Transportation in Warsaw
Sitting astride the mighty River Vistula, Warsaw is a sprawling city with a pleasingly compact centre. Discover its beautifully restored Old Town and treasure-filled museums.While many of the key sights are found clustered in the Old Town and the streets leading to it and easily navigated on foot, to see the best of Warsaw travellers are going to have to be prepared to travel around a bit. This shouldn't pose problems, however, as Warsaw has a punctual, cheap and efficient public transport system.The walled Old Town in the north of Warsaw is home to many of the city's top attractions. Travel south to student-thronged Krakowskie Przedmieście, spruce café-and-shopping drag Nowy Świat, and the grassy Saxon Gardens. You'll find the principal shopping streets in the centre, as well as a motley collection of pre-war tenements, modern office blocks and brutish Socialist Realist structures. Head west to view traces of Warsaw's Jewish past, and east across the river to view Warsaw's upcoming arty suburb of Stara Praga. Go deep south for Wilanow Park and Palace.
Read more about transport from and to the airport
Tram
Warsaw's tram network offers the quickest and easiest way to get around. The main routes run between 5am and 11pm and criss-cross the whole city. They do get crowded during rush hours, however, so try to plan your travel accordingly.
Bus
Warsaw's buses are often less crowded than the trams and cover a wider area, though they often get bogged down in heavy traffic. Like the trams, they run between 5am and 11pm, although a less frequent night service operates between 11pm and 4.30am. Tickets are also valid for travel on trams and the Metro.
Metro
Warsaw's one-line Metro system runs from north to south and is more useful for commuters than tourists. An east-west extension of the Metro is planned, but is not expected to open until 2011. The Metro is part of Warsaw's integrated transport system. It runs between 5am and 12.40am, and accepts the same tickets as trams and buses.
Taxi
Taxis are relatively cheap by Western standards and can be hailed on the street, although it can work out cheaper to order one by phone. Always use an official taxi, which will display its company name and phone number on top, and make sure the meter is turned on after you get in.
Rent your car
There are several car-hire companies in Warsaw and in the city centre you need to keep street parking meters topped up to avoid fines. When driving through the city, you need to keep your headlights switched on, watch for crossing traffic at junctions and keep to the 50km/hr (31 mph) daytime speed limit.
Transportation Tips
Buy a travel ticket valid for one, three or seven days for unlimited travel on the city's buses, trams and Metro line. Punch your ticket in the little machines as soon as you board. You may be fined if you are caught travelling without a validated ticket. The best bus for sightseers is number 180, which links many of the major attractions. Driving in Warsaw can be a nightmare thanks to poor road conditions, traffic jams, lack of parking in the city centre, aggressive drivers and a growing car-theft problem.
