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are the standard.
Health
 Health concerns for visitors to Lithuania includehepatitis types A and B, and also diphtheria. Tick-borne encephalitis is also a risk although incidents are rare. Vaccination to prevent infection is a possibility that you may want to consider with your physician before travelling. Current polio and tetanus vaccinations are advised. In densely forested areas, rabies can be a problem. If you are bitten, it’s important to seek medical attention straight away.
 Tap water is considered potable in most urban areas, but drinking bottled or purified water is recommended. Milk is pasteurised, meaning that dairy products should be safe for consumption. Local fruits and vegetables, meats and poultry and seafood are also considered safe.
 Nationals of EU countries receive health care free of charge or at reduced rates in Lithuania, on producing a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Urban hospitals in Lithuania generally meet international standards, and are of a particularly high standard in Vilnius. In the cities, most physicians speak English, although this isn’t the case in rural areas. Qualified pharmacists are found incities and most major towns. They not only provide medicines, but offer advice and often perform minor medical treatments.
Ambulance: 103
Police: 102
Language
The official language of the country is Lithuanian, but you’ll find that both English and Russian are widely spoken. The level of English proficiency is higher in larger cities and tourist resort areas.
Currency
 Lithuania’s currency unit is the litas (plural litai), abbreviated as ‘LTL.’ It is anticipated that in 2010 the currency with be replaced by the euro. One litas comprises 100 centai (singular centas). Banknotes are in circulation in denominations of LTL500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are minted in denominations of LTL5, 2 and 1; and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 centai. The litas is currently pegged to the euro.
Currency Exchange
Foreign currency can be exchanged for litai at currency exchanges and banks at the airports and in major towns and cities. Most restaurants, larger shops and tourist hotels accept credit cards. ATMs are conveniently located in urban centres. Travellers cheques are not as widely accepted, and can be exchanged at a limited number of outlets in the larger cities.
Customs
Visitors entering Lithuania from countries outside the EU are allowed to bring in the following goods without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, one litre of spirits, 50g of perfume or 250g of eau de toilette, 500g of coffee and 100g of tea.
 Since 1999, duty-free alcohol and tobacco have no longer been available for purchase at airports or at sea in the original 15 EU member states. Currently no limits are imposed on the import of alcohol or tobacco among the EU countries. At points of entry, travellers may be asked to prove that the goods are for their personal use only.
Etiquette
 Men and women typically shake hands when greeting each other in Lithuania. Female friends often greet with a kiss on each cheek. People are generally courteous and it is expected that visitors will be also, including thanking people for assistance and holding doors open for anyone behind them.
Lithuanians are very proud of their country’s culture and traditions. As a visitor, it is expected that you will respect their culture and national identity and never speak negatively about the country’s leaders, whether current or historical.
Business matters are conducted quite formally, and appropriate, conservative dress is the norm, regardless of the nature of the business meeting. It is expected that appointments be made well in advance and that you arrive on time. Tardiness is considered a sign of disrespect, and being respectful by showing good manners is essential for successful business relations. English is the language of international business in Lithuania, although you may also encounter German, Polish and Russian being spoken.
 Dining Etiquette
Table manners are quite relaxed, although you should wait for your host to indicate where you should sit. The continental style of eating is followed in Lithuania, in which the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right hand, while you are eating. Hands should be kept visible, and above the table, with wrists resting on the table edge when you are not eating. It is customary to take small amounts of food and to then accept a second helping. It is also considered polite to try all foods that are offered.
Table napkins are left on the table, and not placed on the lap. When you have finished eating, your knife and fork should be placed in the formation of a cross on top of your plate, with the handles facing to the right, and the tines of the fork facing downward. The first toast will be made by the host, and will be made with liquor rather than beer or wine. At some point later in the meal, it is appropriate for a guest to reciprocate by offering their own toast.
Visa and Passports
 In order to enter Lithuania, Australian, British, Canadian and US citizens must be in possession of a valid passport but do not require a visa.The permitted length of stay is up to 90 days. EU nationals require an identity card only. Nationals of other countries must apply for a visa prior to arrival, at a Lithuanian consulate or embassy abroad.
Lithuania became a signatory to the Schengen Agreement in December 2007 for land and sea border crossings and in March of 2008 for air entry. The Schengen area is largely border-free, and permits open travel among the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
Tourist Information Offices
Tourist information centres can be found in Vilnius in several locations. There’s an office at Didzioji street 31, in the town hall (phone: +370 5 262 6470), one at Vilniaus street 22 (phone: +370 5 262 966) and one at GeleĹľinkelio street 16, in the train station (phone: +370 5 269 2091). These centres typically provide free city guides that list restaurants, a variety of accommodation options, attractions and main points of interest and events.
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