Getting to Warsaw
The easiest ways to get to the heart of Europe. Below you’ll find all the information necessary to arrive as well as how to get around town
Warsaw is situated in the middle of Europe and is therefore easily accessible from various directions. There are suitable connections to the city by plane but as well by bus or train.
By Plane
The Chopin Airport is the main airport in Warsaw where most of the flights land. It is located only 10 km away from the capital’s center. There are direct flights from almost any European destination as well as major US cities and other long-distance destinations.
To & From Chopin Airport
To reach the city you can take public transport – bus lines 175 & 32 will take you directly to the city center.
If you choose a taxi, it is highly recommended to use the licensed taxi services offered by the airport as there are a lot of unlicensed cars with fees several times higher than those of the regular taxis. Among the reliable taxi companies are Ele Taxi, Sawa Taxi, Super Taxi.
The Modlin Airport serves budget airlines and charters and is located 35 km away from Warsaw. It handles short and medium-distance flights and has connections to over 30 European cities.
To & From Modlin Airport
The buses operated by the ModlinBus and OKbus carriers will take you to the city center in around 40 minutes.
Tickets are available in the Arrivals Hall, in the buses, at the point of Sale in the Palace of Culture and Science and online. Recommended taxi companies are Sawa Taxi and Taxi Modlin.
By Train
Warsaw is well-connected by rail with other European cities. There are three main railway stations:
- Warszawa Centralna (Central Warsaw)
- Warszawa Zachodnia (West Warsaw)
- Warszawa Wschodnia (East Warsaw).
Tickets can be purchased at the station’s ticket points, online, via travel agencies or on the train. Tickets sold from conductors on the train are usually more expensive, so buying your tickets in advance is recommended.
By Bus
Dworzec PKS Warszawa Zachodnia serves long-distance bus routes from international destinations.
To plan your trip visit www.e-podroznik.pl and check the available lines and fees.
By Car
Some of Europe’s main roads cross Warsaw due to its central location on the continent.
Route E77 runs across Central Europe from the south-east; route E67 connects Central Europe with Scandinavia and motorway A2 and route Е30 are the option for travelers coming from East Europe.
Getting Around Warsaw
Public transportation
Most of the sights and attractions in Warsaw are situated within a walking distance, but, if you prefer to take public transport, you have several quick and cheap options.
The transport network of the capital consists of subway, trams, buses and night buses all operated by ZTM.
The metro has 2 lines which connect the districts of Bielany, Ursynów, Wola, and Praga-Południe via the city center with a possible change on Świętokrzyska station.
Tickets
If you buy a ticket for one day, you can choose a 20-, 75- or 90-minutes tickets. Long-term options include one-day, three-days or weekend travel passes.
You can buy tickets directly in some vehicles, from newspaper kiosks, and at the ticket automats located in the metro stations.
The ZTM network is divided into 2 tariff zones. The first zone includes the urban area of Warsaw and the second one covers the suburban areas around the city. Check the border between the zones here. You can travel with Zone 1 ticket anywhere in Warsaw but for the surroundings, you will need a ticket valid both for Zone 1 and Zone 2.
Cycling
Warsaw is a bike-friendly city. You can hire a Veturilo bike from one of the 380 locations in the city and benefit from a free 20-minutes ride, after that, a fee is charged per hour. You can hire a bike for a maximum of 12 hours. If you haven’t returned the bike after that, you are subject to a fine.
A full list of all bike stations is available at www.veturilo.waw.pl
Good to Know
- Bus No. 180 is a regular bus line which will take you to the most well-known tourist attractions in Warsaw. The duration of the journey is 60-70 minutes.
- Luggage and animals are not charged on public transport.
- If you use public transport without a valid ticket you might be fined with PLN 266. You can pay the fine on the spot or later but if you pay it within seven days of the issue date, the fine can be reduced with 30%.
- Smoking at public transport, clubs, pubs, and restaurants is prohibited.
- Drinking alcohol in public places such as parks, squares, streets apart from the specially designated for the purpose places is also prohibited.
- The number of Warsaw City Contact Center is 19115.
- The emergency number for foreigners in English is +48 608 599 999
- A complete list of the embassies in Warsaw is available here.