Touch down at Palanga (PLQ), step through a compact terminal, and you are minutes from the Baltic coast. If you value control over timing, luggage space, and side trips along the seashore, renting car in palanga airport is the most flexible way to start your trip. Below you will find a practical, Lithuania-specific guide that turns fine print into plain English: documents, deposits, insurance, pick-up locations, late-return rules, mileage and border policies, seasonal tips, and costs to watch.
Renting car in palanga airport: what to prepare before you land
Pack the essentials and you will be on the road fast:
-
Driving licence: licences in the Latin alphabet are accepted; if yours is not, bring an International Driving Permit together with your original licence.
-
Photo ID: passport or national ID card.
-
Driver experience: minimum 2 years is a common requirement.
-
Named drivers: insurance protects only the drivers listed on your agreement. Many local providers include two drivers at no extra charge; a third driver often adds a small daily fee (for example, €5/day).
-
Reservation step: a modest advance (about €50) is a typical way to lock in your car; if you cancel late or do not show, that prepayment is usually non-refundable.
If you are renting car in palanga airport in the summer season, complete these checks before you fly—counter queues move quickly when documents are ready.
Pick-up, parking and return – know the route once, use it twice
Palanga Airport keeps things simple: rental desks are inside Arrivals, while most cars are collected and returned in a signed airport car park a short walk from the terminal. Return the vehicle to the same area you collected it from and follow the supplier’s marked bay or return lane. If you expect to arrive late at night or before opening, agree an after-hours handover in writing; a small service fee may apply.
Running late? Most contracts use clear thresholds:
-
More than 1 hour late without notice can trigger an hourly fee (think ~€10/hour).
-
3+ hours late usually counts as an extra rental day.
A simple routine keeps handovers fast: at pickup, check fuel level, tyre condition and existing marks; take photos (four corners + interior + fuel gauge). Do the same when returning the car.
Insurance choices when renting car in palanga airport
Lithuanian rentals include the essentials: third-party liability and comprehensive (CASCO). What you add beyond that is about risk tolerance and cash flow.
-
Standard cover: includes CASCO with a deductible (excess) around €800—the maximum you would contribute toward covered damage while responsible for the car.
-
Full cover: pay a daily add-on to reduce your deductible to €0. With several local firms, choosing €0 excess also means no security deposit is taken—handy if you do not want funds held on your card or if you prefer cash/bank transfer payments.
-
Report incidents fast: the norm is “report within 24 hours” for any accident or new damage; late reporting can affect coverage.
-
Exclusions to remember: off-road use, racing and driver training are typically not covered. Lost key or documents usually incur a fixed fee.
If you want the lowest daily price and are comfortable carrying an excess, standard cover works. If you want the stress-free route with no deposit and no deductible, pick full cover and budget the daily uplift. For travellers renting car in palanga airport for a short coastal weekend, the €0 option often makes the handover smoother.
Deposits and payments that actually make sense
Security deposits vary by vehicle age and class:
-
Newer cars: about €400 deposit.
-
Older models: around €150.
-
Zero-deposit path: choose insurance with €0 liability, and the deposit is skipped.
Payment methods differ by provider: some support bank transfer before pickup or cash on the spot; others take a card. Decide upfront whether you want to tie up funds (deposit + standard cover) or prefer no deposit (full cover). When renting car in palanga airport in peak months, pre-agreeing your payment method avoids delays at the counter.