Transport

Warsaw is Poland’s most navigable city by far. | Photo by Adam Borkowski.

Warsaw Metro

Tentative construction on a metro system in Warsaw first began in 1938, but World War II stopped its progress and created other priorities for post-war communist authorities Although over 700 metres of tunnels had been carved by 1953, the death of Comrade Stalin saw all works again abandoned� In 1995 - almost 60 years since work first began - the north-south M1 line finally opened, and has steadily grown to 21 stations� The east-west M2 line, intersecting the M1 at Metro Świętokrzyska, opened in 2015 and now consists of 13 stations, with plans for 21 by 2022�

Tickets for the Metro are the same as for trams and buses, and can be bought from automated machines outside each station� To reach the platform you must pass through the gates; enter your ticket into the gate to validate it and hang on to the returned ticket until you leave the underground� Q www.metro.waw.pl. Travelling around Warsaw by bus, metro and tram 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 on foot, by public transport or taxi� For detailed information about Warsaw’s airports and train stations, visit our website: iyp.me/26ch

Public Transport

Warsaw has an extensive bus and tram system, as well as a good metro system with the M1 line running north-south and M2 running east-west� Over 1,500 buses operate in and around the city, and run 05:0023:00� After that night buses run on most routes twice every hour� All night buses display the letter N� ‘Fast buses’ (marked with red digits) skip the smaller stops� Standardised tickets are valid for use on the metro, buses and trams, and can be bought from machines with instructions in English at all metro stations, and some bus and tram stops� Tickets can also be purchased from machines on the actual buses and trams, where you can pay by card, or using exact change only� A standard single fare costs 4.40zł, or 3.40zł for a 20min ticket� If you’re travelling to the further reaches of Warsaw you’ll need a 7zł ticket that covers both zones 1 and 2 (note that the airport is still in Zone 1)� Tickets valid for 24 hours, 3 days and a special ‘weekend’ ticket might also be worth considering� 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 (those who ride free still need a ticket/’wejściówka’ to get through the gates of the metro - find dispensers next to the gates)� Everyone else pays full fare, unless you have an ISIC card which entitles you to a reduced fare (‘ulgowy’ ticket)� Once you’re through the electronic gates of the metro, you’re ready to ride� For buses and trams, however, there’s one extra step - validating your ticket immediately once you’re on board in the small ‘kasownik’ boxes on trams and buses� Plain clothes ticket inspectors stalk the lines, dishing out hefty fines for those without valid tickets� They often don’t look very official and you are within your rights to request identification�Qwww.ztm.waw.pl.

Private Transport

Skutery Centrum Motor Scooter Rental

Due to Warsaw’s spread-out nature, getting around is definitely challenge we all have to confront, and renting a scooter (the motorbike kind, think Vespa) is certainly a more fun, stylish and convenient option than the bus, tram or searching for car parking� Skutery Centrum are located just minutes from the train station and offer a large selection of sporty and stylish rides, all of which can accommodate two people and come with two helmets� You don’t need a special license or instruction and you can rent a scooter for as few as 3hrs, by the week, or even buy one for keeps� In the off-season it’s best to book in advance and secure a pickup time as they might be out of the office (call the listed number)�QG-8, ul. Nowogrodzka 22, MCentrum, tel. (+48) 690 99 77 60, www.skutery-centrum.pl. Open 07:30-19:30.

Traficar Car Share

Want your own car, but just for a short while? Download the Traficar app, find an empty vehicle, scan the QR code, and you’re in� You can leave the car in any legal parking space within their service zone, and you don’t have to pay for gas! Everything is done through their easy-to-use app (in Polish only)� In terms of cost versus a taxi, it comes out about the same, but as an alternative to car rental, Traficar is a wonder� You can rent a vehicle for 24 hours for only 59zł and even drop it off in another city where Traficar operates� As such, this is a great option for day and weekend trips, big shopping trips, or simply picking up friends at the airport� Note that you need to have a valid driver’s license that is recognised in PL�Qwww. traficar.pl. Prices are calculated as 0.50zł/min (0.10zł/ min when parked) + 0.80zł/km.

Useful Transport Tools

e-podroznik.pl

Travelling around Poland is becoming easier! With a host of services available to ease your travel woes, one of the best is e-podroznik (e-traveller)� This is your one stop shop for planning and buying tickets for all major cross-country travel in Poland whether it be by bus or train� You can search timetables and buy tickets online by visiting en.e-podroznik.pl or download their app�

Jakdojade

Warsaw’s metro, bus and tram network is incredibly easy to use; and it’s made easier with the skeleton key to unlocking public transport: the Warszawa.jakdojade.pl site and app� The former is a great tool for advance planning, but the app is more practical for figuring out how to get from A to B once you’re out in town� Just type in your starting address (the app does this automatically), destination, departure time, and Jakdojade magically churns out the best method for you to get there�

Scooter Rental

Love them or loathe them, motorised scooters are everywhere across Warsaw, even if the service providers don’t necessarily play by the rules and inform city authorities of their arrival� Now that they’re here, scooters are offered by Bird.co, CityBee.pl, RideHive.com and Li.me, and all you need to do is download their apps, register your personal data and payment details, find their locations via the app, scan the QR code and away you go� Each company has its own pricing policies, so best check their sites for more information� Wherever you go with your scooter, don’t be that guy weaving between people and cars saying ‘sorry, dude!’ to everyone� Once done, park neatly to avoid angering locals�

Uber

If you’re already an Uber user (uber.com), you’ll find that the alternative taxi service - whose free mobile app offers cheap one-tap, no cash, no tip rides from local drivers - has good coverage across Warsaw and all of Poland, however there are some drawbacks� Specifically, Uber drivers don’t have the same permissions as regular cabbies and may not be able to take you as close to your destination, or get you there as directly; such is the trade-off for slightly cheaper rates�