Trip Scam

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Vilnius, Lithuania

Common scams in Vilnius

8 reported scam patterns travellers run into in Vilnius, what they look like, and how to sidestep them.

Last updated 2026-08-11

Old Town, Vilnius
Photo: darius_saulenas · CC BY 2.0 · source

Pictured: Old Town, Vilnius.

medium1. Other

Bar touts leading to venues with inflated bills, particularly targeting stag groups.

medium2. Counterfeit goods

Pressed amber and imported linen sold as Baltic amber and Lithuanian linen.

medium3. Distraction theft

Pickpocketing in the old town during the Christmas market and at the bus station.

medium4. Taxi meter fraud

Airport and rank taxis with tariffs well above the app rate, displayed in small print.

medium5. Menu / bill switching

Bill inflation in old-town bars, with unordered items and undisclosed service charges.

low6. Other

Unofficial guides charging for tours of sites where entry and commentary are free.

low7. Rental overbooking

Short-let bookings cancelled at short notice during peak weekends.

low8. Currency shortchange

Dynamic currency conversion offered as the default on card terminals.

Every entry above describes a pattern reported in an area of Vilnius, not an accusation against a specific business. Sources are labelled on each entry.

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