Bicycle
The Polish capital is mostly flat and easy to navigate, and cycle paths are on the increase. However, Warsaw drivers don’t give a toss about cyclists and you’ll soon be following the locals’ lead and sharing the footpath with pedestrians.
Veturilo (www.veturilo.waw.pl) Public bike-rental system available from March to November. It’s free to use a bicycle for up to 20 minutes, then the hourly fee rises to 7zł per hour for a maximum of 12 hours’ use. Visit the website to register (10zł), and to find pickup and drop-off locations.
Car & Motorcycle
Warsaw’s street surfaces are not the most well-maintained in Europe, so driving demands constant attention.
The city’s local government oversees paid parking on central streets. You pay using coins in the nearest ticket machine (parkomat) and get a receipt that you display in the windscreen.
For security, try to park your car in a guarded car park (parking strzeżony). There are some in central Warsaw, including one on the aptly named ul Parkingowa, parallel to ul Marszałkowska.
The Polish Automobile Association, PZM, operates a 24-hour road breakdown service (pomoc drogowa).
Public Transport
Warsaw’s integrated public transport system is operated by Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego and consists of tram, bus and metro lines, all using the same ticketing system.
Metro
Warsaw’s metro system has two lines. The older and longer line (M1) runs from the southern suburb of Ursynów (Kabaty station) to Młociny in the north via the city centre. The newer east–west line (M2) runs from Rondo Daszyńskiego, west of the city centre, to Dworzec Wileński in Praga, though it’s likely to be extended in the future. The lines intersect at Świętokrzyska station.
Yellow signs with a big red letter ‘M’ indicate the entrances to metro stations. You won’t miss the station entrances on the east–west line, with each giant letter ‘M’ made from coloured glass.
Every metro station has a public toilet.
There are lifts for passengers with disabilities.
Riding the metro, you use the same tickets as on trams and buses, but validate the ticket at the entrance gate to the platform, not inside the vehicle. Trains run approximately every eight minutes (every four minutes during rush hour).
Taxi
Taxis in Warsaw are easily available and not too expensive, costing 8zł flag fall and around 2/4zł per kilometre during the day/night within the centre. A typical 10-minute ride should cost around 20zł.
Beware of ‘pirate’ or ‘mafia’ taxis, which do not display a phone number or company logo – the drivers may try to overcharge you and turn rude and aggressive if you question the fare. They are becoming less common, but still occasionally haunt tourist spots looking for likely victims.
All official taxis in Warsaw have their meters adjusted to the appropriate tariff, so you just pay what the meter says. When you board a taxi, make sure the meter is turned on in your presence, which ensures you don’t have the previous passenger’s fare added to yours.
Taxis can be waved down on the street, but it’s preferable to order a taxi by phone; there’s no extra charge for this service.
Reliable companies include the following.
MPT Radio Taxi has English-speaking dispatchers,
Super Taxi
Halo Taxi
All are recognisable by signs on the taxi’s roof with the company name and phone number.
