Practical tips for visiting Warsaw
Airports
Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) is only 10 kilometres from the centre. Trains (SKM S2 and S3, and Koleje Mazowieckie) reach Warszawa Centralna or Śródmieście in about 20 to 25 minutes, and bus 175 runs to the Old Town. A standard public transport ticket covers the journey. Taxis or ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt, FreeNow) cost about 40 to 60 PLN. Warsaw Modlin Airport, used by low-cost airlines, is 40 kilometres north; buses and trains connect it to the city.
Getting around
Warsaw has two metro lines, M1 (north-south) and M2 (east-west), plus an extensive tram and bus network. Tickets are valid for 20 minutes, 75 minutes or 24 hours, 72 hours and weekends. Validate paper tickets on boarding or buy via apps such as Jakdojade. You can tap contactless cards at ticket machines. Veturilo city bikes are available from spring to autumn. Taxis are cheap if ordered by app; avoid unofficial cabs at the station.
Best time to visit
May to September is pleasant, with summer temperatures of 20 to 25°C, long days and outdoor concerts. Autumn brings golden parks. Winter is cold, often below freezing, with snow, but Christmas markets and illuminations on the Royal Route are charming. Note that 1 November (All Saints' Day) and 11 November (Independence Day) are public holidays.
Budget
Warsaw is affordable for Western visitors, though prices have risen. Hostel beds cost 60 to 120 PLN, mid-range doubles 300 to 600 PLN and luxury hotels 800 PLN and up. A meal at a milk bar costs 25 to 40 PLN, a restaurant main course 45 to 90 PLN and a local beer 15 to 22 PLN. Many museums have a free day each week.
Currency
Poland uses the złoty (PLN), not the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including contactless. When paying by card or withdrawing cash, always choose to be charged in PLN, not your home currency, to avoid poor exchange rates. Avoid Euronet ATMs that charge high fees.
Sunday trading
Most shops, including supermarkets, are closed on Sundays except for a few trading Sundays per year. Small convenience stores like Żabka, petrol stations and some station shops remain open. Restaurants and museums operate normally.
Language and etiquette
Polish is the official language. Young people usually speak English, older people less so. "Dzień dobry" (good day) and "dziękuję" (thank you) go a long way. Saying "dziękuję" when handing over payment may mean the waiter keeps the change. Tipping around 10 percent is customary in restaurants.
Safety
Warsaw is one of Europe's safer capitals. Pickpocketing occurs on crowded trams and at the central station. Some bars in the centre have been associated with inflated bills for tourists; avoid places where strangers invite you in.
Alcohol laws
Drinking alcohol in public places is generally prohibited, except at designated areas; the Vistula boulevards permit it in some zones. Shops in some districts cannot sell alcohol at night.
Tickets and public transport
ZTM operates trams, buses, the metro and SKM commuter trains. Tickets cover zone 1, which includes the airport. Time-limited tickets of 20 or 75 minutes, 24-hour and weekend tickets are available from machines, which accept cards, and from the Jakdojade app. Validate paper tickets when boarding.
Taxis and apps
Use official taxis from ranks or apps such as Bolt, Uber and FreeNow. At the airport and the Central Station, avoid touts who approach you; use the marked taxi ranks.
Opening hours
Shops typically open from 10:00 to 21:00 in malls. Museums usually close on Mondays, but some are free on a particular day each week; for example, the Royal Castle and others have free entry days. Check before visiting.
Weather
Warsaw has a continental climate. Summers are warm, with highs around 24°C and sometimes heatwaves, while winters can be cold, with snow and temperatures below zero. Pack layers.
Public holidays
Major holidays include 3 May (Constitution Day), 1 August at 17:00, when the city stops for a minute to commemorate the Warsaw Uprising, 1 November (All Saints' Day), when cemeteries glow with candles, and 11 November, Independence Day. Shops close on most public holidays.
Health and pharmacies
EU visitors should carry their European Health Insurance Card. Pharmacies (apteka) are common, and some are open 24 hours. Tap water is safe, though many locals boil it or prefer bottled water.
Bar mleczny
The milk bars (bar mleczny), subsidised canteens dating from the communist era, still serve cheap Polish home cooking such as pierogi, soups like żurek and tomato soup, and pancakes. Order at the counter and collect from the hatch when your number is called.
Cards and cash
Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, even for small sums. Withdraw złoty from bank ATMs and avoid Euronet machines, which charge high fees and offer poor exchange rates.
Emergencies
Dial 112. Tap water is safe to drink, although many locals prefer filtered or bottled water.
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