Getting Around in Warsaw: Public Transport, Cards, and Subscriptions

The capital of Poland, Warsaw is truly a city designed for people, ideal for exploring on foot: you can immerse yourself in its Old Town, filled with wonderful squares and charming streets. To reach the more distant attractions, you can rely on an excellent local transportation system. Here's everything you need to know about getting around Warsaw! Check out the infographic: Getting around Warsaw

Useful Tips

how to get around warsaw recommended transport

Warsaw is a rather large city, but the historic center is perfectly walkable. It's advisable to join a free tour of Warsaw for an initial introduction to the city, allowing you to identify landmarks while also learning about the history and anecdotes of the city and main attractions.

In general, however, Warsaw boasts a great transportation network at affordable prices, so you can do without a car. All public transportation uses the same fare system and the same tickets, which vary in cost based on the zone you are traveling to. The metro is recommended, while the bus is less recommended due to traffic, but you can still get around on foot or by metro. The only line we recommend using is line 180, which passes through the Old Town. To acclimate yourself best in the city, it might be helpful to take a ride on the tourist bus, which allows you to hop on and off at various stops without limits.

If you're planning to visit the surroundings, we also advise against renting a car; instead, use the very good train connections or join organized tours with included transport, such as the Auschwitz-Birkenau tour or the Treblinka extermination camp tour.

Recommended solutions and means of transport: on foot (free tour), metro, tram, tourist bus
Not recommended solutions and means: car, bus

How to get from the airport to downtown Warsaw

Warsaw is served by Chopin International Airport, located 10 km south of the Polish capital. It is well connected to the center via public transport and taxi services, consisting of two terminals. There is also a second airport in the city, Modlin International Airport, located 40 km north of the city, exclusively used by low-cost airlines (e.g., Ryanair), and has a single terminal.

Chopin Airport in Warsaw

Distance from center 10 km / travel time: 20 min;
By train SKM lines S2 and S3 / ticket cost: 7.50 PLN (€1.76);
By taxi average cost 40.00 PLN (€8.75) / travel time: 20 min;
By bus average cost 4.40 PLN (€0.95) / lines 175, 148, 188, 331, night line N32;
Private transfer from €25.00 for groups of 3 people

Modlin Airport in Warsaw

Distance from center 40 km / travel time: 40 min;
By bus+train airport shuttle to Modlin train station, then train line Koleje Mazowieckie / shuttle+train ticket cost: €19.00 PLN (€4.10);
By taxi average cost 160.00 PLN (€35.00) / travel time: 40 min;
By bus average cost 30.00 PLN (€6.60) / lines Contbus and Flixbus (last run around 00:25)
Private transfer from €90.00 for groups of 3 people

Getting Around on Foot

Warsaw is a city that invites pleasant walks, especially to visit its two main areas: the Old Town and the New Town. These neighborhoods are rich in attractions and areas of natural interest and recreation, perfect for strolling and discovering hidden corners and streets.

Visiting the historic center and part of the Royal Route on foot is simple, starting from Nowy Świat and walking along Krakowskie Przedmieście takes no more than 30 minutes. In the Old Town, you can also visit the Market Square, the marvelous Royal Castle in Castle Square, and the city's Basilica. Furthermore, you can immerse yourself in its history and past by visiting the Jewish ghetto.

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Join a free tour: for an initial approach to the Polish capital and to discover its wonderful and historic neighborhoods, we recommend participating in a free tour of Warsaw, where you can discover the most iconic places alongside an expert guide.

In Warsaw, as in many European cities, sharing services are becoming more widespread, great for getting around at affordable prices and, above all, with convenience. From the handy bike-sharing service to the now-ubiquitous electric scooters, all the way to car sharing. Let's see the services in detail:

Lime the electric scooter company available in the city. To operate, it requires the specific app, through which you can locate the scooters, unlock them using a QR code, find the zones where you can park them at the end of the ride, and make payments (credit card and debit card, prepaid card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay). The app also has a specific section with all the traffic rules to follow in Prague. Exact cost visible at the end of the ride, averaging €0.15/min;
Veturilo the bike-sharing service in Warsaw, with over 4,500 bicycles (both classic and electric) and more than 300 stations spread throughout the city. Usable via the official app, which allows you to create an account, unlock the bicycle, use it and then park it in one of the designated stations, easily locatable via the app. Payment is automatically processed at the end of the ride via credit card. First 20 minutes free, 1 hour cost 1.00 PLN (€0.20), 2 hours cost 3.00 PLN (€0.65);
Panek Carsharing car-sharing service available in Warsaw, with various models available. The service can be used via a specific app that allows creating an account and linking required documents (ID, driver's license, credit card for payment), locating cars, unlocking them, and parking them in indicated designated spots often marked in the app. Average cost 0.60 PLN/min (€0.15), but various offers and packages are available.

Using Public Transport

Warsaw is a city that enjoys a very efficient and timely public transport network that operates excellently even during nighttime hours. Comprising trams, metros, and buses, this ensures all necessary trips within the capital and the outskirts (also served by trains). The service is managed by the company Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego and you can use the same ticket on all means of transport.

If you have little time to visit Warsaw or want to enjoy a nice scenic ride to get acclimated in the city, we recommend taking the tourist bus, which allows you to hop on and off freely at all its stops without restrictions. This way, you can easily move between all the main attractions of the city!

Metro

The metro is the ideal way to get around the city, the only area it does not cover is the route to and from the airport. It is the fastest transport and operates from 5:00 AM to midnight during the week and until 3:00 AM on weekends. There are 2 lines: line M1 runs across the city from North to South, connecting Bielany (Młociny station) to Kabaty station; line M2 crosses the city from west to east, starting from the Wola district to the Praga district (Dworzec Wileński station).

Is the Warsaw metro safe at night? The metro is safe and a great way to move around the city effortlessly. However, at night it's always better to stay cautious, just like in any big city. It is recommended to use it only in the more frequented areas, avoiding reaching the outskirts.

Downloadable map Warsaw metro map
Hours 5:00-00:00, weekends until 3:00
Cost of single ticket/ride 20-minute ticket 3.40 PLN (€0.75)
Cost of ticket booklet/subscription 75-minute ticket 4.40 PLN (€0.95), 90-minute ticket 7.00 PLN (€1.50), 1-day ticket (24h) 26.00 PLN (€5.70), 3-day ticket (72h) 57.00 PLN (€12.50)

Bus

Warsaw has about 170 bus lines that cover all areas of the city, although naturally travel times are longer compared to the metro. The line numbers consist of 3 digits/letters, the first indicates the type of service: night lines are marked with the letter N, express lines with an E, number 2 indicates buses making all stops, while 9 signals a special line functioning only at certain times or days. However, you will not use the bus much, as you can comfortably navigate with the metro and tram, except for one line: the line most used by tourists is indeed line 180, which passes from Chomiczówka through the Old Town, passing many historical attractions. Very convenient.

Downloadable map Warsaw bus map
Hours 5:00-23:00, night 23:00-4:30
Cost of single ticket/ride 20-minute ticket 3.40 PLN (€0.75)
Cost of ticket booklet/subscription 75-minute ticket 4.40 PLN (€0.95), 90-minute ticket 7.00 PLN (€1.50), 1-day ticket (24h) 26.00 PLN (€5.70), 3-day ticket (72h) 57.00 PLN (€12.50)

Tram

Trams are the most picturesque means of transport in Warsaw, consisting of yellow-red vehicles that connect various points in the city with a service that is faster than buses and more scenic than the metro. It is very convenient for short distances. From June to August, a tourist line T also operates, featuring historic trams that start from Narutowicza Square and traverse the city, offering a truly charming itinerary.

Downloadable map Warsaw tram map
Hours 5:00-22:00, some lines until 00:00
Cost of single ticket/ride 20-minute ticket 3.40 PLN (€0.75)
Cost of ticket booklet/subscription 75-minute ticket 4.40 PLN (€0.95), 90-minute ticket 7.00 PLN (€1.50), 1-day ticket (24h) 26.00 PLN (€5.70), 3-day ticket (72h) 57.00 PLN (€12.50)

By Car

The car is absolutely unnecessary if you intend to visit and move around Warsaw. You can comfortably explore the historic center on foot, while for reaching more distant attractions you can rely on public transport, which perfectly covers all areas and both central and peripheral neighborhoods.

If you're involved in a road trip in Poland or have a rental vehicle, the best solution is to opt for accommodation with parking service included for its clients. No additional documents are required; in Poland, Italian insurance is valid, as well as the driver's license. When driving, pay attention to the rules, seatbelt use is mandatory and be cautious of speed limits, as fines can be quite high.

Is Uber available in Warsaw? Yes, Uber operates in Warsaw and is definitely a better option than using a car. The advantage lies in the app, where you can select your drop-off point, know the fare upfront, and check drivers' ratings left by other riders. It is a very safe service, as you can even track movements in real-time. Ideal for traveling at night.

ZTL

There are no restricted traffic zones for normal vehicles, but only for those moving with trucks over 5 or 10 tons, which can only access with an ID called C-5 / C-10. More info on the official website of the City of Warsaw.

Parking and Stopping

In Warsaw you park in indicated spaces: neighborhood parks or municipal parking lots, whether guarded or unguarded. Additionally, there are payable unguarded parking zones on weekdays from Monday to Friday during the time frame 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Payment is made at parking meters, with a municipal pre-paid card, or by sending an SMS from your mobile phone. The receipt of the payment must be displayed on the front dashboard.

All parking in downtown Warsaw is paid from Monday to Friday, always during the time frame 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, while parking is free on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The average hourly rate is 3.30 PLN (€0.70).

Getting Around in Warsaw: Public Transport, Cards, and Subscriptions