World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
The Municipal Transport Board, ZTM (tel: (022) 827 7966; or local info line: 9484; website: www.ztm.waw.pl) operates the bus and tram network, connecting all parts of the city, as well as the modest metro line.

Night bus routes converge near Warszawa Centralna (Warsaw Central), aleje Jerozolimskie 54, and run after 2300 until the small hours.

The one-line metro system runs from the southern suburbs in Kabaty to the northern reaches of Zoliborz. There currently are plans for a second line and more stops further north, with the necessary funding coming from German investors.

Tickets, valid for all modes of transport, should be purchased before boarding. They are available at the green Ruch kiosks, post offices, and hotels. It is also possible to purchase tickets on board buses, but a surcharge may apply. A single fare costs ZL2.40. 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. The fare for night buses is ZL4.80.

A one-day pass costs ZL7.20 and is valid for 24 hours after you first punch the ticket, while a one-week ticket costs ZL24. Tickets can also be purchased at the City Transportation Office at ulica Senatorska 37 (entrance from Saski Garden). Students up to the age of 26 are entitled (on production of an ISIC card) to reduced fares and children under four years travel free. Pickpockets operate on some routes (especially bus no. 175 from the airport) and valuables should be kept close at hand and out of sight at all times.

Taxis
Taxis 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. Payment can be made by credit card with MPT Radio Taxi (tel: (022) 9191), Halo Taxi (tel: (022) 9623) and OK! Taxi (tel: (022) 9628). Other taxi firms include Wawa (tel: (022) 9644) and Super Taxi (tel: (022) 9622). Rates go up between 2200 and 0600 and at weekends. Rates going out of the city centre Zone 1 are also higher. 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 City
In the past decade, traffic congestion in Warsaw has increased dramatically – the current index of over 400 cars per 1,000 residents is higher than in Berlin. 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. All standard European rules, such as yellow-diamond priority routes, are in effect. 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, with room for 270 cars. This parking entrance is directly around the corner on ulica Chocimska. There is also 24 hour parking around the Palace of Culture and Science. This is a very central car park and entrance is on ulica Marszalkowska, Aleje Jerozolimskie and ulica Emilii Plater (webite: www.pkin.pl/parking/). Parking Lotnisko offers 24 hour attended parking as well as free transfers to the airport should one be travelling by air. It’s a bit out of the way from the center, but your car will be guarded. Aleje Krakowska 42 (tel: (022) 886 6671; website: www.parking-lotnisko.pl/). Warsaw is the first European city where one can pay to park by using a mobile phone; each network provider has a specific number to call.

Car Hire
Drivers must be at least 23 years old and have a valid driver’s licence or an International Driving Permit. There is no mandatory insurance, although collision damage waiver is advised.

The major car hire providers in Warsaw are Avis (tel: (022) 650 4872; website: www.avis.pl), Budget (tel: (022) 650 4062; website: www.budget.pl) and Hertz (tel: (022) 650 2896 or (0800) 143 789; website: www.hertz.pl). Prices for the international companies are quoted in Euros and range from ¬33-125 per day.

Bicycle Hire
Cycling in the city streets is not an ideal option, but Warsaw has some wonderful cycling paths connecting the city centre to both the northern and southern areas of the city along the Vistula. Bikes can be hired from Local-Rent-A-Car, ulica Marsza³kowska 140 (tel: (022) 826 7100; website: www.lrc.com.pl).