GETTING AROUND

BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Warsaw has a relatively well-developed and efficient public transport system, consisting of about 200 bus routes, 30 tram lines and a single metro (underground) line. Daytime transport runs, on average, from 5 am to 11 pm. Between 11 pm and 5 am the city is served by night buses.

Tickets are issued by ZTM (Warsaw Transport Authority) and are valid for all means of transport. They are sold at newsagents, post offices and any shop that displays the Sprzedaż biletów ZTM ("ZTM tickets sold here") sticker. On a bus or a tram it is also possible to buy a single ticket from the driver. However, they can refuse to sell you a ticket if the bus/tram is over 3 minutes late. You also need to have the exact change (and, preferably, speak Polish). In short, it's safer to buy the ticket before boarding.

Luggage can be transported at no extra charge.

A single ticket, allowing you a single ride on a chosen mode of transportation, costs 3.60 PLN. There is a 50% concession for ISIC card holders, so if you're under 26 and have a valid ISIC card, you can buy a single ticket for 1.80 PLN. You need to have the card with you when you travel and show it to the ticket inspector when asked.

If you're coming for the whole Festival, you might be better off buying a 3 day travelcard for 24 PLN (reduced fare: 12 PLN), allowing you unlimited travel on all means of transport for 3 days. Other types of travelcards are also available, including ones valid for 20, 40 or 60 minutes, 24 hours, 30 or 90 days.

Tickets need to be validated immediately after boarding the bus or tram by stamping them in the yellow machines located near the door. In the metro, the tickets are validated at the gates to the platform. Travelcards only need to be activated on your first journey (although you will still need to use them to enter the metro).

Note: the prices above are valid for travel within Warsaw (zone 1). If you wish to travel to the suburbs, a more expensive ticket, covering zones 1 and 2, is required. For more detailed information on pricing, route maps and timetables, visit the ZTM site.

 

Metro

Warsaw's underground system is one of the newest in Europe and is still under construction. Currently, it consists of only one line connecting the southern and central-north parts of Warsaw with the city centre. The metro runs daily between 5 am and midnight (until 2.30 at weekends) at 3-10 minute intervals, depending on the time of day and the day of the week.

Stations are indicated at street level by a round yellow sign with a red "M". To enter the platform, you need to insert your ticket into a slot at the right side of the gate.

 

Trams

Warsaw has an extensive tram network, with trams operating between 5 am and 11 pm. During rush hours, trams are faster than buses as they usually don't get stuck in traffic jams. To help you plan your journey, have a look at the map of Warsaw's tram routes.

 

Buses

Day buses operate on average between 5 am and 11 pm. Some buses run daily and stop at all bus stops of a given line while others run on working days and at peak hours only or only stop at major bus stops, so you should always check the schedule (displayed at the bus stop).

Certain bus stops are request-only (Polish na żądanie): to get off, press the stop button near or above the door; to get on, wave your hand.

Sometimes the door won't open automatically. To open it, press the drzwi ("door") button.

Night buses, with numbers starting from N01, run from 11pm to 4.30am at 30 minute intervals. Most of them depart from the terminal between Dw. Centralny (Central railway station) and Złote Tarasy shopping centre at 15 and 45 minutes after the hour. As there are 38 night bus routes, it is important to know the location of your bus stop ath the Dw. Centralny terminal. Here's a map to help you. There's also a map of all night bus routes.

All night bus stops except Dw. Centralny are request-only stops.

 

BY TAXI

As overcharging is a problem, it is recommended to order a taxi by phone (at no surcharge) and, if catching a taxi in the street, only use officially registered taxis and ask the price first. A legal taxi will have a TAXI sign, its number displayed on the front door, a sticker with the base fare displayed on the rear window and the driver's ID card inside the car.

The fare depends on the time of day, day of the week and the distance covered. The maximum fares for travel within the city limits are

Higher rates apply for travel into the suburbs (marked by blue rectangular signs saying taxi 2 strefa [Taxi zone 2]): 6 PLN/km in daytime and up to 9 PLN/km at night and/or on Sundays.

You can also be charged an initial fee of up to 6 PLN and 40 PLN/hour for waiting for you.

You are entitled to a receipt (Polish: rachunek), which must specify the whole route, upon request.

There is no custom to tip the drivers.

Here's a list of some of Warsaw's taxi companies: