Warsaw Transport

Public transport in Warsaw is extensive and includes regular rail, tram, Metro and bus services, while those arriving by air can do so at the conveniently situated Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport, just minutes drive from the city centre. Tickets can be used on all forms of public transport, while those looking for door-to-door service can make use of the city’s plentiful taxis.

Visitors arriving by air will land at Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport (WWA). It is situated only a few kilometres from city centre, making it very convenient. Destinations served include most major European cities and some transatlantic destinations, with the majority of flights operated by Polish Airlines LOT as well as by some European airlines and low-cost airline, Etiuda. 

The airport has three terminals: Terminal 1, the Domestic Terminal and the Etiuda Terminal, which is reserved only for Etiuda flights. Security at the airport is high, with departing passengers recommended to arrive at least two hours before their flight departure.

Transport into the city consists of taxis, with three authorised taxi firms operating from the airport. Visitors are advised against taking a taxi from the touts who hang out in Arrivals, as it is likely they will be over charged. Some of the major city hotels provide their guest with airport transfers; it is advisable to enquire with your hotel about the services upon booking.

Alternatively, those on a budget can take a local bus service to the city, with numbers 175, 188 and night bus 611 all plying the route to Warsaw Central Rail Station. Bus number 188 also services Praga, on the east bank of the river. In addition, the Airport City Hotels Bus also runs services into the city and is speedier and less crowded than the public buses. This service stops at many of the major hotels and the driver may be willing to take you to your hotel even if it is not on the usual list of destinations.

Public transport in Warsaw is adequate, with all areas of the city easily accessible. There are three main train stations: Warsaw West (Dworzec Zachodni), Warsaw Central (Dworzec Centralny) and Warsaw East (Dworzec Wschodni), from where you can get connections to local destinations as well as destinations across Poland. The three stations are connected, making travel between the east and west banks easy. Services are operated by Polish State Railways and connections with other European cities are possible as well as there being plenty of links with other Polish cities.

Suburban trains are frequent, with the most convenient station within proximity to City Centre being Warszawa-Å?ródmieÅ?cie, which is in walking distance of Central Station and Centrum Metro station. While suburban trains are good for reaching one side of the city to the other, most people choose to use the Metro for short hops. The single line runs from Centrum in Centre City to Å»oliborz. The Metro uses the same ticket system as trams and buses, with a single ticket being valid on all forms of transport. Metro services run from 05:00 to 24:00, with trains operating every four minutes at peak times and every 10 minutes at all other times.

The city has an extensive bus and tram network, with services operating about every 10 minutes from 05:00 to 23:00. Bus schedules can be found at every stop, with services usually arriving on time. Some stops are marked as ‘on request’, meaning that you need to indicate to the driver that you want to get on the bus by waiving your hand. Many routes are also covered by night buses, which operate from 23:00 to 05:00 every 30 minutes, with all services stopping at Warsaw Central Railway Station.

Taxi prices are standardised and taxi vehicles are well marked. While you can easy flag down a taxi in the street, you can also pre-book a taxi by telephone or queue up at a taxi rank. Prices often escalate at night and on weekends or holiday. Visitors are advised to only use taxis that have an official ‘taxi’ sign on their roof and their telephone number displayed; many mafia-run taxis operate in Warsaw and may try to charge you an extortionate fare.