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The best tickets for public transport for tourists in Warsaw

In this post, we would like to introduce you to the best tourist tickets for public transport in Warsaw. When tourists stand at the ticket machines, they often don’t know that there are significantly better and cheaper tickets available for the duration of their stay. In principle, one only needs to keep three tickets in mind , which are relevant for most tourists in Warsaw and cover over 90 percent of all types of tourists.

One Ticket Zone

Those who have been to Paris or London know how difficult it is to understand the complex world of zones. Germans are happy because they can finally say that there is something worse and more complicated than the German tax system. Just as in Germany one might need a tax consultant, in the mentioned cities, one needs a zone explainer.

In Warsaw, the system is quite simple. The entire city area of Warsaw is Zone 1. All neighboring municipalities are integrated into the Warsaw transport network and belong to Zone 2. Zone 1 is for everyone moving within the Warsaw city area. Zone 2 is only relevant for commuters and students.

For all tourists, this means: always buy the ticket for Zone 1 when purchasing tickets.

One Ticket, All Modes of Transport

Once you have purchased a ticket, you can use it for all modes of transportation. This includes bus lines, trams, and the metro. Additionally, you can also use the suburban fast train from the central station to the airport or vice versa.

The Best Tourist Tickets in Warsaw

Now let’s move on to the respective tickets. As mentioned, there are three of them: the 24-hour ticket, the 72-hour ticket, and the group weekend ticket.

24-Hour Ticket for a Day Trip

Are you actually only in Warsaw for half a day or a whole day? You arrive in the morning and leave again the next day? Then the 24-hour ticket is the right choice for you. The validity period is 24 hours from the moment of validation. If you stamp the ticket at 10:30 am on Thursday, it is valid until 10:30 am on Friday. You can read the end time on the back of the stamped ticket.

Price  15 PLN / 3.5 EUR

72-Hour Ticket for the City Break

Planning a city break in Warsaw and staying for three days? Then definitely get the 72-hour ticket. In this case, the ticket is valid for a full 72 hours from the moment of validation.

Price 36 PLN / 8 EUR

Another option is the weekend ticket. It is valid from Friday 7 pm to Monday 8 am, totaling 61 hours. It is also slightly cheaper. This ticket is valid for both Zone 1 and Zone 2 by default.

Price  24 PLN / 5.5 EUR

Weekend Ticket for the Group

Now comes the absolute highlight among the tickets. The weekend ticket for up to 5 people, valid from Friday 7 pm to Monday 8 am. The only disadvantage here is that the group must travel together. But the advantage is the price for a group of 5 people. The ticket costs only 40 PLN, which is approximately 9 EUR. For 5 people, it is only 1.8 EUR per person for the entire weekend.

Sometimes we think that the city of Warsaw made a mistake here. Maybe the official made a typo? On a weekend, the ticket is already worth it for 2 people.

Price  40 PLN per ticket (5 people) / 9 EUR

All you need to know about public transport in Warsaw

If you want a comprehensive overview of public transport in Warsaw, we recommend the following post. There you will find everything you need to know!

Antoni Wladyka

Founder of Walking Warsaw and licensed city guide in Warsaw and Cracow.

[email protected]

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With the Polish Golden Autumn in full swing, my wife and I visited Warsaw at the end of October. This post details my experiences with public transport in Warsaw.

In a recent post, I described my experiences with public transport in the city I live in – Gdańsk . Hence, it’d be interesting to compare the efficiency of the public transport network as well as ticket prices in Warsaw and Gdańsk. 

What forms of transport does the public transport network in Warsaw include?

The public transport network within the Warsaw metropolitan area boasts trams, buses, subway and SKM trains. SKM stands for Szybka Kolej Miejska (SKM, literally Urban Rapid Rail ).  

Who manages the public transport network in Warsaw?

The local authority controlled body which manages all forms of public transport in the capital is called Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego w Warszawie , shortened to ZTM .

Getting around Warsaw | General observations and impressions

From mokotów to the centre – and beyond.

I can’t profess to know everything about public transport in Warsaw. However, I’ve been to the city enough times to share what I believe are well-considered observations. Moreover, the three days I spent in Warsaw a week or so ago taught me a great deal about the city’s public transport network.

First thing’s first, leave your car at a Park and Ride car park or at your hotel. You’ll manage just fine using the public transport in Warsaw.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express hotel in the district of Mokotów. The hotel is just a ten-minute walk away from Warszawa Służewiec rail station. This station is just one stop away from Warsaw Chopin Airport. Over the years, I’ve used the SKM train (S2) to get from Warsaw Central Railway Station to the airport and vice versa many times. The journey takes a little over 20 minutes.

A better option for us to get into the centre (specifically the area close to Warsaw Central train station) was to take tram 17 from the stop right behind the hotel. If the traffic lights are kind, this journey can take as little as 17 minutes. 

Early confusion on Day 2

On our second day in Warsaw, there was some confusion regarding tram 31, which also runs behind Holiday Inn. According to my interpretation of the timetable, it was supposed to go to a tram stop called Dworkowa . From there, we would have had a ten-minute walk to Park Łazienki Królewskie. However, the tram stopped close to Metro Wierzbno – some two kilometres short of Dworkowa.

So, an elderly lady informed us to use the same 75-minute tickets and take the metro three stops to Politechnika . From there, it was but a 10-minute walk to Park Łazienki.

All in all, this minor confusion didn’t alter my very favourable opinion of Warsaw’s public transport network.

Public transport tickets in Warsaw

Passengers can use public transport in Warsaw on the basis of time tickets, which allow for an unlimited number of journeys, short-term tickets and long-term tickets.

Most tourists should get by using time tickets (20-minute, 75-minute, 90-minute and group 75-minute) or short-term tickets (daily, three-day, weekend and group weekend).

Most tickets are valid in both zones 1 and 2.

A 75-minute ticket (individual and group) is only valid in zone 1 unless a passenger is travelling to the last stop or station on a particualr route. Frankly, I imagine that very few tourists need to venture outside city limits (i.e. into zone 2). 

Time tickets

Time tickets are valid on all trams, buses, SKM trains and Metro. 

20-minute ticket – 3,40 zl

A 20-minute ticket entitles a passenger to an unlimited number of journeys for a period not exceeding 20 minutes from its validation. 

A few notes of caution:

• This ticket does not include parking at ZTM-operated park and ride facilities in Warsaw; 
• The SKM train journey from Warszawa Śródmieście to Warsaw Chopin Airport may last over 20 minutes. Therefore, it’s advisable to purchase a 75-minute ticket.

75-minute ticket – 4,40 zl

A 75-minute ticket entitles a passenger to an unlimited number of journeys for a period not exceeding 75 minutes from its validation. 

• If a stop or station is the last on a particular route, a 75-minute only entitles a passenger to a single journey. This journey may take longer than 75 minutes;
• Only valid in zone 1.

Group 75-minute ticket – 22 zl

This unique single fare group ticket entitles a group of up to 10 people to an unlimited number of journeys for a period not exceeding 75 minutes from its validation. 

• If a stop or station is the last on a particular route, a 75-minute only entitles a group of passengers to a single journey. This journey may take longer than 75 minutes;

90-minute ticket – 7 zl

A 90-minute ticket entitles a passenger to an unlimited number of journeys for a period not exceeding 90 minutes from its validation. 

• If a stop or station is the last on a particular route, a 90-minute only entitles a passenger to a single journey. This journey may take longer than 90 minutes.

Comments on the prices of time tickets in Warsaw

The first tickets I bought on this little break were 75-minute tickets. I was gobsmacked when I saw that a 75-minute ticket costs 4,40 zl. My immediate hunch was that ticket prices hadn’t increased in Warsaw for a number of years. I was right.

In an article I read on the TVN Warszawa news website , users of public transport in Warsaw have been paying the same prices since 2013. 4,40 zl for 75 minutes of travel in a well-developed European capital city – in this day and age. Astonishing.

In the same article, we learn that the Mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski , is in discussions with councillors regarding an increase in the prices of public transport tickets. Trzaskowski pointed out that any adjustments to prices will only apply to single/time tickets and not long-term tickets. Additionally, any forthcoming price increases should be “very small”, the Mayor said.

Therefore, ticket price increases in Warsaw are inevitable for reasons that should be obvious. However, looking at the situation in other Polish cities, residents of Warsaw have never had it so good.

Comparing the prices of time tickets in Warsaw and other Polish cities 

In the summer, the Public Transport Authority of Gdańsk hiked prices of a one-journey ticket from 3,80 zl to 4,80 zl. Admittedly, the 4,80 zl ticket now entitles a passenger to an unlimited number of journeys, should a passenger need to change buses or trams. One shouldn’t grumble about this price. 

I pay 109,00 zl for a monthly ticket in Gdańsk because it saves me from having to drive into the city centre or to nature spots I frequently visit, such as the Tri-City Landscape Park.

When comparing prices of public transport in Warsaw with Kraków, my feeling that Varsovians have never had it so good surfaces once again. Cracovians have to fork out 6,00zl for a 60-minute ticket and 8,00 for a 90-minute ticket. Given that the 75-minute time ticket does not exist in Kraków, Varsovians get an extra 15 minutes and pay 1,60 zl less when comparing the price of a 75-minute ticket in Warsaw with the price of a 60-minute ticket in Kraków.

Short-term tickets in Warsaw

Short-term tickets in Warsaw take the form of:

• One-day ticket (24 hours) in zone 1
• One-day ticket (24 hours) in both zones 1 and 2
• Three-day ticket (72 hours) in zone 1
• Three-day ticket (72 hours) valid in both zones 1 and 2
• Weekend ticket in both zones 1 and 2
• Group weekend ticket in both zones 1 and 2

Here are the prices and a few more details about all of these short-term tickets.

Zone 1 one-day (24h) ticket – 15 zl

A one-day ticket entitles a passenger to an unlimited number of journeys over a 24-hour period from its validation.

A few comments:

• This ticket includes parking at ZTM-operated park and ride facilities in Warsaw;

Passengers may use this ticket as part of the ZTM-KM-WKD integrated ticket offer.

Zones 1 and 2 one-day (24h) ticket – 26 zl 

• This ticket includes parking at ZTM-operated park and ride facilities in Warsaw; 

Zone 1 three-day (72h) ticket – 36 zl  

A three-day ticket entitles a passenger to an unlimited number of journeys over a 72-hour period from its validation.

Weekend ticket – 24 zl 

A weekend ticket entitles a passenger to an unlimited number of journeys from 19:00 PM on Friday until 8:00 AM on Monday.

• Valid in both zones 1 and 2;

Group weekend ticket – 40 zl 

A group weekend ticket entitles a group of up to five people to an unlimited number of journeys from 19:00 PM on Friday until 8:00 AM on Monday.

Zones 1 and 2 and three-day (72h) ticket – 57 zl 

What is the ztm-km-wkd integrated ticket offer.

“ZTM-KM-WKD Integrated ticket” is a special tariff offer in which the holders of short-term ZTM tickets may travel by suburban trains in Warsaw and neighbouring communes.

For more information, check out this page . 

Are any groups of tourists entitled to purchase reduced fare tickets in Warsaw ?

As far as I can see on the “ Discount entitlements ” section on the Public Transport Authority in Warsaw’s official website, only children and adolescents from October 1 in the calendar year they are 7 until they are 16 can purchase reduced fare tickets ( bilet ulgowy ).

Always carry an ID card or another document with a photo confirming your child’s date of birth.

Are any groups of tourists entitled to use public transport in Warsaw free of charge?

As far as I can see on the “Discount entitlements” section on the Public Transport Authority in Warsaw’s official website, the following groups of people can use public transport in Warsaw free of charge:

• Children from their birth until September 30 in the calendar year when they are 7 years old 
• People over the age of 70

As with the reduced fare tickets, carry an ID card or another document with a photo confirming your date of birth.

Forms of public transport in Warsaw

As I’ve already pointed out, the public transport network within the Warsaw metropolitan area comprises trams, buses, subway and SKM trains.

Read on to find out more about some key bus routes and metro stops which might be interesting for tourists. 

The Bus Network in Warsaw

Warsaw’s bus network is the most extensive means of transport in the city. Naturally, it is the least reliable form of public transport due to traffic jams. 

There are over 200 daily bus lines in Warsaw. There are also around 50 suburban services and over 40 buses that run regularly during the night.

Recommended bus lines for tourists

116 + 180 – royal route in warsaw.

The stop Pl. Zamkowy 01 ( Krakowskie Przedmieście Street) is but a five minute walk from The Royal Castle in the Old Town of Warsaw.

From this stop, you can take either bus 116 or 180 to both Łazienki Królewskie Park (10 minutes) and Wilanów Palace and Park (30 minutes in total from Pl.Zamkowy 01 ). 

175 – Warsaw Chopin Airport bus 

Warsaw Chopin Airport to/from the Main Railway Station (Dw. Centralny). 

In light traffic, it should take no longer than 22-25 minutes to get from the stop in front of airport arrivals to the centre (and vice versa of course). 

For the Old Town/Nowy Świat Street, get off at the stop Foksal 02 .

The Metro Network in Warsaw

There are two metro lines in Warsaw:

1. M1 – from north to south

Key stops include:

• Dworzec Gdański – A short walk from Westfield Arkadia shopping centre
• Plac Wilsona – Check out the district of Stary Żoliborz (Old Żoliborz)

2. M2 – from east to west 

• Centrum Nauki Kopernik – For the Copernicus Science Centre and Vistula River
• Stadion Narodowy – For a tour of the PGE National Stadium
• Dworzec Wileński – Check out the Praga and New Praga districts, as well as Park Praski

Both metro lines cross at the station Świętokrzyska , which is a short walk north-east of the Palace of Culture and Science.

Practicalities

Where can you buy public transport tickets in warsaw.

First thing’s first, all trams, buses, metro and SKM trains have the same tickets. Moreover, time tickets allow you to change between all of those forms of transport should you need to.

Ticket machines ( biletomaty )

Stationary ticket machines .

Slowly but surely, Warsaw’s Public Transport Authority continues to gradually develop the network of stationary ticket machines.

Currently, there are over 800 ticket machines in Warsaw and neighbouring towns. Most of them are located in Warsaw, mainly at metro stations, railway stops and interchange junctions.

Stationary ticket machines give change if you pay with banknotes and/or coins. 

Of course, you can by card. 

Ticket machines in vehicles

It has become a standard that all vehicles (buses, trams, SKM trains) have ticket machines installed on board.

You can only pay by card (PayPass payments included).

It’s possible to buy 20-minute, 75-minute and 90-minute tickets on board. 

20-minute tickets, as well as 75 and 90-minute tickets sold in these ticket machines, are validated immediately upon purchase. These tickets have a printed QR code, which allows passengers to travel by metro (all stations have at least 1 gate equipped with a QR code reader).

If you’re old-fashioned, like I am, you can buy tickets at a kiosk scattered around the city centre. 

Mobile apps

Check out this page to see which mobile applications enable passengers to buy tickets.

Public transport in Warsaw – A reason for Varsovians to be grateful for what they have in life

All in all, I’ve had very positive experiences of using public transport in Warsaw. 

In terms of the frequency of services and ticket prices, Varsovians shouldn’t complain. As for traffic jams which might delay buses, the Public Transport Authority in Warsaw is hardly to blame.

In Gdańsk, by contrast, trams run rather infrequently at weekends – at certain times, every half an hour. Even at rush hour on weekdays, trams tend to run every 10 minutes in Gdańsk. In stark contrast, I’ve seen that some tram lines run every two to four minutes in Warsaw.

For all public transport services and timetables in Warsaw:

https://www.wtp.waw.pl/rozklady-jazdy/

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An easy Warsaw 1 day itinerary

Warsaw, Poland, is one of the oldest and most historic Europe cities. It was almost completely destroyed by the Nazi Germany in World War II. However, it has since rebuilt itself into a beautiful city with a rich history and an important centre of culture and politics.

Many people plan a trip to Warsaw in Northern Poland for at least a week, but if for some reason you only have 1 day in Warsaw, we have the perfect Warsaw 1 day itinerary for you.

How to save money on your Warsaw short break

Evening in warsaw poland, visit poland travel planning.

Your day in the capital city of Poland should easily include all the very best things to do in Warsaw to give you a perfect taste of what this amazing Polish destination has to offer.

Our one-day Warsaw itinerary has you spending 1 full day of at least 12 hours exploring the Polish capital as part of a Poland itinerary. We have created this Warsaw 1 day itinerary guide to help you plan your day in Warsaw .

The modern version of Warsaw is home to a wide variety of museums, art galleries, and historical attractions, including the Warsaw Barbican, Warsaw ghetto, old town marketplace presidential palace and more. Your one day in Warsaw should include trying Polish food such as sour rye soup, Bigos, hunter’s stew, cabbage stew and the famous Pierogi.

The old town district of Warsaw is also a major tourist attraction, with its narrow streets, colourful buildings, and many food options for one day in Warsaw Poland.

When is the best time to visit Warsaw?

Poland is a great country to visit  any time of year, but the spring and summer months offer the most pleasant weather. Warsaw, Poland’s capital city , sees average temperatures in the low 60s during May and June. July and August are even warmer, with average highs in the mid-70s.

This makes Warsaw sightseeing much easier in the warmer months for your Warsaw 1 day itinerary. The fall months see temperatures drop back into the 50s and 60s, making it a great time to explore other parts of the country.

Poland can be cold and snowy in the winter months, so if you’re looking for a warm getaway, consider travelling to Poland during its peak season.

Is 1 day in Warsaw enough?

Warsaw is an amazing, one of the best cities in Poland , that you could spend weeks exploring. 1 day in Warsaw is certainly not enough to do justice to the many incredible things to do in Warsaw.

What we will do with a 1-day Warsaw itinerary is to inspire you to plan your next trip to Warsaw and see even more the next time around! You will find plenty to do for singles, couples, and  families in Warsaw.

Although Poland is a budget-friendly location, several of the best things to do in Warsaw aren’t free for your short Warsaw one-day itinerary.

Some of the best Warsaw activities like the entrance to world-class museums such as the POLN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, The Warsaw Uprising Museum and the Fryderyk Chopin Museum in Warsaw, the viewing terrace on the 30th floor of the Palace of Culture and Science and many cost money. You could consider a free walking tour while visiting Warsaw.

You’ll be able to pick the 24-hour pass and use it to complement your Warsaw 1 day itinerary. You’ll need to squeeze in as much as possible to make the All-Inclusive pass pay for itself, but it’s definitely doable.

We’ve included a little note in our one-day in Warsaw itinerary if an activity is included on the Warsaw Pass, so if you’re on the fence, keep an eye out for those below when planning a trip to Poland.

Want to take Poland home with you?  Here are all the best Polish souvenirs you should consider

Here is your Warsaw 1 day itinerary guide

While we highly recommend a longer stay in Warsaw there are times a short trip to Europe is the only option. We hope this Warsaw 1 day itinerary maximises your vacation to Warsaw experiences and answers your question about what to do in Warsaw in one day.

Warsaw 1-day tour – Hop on hop off the bus

The number one thing you should do if you only have a 1-day stopover in Warsaw is to buy a 24-hour Warsaw one-day ticket on the Warsaw sightseeing bus.

The hop-on hop-off Warsaw bus will take you to all the best stops in the city and the sightseeing bus is one of the best tours of Warsaw. It has a red line and blue line, taking in a combined 23 stops.

The bus stops at some major sites in Warsaw such as The Palace of Science and Culture, Old Town Market Square, The National Stadium, The POLN Museum, The Warsaw Rising Museum , Castle Square and the Downtown area.

After you have done the full lap and seen all the sights on the bus pick some of the best ones to see up close in Warsaw.

We recommend choosing from the 5 attractions below when visiting Poland’s capital for 1 day.

What to see in Warsaw in one day – The POLN Museum

The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews is located in Warsaw, Poland. The museum’s mission is to educate people about the history of Polish Jews. The museum opened in 2014 and is the largest museum of its kind in Europe.

The museum tells the story of the Jewish community in Poland from its earliest days to the present. It features exhibits of Jewish culture, religion, politics, and everyday life. The museum also includes a Holocaust memorial and an interactive children’s exhibit.

The POLIN Museum is free to visit, making this museum a budget-friendly option in Warsaw for your Warsaw 1 day itinerary.

Palace of science and culture

Warsaw’s Palace of Science and Culture is a massive structure that has been the subject of much debate. Completed in 1955, the palace was designed by architect Joseph Stalin’s favourite architect, Lev Rudnev.

The tallest building in Warsaw has been criticised for its Stalinist architecture, which is considered to be brutal and imposing. Despite the criticism, the palace in the city centre has remained a popular tourist attraction, with its observation deck providing amazing city views. Book tickets for the Palace of Science and Culture.

*If you are looking for a quick and hearty bite to eat on your visit to the Palace of Science and Culture there is a traditional Milkbar in the basement. Serving amazing food you can easily add a stop here on your Warsaw 1 day itinerary, ticking off another amazing Warsaw experience.

Planning a trip to Warsaw:  Here are the best areas to stay in

The Warsaw National Stadium

For sports lovers, a tour of the National Stadium might be a highlight of your visit to Warsaw. The PGE National Stadium dominates the horizon from the Warsaw Old Town. The PGE National Stadium was built in 2012 for the European Football Championship that was co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine. For any travellers who love sport, this has to be one of the best things to do in Warsaw.

The National Stadium holds 58,000 and is often packed full when the Polish National team plays Football. The stadium has played host to a number of the biggest International acts on the planet including Guns n Roses, Beyonce, Metallica and Ed Sheeran just to name a few. (Classical Chopin concerts are held free throughout the city).

Guided tours of the stadium run 7 days a week, 10:00-19:00 every 30 minutes (in Polish). English tours are conducted Mon-Fri 12:00, 14:00 and 17:00, and Sat/Sun 12:00, 14:30 and 17:00. French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish tours take place by prior arrangement. The stadium is located near the railway station  Warszawa Stadion . The stadium is on the S1 and S2 lines of the Warsaw metro.

One day in Warsaw, what to do – visit the Old Town

A visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Warsaw Old Town is one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations. The Old Town was first settled in the 13th century and has been rebuilt and restored many times over the years. The Warsaw Old Town is home to many historic buildings , churches, and monuments for you to see in a day in Warsaw.

Discover more Polish castles :  Stay the night at the amazing Czocha Castle

The Royal Castle in the Old Town of Warsaw

The star attraction of the Warsaw Old Town is the Warsaw Castle . The Castle is situated at the entrance to Warsaw Old Town. The Castle was home to the Kings and Queens of Poland over the years. In 1939 the castle came under bombardment by the Luftwaffe fighter aircraft and was then destroyed by the Nazis after the failed  Warsaw Uprising .

Today the restored and rebuilt Castle of Warsaw takes its place, looking larger than life and welcoming tourists. The castle was rebuilt as close as possible to its original design, the interior was restored by acquiring pieces of furniture and decorations from all around Poland.

The basement art Gallery even has 2 Rembrandts that were donated to the Polish people to display. There is no better way to learn about Polish Heritage than by a tour of the Warsaw castle.

If you have the evening spare, consider doing a Warsaw Pub crawl or food tour in the city , This will give you a great sense of the foods and drinks the Polish people who live in Warsaw like. This is a great way to finish off a Warsaw 1 day itinerary.

Looking for some extra fun in Poland?  Check   out one of these amazing festivals in Poland

Some foods to try on your Warsaw 1 day itinerary

There is no better way to fall in love with a city than to delve deep into the food culture. Poland is known for its hearty and filling meals that keep you going all day. Having a Warsaw 1 day itinerary to fill, you need all the energy you can get, and these traditional Polish dishes should be on your list.

Pierogi: Polish dumplings are a good food to grab on the go in Warsaw. The Pierogi come in a variety of flavours and are easy to get all over the city in either a take-away or a sit-down meal.

Gofry: Loaded waffles are a great treat to have while wandering the Old Town on your Warsaw 1 day itinerary. You can find a spot to sit and devour these before deciding if you need more!

Zapikanka: A very filling meal on the go. These Polish pizza subs are best had to wander the streets and enjoy the Warsaw attractions. Many little stores sell them and you really can’t go wrong.

Goulash and potato pancakes: Best enjoyed as a sit-down meal you will find plenty of top restaurants have this on their menu. Make sure you are hungry if you sit down for a serving of this as you will be so full when you finish.

Chocolate from E. Wedel: A stop here must be on your Warsaw 1 day itinerary. With many locations over the city, you can enjoy hot chocolate or some chocolate-coated plums from the oldest chocolate makers in Poland.

Essential information for Warsaw

There are many other things you need to consider when planning a vacation to Warsaw, not just where are the best areas to stay in Warsaw. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from travellers to Warsaw for your 1 day in Warsaw itinerary.

How to get to Warsaw Poland

• You can   book an airport transfer   from Warsaw Airport to your hotel
• You can catch trains to Warsaw from all over Europe and Poland. High-speed trains run frequently between Warsaw and Krakow in around 2 hours. You can book your   Super Saver fare tickets book here!  with Bahn.de
• Flix Bus has buses running daily to Warsaw from destinations inside Poland and International destinations. Search for your  bus tickets to  Warsaw
• Poland has some great Highways for driving, The newer Highways built with E.U assistants are levied with what I would say are heavy tolls. Some local roads do leave a lot to be desired. You can hire a car at any international airport in Poland and Europe. Search your  Rental Car today !

Booking Flights : To score flight deals, search on  Aviasales  or  Kiwi Flights . Money-saving tips: fly mid-week or on the weekend, fly carry-on only on a budget airline, and take late-night or early-morning flights.

Accommodations in Poland

You can stay in budget-friendly vacation rentals, boutique hotels, and private rooms in hostels or luxury locations. We recommend using  Booking.com   to book hotels ( we love their flexible cancellation policy ) and  Hostelworld  to book hostels ( low deposit, easy change/cancellation, and excellent reviews) .

For apartments and rentals, we book using  VRBO . VRBO has lower fees and better customer service than Airbnb. You can also book vacation rentals in Warsaw on  Agoda .

How to get around Warsaw

Public transport in Warsaw includes buses, trams (streetcars), Metro, light rail, urban railway and regional rail. ZTM tickets are valid on the city and suburban bus lines, as well as trams, and metro. You can buy tickets at most stops or onboard. Riding on public transport in Warsaw is the best way to get to all the best things to do in Warsaw.

Taxi and UBER are available in the city.

What currency do I need for my trip to Poland?

The official currency you need to use in Poland is the Polish Zloty, We recommend that you get a   Revolut travel money card ,  that can be loaded with multiple currencies and has nearly non-existent withdrawal fees to save you money on your vacation to Warsaw.

Travel insurance for Poland

Poland has a high quality of healthcare but in saying that travel insurance is still recommended for all travellers entering the country. The last thing you want is a huge bill for medical expenses should you require care on your holiday in Warsaw.

We recommend using Travel Insurance Master, their website will compare the best deals from a number of providers and present you with the best value for money policy on the market.  Click through to Insurance Masters to get a free quote .

Using your phone in Warsaw

Relying on Wi-Fi when you are travelling and sightseeing in Warsaw on vacation can be hard. Making calls and staying in contact when you travel to Europe is a top priority. Plan your trip out and  order your sim or get a voucher and use the newer e-sim before you leave home to stop any stress about travelling, data and calls on your epic vacation in Poland.

Use a VPN service on your travels 

A VPN keeps your digital information (like website login details, bank info, etc) safe, even when you’re connected to an unsecured network while travelling. When overseas, we access a lot of different Wi-Fi networks along the journey. A VPN allows you to stream Netflix & other streaming sites from your home country!  We use Express VPN when travelling.

We hope this What to see in Warsaw in a 1-day guide helps you plan a trip to Warsaw, Poland soon. You will not be disappointed by the sites such as Lazienki Park, the Vistula River, the historic centre, the royal castle and the Warsaw old town just to name a few.

You will find friendly people walking the royal route, serving delicious Polish food such as potato pancakes and running guided tours during your one-day in Warsaw itinerary.

Poland Travel Expert   is your ultimate guide to all things Poland. Your next trip to Poland will not be complete without our detailed Poland guides, Poland itineraries and Poland travel tips.

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Author Bio: Mark Wyld

Mark Wyld is a Father, husband, traveller, and writer at Poland Travel Expert and other blogs. I have accumulated a wealth of experience over multiple visits to Poland. Thanks to our friends in Poland, we stay connected to the nation’s pulse, ensuring that our content is up to date with our first-hand experience. The information on this website is backed by genuine expertise.

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Warsaw travel blog — the fullest warsaw guide for a budget trip for first-timers.

Warsaw is a famous city with steeped in history with magnificent castles and quaint streets of hundreds of years. The romantic, ancient and modern city located on the Vistula river has long become the pride of the people of this country. Warsaw still retains its ancient features intact despite the terrible losses during the second world war. A worth-visit capital in Europe with 8 UNESCO heritage sites. So, what to do and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Warsaw for the first-time? Let’s check out our Warsaw travel blog (Warsaw blog) with the fullest Warsaw guide (Warsaw travel guide, Warsaw tourist guide) from how to get there, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit and top things to do to find out the answer!

• Poland itinerary 5 days — How to spend 5 days in Poland to visit Warsaw and Krakow
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• Warsaw 1 day itinerary — How to spend a day in Warsaw & what to do in one day trip in Warsaw?
• Poland travel tips — +15 what & things to know before going to Poland

Warsaw travel blog: Overview of Warsaw

Warsaw (or Warszawa in Polish) is a city that reborn from the ashes, suffering severe consequences of wars. Today, it has restored and has become the economic, political, historical and cultural center of Poland and is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Europe. The name Warsaw was formed by Wars (the fisherman), and Sawa (the mermaid on the Vistula river). With a history of more than 700 years, at first, Warsaw was just a citadel built by the Prince of Mazovia on the banks of the Vistula river (Wisla River). Today, the vestiges of this citadel are still kept in the Royal Palace of Poland (Royal Castle of Poland).

Under King Stanislaw August Poniatowski, Warsaw flourished and was almost destroyed during World War II with 85% of the buildings in a state of complete destruction. Like phoenix, Poland’s capital has revived strongly and become a modern, dynamic city. The blending of different architectural styles and the obsession with the past have created an irresistible attraction for a nuanced Warsaw.

Warsaw travel blog: Some interesting facts about Warsaw:

• Warsaw became the capital of Poland in 1918. It is the only city in Europe with a nature reserve – Jeziorko Czerniakowskie.
• Warsaw is home to the world’s first official library in 1747.
• The Białowieża Primeval Forest in Poland is the last primeval-forest in present-day Europe.
• Poland is the only country in Europe that never officially cooperated with or surrendered to Germany during World War II. The German resistance movement of the Polish people during World War II was the largest resistance movement in Europe.
• Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland is one of the oldest salt mines in the world, found in the 13th century and still producing salt until 2007.
• Marie Curie (Manya Sklodowska) was born in Warsaw on November 7, 1867. She coined the term “radioactivity” and won the Nobel Prize in Physics with her husband and colleague Pierre Curie in 1903. She won the second Nobel Prize in 1911 for her research on pure Radium.
• Poland is one of the countries with the most Nobel Prizes in the world.
• Frédéric François Chopin is a world famous Polish composer. The largest international airport in Warsaw is also named after him.
• Warsaw’s population is estimated nearly 1.8 million and the metropolitan area is over 3.1 million, making Warsaw the 8th largest city in the European Union.

Warsaw travel blog: When to visit?

Like other Central European countries, the climate in Poland is quite mild and pleasant. For me personally, the most suitable time to travel to Warsaw is from late March to August or early autumn from September to October. At this time, the weather is cool, not too hot, nor too cold, very suitable for sightseeing and exploring tourist attractions in Warsaw in particular as well as Poland in general.

The period from late spring to early summer (ie from May to June) is the peak tourist season of Warsaw.

Warsaw guide: Where to stay?

During my trip, I stayed in a room of an Airbnb apartment in the center of Warsaw for €23 / 1 night / 2 people. The house has 4 rooms and is used for tourists to rent. The house is located right on a bustling street with many restaurants, bars, and supermarkets. From here, traveling to the new or old town is also very convenient. In general, I feel very good. However, guests have to share the toilet and bathroom with the other 3 rooms as well as the mini-kitchen with only a kettle and a mini-fridge.

Also on this street, there is Nowy Świat studio ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) apartment for rent for €40 / night. The house is very nice, clean and because it is an apartment, you are also feel more comfortable than the room I stayed in above. Recommend staying here if you want to find a comfortable private place in the center. Unfortunately, the day I booked the room, this studio was fully booked. This apartment is quite hot, so it often rented out quickly!

In addition, you also can book a room at Central station Hostel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) for only €17 / night / 2 people. This hotel is located right near the station, shopping malls, so it is very convenient.

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Sofitel Warsaw Victoria Hotel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Mercure Warszawa Centrum ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• InterContinental Warszawa ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• The Westin Warsaw ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Mercure Warsaw Grand ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )

Check out more top rated and best accommodations in Warsaw on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Warsaw guide: Getting to Warsaw

The largest airport in Poland is Warsaw Chopin Airport in Warsaw, with direct connections to about 50 cities and more than 30 other countries in Europe and around the world.

To find cheap airfares as well as most suitable flight routes you can use Google Flights , SkyScanner to find tickets.

Getting to the airport to city center

The airport located in south-west part of Warsaw city, about 10 km (6.21 mi) from the city center.

Train: You can take the S2 or S3 train depending on your specific destination. S3 will take you to the city center train station. The train time about 20 minutes.

Bus: Take the bus 175, 188, 143, N32, 331. These bus lines directly run to central city.

Tickets can be used for both bus and train. You can buy tickets at ticket counters at the airport, ticket vending machines in the basement at station or buy directly on the bus.

• 20-minute ticket: PLN 3.40 – €0.8
• Single-fare transfer tickets (75 minutes): PLN 4.40 – €1.03
• Single-fare transfer tickets (90 minutes): PLN 7.00 – €1.64
• One-day ticket: PLN 15.00 – €3.52
• 3-day ticket: PLN 36.00 – €8.5

On the day I went, I bought a €3.5 day ticket at the ticket machine right at the bus station outside the airport entrance.

Shared Bus Transfer between Warsaw Chopin Airport and Warsaw

Taxi: It takes about 20 minutes and costs about €8 – 12.

Bus or train

Alternatively, you also can take a bus or train from other European cities to Warsaw which is easy and convenient. To find the cheap tickets, most suitable routes and timetables you can refer to OMIO website .

From other cities to Warsaw

Poland is famous for its 4 tourist cities Warsaw, Krakow, Zakopane and Gdanks. In which Krakow is the most famous tourist city in this beautiful Central European country.

• Warsaw – Krakow (292km): You can take the train for €20 – 30 depending on the time or flixbus with average price around €14 in about 4 – 5 hours of riding.
• Warsaw – Gdanks (330km): By train or bus for about €10 – 15 for about 4 hours of traveling. I took Polishrail train from Warsaw to Gdansk for €15 and only booked 1 day in advance. If you book earlier, it will cost around €10. This is probably one of my most memorable train ride experiences. The train is quite old, crowded and tight. In addition, there is no air conditioner like trains in other European countries, so it is extremely hot. In general, the most memorable 4 hours of the trip.

The day I went from Vienna to Warsaw, the price was also very cheap. With a direct flight of more than 1 hour for only €10. In general, traveling between Central European countries is quite convenient and easy.

Warsaw guide: Getting around Warsaw

The public transport network in Warsaw is well developed and widely used. You can use bus, metro, tram to travel between Warsaw tourist attractions. The ticket price is still the same as the ticket used to get from the airport to the center. If you only go to famous tourist places and to airport, you can choose to buy zone 1 tickets as above is okay.

Hop on – hop off bus tickets: €16.7 (24 hours), €23 (48 hours).

Warsaw travel bog: Where to go?

The central square and the old town were built in the 13th century, which like the Royal Castle, was heavily destroyed during the war and was also rebuilt by the Polish. The old town along with the Royal Castle, has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site since 1980. The square is the center of the old town and until the 18th century it was the heart of Warsaw. This old town features a statue of a mermaid designed by sculptor Konstantin Hegel, which is considered a symbol of Warsaw.

However, in the 17th century, a great fire destroyed the entire area and was later rebuilt by the people in Renaissance and Baroque architecture. When walking around the old town square, you should stop at the bronze statue of the mermaid Syrena – the national emblem of Warsaw to see and take pictures.

The Old Town Square is one of the world’s cultural heritages recognized by UNESCO in 1980. This place was once bombed and heavily destroyed by Hitler’s army. After the war, this famous tourist attraction was rebuilt in Gothic architecture.

Royal Castle

The ultimate symbol of historical heritage, the main attraction of Warzsawa is the Royal Castle. This palace was built under King Sigizmund III Vasa in 1618, on the site of a wooden fortress. During the war, this castle was destroyed, leaving only one arch. From the outside, the castle looks more modest than its name suggests, but the wealth and luxury of the interior is what makes visitors overwhelmed. The antiques in the palace were fought, hidden, kept and reclaimed from Germany by the Poles in the years after the war.

Along with Old Town, the Polish royal castle was also recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage in 1980. The personal office of the King of Poland as well as the Court were located here for a long time. During the length of history, this was the site of the most raided and plundered by foreign invaders in Poland.

After the Warsaw Uprising, Hitler had destroyed this castle. And it took quite a long time after the end of World War 2, the new palace was rebuilt with the same model as the old one.

Another interesting thing is that the Polish-American community has remodeled the Gateway Theater in Chicago with the same exterior architecture as the Royal Castle in Warsaw to commemorate that period. Chicago is home to the largest Polish population in the world today.

Address: plac Zamkowy 4, 00-277 Warszawa, Poland Hours: 11AM–5PM/Monday: Closed

Lazienki Park

Łazienki Królewskie (or Royal Baths Park ) is a complex of hot springs comprising 75 acres of gardens and many historical buildings and works dating back to the 17th century.

Lazienki is a very large park and covered with lush green. Lazienki Mansion, also known as “The mansion on water”  is one of the famous tourist attractions you should not miss when coming here.

In addition, this tourist place also has a monument to Chopin built in 1910 to commemorate the centenary of his birthday. However, the Nazis completely blew up the Chopin monument in 1940. And it was not until 1958 that the monument was completely rebuilt based on the old model design.

Admissions: Depending on each place to visit, the price varies, such as palace, museum, etc. Ticket prices can be referred at lazienki-krolewskie page. Only Friday will be free.

Warsaw Uprising Museum

The Warsaw Uprising Museum is a place to display works about the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 when the Nazis invaded. This museum was opened in 2004 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the uprising.

The museum displays hundreds of artifacts, ranging from weapons used by the rebels to love letters from young people at the time. From there, it clearly depicts a vivid picture of this brutal war. The Warsaw Uprising Museum is like a repository of historical information about the uprising that day as well as a place to record the stories and memories of those who participated in the war.

Address: Grzybowska 79, 00-844 Warszawa, Poland Hours: 10AM–6PM/Tuesday: Closed Admissions: €5.9: adult / €4.7: student under 26 years old and retirees over 65 years old

Palace of Culture and Science

The Tower of Culture and Science with a height of 237 meters is the tallest building in Poland as well as the 6th tallest building in the European Union. This tourist place is home to a lot of cultural and entertainment activities such as cinema, theatre, library, sports club…

The tower was designed by Soviet architect Lev Rudnev in the Art Deco style. However, this is a controversial work in Poland. The tower is seen as a reminder of Soviet influence over Poland as it was built during the period of human rights abuses under Joseph Stalin. A group of veterans as well as many political parties have called for its demolition. In 2009, the Polish Foreign Minister and even Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki approved the plan to demolish the structure. However, it still standing today.

Address: plac Defilad 1, 00-901 Warszawa, Poland Hours: 10AM–10PM Ticket price: €4.7: adult / €3.5: students under 26 years old. This ticket is to access the top floor for a panoramic view of the city. You can buy tickets online at the official website.

POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews

This museum was opened in 2014  and showcases works on the Jewish community that have flourished in Poland for over 1000 years. This building is a postmodern structure of glass, bronze and concrete. This construction was designed by Finnish architects Rainer Mahlamäki and Ilmari Lahdelma.

Address: Mordechaja Anielewicza 6, 00-157 Warszawa, Poland Hours: 10AM–6PM/Tuesday: Closed Ticket price: €5.9

Holy Cross Church

With Baroque architecture, Holy Cross Church, where the heart of Chopin is kept, the genius Polish musician. He died at a young age (39 years old), Polish could not bring his body back to Poland as he wished, his body left in Paris but his “heart” was brought back in the arms of God in the Holy Cross Church in Warsaw.

Address: Krakowskie Przedmieście 3, 00-047 Warszawa, Poland Hours: 6AM–8PM

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Wieliczka welcomes visitors with unique works of art made from rock salt. Therefore, this place is very attractive to tourists. In addition, when you come to the city of Warsaw and visit the Wieliczka salt mine, you will an opportunity to visit a church with extremely good resonance.

Address: Daniłowicza 10, 32-020 Wieliczka, Poland Hours: 9AM–5PM

Bialowieza Forest

If you are a nature lover, then Bialowieza forest will be a famous tourist destination that you should visit. It will bring you fresh and cool air. In particular, you will be able to see and explore a unique ecological world with many beautiful and attractive scenes.

Warsaw guide: Suggested Warsaw travel itinerary

For me personally, Warsaw does not have too many outstanding places like other European capitals. I think it’s ok to spend 1-2 days here.

Regarding the self-sufficient Warsaw travel itinerary, you can refer to the location of the places as on the map above to arrange a suitable itinerary to go.

Day 1: Exploring the old town – Royal Castle – Nowy Swiat street.

Day 2: Lazienki Park – Palace of Culture and Science – Warsaw Uprising Museum – POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews – Wilanów Palace or Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanów (this place is about 12km from the center).

Warsaw travel blog: What to eat?

Here are some must-try dishes you should try in Warsaw and Poland.

• Bigos (Polish Hunter’s Stew), which is made from stewed meat, white cabbage, sausages with sauerkraut and honey. Chlodnik (Cold Polish Beet Soup) soup is made from beetroot, so the color is also very beautiful.
• Golabki : Polish Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with Tomato Sauce
• Pierogi : Polish dumplings which is made of wrapping unleavened dough around a savoury or sweet filling and then boiling.
• Zurek Soup : Classic Polish Sour Rye Soup which is made of white sausage, smoked meat, and sour liquid made from fermented rye flour.
• Zrayzy : Polish Beef Rolls
• Rosot : Traditional Polish Chicken Soup

Save money on food by visiting a “bar mleczny”: A “ bar mleczny ” is a cheap canteen-style restaurant in Poland that brings the country’s traditional dishes to tourists at an extremely affordable price.

Dine in Vapiano : Another culinary option that tourists can choose is the Italian restaurant chain Vapiano. In Warsaw, Vapiano restaurant often is located very close to major shopping areas, so you can absolutely stop by here for a meal before going in search of unique souvenirs to commemorate your journey.

• Traditional Polish Restaurant: N31 restaurant&bar by Robert Sowa and Soul Kitchen
• Italian restaurant: Ciao Napoli, cheap €4-7
• Vietnamese restaurant : Mama Pho

In addition, on the Nowy Swiat street, there are many other restaurants serving Asian to European cuisine. Most restaurants show their menus at outside. If you see a place that is crowded and suitable for you, visit.

Warsaw guide: Travel costs

The cost of traveling to Warsaw in self-sufficient way is quite cheap compared to other European tourist cities. The cost is only about half that of Austria, Italy, the Netherlands…and on par with the Czech Republic. On average, each meal here costs about €5.

Hotel: €12, shared Traveling: €3 / day Meals: €15-20 / day Entrance ticket: €20

The total cost of traveling to Warsaw is only about €40 a day.

Warsaw travel blog: Some notes before you go

• You should stay at Nowy Swiat street for convenient travel between tourist attractions in Warsaw. It is not necessary to stay in the old town, according to me.
• Around central station, palace of Culture and Science with many restaurants and shopping malls. This is considered the new neighborhood of Warsaw with many high-rise buildings of large corporations. If you need to buy something or souvenirs, you should come here. The shopping center is located right opposite the Palace of Culture and Science.
• Besides Warsaw, Poland also has many other famous tourist cities such as Krakow, Gdansk or Zakopane. Personally, I prefer the other 3 cities. However, each of you has a feeling and for me, Poland is very beautiful, not inferior to tourism in other European countries.
• All public toilets in Warsaw charge a fee and are only open until 10pm. However, you can also find restrooms in shopping centers or restaurants.
• Poland uses Zloty as the national currency. Visitors can exchange money for banknotes and coins to use, or pay by credit card, which is accepted at most restaurants and hotels nationwide.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Warsaw you can refer to

• Fryderyk Chopin’s Concert Ticket in Warsaw Old Town
• Warsaw Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Bus Tour
• Private Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport (WAW) Transfers for Warsaw
• Best of Warsaw Half Day Tour
• Frederic Chopin Evening Walking Tour in Warsaw
• Warsaw Off the Beaten Path Half Day Tour

Are you looking for more top things to do in Poland: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here .

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• 1 Districts
• 2.1.1 Before becoming the capital
• 2.1.2 As capital city of Poland
• 2.1.3 Under Russian rule
• 2.1.4 Between the World Wars
• 2.1.5 Second World War
• 2.1.6 Post-World War II – rebuilding the city
• 2.1.7 Contemporary Warsaw
• 2.2 Climate
• 2.3 Tourism
• 2.4.1 Warsaw and the Vistula
• 2.4.2 City centre
• 2.4.3 Street numbering
• 2.4.4 City Information System (MSI)
• 3.1.1.1 To and from Chopin Airport
• 3.1.2.1 To and from Modlin Airport
• 3.2 By train
• 3.4.1 Driving distances
• 3.4.2 Car hire
• 4.1.1 Metro
• 4.1.2 Szybka Kolej Miejska
• 4.1.3 Suburban trains
• 4.1.4 Buses
• 4.1.5 Night buses
• 4.1.6 Trams
• 4.1.7.1 Ticket zones
• 4.1.7.2 Ticket types and pricing
• 4.1.7.3 Where to buy?
• 4.1.7.4 Ticket validation and inspection
• 4.2.1 Parking
• 4.2.2 Taxis
• 4.3 By bike
• 6.1 Explore
• 6.2 Concerts and performances
• 6.3 Festivals
• 7.1 Universities
• 7.2 Polish language
• 10.1 Haute cuisine
• 10.2 Food fairs
• 10.3 Fast food
• 10.4 Milk bars
• 11.2 Concerts
• 11.3 Tea and coffee
• 13.1 Postal service
• 13.2.1 Wifi
• 13.2.2 Computers and Internet cafés
• 13.3 Telephones
• 14 Stay safe
• 15.1 Religious services
• 15.2 Laundry
• 15.3 Embassies

Warsaw ( Polish : Warszawa ) is Poland 's capital and largest city. Warsaw is a bustling metropolis and one of the European Union's fastest-developing capitals and the Union's ninth most populous urban centre. It has a mixture of new and old in its eclectic architectural mix, and is constantly changing. There is a large variety of museums, galleries and other tourist attractions, and there is always something happening throughout the year.

While sprawling, it is quite easy to navigate for tourists thanks to a good public transit system, and most important sights are quite close to each other. There is no shortage of accommodation options and a wide choice of restaurants and bars. Warsaw's nightlife is also on the rebound, and a reborn cafe culture has taken over the city.

Districts [ edit ]

Understand [ edit ]

A city of 1.8 million inhabitants (2021), it sits on the Vistula River (Polish: Wisła ) in the middle of the country.

Warsaw's history of rapid development after many wars that ravaged and destroyed the city has earned it a reputation as a "phoenix city", able to recreate itself from the ruins and regain its erstwhile glory every time. During the Second World War, it suffered a fate similar to Rotterdam and Dresden in that it was almost completely razed, although in the case of Warsaw it was a much more tragic story of successive destruction and defeat. Due to the great efforts of its surviving inhabitants and, indeed the entire nation, it was rebuilt from a field of rubble, with its historic core recreated, but much of its heritage was lost. Warsaw also had one of the largest Jewish populations in Europe, which for the most part perished during the war, making Warsaw an important place of Holocaust remembrance.

History [ edit ]

Before becoming the capital [ edit ].

There are records of human settlements and economic activity in the area of what is now Warsaw from the 9th century onwards, but it wasn't until the 13th century that Warsaw was founded by the Dukes of Mazovia . While developing as an administrative and economic centre, it played second fiddle to Płock within Mazovia until the 15th century, and was by no means a match for Poland's former capital, Kraków . It gained growing importance due to its economic might and strategically important central location in Poland, cemented when the Polish Sejm (parliament of nobles) relocated there permanently in the 16th century, and it became the site of royal elections.

As capital city of Poland [ edit ]

In 1596, it became the de facto capital of the country when King Sigismund III Vasa decided to permanently relocate to what is now the Royal Castle in Warsaw. The city started to develop rapidly beyond the what is now the Old and New Town, as noblemen started moving in and building mansions and palaces around town. In the 17th century, Praga, on the right-hand side of the river Vistula, was incorporated as a separate town (and did not become a part of Warsaw until the 19th century).

While ravaged by wars and natural disasters as many other European cities in this period, Warsaw continued to grow and modernize, with baroque residences, including Wilanów being built in the 17th century, and the Saxon kings initiating first large-scale urban planning projects in the early 1700s. The last king of independent Poland, Stanisław August Poniatowski, has further modernized the city following the ideals of Enlightenment in the second half of the 18th century.

At the end of 18th century, the weakened Republic of Poland was partitioned, through a period of forced diplomacy, military actions and uprisings, and Warsaw first fell into the Prussian rule, losing most of its importance. As the French emperor Napoleon marched eastwards with his army, he reestablished a small Polish state known as the Duchy of Warsaw, after its eponymous capital, but it was short-lived and was absorbed by the Russian empire in 1815, after Napoleon's defeat.

Under Russian rule [ edit ]

Warsaw remained a capital city under the Russian rule, as the Kingdom of Poland was reestablished, although with Russian tsars as hereditary kings and not much political independence. Warsaw was then the westernmost of major cities of the Russian empire and enjoyed economic growth as a commercial and industrial centre. While repeated uprisings and attempts to regain independence failed, Warsaw was still enriched with the creation of many cultural and educational institutions, many surviving to this day.

Warsaw's growth was curbed by a double line of military forts, protecting the strategically important Russian outpost, which by the second half of the 19th century made Warsaw one of the most dense and overpopulated cities of its time. To aid the failing hygiene, the authorities started constructing the pioneering Warsaw waterworks (led by William Lindley), and first district heating and warm water installations were laid.

At the turn of the century, Warsaw was electrified, gaining its first electric power plant, electric tramways, and a telephone network. At the start of the First World War, Warsaw was bustling, modern city of almost 1 million inhabitants, rife with opulent, belle-epoque architecture adapted to its density.

Between the World Wars [ edit ]

As Poland regained independence, Warsaw became the capital city of an independent country again. It suffered heavily during the war, and was soon threatened by the advancing Soviet forces, who were only repelled at the borders in the 1920 Battle of Warsaw. While political instability and struggles ensued, Poland enjoyed economic growth, optimism and proper attention to planning and urbanism in that period, and Warsaw benefited from that greatly, especially under its last interwar President, Stefan Starzyński.

Warsaw gained a state-of-the-art airport in Okęcie, a central railway through station connecting all major railway links that used to go through or terminate in the city, and an experimental TV broadcasting station. Modern and attractive planned residential districts were created outside of the historic forts line, most notably northwards in Żoliborz and Bielany. Warsaw continued to mix the new and old and many modern buildings filled in gaps between or replaced older buildings across the city, providing for the eclectic look Warsaw for which is known today.

The developments of that time, while later destroyed to a large extent in the Second World War, were instrumental to shaping Warsaw in many ways to how it was known today. Most were either rebuilt verbatim or in a similar form and place, while some survived.

Second World War [ edit ]

For most of the Second World War, Warsaw was occupied by Nazi Germany, but it did not surrender without major fights that affected the city – over 10% of the buildings were destroyed, with the infrastructure and many other buildings damaged. The German authorities treated Warsaw as expendable and had grand plans of totally rebuilding it as a planned city, with Germanic and Nazi symbolism replacing all of the Polish heritage. This did not come into fruition, but explained why little heed was paid to preserving the city, which was also periodically bombed by the Soviet forces after 1941.

It was an especially tragic period for the Jewish population of Warsaw, which had been a significant part of the general population over pretty much all of Warsaw's history. The Nazi forces confined Jews to the Warsaw Ghetto, sprawling over much of the Western Śródmieście and the district of Wola, and proceeded with their plans to annihilate them. In 1942 the Germans carried out the Grossaktion Warschau, when more than 250,000 Jewish people were taken to the death camp in Treblinka. The minority of Jews that stayed in the Ghetto eventually carried out the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943.

In the final period of the war, the dramatic and tragic Warsaw Uprising took place in 1944. (The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943 and the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 are entirely separate historic events.) It led to the destruction of most of the remaining buildings in Warsaw and further staggering loss of life, while not achieving its goal of liberating Warsaw from the German forces before the Soviets marched in. The Red Army then captured the crippled and all but razed city, cementing Poland's fate as a communist satellite state of the Soviet Union.

Post-World War II – rebuilding the city [ edit ]

By 1945, Warsaw was almost completely destroyed. It is estimated that over 80% of the city was destroyed, including almost the entire city centre and most historic and significant buildings. Of almost 1.4 million inhabitants, half died during the war (including the vast majority of the Jewish population), others were forcibly removed or escaped voluntarily, and only about 10% of the initial population was found inhabiting the ruins of the city.

To rebuild the city was thus an enormous task, but there was no hesitation in the resolve to achieve it. A special committee of architects and urban planners conducted the efforts. Their paradigms shaped the city as it is known today. On the one hand, there was meticulous effort to restore the oldest and most important historic buildings using extant documentation, but also old photos and even paintings. On the other, the communist ideology ran very much against the character of pre-war Warsaw, and practical reasons and urban planning opportunities dictated planning on a larger scale, envisaging an expansive, much lower-density city.

Most architects and historians held much the late 19th century architecture in low regard and thus many of the historic buildings and areas were rebuilt to resemble their shape in the 18th century or earlier, while ideological and practical reasons limited the restoration of ornamentation to less important buildings, and centralized urban planning provided for a much more harmonious look of the rebuilt historic sections of the city than could be witnessed from before the war. The restoration was mostly completed in the 1940s and early 1950s, but it took until the 1974 to rebuild the Royal Castle. After the Royal Castle, not many other buildings were restored – among notable exceptions are the buildings of the northern side of Plac Teatralny, only recreated in late 1990s.

Apart from historic restoration, in the 1950s Warsaw has also gained a fair share of socialist-realistic architecture, which was all about monumentalism and ideologically-themed decoration. Its most prominent example is the controversial Palace of Culture and Science, which grew to become one of Warsaw's symbols. The emphasis, however, was on housing the returning and rapidly growing population, and thus Warsaw also gained many nondescript, gray residential buildings. As population continued to grow and means were scarce in the centrally-planned socialist economy, the authorities turned to prefabricated concerte, creating sprawling Plattenbau estates around Warsaw.

Contemporary Warsaw [ edit ]

Even though much of Warsaw seems to imitate western cities, there are many peculiarities to be found here that you will not find in western capitals. Examples include the communist-era bar mleczny (lit. 'milk bar') that remain in operation (essentially cheap cafeterias for no-frills, working-class traditional Polish dining, which have remained incredibly popular in the face of westernization). Europe's largest outdoor marketplace, once around the old stadium, has disappeared as the new National Stadium was built for the Euro 2012 football championships.

Climate [ edit ]

Summers in Warsaw can vary from mild to exhaustingly hot. In most residences and some hotels, there is no air conditioning, which means the days and nights can be hot to the point of interrupting one's sleep. Travelers should bring light, summer clothes for the day, but bring an extra jacket for evenings, which can sometimes get a little chilly.

Winters, on the other hand, can get very cold (sometimes as low as -20 °C). Weather can often force the city to come to a standstill. When it snows, it may take up to an hour's time just to travel a few city blocks with traffic at a standstill and road crews seemingly caught off guard (despite warnings from meteorologists in several days in advance). Public transportation will also be utter chaos with buses and trams running late. On the first day of snow in 2010, it took upwards of three hours to travel from Wola to the northern tip of Mokotów ; a trip that usually takes no more than 30–45 minutes. Bring heavy, water-resistant shoes when traveling in Poland in late autumn to early spring.

Tourism [ edit ]

The Warsaw Tourist Office ( Stołeczne Biuro Turystyki ) is the official tourist information agency in Warsaw and can provide visitors with information regarding attractions, transport and events. They also have free maps and brochures for travelers. They operate four locations in Warsaw:

• in the Palace of Culture and Science, entrance from Emilii Plater Street
• at the Old Town Market Square ( Rynek Starego Miasta ) in the Old Town
• in the Praga Koneser Centre

The City of Warsaw has a lot of useful information on its website [dead link] . A popular source of practical tips, contacts, and current event information is the Warsaw Insider , available at every concierge, tourist information centre and larger newsagents. The Warsaw Voice is the city's most popular English-language weekly, and maintains a good calendar of events . Destination Warsaw has some useful information, but you need to be aware that it is run by Warsaw Destination Alliance , whose members are some of the tourist-related businesses in Warsaw, so the website obviously serves their promotional needs. Its main goal is the promotion of Warsaw as a destination abroad. An interesting alternative may be independent news portals such as Warsaw City .You will find a lot of information about Warsaw cinemas, theaters, museums, parks, concerts, etc.

Orientation [ edit ]

Warsaw and the vistula [ edit ].

As is the case with most major cities, Warsaw is situated on a river. The Vistula river (Polish: Wisła ) crosses the city on a north–south axis, dividing it into two parts. The western part is usually referred to as the left bank (Polish: lewy brzeg adj. lewobrzeżna Warszawa ) and the eastern part as the right bank (Polish: prawy brzeg adj. prawobrzeżna Warszawa ). Warsaw was founded on the left bank, while the right bank was a separate municipality, called Praga, which was incorporated into Warsaw in the 19th century. Therefore, many would refer to the right bank as "Praga", even if Praga proper is only two districts of the right bank.

Vistula in Warsaw is a broad, sprawling and partly unregulated river, which flooded the surrounding areas often in the past and continues to be somewhat of a threat today. Therefore, Warsaw is not really on the river in the sense many cities like London or Paris are, but rather near to the river, as Vienna is. The historic parts of left-bank Warsaw are a certain distance apart from the river, on an elevation called Warsaw escarpment. The part of left-bank Warsaw closer to the river (and less elevated with regard to it) called Powiśle used to be of secondary importance and stature. The right bank is less elevated and most of the development there is separated from the river by a wide belt of shrubbery and natural beaches, allowing for flooding in periods of high tide. It is therefore visually and physically removed from the left bank.

Ten bridges cross the Vistula within the boundaries of Warsaw. They are, starting from south:

• Anny Jagielonki
• Siekierkowski
• Łazienkowski
• Poniatowskiego
• Średnicowy (railway bridge only)
• Świętokrzyski
• Śląsko-Dąbrowski
• Grota-Roweckiego
• Skłodowskiej-Curie

City centre [ edit ]

Warsaw's left bank, or western part of the city is the dominant part, and the part deemed the city centre lies therein.

The right bank was the first one to become populated, during the 9th or 10th century. However, Warsaw's left bank or the western part of the city is the dominant one, and the present city's central district, called Śródmieście lies on the left bank. The Old Town is fully contained within the borders of the city center.

The central point of the city is at the intersection of Al. Jerozolimskie and ul. Marszałkowska, near the entrance to the Metro Centrum subway station. The main railway station, Warszawa Centralna, is also close by. It is good to know that the Palace of Culture is a landmark visible from almost any location in Warsaw. Should you ever get lost in the city, just walk toward the Palace of Culture and Science.

Street numbering [ edit ]

Traditionally, streets parallel with Vistula are numbered along the river current, i.e. the buildings with the lowest numbers are the southernmost. Streets roughly perpendicular to the Vistula are numbered from the river upwards, i.e. the lowest numbers are the closest to the river. One side of the street always has even numbers, while the other has odd ones (so if you are looking for number 8 and you see number 7, look at the opposite side of the street). There are several exceptions to those rules, e.g. the Puławska street in southern Warsaw has building numbers starting from the north, while some housing estates have sprawling areas with buildings sharing the same street name, with building numbers assigned in various ways.

City Information System (MSI) [ edit ]

The City Information System ( MSI – Miejski System Informacji ) can be of further aid to visitors to Warsaw. The MSI divides every district into several neighbourhoods (with informative purposes, no administrative or other role), with the neighbourhoods indicated in red on signage throughout the city. You can find the name of the MSI neighbourhood you are in on the red stripes of the building number and street signs. They are also indicated in red on directional signage, showing the way to get to a given neighbourhood. A rundown of the MSI neighbourhoods and helpful schematic maps can be found here [dead link] (the website is in Polish, but the schematics are of universal informative value, just click on the district for the rundown of the areas therein)

The districts as such are indicated on signposts with white background, while streets and other POIs with blue background, except for the Old Town and Royal Road areas, where the background is brown and a different font is used to indicate their historic character. The building number signs also often feature a small arrow pointing to the direction the building numbers in a street ascend. Street signs at intersection indicate the building numbers to be found within the block it is in (i.e. until the next intersection). On some signposts you can also find small signs showing the relation of the street they're on to the Vistula.

Other elements that can be of interest to visitors are pylons with neighbourhood maps and transparent boards on historic and significant buildings, which explain briefly their history and significance. Similar boards under street signs explain the origin of the name of the street - in case of streets named after people, they contain a short bio and usually a small portrait. An increasing number of those boards contain descriptions in both Polish and English, while others are in Polish only.

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ]

Warsaw has two airports: Chopin ( WAW  IATA ) is the main one 8 km south, and Modlin ( WMI  IATA ) 40 km north is only used by Ryanair.

Warsaw Chopin Airport [ edit ]

To and from chopin airport [ edit ].

By train: Lotnisko Chopina station is next to Arrivals. SKM train S2 runs downtown every 30 min, taking 25 min via Służewiec, Zachodnia (West) station, Śródmieście station (for Centralna bus and railway stations), Stadion, Wschodnia (East) station and Sulejówek. It runs to the city 06:00-23:30 and outward 05:00-23:30. The airport is in fare zone 1 so a single adult ride is 3.40 zł. If you need a bus at the other end, get a one-transfer ticket (valid 75 min) for 4.40 zł. Buy tickets from the machines near the platforms - you shouldn't need to validate them as they're stamped on issue.

For Line S3 change at Służewiec, the first stop city-bound, for trains south towards Radom . For all other lines change downtown.

By bus: Four daytime bus lines and one night bus ply to and from the airport. Single-fare tickets for the bus cost 4.40 zł (as of May 2023) from any kiosk. There is a ticket machine (which accepts coins, notes and credit cards) near the bus stop. You need to validate the ticket when you board the bus. There are also ticket machines in most of the buses, please note that they only accept cards. Drivers do not sell tickets anymore.

By taxi: The airport recommends Ele Taxi [dead link] +48 22 811 11 11; a reasonable fare from city centre might be 40 zł. There's a taxi kiosk within Arrivals. Other operators can only pick you up from outside Departures. Have nothing to do with the touts and sharks lurking outside Arrivals: see Warsaw#Taxis for more info.

Warsaw Modlin International Airport [ edit ]

To and from Modlin Airport [ edit ]

By train: Modlin town railway station is 2 km east of the airport, so you take the shuttle bus to Modlin then a regional train [dead link] to Warsaw. Get a combined airport ticket ( Bilet Lotniskowy ) for 19 zł, which also lets you use public transport in Warsaw's Zone 1 for 75 min. Total travel time is up to 90 min.

By bus: Contibus runs from the airport to the city centre, tickets can be bought at arrivals or on the bus with cash or card. They also run to the airport, tickets can be bought on board or online. If buying online you must separately download the ticket from their website once payment clears.

Flixbus also run via the airport to other cities such as Gdańsk.

By train [ edit ]

Intercity trains are run by PKP. These nominally require reservations, but outside busy times you can walk up and get a ticket for immediate travel.

From Berlin there are four trains a day, taking 6 hr via Frankfurt (Oder) , Rzepin, Swiebodzin, Zbaszynek, Poznań , Konin and Kutno. A single from Berlin in 2021 might be €45 - €65. From Poznań trains run every two hours, taking 3 hr 30 min.

From Kraków trains run non-stop every two hours, taking under 3 hr. From Ukraine via Lviv and Przemyśl you usually change at Kraków , but the nightly sleeper from Kyiv runs via Chelm and Lublin , taking 15 hr 30 min to Warsaw.

From Gdynia and Gdansk trains run non-stop hourly, taking 2 hr 40 min.

From Budapest one daytime and one overnight train runs via Visegrad, Bratislava , Ostrava and Katowice , taking 10-14 hr. From Katowice they run every hour or two, taking 2 hr 30 min.

From Vienna there's likewise one daytime and one overnight train via Breclav, Ostrava and Katowice, taking 8 hr to Warsaw.

From Prague trains run via Olomouc , Ostrava and Katowice , with the daytime train taking 8 hr 30 min to Warsaw and the overnight train 11 hr.

From Szczecin trains take 7 hours via Poznań (where you may have to change), Konin and Kutno, with five services per day.

From Vilnius and Kaunas there is one daily train to Białystok, Warsaw Centralna and Krakow. The domestic section from Białystok runs every two hours and takes 2 hr 20 min.

All trains from Belarus and connections to Russia are suspended in 2022.

Warsaw has three long-distance railway stations: 52.219 20.966 3 Warszawa Zachodnia (West) , 52.229 21.003 4 Warszawa Centralna and 52.252 21.051 5 Warszawa Wschodnia (East) .

Most trains cross the city, thus the train from Berlin stops at West and Central then terminates at East, while the train from Gdansk stops at East, Central and West then continues to Kraków. So it's similar to Brussels, where trains cross the city north-south, and the central station is served by all trains but is never the terminus.

Centralna Station is the closest to the main tourist sites and facilities. It's a slabby communist-era building of 1975, but it's functional and easy to navigate. The ticket offices are in the main hall, with platforms below (and the suburban station of Śródmieście deeper still in the bowels of the Earth). As trains are running through and not terminating, they stay only a few minutes here, so head for your platform as soon as it's shown on the departure board. Lots of cafes in the subways here. The bus platforms are north side (just local buses), with other stops in the adjacent streets, the trams run west side, and the Metro is a short walk.

The central railway corridor is being rebuilt from 2021 to 2023. Most trains are running normally but look out for curtailments and diversions.

Suburban trains: see "Get around" for local services including the airport trains, mostly running through Warszawa Śródmieście beneath Centralna.

By bus [ edit ]

Long-distance bus companies and stations in Poland are often called PKS, a legacy of the communist monopoly Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacji Samochodowej (meaning "motor transport company"). After liberalisation in 1989 PKS was fractured into 176 local companies, which have variously failed, thrived or been taken over.

• Dworzec PKS Warszawa Zachodnia , Al. Jerozolimskie, Śródmieście ( south side of Zachodnia railway station ). Most inter-city and international buses arrive here. To get elsewhere in the city, use a local train, or centre-bound buses (south side of Al. Jerozolimskie) 127, 158 or 517. Night buses N35 and N85 run to Dworzec Centralny every 30 min from midnight. ( updated Nov 2021 )
• Dworzec Centralny is not the "central bus station" but the bus platforms north side of Centralna railway station in Śródmieście . These are just local buses, but include the night buses. Lots more bus stops in the adjacent streets, and trams stop west side on Al Jana Pawła II.

By car [ edit ]

What follows is a list of streets you will find yourself on when approaching the city from different directions:

The cities listed above are the ones displayed on signs in the city. The abbreviations in (parentheses) show you which neighboring countries can be reached with a road. If you are coming to the city, follow the blue-on-white Centrum signs. One exception is when you are coming from the north-east: follow the Praga sign unless you are driving a lorry.

Driving distances [ edit ]

In Poland – Białystok 190 km (120 mi); Gdańsk 390 km (240 mi); Kielce 180 km (110 mi); Kraków 290 km (180 mi); Olsztyn 210 km (130 mi); Poznań 310 km (190 mi); Siedlce 100 km (62 mi); Toruń 210 km (130 mi)

In other countries – Berlin ( D ) 570 km (350 mi); Budapest ( H ) 700 km (430 mi); Kaliningrad ( RU ) 350 km (220 mi)

Car hire [ edit ]

Most international car rental companies (including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Europcar, Hertz, National, Sixt and Thrifty) are present in Warsaw, there are also many local companies. The usual pick-up and return places are the airport, the Warszawa Centralna railway station or major hotels in the city centre, most companies offer to arrange for pick-up and return at other locations at a fee. The regular caveats and requirements as in other European Union countries apply.

It is a legal requirement for you to carry your driving license, insurance documents and the vehicle registration documents at all times when driving the car. If the police stop you without any of them, they are likely to impose a fine.

Get around [ edit ]

Public transport [ edit ].

The public transport system in Warsaw is generally well-developed, with some 200 bus routes and 30 tram lines . The route descriptions on the tram stops are easy to follow (although bus stop notices are more complex), but it can last longer, however, to travel between destinations far from the city center. Warsaw has two underground metro lines, one going from south to north on the left bank, and the other from the east to the west. There are also some regional urban rail services (Polish: Szybka Kolej Miejska or SKM ), although they depart at most every 30 minutes only.

All of the abovementioned means of public transit share a single fare and ticketing system, operated by ZTM , a unit within the City of Warsaw responsible for the organization of all public transit. Polish website jakdojade.pl ( iOS , Android , Huawei apps), can help you plan the most convenient trip with the public transit between two points in the city. Google Maps can also do that, however they update bus schedules less often. In addition there is also Easyway journey planner.

Metro [ edit ]

Warsaw's metro system opened in 1995 and is one of the newest underground railway systems in Europe . Operated by Metro Warszawskie sp. z o.o. [dead link] it runs daily from early morning until midnight at 3-10 minute intervals. On Friday and Saturday, the Metro runs until 03:00. Trains and stations are clean and neat. The system consists of two lines; the M1 going from Młociny to Kabaty, and the M2 going from Bemowo to Bródno. The subway does not go to many tourist destinations; however, several stations will take you in a general vicinity of some attractions. The M2 is being extended westwards, new stations are to be opened in 2024.

Szybka Kolej Miejska [ edit ]

Szybka Kolej Miejska ( SKM ) runs on the railway tracks shared with other regional and long-distance trains. SKM trains can be distinguished by their white and ecru livery. SKM reaches many suburban locations outside of the boundaries of Warsaw, as well as the Chopin Airport. SKM stations are quite far from each other, so the trains are best used to traverse longer distances or travel to remote locations within the Warsaw metropolis.

As of 2023 there are four SKM lines and variants of them, most ( S1 and S2 ) stopping at the Warszawa Śródmieście station in the city centre or the Warszawa Centralna ( S3 ), which is connected to the former by an underground passageway. Except for S4 , all of the lines share the same stretch route through central Warsaw between Warszawa Zachodnia and Warszawa Wschodnia, connecting the Śródmieście district to Wola , Ochota and Praga , as well as stopping at Warszawa Stadion station, which serves Stadion Narodowy.

• Line S1 runs between Pruszków and Otwock , through Piastów , Ursus , Włochy , Wawer
• Line S2 runs between the Chopin Airport and Sulejówek Miłosna , through Rembertów and Wesoła .
• Line S3 runs between the Chopin Airport and Wieliszew along the same central rail stretch as long-distance trains, stopping at Warszawa Centralna instead of Warszawa Śródmieście and Warszawa Stadion and in Białołęka
• Line S4 runs between Wieliszew and Legionowo Piaski through Białołęka , Praga , Żoliborz and Wola to Warszawa Zachodnia. Then it runs through Ochota , Mokotów , and Ursynów to Piaseczno . It will take you to the Warsaw Zoo. This line does not stop at any station within the core city centre.
• Line S40 is a variant of S4 which starts in Warszawa Glowna. It runs through Warszawa Zachodnia, Ochota , Mokotów , and Ursynów to Piaseczno

Suburban trains [ edit ]

Warszawa Śródmieście is beneath Warsaw Centralna station: the only buildings at street level are lobbies for the escalators and lifts. It has trains:

Warszawa Gdańska (Metro Dworzec Gdański) is the station for Ciechanów , Działdowo, Mława and Nasielsk.

Warszawa Wileńska on ul. Targowa is the station for Wołomin, Małkinia, Tłuszcz and Zielonka.

Buses [ edit ]

Bus route numbers consist of three digits. Only the first digit has any meaning, the latter being merely ordinal. Here's the key to understanding Warsaw bus route numbers:

Other than that:

•   Nxx   are night routes.
•   9xx   are special routes.
•   E-x   are express routes, which link the farthest districts to the city centre, call at very few stops and operate during peak hours only.
•   Z-x   are replacement routes for trams or metro disabled by maintenance, accident or some other special conditions
• C-xx are routes which operate only on All Saints' Day (1st November) and All Souls' Day (2nd November) to accommodate people visiting the cemeteries

Most bus lines operate from around 05:00 to 23:00 (but check the schedule for your particular connection), outside of those hours you need to resort to night buses (see below). The running intervals can be as few as 5 minutes (major routes during peak hours) to nearly 2 hours (certain suburban routes). Usually, you will wait 20 minutes at most.

There are a few routes that are of certain interest to tourists:

• 148 , 175   and   188   operate to and from the airport.
• 180 , this line drives from Chomiczówka, through Powązki Cemetery, POLIN Museum, the Old Town and Castle Square, by the Royal Route to Łazienki Complex and Wilanów . In many parts 180 is covered by 116.

Requesting a stop – certain bus stops are request-only (Polish: na żądanie ):

• If you want to get off, press the stop (red) button. In certain older buses, the button is above the door (and may not be red).
• If you want to get on a bus, wave your hand when you see the bus approaching to indicate your intention to the driver

The doors will not open automatically in air-conditioned buses and trams, and in all of them in the winter. To open it, locate the button labelled drzwi (blue) and press it.

Not all bus stops that have "Centrum" in their name are in the city center. For example, there is a bus route 525 that goes from Centrum (the actual city center) to Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka in Wawer . This is always clear from the route map.

Night buses [ edit ]

In the night when regular buses, trams, the metro and SKM do not run, a system of night bus lines will take you basically to every part of city. Most buses start and finish at the back of Central Railway Station (Dworzec Centralny). All buses operate at 30-minute intervals and depart from their central stop at Dw. Centralny 15 and 45 minutes after the hour, which facilitates changing. For a map of all the night bus lines visit ZTM . Lines operate from different stops within the Dworzec Centralny area – consult the schematic at the bottom of the map to make sure you are waiting at the right stop.

All night bus stops (except for Dw. Centralny and Centrum) are request stops . Signal well in advance to give the bus drivers time to slow down and pull up at the stop.

Trams [ edit ]

Trams in Warsaw have the obvious appeal to tourists in that it is easier to predict where they are going – they usually go straight ahead and only rarely turn, as there are not many tramway junctions in Warsaw. The trams will also have the speed advantage over buses in the city centre during rush hours.

Tram lines have single- and double-digit numbers. Trams with numbers above 40 operate in certain times only. A map of tram routes is available on ZTM [dead link] to assist you in planning your journey. The tram services can end as early as at 22:00, but most routes are served until midnight.

Between June and August, a special tourist line T is operated using historic cars from pl. Narutowicza .

Tickets [ edit ]

Public transportation tickets are issued and controlled by the single Public Transport Authority of Warsaw (Polish: Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego or ZTM ) and are valid for all city buses, trams, the metro and SKM. Some tickets are also valid in the suburban trains ( Koleje Mazowieckie' and WKD ).

Ticket zones [ edit ]

There are only two ticket zones in Warsaw – Zone 1, which covers the entirety of the City of Warsaw within its city limits ( including the Warsaw Chopin Airport ), and Zone 2, which covers the surrounding municipalities covered by ZTM's common ticketing scheme. It is safe to say that most tourists will never wander outside of Zone 1, unless they have a specific interest in one of the municipalities neighbouring Warsaw. Almost all ticket types exist in two variants – for Zone 1 and for Zones 1+2.

Ticket types and pricing [ edit ]

There are many different ticket options and quirks in Warsaw, but do not get overwhelmed – most of them will not be of interest to a casual tourist. The regular ticket tariff is actually quite simple, with a selection of tickets available. The prices below are for standard tickets in each type; most are also available as reduced price tickets (50%) or for both the 1st and 2nd tariff zones (the latter covering most of Warsaw's far suburbs), usually some 40% more expensive than 1st zone tickets. Poles usually call zone 1+2 tickets just zone 2 tickets.

• 20-minute (zone 1+2) – 3.40 zł
• 75-minute (zone 1) – 4.40 zł (alternatively this ticket entitles you to a single bus journey within Zone 1, it can be longer than 75 minutes)
• 90-minute (zone 1+2) – 7.00 zł (alternatively this ticket entitles you to a single bus journey within Zone 1 and 2, it can be longer than 90 minutes)
• The 90-minute is your safest bet if you are not sure how far your destination is, or whether it's within the city's limits. For short rides within the city centre a 20-minute ticket is usually enough.
• 24h ticket (zone 1; valid for 24 hours since its validation, not from the moment of sale) – 15 zł
• 24h ticket (zone 1+2) – 26 zł
• 72h ticket (zone 1) – 36 zł
• Weekend ticket (from 19:00 on Friday till 08:00 on Monday) – 24 zł

There are reduced-fare tickets for every ticket type, at 50% of the fare price. There is a long list of those entitled to travel on reduced-fare tickets available at the ZTM website , but for the most part it does not concern foreign tourists, except for children under the age of 7 and students under the age of 26 in possession of an International Student Identity Card (ISIC).

Senior citizens: people from 65 to 69 years can get a one-year-ticket for zone 1 and 2 for 50 zł. People from 70 years and older ride for free.

Visit the WTP website for an overview of available tickets and current ticket prices .

Where to buy? [ edit ]

Tickets can be purchased in automated ticket machines that are abundant across the city, especially at major transit hubs. They are either red and gray or blue and yellow, and rather conspicuous, even if they can be mistaken for an ATM or vice-versa. There are such machines at every metro station and at railway stations within the city centre, as well as at some of the more busy bus stops (e.g. at the Warsaw Chopin Airport). The ticket machines have a multi-lingual menu and are pretty easy to operate if you know what ticket type you want to buy. They accept credit and debit cards, as well as Polish zloty coins and bank notes. Some machines can be quite slow, so take your time and be patient for the machine to respond to your query.

ZTM has a network of service points where you can also purchase tickets. Those are the only places where you can have your personal travelcard made, which you would need if you intend to use a 30- or 90-day ticket.

Many kiosks, shops and post offices also have tickets on sale – it is indicated by a sticker saying Sprzedaż biletów ZTM . Shops and kiosks surrounding the major transit hubs often do not sell tickets if there are ticket machines nearby.

In almost all buses, trams and SKM trains, there are ticket machines which can sell you tickets for the ride on that particular vehicle. They are different from other ticket types in that they have a printed QR code, and that they do not require validation. In case of ticket machine failure, you can purchase your ticket from the train attendant on board the SKM train. In case there is no ticket machine in the vehicle, or it is inoperable, people are not allowed to ride that vehicle and in case of control a fine may be given. On-board ticket machines do not accept cash payments; it is possible to pay with a credit card or via the BLIK system.

A more convenient alternative to traditional tickets are digital tickets one can obtain through three officially-supported mobile phone apps: SkyCash, MoBilet or mPay.

You can find more information on purchasing tickets and ticket sale locations at the WTP's English-language website . A point of sale locator map] is also available there.

Ticket validation and inspection [ edit ]

Immediately validate your ticket after boarding the bus or tram (in a yellow validator). If one validator is out of order, look for another. A steady yellow light means that only the plastic card reader is working. If all the validators in a bus glow red – they may be locked, likely because an inspection is underway (and it is too late for you) or the driver forgot to turn them on (and you need to remind him or her). If you buy vehicle-and-fare ticket (with the QR code) in special ticket machine inside a bus or tram, you don't need to validate it.

When entering the metro, you will need to validate or present your ticket to open the gate. There are other ways to access the platform for people with special needs (wheelchairs, strollers, large luggage etc.), such as elevators and open gates, so if you are intending on using those, make sure you find a yellow ticket validator before you descend to the platform – they should be next to elevators. Exit gates open without a ticket. Possession of a valid ticket is compulsory for everybody at the metro platform regardless of whether they intend to ride a train or not, even if just using it as an underground passage or accompanying someone.

Timed tickets only need to be activated once, on your first journey. In case of carton tickets, the ticket validator will print the time limit until which the ticket is valid.

Tickets are not checked by the drivers. They may be randomly inspected in a station or in a bus/tram by uniformed inspectors with portable ticket/card readers, so it is up to you to have a valid (activated) ticket. The ticket inspectors in Warsaw are paid a commission on the number of fare-dodgers they catch, so they are rarely lenient and generally rather harsh to deal with. Being caught without a valid ticket might be one of the least pleasant experiences possible in Warsaw, so do your best to avoid it.

Parking [ edit ]

There is a paid-parking zone in the center of the city. This applies M-F 08:00—18:00 . Parking costs 3.00 zł for the first hour. Subsequent hours cost more although there is no hour limit. 0.60 zł is the minimum payment. You can pay with coins (10 groszy upwards and you will be given the exact time you have paid for after you have paid the minimum charge) or with the Warsaw City Card (not the tourist card). From 2015 the old parking machines have been systematically replaced by the new ones, which no longer accept payment with Warsaw City Card. They do however accept payment with major credit cards. The parking ticket should be left under the windscreen for inspection.

Parking fees can also be paid with mobile phone apps such as moBILET and SkyCash. In that case the driver should leave a special sticker with the name of the app under the windscreen, but a handwritten note is also accepted.

Taxis [ edit ]

The maximum base fare ( taryfa 1 ) is 3.00 zł/km and applies to journeys within the city (zone 1) on weekdays. The cheapest companies charge between 1.40 zł/km and 2.00 zł/km. Taxi drivers can charge 150% of the base fare ( taryfa 2 ) at night or on weekends and public holidays, and 200% of the base fare ( taryfa 3 ) for journeys into the suburbs. Watch out for blue rectangular signs saying taxi 2 strefa ( Taxi Zone 2 ), they can charge 300% of the base fare ( taryfa 4 ) at night and in the suburbs or on weekends and public holidays).

In addition, they can also charge you 8 zł initial fee ( closing the door ), 40 zł an hour for waiting for you if you are not in the first zone, and for getting back to the boundary of the first zone if you left in zone 2. There are no surcharges for additional passengers (normally up to 4 should fit), or for luggage.

They cannot charge you for anything else. There is no obligation or custom of tipping the drivers. The driver is required by law to give you a receipt. The full route must be written on the receipt. If the route was suboptimal, the fare can then be challenged. Call the City Guard (Polish: Straż Miejska ) at 986 or +48 (22 ) 986 from a mobile phone should there be any problems.

The aforementioned prices apply only to registered taxis. Others (non-taxi carriers) may charge you whatever they feel like, so they are best avoided.

Uber fares in Warsaw (as of May 2016) are 5 zł for closing the door, plus 0.20 zł per minute, plus 1.40 zł per kilometre.

A legal taxi will have its number displayed on the front door under the window (black digits on white), on a TAXI sign (not TAX1 or TAKI ), on a sticker with the base fare displayed on the passenger (rear) door window, and on the driver's ID card visible inside the cab. All taxi meter fares are in zł not in euro, even though some drivers will accept payment in euro. In this case he or she will convert the meter fare to euro and most likely round it up to the nearest €5 (to avoid payment with coins, which are harder to exchange). So, if the meter shows "40.0" and you are asked to pay €10 – that's ok, but if the drivers tries to charge you €40, saying that the meter fare is in euro – you are certainly being ripped off.

By bike [ edit ]

Warsaw is slowly changing into a bike-friendly city, the bike path network covers many parts of the city, but not every important street. You may find yourself forced to ride on the pavement or the street itself at some points, neither of which is really comfortable or advisable – or indeed, can be deemed illegal. There is an official bike path map [dead link] provided by the city, which may be helpful in planning your cycling routes.

Warsaw has started warming up to bicycles, however, and has a bike-sharing scheme similar to other cities around the world, called Veturilo . It operates only between March and November (closing for winter). You need a credit card or a bank transfer and a mobile phone to pre-register at the website, and to pay 10 zł initial fee, which is credited to your account. To rent a bike, you need to type in your code and the code of the bike you want to rent at the station's terminal, and there you go. Also you can use the app of the same name which makes the rental experience easier and quicker. The first 20 minutes of your rental are free, the first hour is 1 zł and then the fees increase every hour, because Veturilo bikes are meant for very short trips. Whenever you completed your trip, just lock your bike in the nearest station and check yourself out. There are maps of nearest points and the surroundings provided at every Veturilo station, the Veturilo mobile app also shows the nearest stations and the list of all available bikes on each station.

Since Veturilo is part of the Nextbike network, your existing Nextbike account or an account of a different Nextbike member system will work just fine with Venturilo, the only condition is that you need to accept the Venturilo terms of use.

See [ edit ]

This is the city of Frederic Chopin, Maria Skłodowska-Curie, Władysław Szpilman and Pola Negri. Warsaw Old Town is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List . Take a walk and explore the streets and squares which have been painstakingly rebuilt after the last war. Check out the tumultuous history of the metropolis on both sides of the Vistula river. Explore special places and associated with the uprisings, especially one, which took place in the Ghetto and second, which happened in 1944. Book a guided city walk across the city and discover how it has changed since the fall of communism. Most of the major sightseeing attractions are concentrated in Śródmieście , with some more in surrounding districts, the exception park and palace in Wilanów . Check the attractions of the Vistula river banks. That said, every district has something to offer if you have the time and want to research more, so do refer to district articles for details.

That said, most tourists will probably:

• Visit the Old and New Town , the (recreated) oldest part of the city of Warsaw with the Royal Castle
• From there, stroll down Krakowskie Przedmieście and Nowy Świat streets (parts of the "Royal Route" )
• Travel along the Royal Route ( Trakt Królewski ) linking the Royal Castle to the Royal Palace in Wilanów ( Pałac Królewski w Wilanowie ), some 10 kilometers farther
• See Łazienki Park with the Chopin Monument (and attend one of the free open-air concerts in the summertime)
• Take the elevator to the top of Palace of Culture and Science for a panoramic view of the city, or at least take a photo of this modern-day symbol of Warsaw
• Visit the most important museums – Warsaw Uprising Museum , National Museum and the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
• Relax on the Vistula Boulevards ( Bulwary Wiślane ), spreading out over 6 km (3.7 mi) of the Vistula banks

Do [ edit ]

Explore [ edit ]

Go on a tour of Warsaw – the Old Town and surrounding districts are sufficiently compact to allow a number of excellent walking tours through its history-filled streets. You'll see amazing things you would otherwise miss. Details are usually available from the reception desks of hostels and hotels.

Concerts and performances [ edit ]

Warsaw is home to several professional musical and play companies. Being the capital city means the Polish National Opera [dead link] and the Warsaw Philharmonic (also, National Philharmonic) call Warsaw home. There are a number of other companies, including play companies and theaters that will likely be of interest to travellers.

Festivals [ edit ]

• The Cross-Culture Warsaw Festival ( Festiwal Skrzyżowanie Kultur ). World music festival. Concerts and music workshops, documentary screenings, exhibitions.  
• [formerly dead link] Jewish Culture Festival – The Singer's Warsaw ( Festiwal Kultury Żydowskiej – Warszawa Singera ), [email protected] . August.  
• Burn Selector Festival . Electronic & alternative music festival. September. 250 zł for two-day pass .  
• Orange Warsaw Festival . Big pop music festival on the Horse Racetrack Służewiec. May. 300 – 1000 zł for two-day pass .  
• Warsaw Summer Jazz Days . July.  
• Warsaw Autumn ( Warszawska Jesień ). International festival of contemporary music. September.  
• Grand Final of The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (Finał Wielkiej Orkiestry Świątecznej Pomocy). Annual charity event with thousands of fundraisers on the streets, free concerts in the city centre (usually Defilad Square or Bankowy Square), colourful TV studio with access from the street, mass street runs and number of local events and activities in the districts. Some attractions might be paid by donation to the collection box. Raised money are spent on high-quality medical equipment for the children hospitals in Poland. Usually on 2nd Sunday of January.
• Long Night of Museums ( Noc Muzeów ). A great opportunity to wander around with your date or friends and grab an ice cream cone from one of the many cafes that stay open late. Most museums and galleries will stay open past midnight. Noc Muzeów usually occurs around mid-May. Free .  

Sports [ edit ]

• Watch football (soccer). The leading club is Legia Warszawa , who play in Ekstraklasa, the top tier of Polish football. Their home ground is the Piłsudski Stadium (or "Polish Army Stadium"), capacity 31,800. It's at 3 Łazienkowska St., 2 km (1.2 mi) southeast of city centre.
• Warsaw Eagles play American football, at the American Football Field, Tobruk Ave, 5 km (3.1 mi) north of city centre.

Learn [ edit ]

Universities [ edit ].

Polish language [ edit ]

• Edu & More Polish Language School for Foreigners , ul. Marszałkowska 87/81 , ☏ +48 22 622 14 41 . 599 zł for a group course. It's also an e-learning platform for learning Polish online.  

Work [ edit ]

Home to many international companies, Warsaw has an excellent job market for potential expats. Of course there are several immigration hurdles, but landing a job should not be overly difficult if you have the right skill sets.

If you're a backpacker who is not an EU citizen and looking for short-term employment this may be somewhat more difficult, as you are legally required to have a work permit. You could find short-term work in the hospitality industry, or as a tutor or an ESL teacher.

If you'd like to work in Warsaw, or Poland for that matter, but don't want to go through the hassle of finding a job opportunity, there are some employment recruiting agencies you can use in your search for a job. Just a few are:

• Adecco Poland , Al. Jerozolimskie 123A , ☏ +48 22 529 76 40 .  
• Randstad , Al. Jerozolimskie 56c , ☏ +48 22 462 25 00 .  

There is also the possibility to work in startups. Warsaw is the first place for startups in Poland, and the opportunities for foreigners are growing. For some, you do not need to speak the Polish language to start working there. With this website , you can apply directly to recruiting companies, without going through one extra intermediary.

Buy [ edit ]

ATMs (Polish: bankomat ) are plentiful around Warsaw. Visa, MasterCard, Visa Electron, and Maestro are widely accepted at most establishments. AmEx and Diners' Club are not as commonly accepted.

Indoor shopping malls (Polish: centrum handlowe pl. centra ~ , often abbreviated CH ) are also plentiful in Warsaw. Usually open 08:00—22:00, most malls will have a food court, restaurants, cinema, and some may have a sports hall with billiards tables or a bowling alley.

Auchan and Carrefour are the largest supermarkets in Europe, and they are also present in Poland, offering just about everything, including groceries, at low prices. The biggest supermarket chain is Biedronka. Lidl can be found too and offers great quality at unbeatable prices. In 2019 a new law was passed that does not allow most of the shops to open on Sundays. If you find yourself in need of shopping on Sunday, you have to count on some smaller shops where the owners work themselves.

Eat [ edit ]

Warsaw is not globally renowned for its culinary scene, but it lacks nothing compared to other European capitals with regard to it. There is a wide choice of eateries from the most basic and cheapest to very sophisticated, and many different types of food are available throughout the city. Finding a unique dining experience is feasible daily.

For those on a budget, there are many kebab shops sprinkled around Warsaw, especially in Śródmieście , which offer decent food and portions for the fair price of 7-13 zł a kebab. Other cheap alternatives are milk bars, which are discussed later in the section, and Vietnamese restaurants.

Haute cuisine [ edit ]

If you are looking for a premium dining experience, your best chances are in Śródmieście, but away from the Royal Route. In Praga, head for Saska Kępa, and you will also find a fair share of upscale restaurants in Wilanów. New and innovative places crop up in the most unexpected locations, so do acquaint yourself with the district guides for the latest tips.

Warsaw is home to both Polish restaurants that hold Michelin stars:

• Senses , ul. Bielańska 12 , ☏ +48 (22) 331 96 97 , [email protected] . A "private dining" restaurant, author's cuisine of chef Andrea Camastra. Reservation required. From 170 zł . ( updated Apr 2016 )

Food fairs [ edit ]

The new trend in Warsaw are food fairs, where fresh foodstuffs can be bought directly from producers, both for further processing and preparation at home and as ready dishes for consumption on site. Usually, some space for communal meals is provided. This can be a very nice option for breakfast or lunch. Some of the options are:

• Targ Śniadaniowy ( Breakfast fair ), al. Wojska Polskiego 1; Skwer Grupy AK Granat and other places . Sa 09:00—16:00 . Organised every weekend in various parts of town, usually ( updated May 2016 )

Fast food [ edit ]

Tourists will be happy to know there's no shortage of fast food in Warsaw. The city is rife with McDonald's and Subway outlets, there are also many KFCs and Pizza Huts, and a growing number of Burger King restaurants (the latter mostly in shopping centres). For a quick bite, chain cafés that are around every corner in the city centre, the shopping centres and many office buildings will offer you pre-made sandwiches and salads. Some more sophisticated cafés will make salads, ciabattas and sandwiches on site.

There is no particular Polish kind of fast food, as the traditional Polish cuisine does not really lend itself well to quick preparation or quick eating. Therefore, apart from the above international chain places, that niche in Warsaw is filled with kebab places and cheap pizzerias, similar to ones that you would find in most other European cities. Pizzerias are often chain places as well, and many do telephone deliveries, takeaways as well as offer tables to eat on the premises. Kebabs can often only do takeaway, and are often open all night long, much to the delight of taxi drivers and partygoers.

Milk bars [ edit ]

Remnant of the communist era, milk bars (Polish: bar mleczny , bary mleczne ) were created in the 1960s to serve cheap meals based on milk products. After the fall of communism, most of them closed down but some survived and still bear the climate from the old days. Almost everything inside looks, feels and smells like in the 1980s. Milk bars attract students and senior citizens, because of the low prices (soup and the main course together may cost as little as 10 zł). The food served by milk bars can actually be quite palatable. Even if you can afford more expensive meals, milk bars are interesting because they offer somewhat a view of life before democratization in Poland. Nowadays they became even that popular, that new chains and milk bars are recreated.

Drink [ edit ]

Old Town and areas like pl. Trzech Krzyży, ul. Nowy Świat, ul. Chmielna, ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście in Śródmieście are saturated with cafés. Coffee typically costs about 10-15 zł. Beer can cost 5-15 zł for half a liter (the supermarket price being 2.50-3 zł). Drink prices in clubs can go up to 50 zł. Drinking alcoholic beverages in public places is prohibited, but there are several places chosen by the local government where it can be possible.

Clubs [ edit ]

Clubs are plentiful in Warsaw and are a very popular way to spend nearly every night out.

The most popular nice and chic clubs are on ul. Mazowiecka in Śródmieście . You will be denied entrance if you wear sport shoes, no matter how expensive they are. Inconspicuous black shoes will normally do the trick.

Student clubs are popular and usually moderately priced, but can be hit or miss. Normally, the centrally located Hybrydy is a good option for night out. Other student clubs, like Stodoła or Remont in Śródmieście , and Park in Mokotów , are less predictable and quality isn't necessarily a concern for these clubs' patrons. If the point is to get drunk, then these are the place to go for a cheap drink.

Beware of certain bouncers (for example in Park), they are not the talkative kind if they suspect you of something.

In addition, there are clubs in Wola and Mokotów as well as several popular and down-to-earth clubs in the Praga districts.

Concerts [ edit ]

Warsaw's music scene can sometimes be disappointing, but it's a matter of knowing where to look because Warsaw has an abundance of musical delights, they just need to be ferreted out. Headline acts perform at the Bemowo airport in the Bemowo district and at the Stadion Narodowy (National Stadium) in the Praga Południe district of Warsaw. Smaller acts are hosted at clubs and concert halls around the city, but primarily in the center of Warsaw .

Tea and coffee [ edit ]

Throw stereotypes out the door. For Poles, one of the most important staples to quench their thirst is not wódka or beer, but rather tea and coffee. As such, you're likely come across dozens and dozens of cafés. Chain-wise, Coffee Heaven and W Biegu Cafe are the big players. Starbucks is also in Warsaw. The real treat of Warsaw, however, are small cafés that are littered about Warsaw. For the most part, a good cup of tea or coffee can be had for 5-10 zł a cup. A small tea kettle is between 20-30 zł.

Sleep [ edit ]

There are plenty of accommodation options in Warsaw at all budget levels. The most accommodation options are in Śródmieście , Wola , and Mokotów . There are also many business travel hotels in Włochy , near the airport.

Warsaw has an oversupply of high-standard hotel rooms, as many luxury hotels were built in Warsaw after 1989. Almost every global upscale chain has at least one property, a few hundred rooms each. Therefore, you can easily snatch room at a modern four- or five-star hotel in the €50-70 range. Warsaw still sees more business than leisure travel, so your best bet to get a great rate are weekend stays. Look for offers and special rates in booking sites and hotel web pages.

If you are on a budget, do not assume that hostels are your only option. Booking in advance at 3/4 star hotels can yield prices only slightly higher than backpacker hostels, for far greater comfort. Do your research in any case before booking to make sure you do not miss out on a great offer.

Breakfast is not included in the room price in most hotels in Poland. Expect steep charges for breakfast, especially if you book a premium hotel at a low price. If you are staying in the city centre, you might find many other breakfast options around your hotel though.

There are campgrounds in Włochy , Wawer , Wola , Ochota and Mokotów .

Connect [ edit ]

Postal service [ edit ], internet [ edit ], wifi [ edit ].

Free wi-fi is widespread in Warsaw. Municipal hot-spots (freewifi.waw.pl) are free of charge and available in over 150 localities throughout the city. Those include the Old Town, most of public parks, major city squares, the vicinity of most public buildings and museums. They are all marked by blue or purple "HOT SPOT UM-Warszawa" plaques hanging on street lamps. It is also available in over 300 city buses and some tramways (marked with a white and blue wi-fi icon at the doors).

Most restaurants and cafes also offer access to free wi-fi. The networks are usually either open, or require a password (usually available at the bar) or accepting the regulations (usually in Polish).

Computers and Internet cafés [ edit ]

Internet cafés (Polish: kawiarenka internetowa ) are rare in Warsaw.

• Tourist Information Center ( Palace of Culture and Science Building, just opposite the Central Train Station ). You can use the computers with Internet for 30 minutes for free.  
• Arena , Booth 2001D, Centrum metro station building ( 500m north from Central Train Station at ul. Marszałkowska, across hotel Novotel ), ☏ +48 22 620 80 32 . 07:00-00:00 . Over 20 machines. 5 zł/hour, pay as you go .  
• Cafe Net , Booth 2010C, Centrum metro station building ( 500 m north from Central Train Station at ul. Marszałkowska, across hotel Novotel ). 07:00-00:00 . Over 20 machines. 6 zł/hour, prepay .  
• Verso , Freta 17 ( Stare Miasto – Old Town ). Photo and printing shop in which there are 3 computers for public Internet access. 5 zł/hour; 1 zł/5 minutes .  

Telephones [ edit ]

The area code for Warsaw is 22, and it must be dialed even when making local calls (however, it will almost always be already included in the number). Don't use "0" at the beginning of the number; otherwise, it will be invalid. When calling internationally to Poland, dial the country code, +48 (or 0048) , followed by the rest of the number.

Pay phones are very rare, and it is therefore best to rely on other means of communication. Pay phones are only operable using calling cards that can be bought at post offices.

Pre-paid SIM cards with Polish phone numbers cost as little as 5 zł and can be purchased from just about any major carrier. Many kiosks sell them.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Warsaw is a safe city overall. The city center has a strong police presence and is generally a very safe area. The Praga districts used to be dangerous, but this is generally more hype than reality. Of course, it would be wise to exercise a little extra caution if you're in an area you do not know well. The bus and rail stations can be a magnet for homeless and drunkards, who, for the most part, will leave you alone.

Some areas south of the Palace of Culture and Science and the train station have a rather seedy feel to them, especially at night. Same goes for much of the neighborhoods immediately surrounding Warsaw-Chopin airport.

Though nowhere nearly as prevalent as in other major cities, pickpockets can sometimes be a problem and you should be careful to hold onto your belongings when in a large crowd or on buses (Number 175, which runs from the airport to city center, is reportedly infamous for pickpockets). At bars and clubs, a good rule of thumb is the cheaper the door entry and the laxer the bouncers are about letting people in, the more likely you're going to want to keep extra care of your wallet, passport, cell phone, and camera.

Violent behavior is extremely rare and if it occurs it is most likely alcohol-related. While pubs and clubs are generally very safe, nearby streets may be scenes of brawls, especially late at night. Try to avoid confrontations. Women and girls are generally less likely to be confronted or harassed since the Polish code of conduct strictly prohibits any type of violence (physical or verbal) against women.

Visitors not knowing Polish may also be the target of "bar girls," especially in Underground off of ul. Mazowiecka on days where there isn't a cover charge. Be cautious if you encounter a girl speaking English who will offer you a drink or a cigarette. She will then ask you to walk her to her car parked outside of the club and then explain how her friend still inside of the club has her car keys. Then she will ask if you would like to share a cab back to her place for 70 zł and then go back to the club. Doing so puts yourself in danger because it isn't known where she lives and you could be setting yourself up for possible harm or other scams.

Just like in any other major European city, football hooligans can be a problem before or after large football events. Naturally, it's best to avoid them, because they might be violent. At the same time, all major sport events are monitored and controlled by special police units, so unless you find yourself in the middle of the confrontation between hooligans and the police, you should be fine.

In case of emergencies, call emergency services. The number for the police: 997 , firefighters: 998 , Ambulance: 999 . The common European emergency number 112 works too.

Cope [ edit ]

Religious services [ edit ].

• St Paul's English Speaking Catholic Parish of Warsaw ( Kaplica Niepokalanego Poczęcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny ), al. Solidarności 90 ( Metro: Ratusz Arsenał, then walk west along al. Solidarności for 600 m; tram/bus: Kino Femina ), ☏ +48 22 826 73 95 . Warsaw's only English-language Catholic Masses are held here, with services at 12:00 and 19:30 every Sunday. The congregation mostly consists of resident foreigners, including many members of the local Filipino community, as well as some locals.  
• International Christian Fellowship , ul. Puławska 326 ( Corner of ul. Puławska and ul. Płaskowickiej. In the Ursynów district ), ☏ +48 607 309 490 , fax : +48 22 844 7996 , [email protected] . Service is held every Sunday at 10:30 . This is a non-denominational church with Protestant leanings. Anyone and everyone is welcome and if you're a newcomer you're likely to be greeted by people who notice a new face in the crowd. You may even be invited for coffee after the service. The congregation is made of Brits, Germans, Poles, Americans, and Aussies, and other nationalities.  
• 52.236 21.001 13 Nożyk Synagogue ( Synagoga Nożyków ), ul. Twarda 6 , ☏ +48 22 652 28 05 , fax : +48 22 652 28 05 , [email protected] . Erev Shabbat services begin 15 minutes before sunset. Shabbat morning services begin at 09:30 . This is Warsaw's only Orthodox Jewish synagogue that is still in operation. ( updated Apr 2020 )
• Warsaw International Church , ul. Miodowa 21b ( Metro: Ratusz Arsenał ), ☏ +48 22 842 23 51 , [email protected] . Worship service and Sunday School every Sunday at 11:00 .  
• Sikh Temple Warsaw , ul. Na Skraju 56, Raszyn , ☏ +48 22 86 84 541 .  

Laundry [ edit ]

Most hotels and hostels either offer laundry services or have washers and dryers available for use by guests. Additional fees may be incurred for use of these services or machines. Otherwise, you can find a full-service laundry shop at just about any mall, however, these might be expensive. There are self-service laundromats in Warsaw:

• [dead link] Blanc Lys Laundry , ul. Księcia Janusza 23 , ☏ +48 508 162 810 . 08:00-20:00 .  

Embassies [ edit ]

Go next [ edit ].

• Kampinos Forest (approximately 15 km (9.3 mi), take the 210 bus from Młociny underground station) – A wild and beautiful primeval forest, often called the green lungs of Warsaw, and an ideal choice for a day off from the noise of the city
• Konstancin-Jeziorna (approximately 20 km (12 mi), take the 700 bus) – A spa town with a spacious park. Famous for its clean air and high housing prices.
• Kraków (approximately 300 km (190 mi), in just under 3 hours by hourly IC/Ex trains) – The former capital of Poland, this was the European City of Culture in 2000.
• Lublin (approximately 200 km (120 mi)) – A medieval city with a well preserved old town, it is now the largest city and main tourist attraction in eastern Poland.
• Kazimierz Dolny (approximately 150 km (93 mi), less than two hours by TLK train to Puławy, then half an hour by bus) – A Renaissance town with a picturesque marketplace, it is a hub for painters and Boheme.
• Żelazowa Wola (approximately 50 km (31 mi)) – The birthplace of Frédéric Chopin.
• Brest , 200 km (120 mi) away in Belarus, on the border with Poland and rich with history from both the Soviet times and before. The Brest Hero Fortress is perhaps the most impressive Soviet monument ever built, and there's the train museum, and its incredible collection of Soviet-time locomotives, as well. You can go there by train (one train a day, that 4-5 hrs). Same visa regulations as rest of Belarus ; the new visa-free regulations for citizens of 80 countries since 2017 is not eligible when coming/leaving by train.

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Navigation menu

There are different types of tickets. All tickets are available in discounted prices for students, the elderly and others. 

They can be classified into 3 groups:

One ride - Tickets that are valid for one journey up to 120 minutes on the vehicle they were validated on(paper). They now allow also use of all the system for 75 or 90 minutes. 

Time based-  Tickets that are valid for a time period and allow you to board on any public transportation vehicle and service during that period(paper).

Long Term-  tickets that allow you access to the system for a day, month or 3 months. the monthly and 3-monthly tickets are available only on the Warsaw City Card which you may apply for if you live in Warsaw(electronic).

Weekend group ticket-  A group ticket valid for groups up to 5 people from 7 PM on Friday until 8 AM on Monday 

20 minute ticket (source: dlastudenta.pl)

Weekend Group Ticket 

Where to buy?

You can buy tickets in digital machines or in kiosks and stores.

Example of a Warsovian Ticket Machine for Public Transport

The ticket machines accept cash and credit cards. They have also an English interface and support for charging the City Card.

You can also find some ticket machines on buses and trams, but most accept credit cards only.

It is necessary to validate any ticket the first time you use it in the machines on buses, trams and in metro stations. You don't need to validate it again if you're switching lines/vehicles during the ticket's time period or throughout the long term period (day, month, etc.

Example of City Card

The Warsaw City Card is provided free of charge for Warsaw residents. You can apply even if you are not a Polish citizen.

How do you apply?

You can apply online , or at Passenger Service Centers operated by the Warsaw Transport Authority.

A list of Passenger Service Centers can be found here .

You need a 3.5x4.5cm current photo of yourself (sort of like a passport or ID card photo), which can be uploaded digitally (99x128 pixels)

The current City Cards are personalized, meaning that you can design them yourself in the online application or choose from some pre-made designs.

You have to pick it up in person at a Passenger Service Center of your choice with documentation such as a passport and residence permits.

You can apply online here .

How to use?

After you receive the card, you can charge it at any ticket machine or at some stores and kiosks and stores which usually have a sign with an image of the city card on it.

It is only possible to charge it with a monthly or 3-monthly ticket. 

You can also charge it with credit for the parking meters around the city. 

On the bus, tram or metro, you just need to tap the card on the validator for it to beep and validate your card. On the screen you''ll see the date of expiry. After you validate once, you don''t need to validate on buses and trams but you need to tap it to get into the metro. 

Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

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Warsaw Travel Guide

Last Updated: September 1, 2023

Warsaw is a bustling, revitalized city that has cast off the long shadow of communism. While a lot of grim, gray architecture remains, I found Warsaw to be a lively place with plenty to keep you busy. There’s a growing culinary scene, a wild nightlife, and lots of budget-friendly activities in (and around) the city.

Stroll down the boulevards, explore the wealth of Chopin’s music, admire traditional art pieces, and soak up this modern city — all for a fraction of what you’d pay in Western Europe!

While Krakow gets all the attention, I really enjoyed my time in Warsaw.

This travel guide to Warsaw will help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Warsaw

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Warsaw

1. Wander the Old Town

The streets of the Old Town offer a nice contrast to the modern, bustling city that surrounds them. The area suffered heavy damage during World War II so many of the medieval buildings have been reconstructed, but it’s nevertheless a great place to start your trip. The Old Town is also a UNESCO World Heritage. Start in the colorful Old Town Market Square and go from there. You have tons of choices when it comes to museums and historical sites; the Royal Castle is located here, as is the Museum of Warsaw.

2. Explore the Chopin Museum

Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) is one of the most famous composers in history and his works can still be heard in concert halls across the globe. Chopin grew up in Warsaw before the November Uprising of 1830 and this museum provides an overview of his life and work. Admission is 23 PLN and is free on Wednesdays. This museum is temporarily closed for renovations until April 2023.

3. See the Royal Castle

Located at the entrance to the Old Town, the Royal Castle was the former residence of the Polish monarchs. Construction began in 1598 and lasted over 20 years. The castle was partially destroyed (and looted) by the Nazis in 1939 and then was almost completely destroyed in 1944 during World War II under direct orders from Hitler. It has since undergone extensive restoration and is now a museum and home to royal apartments, paintings, and an ornate interior design. Admission is 40 PLN and is free on Wednesdays.

4. Learn about the Warsaw Uprising

Opened in 2004, this museum is home to hundreds of artifacts from the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, when Polish citizens rebelled against German occupation. The uprising lasted 63 days and was the largest resistance during World War II. Some 15,000 members of the Polish resistance were killed, as well as 2,000-17,000 German troops. The museum has tons of clothing, letters, and interactive films. Admission is 25 PLN.

5. Wander around the Lazienki Park

Designed in the 17th century, this park is home to a small palace that sits on an artificial island. There are several pavilions, an amphitheater, and lots of places to sit, relax, and enjoy the day. It takes a long time to stroll around and is beautiful when the sun is shining. Bring a book, pack a picnic, and lounge the day away!

Other Things to See and Do in Warsaw

1. take a free walking tour.

One of the best things you can do when you arrive in a new city is to take a walking tour. It’s a great way to get the lay of the land and learn about the culture, people, and history of the destination. Orange Umbrella offers daily free tours that provide much more insight than any guidebook. Plus, you can connect with an expert local guide who can answer all your questions. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!

2. Visit the Powazki Cemetery

Established in 1790, this cemetery is the final resting place of many important figures in Polish history, including the family of Frederic Chopin (he is buried in Paris, though his heart was brought back to Poland when he died in 1849), some of Chopin’s early teachers, Krzysztof Komeda (a famous jazz composer), and Nobel Prize winner Wladyslaw Reymontamong others. It’s the city’s oldest cemetery and the sculptures and architecture surrounding the tombs are both serene and eerie. It makes for a quiet place for a stroll.

3. Admire St. Anne’s Church

St. Anne’s Church (Kosciol Swietej Anny) is one of Warsaw’s oldest buildings. Construction started in 1454 and the building has survived several wars (the roof was destroyed a few times but the rest has remained intact). The Neo-Classical facade dates to the 1780s and the interior is lavishly designed in the High-Baroque style. There are also some stunning hand-painted frescoes inside as well. Admission is free but dress respectfully as it is a place of worship.

4. Tour the Gestapo Headquarters Museum

Officially known as the Mausoleum of Struggle and Martyrdom, this museum focuses on the conflict between the Polish resistance and the Gestapo. It has a profound exhibit that takes you through the old detention cells which were used to hold and torture prisoners. Prisoners were subjected to beatings, attacked with dogs, and even electrocuted. And if they didn’t cooperate, their family would be brought in and tortured before their very eyes. It’s a sobering place but one that shouldn’t be missed. Admission is free.

5. Visit the Museum of Modern Art

Established in 2005 and located only a short walk from the Central Railway Station, this small museum features contemporary art by Polish and international artists. I’m not much of a modern art fan, but there are some cool exhibitions here as well as some thought-provoking art. Admission is just 15 PLN and there are regular guided tours in English. Check the website for more details, including what temporary exhibits are available.

6. Check out the National Museum

This museum is one of the largest in the country. It boasts a substantial collection of ancient art (including 11,000 pieces of Greek, Egyptian, and Roman works), Medieval art, Polish paintings, sculptures, works from international artists, and a collection of Chinese art with over 5,000 pieces. They also have some paintings from Adolf Hitler’s private collection. Admission to both the permanent and temporary galleries is 20 PLN and guided tours are 300 PLN.

7. Relax in Multimedia Fountain Park

The Multimedia Fountain Park is comprised of two fountains that spray water in choreographed patterns to music. One fountain is a massive 2,200 square meters, and the other is 120 meters in length. Kids can play in a nearby water playground and watch the water shoot into the air to the music, which varies from Chopin to Lady Gaga. Each Friday and Saturday night in the summer, there is a light show to accompany the waterworks (in the winter it’s just a light show since the water is frozen). It’s a popular spot in the summer so expect crowds.

8. Tour the Copernicus Science Center

The Copernicus Science Center, named after the famous Polish astronomer and polymath, is one of the most modern science centers in Europe (it was Copernicus who first suggested the sun, not the Earth, was at the center of the universe). Located on the bank of the Vistula River, it has over 450 interactive exhibits, allowing visitors to take part in all sorts of experiments involving light, sounds, electricity, and more. It’s a great place to visit with kids. There’s a planetarium here as well. Admission is 37 PLN on weekdays and 39 PLN on weekends and holidays.

9. Visit the POLIN

The Museum of the History of Polish Jews is a new museum with both permanent and temporary exhibitions as well as performances and workshops about Jewish history and culture. The museum documents the history of the Jews in Poland from the Middle Ages to the present. Over 90% of the Jewish population in Poland was killed by the Nazis in World War II and the museum was built on the spot where the Warsaw Ghetto was located (be sure to take a walking tour of the area to learn more about the Warsaw Ghetto and the fate of Jews in Poland during the World War II). Admission is 30 PLN and entry is free on Thursday.

10. Visit the Palace of Culture and Science

This is the most iconic building in the city, dominating the city skyline and looming over the city. It’s the tallest building in Poland, home to 42 floors, theaters, a multi-screen cinema, museums, and much more. The building was a “gift” to Poland from the Soviet Union in 1955 and many people want to demolish it for that reason (Poland suffered heavily under Stalin). It offers a great view of the city from the 30th floor (there is an observation deck there which is free to access with the Warsaw Pass; it’s 25 PLN without it). Access to the building is free.

  For more information on other cities in Poland, check out these guides:

• Krakow Travel Guide

Warsaw Travel Costs

Hostel prices – A bed in a dorm with 8-10 beds starts around 90 PLN per night. Private rooms cost around 200 PLN. Free Wi-Fi is standard and most hostels also have kitchens if you want to cook your own food.

Campgrounds can be found outside the city (and there are plenty of campgrounds throughout the country as well). Expect to pay around 40 PLN per night for a basic tent plot without electricity.

Budget hotel prices – A double bed in a budget hotel with free Wi-Fi and a TV costs around 275 PLN per night. Many include a simple free breakfast as well.

Airbnb is available in Warsaw with private rooms starting at 90 PLN per night (though they usually average double that). Entire homes and apartments start at 180 PLN per night but, again, they often cost double (or more). Be sure to book early to secure the best deal.

Food – Polish meals are quite hearty, usually containing potatoes, meat (pork and chicken), and seasonal produce like beets or cabbage. Stews and soups (like borscht, a beet soup) are popular and can be found at most local restaurants. Pierogis are also a common staple and can be found everywhere for cheap. For some traditional Polish food, try beef tongue or pork knuckles. The country also has lots of traditional desserts too, like paczki (a Polish donut) and makowiec (poppy-seed cake).

Most cheap meals of traditional cuisine (served at local restaurants called bar mleczny or “milk bars”) cost around 35 PLN. For a three-course meal with a drink and table service, expect to pay 90 PLN. Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs 26 PLN for a combo meal.

A large pizza costs around 25-30 PLN while Chinese food costs around 15-20 PLN. Zapiekanki , a popular Polish street snack that’s like a pizza baguette, costs 5-6 PLN.

Beer costs around 14 PLN while a latte or cappuccino is around 13 PLN. Bottled water is 6 PLN.

If you buy groceries and cook your own meals, expect to pay around 165 PLN per week for basic staples like pasta, rice, seasonal vegetables, and some meat. The cheapest grocery store is Biedronka, which you can find almost everywhere. Outdoor markets are also a great and cheap place to get fresh produce and other local products.

Backpacking Warsaw Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget of 185 PLN per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, cook all your meals, limit your drinking, take public transportation to get around, and do some cheap activities like free walking tours and visiting the free museums. If you plan on drinking, add 15-30 PLN to your budget per day.

On a mid-range budget of 375 PLN per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb or private hostel room, eat out more at cheap milk bars, enjoy a couple of drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do more paid activities like visiting the Uprising Museum.

On a “luxury” budget of 725 PLN or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out anywhere you want, drink more, take more taxis, and do whatever guided tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in PLN.

Warsaw Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Warsaw is an affordable city so there aren’t too many tips out there to help you save money. That said, here are a few ways you can save money while you visit Warsaw:

• Eat at Milk Bars – If you’re eating out, stick to the mleczny (milk bar). These are no-frills and cafeteria-style where you order from a counter, but it’s a great way to save money and take in the scene. Expect plates of hearty pierogis, homemade soups, plenty of meat, and a local beer for around 35 PLN.
• Get the Warsaw Pass – For 119 PLN, the single-day Warsaw Pass provides free public transportation and access to all of the city’s main attractions. It’s a great deal if you plan on seeing a lot. There is also a two-day pass for 159 PLN and a three-day pass for 189 PLN.
• Watch your drinking – Warsaw is known for its partying and pub crawls and long nights out. While booze is cheap here, nights out can add up quickly. Start off by grabbing your favorite drinks from a grocery store first whenever possible. You’ll save a ton compared to the bar.
• Take a free walking tour – Free tours from companies like Orange Umbrella are a great way to explore the city while learning about its history, culture, and architecture. Just be sure to tip!
• Use ridesharing apps – Ridesharing apps like BlaBlaCar are a great way to get around the country for cheap. You simply download the app, find someone looking for passengers, and go! Everyone is rated and verified and it’s usually more convenient (and cheaper) than other forms of transportation. For travel within the city, use Uber. It is cheaper than the local taxis if you’re leaving the city to explore.
• Stay with a local – While accommodation is not expensive in Warsaw, Couchsurfing is a great way to lower your accommodation costs. Not only will you save some money by getting a free place to stay but you’ll also be able to make a local friend and get insider knowledge about the city!
• Bike share – For 10 PLN, you can register with the bike-share company Vetrulio. After you sign up, bike use is free for 20 minutes, making it essentially free to bounce around the city during your visit. After 20 minutes, it’s just 1 PLN for the first hour and 3 PLN for the next hour.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water in Warsaw is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Warsaw

Warsaw has a handful of hostels in town and they’re all comfortable, safe, and sociable. Here are my suggested places to stay:

• Oki Doki Old Town
• Warsaw Centrum Hostel
• Safestay Warsaw
• Chillout Hostel

How to Get Around Warsaw

Public transportation – Buses and trams are the most common way to get around and run from 5am-11pm. They cost 3-5 PLN depending on how far you go. These tickets last 75 minutes. 90-minute tickets are available for around 7 PLN. For a day pass, prices start at 15 PLN per person while a 3-day pass starts at 36 PLN.

From the Warsaw Chopin Airport to the city center the quickest way is by train and the journey takes 20-minutes. Fares start at 3.40 PLN for a 20-minute ticket while a single ticket costs 4.40 PLN. The public bus is also available for 4.40 PLN or you can take an airport shuttle for 67 PLN per person.

The subway in Warsaw is fast and reliable. Prices for the subway are the same as the bus/tram prices above. Validated tickets let you transfer between each mode of transportation (as long as your ticket time hasn’t expired).

Taxi – Taxis are common and safe, with prices starting at 8 PLN and going up 3 PLN per kilometer. Just make sure you use official taxis as there are often illegal taxis that try to take fares (and who overcharge). Official taxis have the company logo and phone number on the car. They also use a meter.

To ensure you get a reputable company, have your hotel/hostel call a taxi before you go just to be safe.

Ridesharing – Uber is available in Warsaw and is cheaper than using taxis. Stick to Uber if you need a private ride.

Bicycle – For 10 PLN, you can register for Vetrulio, a bike-rental company in Warsaw. After you sign up, bike use is free for 20 minutes, making it essentially free to bounce around the city during your visit. After 20 minutes (and up to an hour) it’s just 1 PLN and then 3 PLN for the next hour.

There are also scooter share programs that cost 2 PLN to start and then 0.55 PLN per minute after that.

Car rental – You don’t need a car to get around Warsaw, however, if you plan on exploring the region you can find rentals for around 100 PLN per day for a multi-day rental. Drivers must have had their license for at least one year and an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required for citizens of certain countries.

When to Go to Warsaw

The best (and most popular) time to visit Warsaw is during the summer, from June to August. Temperatures are hot and rain is infrequent. Expect daily highs around 25°C (77°F). There are crowds, but they aren’t nearly as oppressive as what you find in Western Europe. Just be sure to book ahead so you don’t miss out on the cheapest accommodation.

The shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) are great times to visit as well. You’ll beat the crowds and have much milder temperatures, with temperatures ranging from 14-19°C (57-67°F) in the spring and 3-12°C (39-54°F) in the fall. You’ll get more rain but you’ll get the stunning autumn colors in the fall and lots of blooming flowers in the spring which make for a stunning backdrop to your trip.

Winter in Warsaw is cold, with temperatures dropping below 0°C (32°F) during the day and down to -5°C (23°F) overnight. Snow is common, which can affect conditions if you’re traveling by car. In short, I wouldn’t recommend a winter visit unless you plan on leaving the city to go skiing or take part in other winter activities.

How to Stay Safe in Warsaw

Poland is consistently ranked one of the safest countries in the world (it ranks higher than Italy, Spain, and Australia in terms of safety).

Of course, you should still take some precautions while you’re here. Keep your valuables secure and out of sight when riding public transportation and while you’re in popular tourist areas.

Taxi scams in Warsaw are rare, but always make sure your driver is using the meter. If they aren’t, ask them to stop and find a taxi that will.

ATM skimming can occur here so always make sure you use verified ATMs. If you can, go into the bank to withdraw your money (as opposed to using outdoor ATMs that are easier to tamper with).

If you rent a car, don’t leave any valuables in it overnight. Break-ins are rare but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone at night intoxicated, etc.).

If you’re worried about getting ripped off, you can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

If you experience an emergency, dial 112.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Warsaw Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Warsaw Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Europe and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hotels in Copenhagen

The 6 Best Hotels in Florence

The 7 Best Hotels in Madrid

The 6 Best Hotels in Vienna

The Best Walking Tours in Barcelona

How to Be a Digital Nomad in Europe

Get my best stuff sent straight to you, pin it on pinterest.

• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

Warsaw Tourist Information

Palace of Culture and Science

pl. Defilad 1, entrance from E. Plater Street [email protected] tel. (+48) 503 033 720

Opening hours: 2nd January – 30th April 2024: Monday-Sunday 9am – 6pm 1st May – 30th September 2024: Monday-Sunday 9am – 7pm 1st October – 31st December 2024: Monday-Sunday 9am – 6pm

Opening hours of Warsaw Tourist Information on selected holidays in 2024:

1 January: closed

31 March – 1 April: closed

1 November: closed

24, 25, 26 December: closed

Other Tourist Information branches

• Warsaw Tourist Information Centre – the MUFA Agency Plac Zamkowy 1/13 tel. 22 635 18 81 www.wcit.waw.pl Opening hours: Monday – Sunday 10am – 6pm

Warsaw - Official Tourist Website

© warsaw tourism office.

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• Buy a ticket
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• Exhibitors Catalog 2022
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30TH EDITION

International travel and tourism trade fair.

29.11.2024-01.12.2024

Honorary Patronage

Partner country, trade fair partner, official partner of the fair.

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OPENING HOURS:

10:00 - 17:00

Until the start of the fair:

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Ttwarsaw 2023 statistics.

EXHIBITORS 2024

One of the most prestigious events of the tourism industry in Europe. Over three days, leading companies from Poland and abroad will present a wide range of products and services. Participation in the fair is a unique opportunity to learn about the latest trends in the tourism market and to establish business contacts. A characteristic element of the fair is the promotion of countries, cities and regions.

Events 2023

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Patronage of embassies, honorary patrons, media patronage, travelers festival and international negotiations in the tourism industry. success of tt warsaw, fair plan 2023, pll lot official partner of tt warsaw travel fair, let yourself be surprised by romania, ready for boarding travel blog, take a closer look at us.

The largest exhibition center in Central and Eastern Europe | Ptak Warsaw Expo

Summary of the TT Warsaw 2023 trade fair | Ptak Warsaw Expo

Visitor profile

Visitors of the TT Warsaw fair will include invited by us and the Exhibitors:

• Individual travelers
• Travel agents
• Hoteliers and resorts
• Air carriers
• Event organizers
• Event agencies
• Tourism students
• Representatives of the tourism industry

Exhibitor profile

Exhibitors at TT Warsaw will include companies from the following sectors:

• Travel agency
• Hotel or resort
• Tour operator
• Transport operator
• Tourist destination
• Technology services

Industry scope

The following sectors and industries will be represented at TT Warsaw:

• Travel agencies
• Hotels and resorts
• Tourist destinations
• Tourist transportation
• Tourism technology
• Tourist attractions

DESIGNED EXHIBITION STANDS

Check out the trade show booth catalog and prepare for your trade show participation in an even more efficient way. With this catalog, you will have access to ready-made booth designs that will make it easier for you to prepare for the trade show and gain valuable savings in time and money. By choosing an already ready-made booth design, you will be able to focus on other important aspects of preparing for the fair, such as preparing your offer, arranging transportation or planning your marketing activities.

RECEIVE A CONSTRUCTION VOUCHER

With our coupon, you have complete freedom to choose the options that best suit your needs. We offer custom booth designs, graphics and signage, flooring and lighting, furniture, AV equipment and much more. All you need to do is present our coupon at the time of purchase, the value of the discount will be included in the invoice. This will save you money and give you more flexibility and creative freedom.

About the organizer

Ptak Warsaw Expo is first and foremost a guarantee of experience. For nearly a decade now, we have been organizing more than 70 events a year on 143,000 sqm of exhibition space of 6 modern halls and 500,000 sqm of outdoor space. This positions us as a leader in the trade fair industry with the most innovative organizational facilities. However, that's not all. The experience we have gained and the high quality of the events we arrange have translated into building a strong network of business contacts. This guarantees the participants of individual events access to modern solutions - both those known on the Polish market and those conquering the industry on the international field. This makes Ptak Warsaw Expo events open visitors to new business opportunities. Proof of the trust gained is the record numbers - 1,000,000 visitors and 10,000 exhibitors. However, the greatest strength of Ptak Warsaw Expo is our team. It is an experienced group of passionate people who aim to meet the expectations of visitors and exhibitors. Flexible approach, ability to find answers to changing circumstances and openness to the needs of event participants - these qualities make our events appreciated for their professional service. All these factors contribute to the fact that Ptak Warsaw Expo has become the European capital of trade fairs, organizing unforgettable industry and commercial events. We encourage you to contact us today to find out how specifically we can help you achieve your goals and make your company open to new business opportunities.

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Looking for cheaper Eras Tour tickets? See Taylor Swift at these 10 international cities.

Swifties who want to snag tickets to Taylor Swift’s colossal Eras Tour know the experience won’t come cheap.  

This year, the billionaire will only visit three U.S. cities – Miami, New Orleans and Indianapolis – and prices for the in-demand shows are astronomical . For the Oct. 18 show in Miami, for example, cost of a single ticket ranged between $1,615 and $8,524 on StubHub.com as of Wednesday afternoon.

So, how else can fans see one of the world’s biggest singers? Go abroad .

In the past 30 days, searches for ‘Taylor Swift Europe tour 2024 tickets’ have increased by 300% in the U.S., indicating that some people are ready to take a long-haul flight to see the wildly popular artist live, according to travel website Islands.com .

Concert-goers who head to Europe for their Swift experience may actually save more money in the long-run . Not only are ticket prices across the pond cheaper, but many European cities, like Warsaw and Lisbon, are also budget-friendly, offering inexpensive food and lodging. 

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Was the travel worth it? Beyoncé and Taylor Swift's summer concerts drew fans from afar

To determine the most affordable Eras Tour stops, Islands.com researchers compared the cost of a two-night trip, including one cheap ticket on StubHub.com, two nights at a four-star hotel, six inexpensive meals, two five-mile taxi rides, and one domestic beer. However, researchers didn’t account for airline tickets or concert merchandise.

With safety at the top of travelers' minds, the researchers also factored in the city’s safety rating out of 100. 

To stay extra safe, the State Department encourages travelers to register with the U.S. embassy in the country they're visiting any time they travel abroad. That can be done at step.state.gov .

10 cheapest destinations for the Eras Tour in 2024

10. Vienna, Austria - total average cost: $1,089, safety score: 69.72

9. Cardiff, U.K. - total average cost: $1,061, safety score: 61.83

8. Lyon, France - total average cost: $1,047, safety score: 44.3

7. Lisbon, Portugal - total average cost: $1,028, safety score: 70.15

6. Munich, Germany - total average cost: $1,000, safety score: 78.88

5. Paris, France - total average cost: $971, safety score: 41.83

4. Stockholm, Sweden - total average cost: $935, safety score: 53.86

3. Hamburg, Germany - total average cost: $903, safety score: 57.51

2. Gelsenkirchen, Germany - total average cost: $749, safety score: 51.33

1. Warsaw, Poland - total average cost: $712, safety score: 72.98

These Are the Cheapest International Cities to Experience Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in 2024

T aylor Swift's mega-popular Eras Tour is heading overseas this summer and searches for "Taylor Swift Europe tour 2024 tickets" have increased by 300 percent in the past 30 days, according to Google Trends data gathered by Islands.

With interest soaring, the travel planning website recently crunched the numbers , analyzing the average cheapest cost of concert tickets, hotel rooms, meals, drinks and transportation in addition to city safety scores to determine the cheapest places to see Swift live abroad.

Islands determined the total lowest average cost of attending the Eras Tour at each location by calculating the cost of one concert ticket, looking at the average ticket cost available per location, a two-night hotel stay, six inexpensive meals, one domestic beer, and two taxi rides within five miles of the venue. The total lowest average cost doesn't include flights or merch.

Warsaw, Poland —where Swift will perform August 1-3—is the cheapest destination to experience the Eras Tour in 2024 with an average cost of $712 before plane tickets. The city also receives an impressive safety index score of 72.98 out of 100.

Although Warsaw isn't the cheapest ticket at $443, the city's low hotel rates ($93.92), meal costs ($10.19) and taxi rides ($8.19) will appeal to budget-conscious Swifties.

Fans seeking to minimize costs should also target Germany as the country boasts three Eras Tour cities among the top six cheapest, including Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg and Munich. Each city features a total lowest average cost of $1,000 or less before flights.

Stockholm, Paris and Lisbon are also excellent options that won't break the bank and also provide fans the opportunity to explore iconic European cities.

Here's a complete breakdown of the cheapest places to see Swift perform her hit songs in 2024 and the total lowest average cost of each:

• Warsaw, Poland — $712
• Gelsenkirchen, Germany — $749
• Hamburg, Germany — $903
• Stockholm, Sweden — $935
• Paris, France — $971
• Munich, Germany — $1,000
• Lisbon, Portugal — $1,028
• Lyon, France — $1,047
• Cardiff, Wales — $1,061
• Vienna, Austria — $1,089
• Edinburgh, Scotland — $1,165
• Madrid, Spain — $1,178
• Liverpool, England — $1,188
• London, England — $1,399
• Zurich, Switzerland — $1,467
• Milan, Italy — $1,482
• Amsterdam, Netherlands — $1,612
• Vancouver, Canada — $1,910
• Toronto, Canada — $2,325

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Long term tickets – Warszawski Transport Publiczny

• Ticket tariff
• Warsaw City Card
• Travel without barriers
• ztm.waw.pl website
• Tickets, fees

Long term tickets

30-day tickets

Tickets entitles to unlimited number of journeys from its until 23:59 of the thirtieth day of its validity

Tickets are valid on offer   ZTM-KM-WKD integrated ticket

Personal tickets are issued on personalised WKM cards (Warsaw City Card) with a photo, and full name of the holder being printed on the card.

30-day personal

standard: 110 zł

reduced-fare:  55 zł

standard: 112 zł

reduced-fare:  56 zł

standard: 180 zł

reduced-fare:  90 zł

30-day Varsovian

standard: 98 zł

reduced-fare:  49 zł

30-day Young Varsovian

30-day Bearer Travelcard

standard: 230 zł

reduced-fare:  115 zł

90-day tickets

Ticket entitles to unlimited number of journeys from its until 23:59 of the ninetieth day of its validity.

Tickets are valid on offer ZTM-KM-WKD integrated ticket

90-day personal

standard: 280 zł

reduced-fare:  140 zł

standard: 282 zł

reduced-fare:  141 zł

standard: 460 zł

reduced-fare:  230 zł

90-day Varsovian

standard: 250 zł

reduced-fare:  125 zł

90-day Young Varsovian

90-day Bearer Travelcard

standard: 600 zł

reduced-fare:  300 zł

30-day personal ticket offer “Warszawa+”

30-day personal ticket offer “Warszawa+” entitles to unlimited number of journeys from its until 23:59 of the thirtieth day of its validity.

The tickets are available only in  ZTM Passenger Service Points .

30-day personal offer Warszawa+ 1st Level of commune participation

30-day personal offer Warszawa+ 1st Level of commune participation  30-day personal offer “Warszawa+

standard: 166 zł

reduced-fare:  83 zł

30-day personal offer Warszawa+ 2nd Level of commune participation

standard: 82 zł

reduced-fare:  41 zł

30-day personal offer Warszawa+ 2nd Level of commune participation30-day personal offer Warszawa+ 2nd Level of commune participation

standard: 150 zł

reduced-fare:  75 zł

30-day personal offer Warszawa+ 3rd Level of commune participation

standard: 72 zł

reduced-fare:  36 zł

standard: 120 zł

reduced-fare:  60 zł

90-day personal offer Warszawa+ 1st Level of commune participation

standard: 406 zł

reduced-fare:  203 zł

90-day personal offer Warszawa+ 2nd Level of commune participation

standard: 237 zł

reduced-fare:  118,5 zł

standard: 390 zł

reduced-fare:  195 zł

90-day personal offer Warszawa+ 3rd Level of commune participation

standard: 212 zł

reduced-fare:  106 zł

standard: 330 zł

reduced-fare:  165 zł

Personal ticket for a child from the family with three children

Valid for all day lines and night lines in Zones 1 and 2

Personal ticket for a child from the family with three children residing in the area of the capital city of Warsaw until the age of 21 if their parents/guardians or parent/guardian who is a single parent, reside(s) in the area of the City and settle their income tax from natural persons in a revenue office in Warsaw, regardless the fact whether those persons draw income – entitling to unlimited number of journeys for three hundred and sixty-five days or three hundred and sixty-six (if there are 29 days in February) from its validation until 23:59 of the last day. The ticket is valid with the proximity card issued by the Public Transport Authority or in mobile applications upon submitting the documents which meet the conditions of reduction entitlement. The loss of entitlement by one child does not devoid other children of their entitlements.

reduced-fare:  99 zł

Senior personal pass (65+)

Personal Pass for senior citizens over 65 years entitles to unlimited number of journeys for three hundred and sixty-five days or three hundred and sixty-six (if there are 29 days in February) from its validation until 23:59 of the last day. The pass is valid with the identity document which confirms the age of a passenger (no other reductions in journeys on the vehicles of municipal public transport in the capital city of Warsaw are applicable with the pass)

One-year Senior

reduced-fare:  50 zł

Additional charges and other charges

Additional charge for a journey without a required travel document

Additional charge for a journey without a valid document which confirms the right to free or reduced fare travel

Additional charge for stopping or changing the direction of a vehicle without a justified reason

In case the fines listed in the items 1 and 2 are paid immediately to the ticket inspector

159,60 zł / 117,60 zł

In case the fines listed in the items 1 and 2 are paid within seven days from the issue date of the demand for payment

186,20 zł / 137,20 zł

Administrative charge for issuing next personal proximity card

Administrative charge for collecting additional charge or issuing demand for payment in the case of their cancelation

Administrative charge for returning a ticket

20% of nominal value of a ticket, but no higher than 50.00 PLN

Transport of luggage or animals is free

The additional charge may be decreased by 30% if its amount is paid not later than within 7 days following issuance of the request for payment. The transport fee is not subject to any reduction.

Pursuant to the Transport Law Act, the carrier imposes an additional charge along with an applicable transport fee. In case of the additional charge being imposed, the passenger is obliged to pay this charge together with the applicable transport fee being an equivalent of the price of a single fare ticket as compliant with the entitlements held and the travel zone.

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