Student Guide: Life Hacks and Saving Tips for Making Kaunas Your Home

“When compared to other places like Germany or the UK, I find Lithuania to be genuinely much more affordable, quieter and greener. I can still keep up with my hobbies and can easily find everything here,” says Abdelaziz, from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a third year student of Business Digitalization Management at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU).

Packing your entire life into a couple of suitcases is quite a challenge. You might arrive with limited luggage and need to build a wardrobe for different seasons, furnish your room, or buy some hobby gear. This can be stressful at first, but thankfully Kaunas offers plenty of options for different budgets.

As Abdelaziz says, Kaunas has a distinct rhythm. While moving here is an exciting adventure, getting to know the city takes time. Thankfully, the KTU international students we spoke with have already been through these early days, know the city well, and are keen to share what they have learned. We gathered their honest experiences to bring you the best tips and life hacks for visiting local shops, finding online deals and managing your student budget.

Thrifting Deals for Finding Vintage Gems

The most reliable way to know exactly when the one-or two-euro-days happen is to follow Humana on Instagram or check the Humana Lietuva website and add the dates to your calendar. One tip is that on these final discount days, you should expect mostly basic items, as heavier winter coats and popular branded pieces tend to sell out earlier in the cycle, usually at a good discount.

Looking for Something Specific? Go Online

Abdelaziz says that he prefers online second-hand shopping: “I do not like waste, so I am very conscious about what I buy. If I need something, I will look first on Vinted.”

Lithuania has a growing tech ecosystem, and Vinted, an online platform where users can buy and sell their clothes, was founded right here. Nowadays it operates in over 20 countries across Europe. It is very easy to use, but a few habits can make the experience even smoother and save you some money.

When it comes to shipping, the hack to saving a few euros is to have your goods delivered to a paštomatas, a self-service parcel locker system. Choosing locker delivery instead of your door reduces shipping fees dramatically, and it is still very convenient, since lockers are widespread across Kaunas and often located in popular spots. You can select the nearest Omniva, DPD, or LP Express locker on a map during checkout, and you will get a text message with a code when the package arrives; enter the code at the locker to collect your item on your way home.

Decorating Your New Home

When you relocate, your new home may feel a little empty. Getting your living space sorted is the first step to feeling comfortable in the city.

Facebook and WhatsApp are very popular social media and messaging platforms in Lithuania. If you are looking for houseware or some daily items, local social media groups are quite helpful. A great tip for new students is to join international student groups on Facebook and WhatsApp, which often give away items for free as members prepare to move out. Essentially, you can get some great kitchen tools or houseware for free. It is a good idea to ask your mentor for links to university student groups or dormitory chats.

You can also find communities run by local non-profit organisations. Based in Kaunas, Apglėbk Pasaulį (Engl. Embrace the World) is a youth-focused NGO that brings international students together through shared activities and community support. Through their WhatsApp community, you can join dedicated sub-groups for marketplace deals, language practice, sports, and regular social events. You can find the direct link on their website at: apglebkpasauli.org

“I prefer shopping offline rather than online. In Kaunas, you can easily get better deals that way. I also use Facebook Marketplace to find things that I look for locally,” says Subhrajit, an Electronics Engineering master’s student from Agartala, India.

If you want to use Facebook Marketplace, filter the search results by your specific location in Kaunas so you avoid carrying furniture or household items across the city. When buying larger items, it is always worth asking the sellers if they can help with transport before you agree to buy. Many people will be able to communicate well in English, but you might consider asking a local friend for help.

Never make any pre-payment or bank transfer without meeting the seller first and seeing the item yourself. Also, never click on any links sent by the seller. This is essential, and also true when shopping from other second-hand platforms such as skelbiu.lt.

Keeping Up with Your Hobbies

These stores function like large warehouses stocking almost everything you might need, so you can pick up all your items in one trip; they are also often located close to shopping malls. A useful tip is to check their websites or mobile apps. These stores often have a much wider online selection compared to physical stores, and you can sign up for a free discount card online. Then you can get items delivered straight to your door or choose free in-store collection.

In fact, once you know what you need, it is worth visiting price-comparison websites like Kaina24.lt or Kainos.lt. They pull data from dozens of local retailers and smaller shops to show you which one has the lowest price for the item you need. When using them, there are a few practical steps to follow. Firstly, compare the delivery fees across different retailers, because a cheaper item might have a higher shipping cost. Secondly, check if the item is available for free pickup in a physical store nearby. You should also be cautious about paying online through lesser-known shops; it is often better to visit in person and collect the item yourself.

Big Shopping Malls Are Easy to Reach

“I prefer buying new clothes rather than second-hand, so I usually shop at Akropolis or Mega shopping centres. When it comes to technology, such as mobile phones, I tend to choose local retailers that offer the best deals. For other electronics, I typically shop at Senukai or similar stores,” says Subhrajit.

Umme also prefers to shop physically. Her go-to shops are Batų Kalnas for shoes and Decathlon. The latter is located right next to Mega and is great for sports and outdoor activities clothes and gear.

“I still try to keep up my hobbies in Kaunas. I am into sports, so I try to find different clubs to play cricket and badminton. I am also into travelling, so exploring hidden places in Kaunas, which are not limited to the Old Town or Laisvės alėja, is one of my hobbies,” Subhrajit mentions, and he adds: “Kaunas is definitely a great choice for international students who are budget-conscious and want a high-quality education, in a beautiful and peaceful city.”

Text and photos by Bora Yeniay