Vilnius Intl. Airport - Spotting Guide

Vilnius Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide

July 20, 2020 - last modified on November 29, 2023

Vilnius International Airport (VNO/EYVI) is Lithuania’s biggest and busiest airport handling more than 5 million passenger a year. The airport is located 6km south of the capital of Lithuania: Vilnius. It was opened in 1932 and grew fast after the soviet curtain felt and the country could open more and more. Since then, the terminal was modernized and the airport was undergoing several reconstructions extensions. However, the parking stands are not designed for heavies, so those are rare here, but if heavies pay VNO a visit, they are generally parked on taxiway or using 2 stands.

The regular traffic at Vilnius consists out of AirBaltic and GetJet Airlines services, which use VNO as their hub. Apart from this, the LCC Wizz and Ryanair are also major companies at Lithuania’s capital, but apart from this the airport also serves as major gateway for the whole of Lithuania and thereby offers flights to other European hubs such as Frankfurt or Warsaw as well. That’s why you will also see the major European carriers here such as Lufthansa, LOT, Air France and so on. However, VNO is regualrly paid a visit by special freighters, charters or maintenance guest.

Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with Maxime Thibert. Last Update: Spring 2020

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
01/19	2600m
Terminals	There is one terminal only here handling all apron and jetway stands regardless of airline and destination.
Spotting Information
Ladder	In general, a ladder would be very useful/is needed at some points but I strongly recommend to not to use it as often as you can as the security could take it as a serious threat. It is better to take pictures through the fence or on car’s roof. The fence is equipped with sensors that alert security as soon as the fence is touched. Security may come and ask you to leave.
Car/Public Transport	Car definitely recommended, however the spots on the western site can also reached by bus and train easily.
Restrooms	The closest ones are in the Terminal – apart from this no real restroom facilities close to the spots.
Drinks/Food	Fastest way to get food is in the Terminal at arrivals floor, however grocery stores are not far if you have a car.
Hotels	Air Inn Hotel located in front of Terminal, Park Inn Hotel due to open few meters away from airport and if you want something cosy I recommend you the Loop Hotel
Season	Summer is definitely the best season when traffic increases as well as sunshine duration. Keep in mind that it can be very hot in the summer. The best lights can be seen during Spring and Autumn seasons.
Security	Normally chilled, but gets suspicious when seeing people with a ladder and thereby may get harsh then. Otherwise security services mostly don’t bother you. However, keep a low profile and rather stow your expensive equipment. In general, a ladder would be very useful/is needed at some points but I strongly recommend to not to use it as often as you can as the security could take it as a serious threat. It is better to take pictures through the fence or on car’s roof. The fence is equipped with sensors that alert security as soon as the fence is touched. Security may come and ask you to leave.
Runway Usage
General Info	Vilnius’ sole runway is 01/19. Keep in mind, there is no specified patterns but pilots are likely to ask for straight out departure as well as straight in arrivals if weather permits. So runway change may vary also due to a low amount of traffic sometimes.

	Spot #1 – Official Spotting site – All runway activities
WHERE	This spot is the most famous location at Vilnius at is the airport’s offical spotting/viewing deck. It is lcoated west of the runway’s southern end by the roadside of “Rodūnios Kl” and can be reached best by car. Just park in front/next to the framework and walk up there – can become a bit crowded during good weather and weekends. Actually there are two options here: Spot #1a – the deck itsself: The northern option, an elevated deck to shoot over the fence nicely. Spot #1b – the fence: A bit south at a little parking bay, where you can park and shoot from the car’s top/a ladder. Better if the deck is crowded or for taxiway Echo vacaters.

WHAT	All runway activities plus aircraft taxiing on F taxiway.

TIME	Early afternoon till sunset.

MISC.	Toilets are not available and some drunk people might be around. Ladder not needed as long as you stay at the deck/option a as you are elevated on the framework and can easily shoot from here.

FOCAL LENGTH	30-70mm for taxiway shots, 100-300mm for runway activites depending on angle you look for.

Spot #1a – The deck:

The platform itsself looks like this:

Spot #1b – The fence:

	Spot #2 – Rodūnios Kl. – RWY01 Arrivals + Line-Ups
WHERE	Follow the “Rodūnios Kl.” south from spot #1 and pass the touchdown zone. Once you have also passed the runway’s southern end, you can search your favourite position along the fence as this spot is no exact position, rather the area around here. Car can be left by the roadside easily.

WHAT	Landing RWY01 and aircrafts lining up RWY01 from F taxiway. You are quite close to aircrafts.

TIME	Noon till sunset.

MISC.	There are no toilets neither trash bin. Keep your waste and throw them when you can. Ladder mandatory.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-250mm

	Spot #3 – Dirtroad – Northern Apron
WHERE	This spot can be found north of the nothern apron parts and therefore leave the main “Oreiviu gatvé” street to the east into “A. Gustaicio g.” street just north of the last airport parkings/facilities. Then follow this road for a while till it would lead you up north and then turn right. Keep right shortly after wards and you will end up at the fence where spot #3 is.

WHAT	From here there is a very nice view on the North part of the apron. The VIP Terminal has just been built in this area and is soon to be open, the location might disappear in the near future.

TIME	From sunrise till 8am and from 5pm to sunset in summer. During wintertime this location is not useable.

MISC.	There are no toilets neither trash bin. Keep your waste and throw them when you can. Be aware of heat haze in summer for long distance pictures.

FOCAL LENGTH	From 30mm to 400mm depending on what you want to see.

	Spot #4 – Fence – Apron
WHERE	This spot can be found north of the nothern apron parts and therefore leave the main “Oreiviu gatvé” street to the east into “A. Gustaicio g.” street just north of the last airport parkings/facilities. Then follow this road for a while till it would lead you up north and then turn right. Keep right shortly after wards and you will end up at the fence where spot #3 is – but now carry on and follow this bumpy road for another 350m along the fence. Just when it makes a right turn again, you reached the spot area.

WHAT	You can see the full apron and planes taxiing on the taxiway in front of you when planes are parking on remote stands.

TIME	From sunrise till 8am and from 5pm to sunset in summer. During wintertime this location is not useable.

MISC.	There are no toilets neither trash bin. Keep your waste and throw them when you can. Be aware of heat haze in summer for long distance pictures.

FOCAL LENGTH	55-400mm depending on what you want to picture.

	Spot #5 – Cul-De-Sac – RWY19 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot can be found north of the nothern apron parts and therefore leave the main “Oreiviu gatvé” street to the east into “A. Gustaicio g.” street just north of the last airport parkings/facilities. Then follow this road for a while till it would lead you up north and then turn right. Keep right shortly after wards and you will end up at the fence where spot #3 is – but now carry on and follow this bumpy road for another 350m along the fence. Just when it makes a right turn again, you reached the spot area. Also pass spot #4 and follow this path for another 1km up north just before you you end up at a wall, which marks a company property. However, this spot is also no exact position, so you can move around here freely.

WHAT	From this location you can see planes on short final landing on RWY19.

TIME	Early afternoon till sunset.

MISC.	There are no toilets neither trash bin. Keep your waste and throw them when you can.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-150mm for arrivals

	Spot #6 – Vynoteka – RWY19 Arrivals / RWY01 Line-Ups
WHERE	Just next to a Winestore east of the runway, this spot is easy to find. Just make your way to “Vynoteka Bazé” by the end of “Liepkalnio g” street and then find your favourite position in the parking lot just southwest of the warehouse.

WHAT	This location is very nice for RWY19 arrivals in the morning. There is a possibility to go closer to the fence and to get the RWY01 line-up when aircrafts are performing backtrack.

TIME	Sunrise till later noon.

MISC.	There are no toilets but trash bin. Nothing really else around.

FOCAL LENGTH	75-400mm for landing and 300-400mm for line up. Be aware there might be heat hazes in summer.

	Spot #7 – Parking garage – Apron activities
WHERE	Also pretty easy to find is this spot at it is located on the top floor of the ADC parking garage. It can be found a few hundred meters southwest of the major passenger terminal and is easy to reach and climb. Just search your favourite spot along the eastern front on the top floor(s).

WHAT	Great view on south apron despites the numbers of light poles.

TIME	From 2pm until sunset in winter and summer.

MISC.	As you are on top of a car parking, security might come and question you about your activities.

FOCAL LENGTH	200mm-400mm

	Spot #8 – Pylotu Mokkykla – GA + Scrapping apron
WHERE	This location is located at the end of Rodūnios kelias. You can also park right there right at the spot as it is just at the fence/gate next to the Baltic flight academy building.

WHAT	View on General Aviation Parking and sometimes planes waiting to be scrapped.

TIME	Early afternoon till sunset.

MISC.	Be aware of security cameras pointing right at you. LADDER?

FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm

	Spot #9 – Salinuku Gatve – 01 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located southeast of the airfield and no exact position. You can choose your position freely around the “Salinki gatve” street, where you can also park your car on the side of the unpaved road. Take care not to block the road here in order to let inhabitants in and out.

WHAT	From this location you can see planes approaching runway 01.

TIME	Sunrise till noon.

MISC.	Trees are high and obstruct the view at certain times. Nothing else around.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm