Vilnius Turns Rail Travel Into A Summer Attraction

As train travel continues gaining popularity across Europe, Vilnius is embracing the trend with one of the continent’s most unusual new tourism concepts – the Pink Soup Train.

The Lithuanian capital has launched a specially themed train carriage inspired by šaltibarščiai, the country’s famous bright pink cold beetroot soup, transforming part of the Warsaw-Vilnius rail route into a playful travel experience.

The Pink Soup Train will operate between May 15 and August 30 on the Mockava-Vilnius section of the international rail connection linking Lithuania with Poland and the rest of Europe.

A Train Inspired By Lithuania’s Famous Pink Soup

One of the train’s carriages has been completely redesigned around the iconic soup, with nearly every surface covered in vivid shades of pink. Walls, ceilings, tables and windows all feature colorful visual elements inspired by šaltibarščiai.

The floor includes patterns based on the soup’s ingredients, while Instagram-friendly additions such as a selfie mirror aim to turn the carriage into a social media attraction before passengers even reach Vilnius.

The only dark contrast comes from the train seats, making the pink interior feel even more visually striking.

According to Go Vilnius, the city’s official tourism and business development agency, the goal was to make the journey itself feel like part of the destination experience.

“It’s not just about getting to Vilnius – it’s about how you arrive,” said Eglė Girdzijauskaitė, Head of Communications at Go Vilnius.

Pink Soup Festival Transforms Vilnius

The launch coincides with the annual Vilnius Pink Soup Fest, taking place from May 29 to May 31.

During the festival, large parts of the Lithuanian capital are transformed with pink decorations, themed menus and public events celebrating the country’s signature cold soup.

Festival highlights include a 50-meter pink water slide, a waiters’ race and the citywide “Pink Break,” where residents and visitors stop simultaneously to enjoy pink soup lunches across the city.

What began as a quirky local event has evolved into one of Vilnius’ best-known summer festivals, combining food culture, humor and tourism into a visually distinctive celebration.

Rail Travel Across Europe Continues To Grow

The Pink Soup Train also reflects the broader growth of rail travel across Europe, as more travelers look for alternatives to short-haul flights.

Recent data shows growing demand for international train connections in the region. In 2025, more than 23,000 passengers traveled by rail between Poland and Lithuania, with ticket sales increasing by 38% compared to the previous year.

Vilnius can now be reached by rail from major European cities through connections via Poland. Approximate travel times are around 18 hours from Berlin, 25 hours from Amsterdam, 27 hours from Paris and 29 hours from London, depending on transfers and overnight connections.

Passengers traveling from Poland continue their journey with PKP Intercity services to Mockava before transferring onto the pink LTG Link train for the final stretch into Vilnius.

Vilnius Positioning Itself As A Summer Destination

Tourism officials believe the Pink Soup Fest often becomes travelers’ first reason to visit Vilnius, but many visitors end up discovering a compact and increasingly popular European summer destination.

Known for its UNESCO-listed Old Town, walkable streets, growing food scene and green public spaces, Vilnius has increasingly positioned itself as a city-break alternative for travelers looking beyond Europe’s busiest capitals.