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Getting around Warsaw

Public transport: 

The Municipal Transport Board ZTM (tel: (022) 19484; www.ztm.waw.pl) operates the bus and tram network, connecting all parts of Warsaw, as well as the metro line.

Night bus routes converge on Ulica Emilii Plater, next to the Palace of Culture and Science. The one-line metro system connects the district of Bielany with Ursynów, via Śródmieście.

Tickets, valid for all modes of transport, are available at the green Ruch kiosks, post offices and hotels. It is also possible to purchase tickets on board buses, but a surcharge will apply. With every change of vehicle, a new ticket must be punched in the metal boxes inside the bus or tram, or before entering the platform on the underground.

One-day passes are valid for 24 hours after you first punch the ticket. Three- and seven-day passes are also available. You can also buy tickets at the City Transportation Office at Ulica Senatorska 37 (entrance from Saski Garden). Children under four years travel free. Pickpockets operate on some routes (especially bus 175 from the airport) and valuables should be kept close at hand and out of sight at all times.

Taxis: 

Taxis in Warsaw are metered and can be hailed on the street, although fares are usually cheaper if the taxi is ordered by telephone. There are also a number of private firms. You can pay by credit card with MPT Radio Taxi (tel: (022) 19191), Halo Taxi (tel: (022) 19623) and OK! Taxi (tel: (022) 19628). Other taxi firms include Wawa (tel: (022) 19644) and Super Taxi (tel: (022) 19622).

There is no baggage charge and tipping is usually around 10% of the fare. Overcharging is most likely to happen at the airport, central station, the Old Town or near one of the larger hotels. Non-affiliated taxis should be avoided - it is advisable for travellers to take a taxi with the telephone number displayed on the top and advertising on the side of the car.

Driving: 

In the past decade, traffic congestion in Warsaw has increased dramatically. Many of the city's drivers travel at high speeds and perform dangerous overtaking manoeuvres, which may trouble nervous visitors.

The lack of a ring road means that traffic goes straight through the heart of the city, worsening congestion problems in the city centre. A variety of plans are underway but these are largely dependent on adequate investment. However, improvements have materialised, including the building of additional bridges.

Be mindful of tramway lines when driving as the tracks are not always on a separate road area. At red lights, a small green arrow indicates that it is permissible to turn right, however, priority must be given to cross traffic. At intersections without lights, traffic must stop for pedestrians once they have begun to cross at zebra crossings.

Paid street parking is in effect and there are some underground car parks in the city centre. There is a car park under the Silver Screen multiplex (also known as the Europlex building) on Ulica Pulawska 17. There is also 24-hour parking around the Palace of Culture and Science.

Car hire: 

Drivers must be at least 21 or 23 years old (depending on the company) and have a valid driver's licence or an International Driving Permit to hire a car in Warsaw. There is no mandatory insurance, although collision damage waiver is advised. The major car hire providers in Warsaw are Avis (tel: (022) 630 7316; www.avis.pl), Budget (tel: (022) 650 4062; www.budget.pl) and Hertz (tel: (022) 650 2896; www.hertz.com.pl).

Bicycle hire: 

Cycling in the city streets is not an ideal option, but Warsaw is a flat city and has some wonderful cycling paths connecting the city centre to both the northern and southern areas of the city along the Vistula. You can hire bikes from Local-Rent-A-Car, Ulica Marszałkowska 140 (tel: (022) 826 7100; www.lrc.com.pl) and Oki Doki Hostel, Plac Dąbrowskiego 3 (tel: (022) 828 0122; www.okidoki.pl).

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