Before my day trip to the Curonian Spit, I was very curious about how this would pan out, as I didn’t find too much info online about getting there, and moving around, without a car. Now, when it has been done, I can say it was doable, and easy. Clues are plan ahead, so you don’t waste time in Smiltynė, and get an early start, if you have much you want to cover.
First step is to get from Klaipeda to Smiltyne. You will need to take one of two ferries, as there isn’t a bridge crossing the strait connecting the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea. As I stayed in the old town, the lady at the hotel said the ferry departing from the old ferry terminal, would be the easiest, as the new ferry terminal was a long walk away. However, are you travelling by car, you need to take the new ferry. Getting to the old ferry terminal is pretty straight forward. Follow the “canal” (river) towards the water, ferry terminal is on the right side of the canal. Once there, you’ll find a ticket office, and waiting areas both inside and outside. You can also get tickets online. Price is 1.5 euros (2023). The ferry departs every hour on the hour. Return times are every hour, at quarter past. Ride takes a few minutes only. The ferry itself is small, with an upper deck, which was closed, and seating inside and outside, with some seats covered by a tarp. Not many seats, but it’s a short ride. On returning, the ferry was waiting for the bus to arrive, and then departed.
Since I didn’t plan ahead, I arrived in Smiltyne an hour before the bus departed. With more or less nothing to see or do, I walked aimlessly around. There were a hilltop with benches, and probably nice views of Klaipeda, a cafe next to the ferry terminal, and a bit further down I spotted a restaurant. Many looked to come here for the sea museum and dolphinarium at the northern tip.
You get around by bus. You can rent a bike, but covering the whole thing will take a while, as it is close to 50 km from Smiltyne to Nida, at the other end of the spit. The bus stop in Smiltyne is right next to the ferry terminal. The bus departs mainly every second hour. I’ve added all the time tables below. You can get tickets as you board, or online apparently – it says so on the timetables posted at the bus stops. 6 euros to Nida, 3 euros to Juodkrante, and 4 euros from Juodkrante to Nida. Cash or card. It takes 20 minutes to Juodkrante, and about an hour to Nida. All buses make a detour to Preila, two buses only also go via Pervalka. Good quality buses, if you should wonder. Nothing to see on the way, as the route doesn’t run along neither coastlines, but through the forest. There are at least two bus stops in Juodkrante, and a small ticket office with inside waiting area in Nida.
The ferry
Smiltyne
The bus
