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Getting Around by Air
Domestic flights are operated by LOT Polish Airlines (website: www.lot.com) and Centralwings (website: www.centralwings.com). There is a comprehensive network linking all major cities.
Getting Around by Rail
Cheap and efficient InterCity trains are operated by Polskie Koleje Państwowe (Polish State Railways) (tel: (022) 9436, in Poland only or (022) 511 6003; website: www.pkp.pl) and link all parts of the country in a network radiating from Warsaw. There are two classes of travel and trains are often classified as Inter-City, Express or Local; for comfort and speed stay on Inter-City (IC) or Express (Ex) routes.
Rail Passes
InterRail One-Country Pass: offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within Poland. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).
Eurail Poland Pass: available to visitors travelling from outside of Europe. Offers unlimited rail travel within the country for five, eight, 10 or 15 days' travel within a one-month period.
Eurail Poland Pass: available to visitors travelling from outside of Europe. Offers unlimited rail travel within the country for five, eight, 10 or 15 days' travel within a one-month period.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right, and standard international traffic signs are used. Major inter-city routes use the prefix ‘E' and motorways use ‘A'. Most petrol stations located along international routes are open 24 hours a day. Road quality ranges from smooth brand new motorways to narrow, pot-holed single lanes.
Bus: There are good regional bus and coach services operated by Polish Motor Communications (PPKS) (tel: 03003 00130, in Poland only or (022) 822 4811; website: www.pks.warszawa.pl).
Car hire: Self-drive cars are available at the airport or through various car hire offices in town centres. All major firms are available. The minimum age for hiring a car is 21.
Regulations:The minimum driving age is 17. Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas, 90km (55mph) on other roads, 100kph (62mph) on major roads and 130kph (81mph) on motorways. Seat belts and warning triangles are compulsory. Trams have the right of way. From 1 October to 1 March, all vehicles should have their lights switched on at all times.
Emergency breakdown service: For roadside assistance, contact the Polish Automobile and Motorway Federation, Polski Zwiazek Motorowy (PZM) (tel: 9637, in Poland only; website: www.pzmtravel.com.pl).
Documentation: Tourists travelling in their own cars should have vehicle registration cards, their national driving licence (driving licences of EU nationals are accepted) and third party insurance documents. Green Card motor insurance is necessary for vehicles coming from outside the EU and Switzerland. An International Driving Permit is required for those from outwith the European Union.
Bus: There are good regional bus and coach services operated by Polish Motor Communications (PPKS) (tel: 03003 00130, in Poland only or (022) 822 4811; website: www.pks.warszawa.pl).
Car hire: Self-drive cars are available at the airport or through various car hire offices in town centres. All major firms are available. The minimum age for hiring a car is 21.
Regulations:The minimum driving age is 17. Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas, 90km (55mph) on other roads, 100kph (62mph) on major roads and 130kph (81mph) on motorways. Seat belts and warning triangles are compulsory. Trams have the right of way. From 1 October to 1 March, all vehicles should have their lights switched on at all times.
Emergency breakdown service: For roadside assistance, contact the Polish Automobile and Motorway Federation, Polski Zwiazek Motorowy (PZM) (tel: 9637, in Poland only; website: www.pzmtravel.com.pl).
Documentation: Tourists travelling in their own cars should have vehicle registration cards, their national driving licence (driving licences of EU nationals are accepted) and third party insurance documents. Green Card motor insurance is necessary for vehicles coming from outside the EU and Switzerland. An International Driving Permit is required for those from outwith the European Union.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Warsaw: In Warsaw, the Municipal Transport Board (ZTM) is responsible for the bus, metro and tram services. ZTM tickets are valid for all services and can be purchased as a single ride or as a day, week or monthly pass. Some buses allow the purchase of tickets on board, but it is best to buy before you use any transport.
Cracow: The MPK is the transport board responsible for public buses and trams in Cracow and the system works similarly to the one in Warsaw, except there is no metro. Public transport tickets are available in all towns at green Ruch kiosks, hotels and post offices.
Most public transport operates from 0530-2300; night buses, in the major cities, run from 2300-0500.
Taxis are available in all main towns. They are usually found at ranks or can be ordered by phone. There is a surcharge from 2300-0500 and for journeys out of town, as well as at weekends. Taxi drivers may insist on payment in hard currency. Tipping is welcomed.
Cracow: The MPK is the transport board responsible for public buses and trams in Cracow and the system works similarly to the one in Warsaw, except there is no metro. Public transport tickets are available in all towns at green Ruch kiosks, hotels and post offices.
Most public transport operates from 0530-2300; night buses, in the major cities, run from 2300-0500.
Taxis are available in all main towns. They are usually found at ranks or can be ordered by phone. There is a surcharge from 2300-0500 and for journeys out of town, as well as at weekends. Taxi drivers may insist on payment in hard currency. Tipping is welcomed.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Warsaw to other major cities/towns in Poland.
| Air | Road | Rail | |
| Cracow | 1.40 | 4.00 | 2.35 |
| Poznan | 1.00 | 4.00 | 3.00 |
| Wroclaw | 1.15 | 6.00 | 4.35 |
| Gdansk | 1.00 | 6.00 | 3.40 |
