Šiauliai

Šiauliai takes its founding date as 22 Sept 1236, when it was documented as the site of the Battle of Saule - though probably that was 30 km northeast. It grew slowly, being devastated in the 16th and 18th centuries by plague and "The Deluge", the invasion by Sweden. After a rebellion in 1769 it was rebuilt in classical style on a grid pattern, and boomed in the 19th when road and rail transport fostered its industries. The big business here was leather and related trades such as footwear, textiles, candles and confectionery, and local magnate Chaim Frankel built a fine mansion on the proceeds. Šiauliai was wrecked in the First World War and eviscerated in the Second, when within a few weeks of the Nazi arrival its large Jewish population lay in the forest graves they were forced to dig for themselves.

Postwar Soviet rule was oppressive but established industries of metal-bashing (including a bicycle factory), electronics, wood-processing and construction. Independence in 1990 led to growth of the service sector and a westward-facing economy. The airport from 2020 was developed as an Airbus servicing facility, and its military role continues as it's within 15 minutes flying time of NATO's eastern frontier.

By bus:

From Vilnius buses run roughly hourly, taking 3-4 hours via Panevėžys and Radviliškis; or you might have to change.

From Kaunas they're likewise hourly, usually via Kėdainiai, and continuing from Šiauliai to other towns such as Mažeikiai or Žagarė.

From Klaipėda some four or five daily buses take 3 hours, but early morning and evening buses take slow roundabout routes.

From Riga in Latvia one bus per day is direct from Riga Airport, and two per day run from Riga city with a change.

1 Šiauliai bus station (Bustaras) (500 m west of the railway station within Saulės Miestas shopping centre). Bus lines on domestic routes are Toks and Kautra. For timetables and fares see Autobusubilieta. (updated Sep 2023)

By train:

A daily train to Latvia and Estonia leaves Vilnius at 07:00 and Šiauliai at 09:00, calling at Joniškis and Jelgava and reaching Riga at 11:00. It continues east via Valga and Tartu to reach Tallinn at 17:30. The westbound train leaves Tallinn at 10:25 and Riga around 16:50 to arrive in Šiauliai at 18:30 and Vilnius at 21:00.

From Vilnius trains run every 2-3 hours and take 2 hr 15 min via Kaisiadorys, Jonava, Kedainiai and Radviliskis. From Šiauliai they continue via Telšiai to Klaipėda, taking just under 2 hours.

From Kaunas two services per day take 3 hours changing at Kaisiadorys, and four others take 4 hours changing at Vilnius.

2 Šiauliai railway station (Traukinių stotis). The station is central. For times and online tickets see LTG Link. (updated Feb 2024)

By plane:

The most convenient commercial airport is Vilnius (VNO IATA), and there are budget flights to Kaunas (KUN IATA).

Šiauliai Airport (SQQ IATA) 7 km southeast is primarily military with no commercial flights.