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:
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Driving licence: licences in the Latin alphabet are accepted; if yours is not, bring an International Driving Permit together with your original licence.
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Photo ID: passport or national ID card.
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Driver experience: minimum 2 years is a common requirement.
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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).
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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:
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More than 1 hour late without notice can trigger an hourly fee (think ~€10/hour).
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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.
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Standard cover: includes CASCO with a deductible (excess) around €800—the maximum you would contribute toward covered damage while responsible for the car.
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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.
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Report incidents fast: the norm is “report within 24 hours” for any accident or new damage; late reporting can affect coverage.
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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:
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Newer cars: about €400 deposit.
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Older models: around €150.
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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.
Mileage, routes and borders – how far can you go from the Baltic coast?
One of the biggest perks of Palanga is movement without meters running:
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Within Lithuania: unlimited mileage with many local companies.
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Across borders: expect daily caps to apply (typical guidance: 300 km/day for cars, 500 km/day for vans), tallied over the whole rental—so a 10-day rental equals 3,000 km for cars. Extra kilometres are charged at a small per-km rate; newer cars sometimes have a slightly higher per-km price than older ones.
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Eligible vehicles: international travel usually requires a car still under manufacturer’s warranty; older vehicles may have additional conditions or be limited to domestic travel.
Fuel is simple: full-to-full—return with the level you received to avoid refuelling charges. Roadside help is standard: 24/7 assistance with a phone number printed on your agreement. If you are renting car in palanga airport and plan a loop into Latvia or Poland, declare it when you book so your paperwork matches your route.
8 money-savvy moves for renting car in palanga airport
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Book around flight time: summer (June–August) and warm weekends are busy on the coast; secure the category you want early.
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Right-size the car: city-centre streets and beach-area parking reward compact hatchbacks; choose an estate/SUV if you have surf gear, child seats or longer inland drives.
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Transmission matters: manuals are common and cheaper; automatics are widely available—choose before you fly.
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Insurance math: compare two totals: lower daily rate + deposit + €800 excess vs slightly higher daily rate + €0 excess + no deposit. Pick the total you prefer, not just the headline price.
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Second vs third driver: two drivers at no extra fee is common; a third driver can be about €5/day—add only if you need it.
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Border honesty: if you plan to cross into Latvia, Estonia or Poland, declare it; otherwise, your cover may not travel with you.
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Fuel discipline: return full to avoid per-litre premiums; refuel in Palanga proper to skip airport-adjacent prices.
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Time your return: the 1-hour and 3-hour thresholds matter; late fees add up quickly, so build in a buffer.
These steps are especially useful for first-timers renting car in palanga airport during holiday peaks.
Coastal itineraries you can do in a day
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Seaside trio: Palanga’s main beach and pier, Šventoji to the north for dunes, and Klaipėda to the south for the Old Town and waterside cafes.
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Curonian Spit sampler: drive to Klaipėda, take the short ferry to Smiltynė, then follow the scenic road to Juodkrantė or Nida. Budget for ferry and local entry fees; summer parking is regulated in resort areas.
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Hillforts and manors: head inland to Plungė and Kretinga for parkland estates, gardens and quieter roads.
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Spa/forest loop: combine Palanga Botanical Park with pine-forest picnic spots, then detour to a coastal watchtower for sunset.
All of these are easy, same-day circuits with a rental car and a simple plan.
Seasonal advice for safer, calmer driving
Wind and sand: coastal gusts can be strong; open doors carefully and avoid stopping on soft shoulders where sand collects. After beach days, shake out mats before return—excess sand in the cabin makes end-of-rental cleaning longer.
Summer: seafront routes get busy in late afternoons. Park one street back from the promenade, walk the last minutes, and save yourself the crawl.
Autumn and spring: showers pass quickly but can be intense. Keep more distance, use gentle steering inputs in crosswinds, and let the windscreen defog fully before setting off.
Winter: Lithuanian rentals are equipped with seasonal tyres; drive to conditions. Speed limits on expressways and motorways change seasonally—follow posted signs rather than memory. Keep a reflective vest and warning triangle accessible, not buried under luggage.
When renting car in palanga airport between November and March, give yourself extra time at pickup to check tyre type and tread depth.
FAQ – renting car in palanga airport
Can I rent with no deposit?
Yes—choose full insurance with €0 excess, and many providers do not take a deposit. Otherwise, expect a hold of about €150 for older cars or around €400 for newer cars.
Is mileage unlimited?
Inside Lithuania—yes with many local companies. For cross-border trips, a daily kilometre cap usually applies (for example, 300 km cars / 500 km vans), counted over the full rental.
Where exactly is pickup/return at PLQ?
Desks in the Arrivals hall; cars in a signed airport car park a short walk away. Return to the same area unless your contract names a different bay.
What payment methods work?
Practices differ: some desks allow bank transfer before pickup or cash at handover, while others take cards. Decide early how you want to pay and confirm when booking.
What if I am late returning the car?
Without prior notice, over 1 hour late = hourly fee; over 3 hours late = one extra rental day. If your flight is delayed, message the desk as soon as you know.
What happens if I lose the key or documents?
There is usually a fixed fee. Contact the provider immediately so assistance can dispatch a replacement.
Is roadside help included?
Yes—24/7 assistance is standard with most policies; the number is on your agreement.
Final checklist for renting car in palanga airport
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Before you fly: reserve early; choose your insurance (deposit vs no deposit); add extras (child seats, second/third driver); declare any cross-border plans.
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At pickup: licence + ID ready; confirm fuel level, mileage rules, countries, return bay/time; photograph the bodywork and dashboard.
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On the road: keep the contract and assistance number handy; refuel in town before the airport.
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At return: arrive on time, take final photos (four corners + fuel gauge), hand over keys as instructed, and request the final confirmation by SMS or email.