Getting Around!
Travel within Warsaw using buses, metro and trams is efficient, fast and cheap; driving a car through the centre, on the other hand, can be confusing indeed, and the capital is best negotiated either on foot, public transport or by taking a cab, Uber or Bolt. Below you’ll find key information about getting around the city with general ease via bus, metro, tram and taxi.
Public Transport
The Warsaw City Transportation (ZTM) website has ticket details, service information and timetables.
Warsaw has an extensive bus and tram system criss-crossing the city as well as a metro system with 2 lines that run north to south (M1) and a second line (M2) that runs east to west. Over 1,900 buses operate in and around the city, operating from 0500 to 2300. Night buses (pre-fixed ‘N’) run on most key routes regularly through the night. Buses stop at all stops, unless marked “przystanek na żądanie” (“request stop”), except ‘Fast Buses’ (numbers commencing 4—or 5–) that skip smaller stops. Note that Night Buses only stop when requested.
Tickets (all valid for use on metro, bus, tram and SKM trains) can be bought from ticket machines with instructions in English (and other languages) found at most central bus/tram stops and also dotted around the city, as well as at all metro & train stations. Tickets can also be purchased from machines on buses, trams, and SKM trains where you can pay by card only Kiosks and convenience shops also sell tickets.
A standard public transport single ticket costs 4.40zł, which covers you for 75 minutes and multiple changes. If you’re travelling to the further reaches of Warsaw you’ll be needing a ticket that covers both zones 1 and 2 which 7zł. Note that the airport is in Zone 1. In addition, there is a 20 minute ticket priced at 3.40zł, which also allows multiple changes. Tickets valid for 24hrs are priced at 15zł, or 26zł for zones 1 & 2. There is also a weekend ticket (available from 19:00 on Friday till 08:00 on Monday) which costs 24 zł and a 3-day ticket for 36zł for zone 1 only and 57zł for zones 1 & 2.
Those over 70 ride for free, as do children up until the end of September of the year they turn 7, but you must have photo ID with you (in such cases, to enter the metro, use a ‘wejściówka’ (pass), which is a free platform access ticket that allows you to enter the electronic gates; these can be found from wall dispensers next to the gates and used multiple times (hang on to it). Everyone else pays full fare unless in possession of an ISIC card (in which case you must be 26 and under). This entitles you to buy a reduced ticket (ulgowy) which costs approximately 50% of the full fare.
Once you’ve got a ticket you will need to validate it in one of the box-style ‘kasowniks’ (‘validators’), thus activating the magnetic strip on the back. On the metro this must be done before you get to the platform; note that if you enter via a lift these are at platform level by the lift. You do not need an extra ticket for animals or large pieces of luggage. Plain clothes ticket inspectors regularly stalk the lines, dishing out fines for those without valid tickets (usually 100zł for prompt payment). They often don’t look very official and you are within your rights to request identification.
Taxis
The days when cash bells would ring whenever a cab driver would hear a foreign accent might have passed, but it’s still always better to ring ahead rather than just hailing a taxi in the street. In particular be vigilant when taking a cab to the centre from the arrivals hall of the airport; we’ve heard plenty of horror stories. The accepted fare from Warsaw Chopin Airport to the centre is 40-60zł; we suggest that you agree upon this price with your driver before setting off in order to ensure avoiding any shenanigans.
All the companies we list will usually have someone on their switchboard who can speak English. MPT, the state-run firm, can boast the most reliable reputation, but you won’t find many cheaper than Super Taxi. Find ELE taxis on the Marriott tower side of the central station; it’s the second row of cars. Tipping is not expected, but if your driver gets you from A to B without a detour through the countryside then by all means, feel free.
Taxi companies that are usually reliable include Ele Taxi, Euro Taxi, Glob, Cab Taxi, Halo Taxi, iTaxi.pl, MPT, Sawa Taxi, Super Taxi and FreeNow. Of course, many of these now have Apps available for ordering which many find more convenient.
As well as ‘regular’ taxis, you will find Uber and Bolt available. Set up the App on your smartphone and away you go!
Bike Hire
Renting a bike in Warsaw has never been easier, using the Veturilo (meaning ‘vehicle’ in Esperanto) Public Bike system. There are stations all over town, with 3,000+ bikes available! Sign up with a smartphone, pay an initial 10 and away you go! Instructions for use are available on the website and at the bike stations. The first 20 minutes are free, and after that you pay 1zł for 21-60 minutes, 3zł for the second hour, 5zł for the third, and 7zł for each hour after that up to 12 hours. There’s a 200zł fee for exceeding 12 hours, and a 4,600zł cost for replacing a lost or damaged bike, so behave yourself!
Electric Scooter Rental
Love them or loathe them, scooters are everywhere across Warsaw and are offered by TIER, Bolt, Dott and Lime, as well as others arriving in the market. Just download their apps, register your data and payment details, find their locations and away you go. Each company has its own pricing policies, so best check their sites for more information. Just don’t be ‘that guy’ weaving between people and cars saying ‘sorry, dude!’ to everyone. Once done, park neatly to avoid angering locals.
Car Rental
All most travellers need to rent a car in PL is 18 years of age, a credit card (not debit), and a valid foreign driver’s licence. Be aware, however, that those from countries that didn’t ratify the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (tsk, tsk, United States, China, Australia…) cannot legally drive on their home licences; technically an International Driver’s License is required in those cases (in the US these are issued by AAA for a fee). If you don’t have a license in line with the Vienna Convention, or the required IDL, you may be denied the ability to drive a rental car. Though some car rental companies (the dodgier ones) will still rent you a car (since it’s good for their business to ignore international law), be aware that you are assuming full liability if you get behind the wheel; not only can you get a citation from the police, but if an accident were to occur, you would be fully responsible for any damages, regardless of the circumstances.
If you’re looking to leave the country in your rental car, be aware that you can’t cross the borders into Belarus or Ukraine in a rental car. Although you shouldn’t have problems crossing into other Schengen area countries, we advise you always check each hire company’s policies about cross-border travel.
The usual international car hire companies are here, such as Avis, Budget, ComfortCar, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt as well as several local companies, such as Panek, Express, CarFree, 99 and many others.
Other Vehicle Rentals
Rent a motorcycle from Skutery Centrum or a car from Traficar Car Share. Other providers can also be found on the market.