World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Warsaw  - Getting Around
Getting Around

Public Transport
The Municipal Transport Board (ZTM) operates the bus and tram network, connecting all parts of the city (tel: (022) 827 3747 (0700-1530); e-mail: info@ztm.waw.pl; website: www.ztm.waw.pl). Buses and trams run 0500-2300. Night bus routes converge near Central station half-hourly 2315-0445. There is a one-line metro system, running every 5-8 minutes 0500-2315 from the southern suburbs to the city centre. Plans for the completion of Warsaw's first metro line to Wolczynska Street are dependent on levels of investment in the forthcoming years.

Tickets, valid for all modes of transport, must be purchased before boarding. They are available at the green Ruch kiosks, post offices, hotels and most restaurants. A single fare costs Z2.40. With every change of vehicle, a new ticket must be punched in the metal boxes inside the bus or tram, or before entering the platform on the underground. A full-price ticket must be punched for each large piece of luggage. The fare for night buses is Z7.20, and can be paid directly to the driver.

A one-day pass costs Z10 and is valid until midnight. A group ticket (two adults and three children) costs Z16. A one-week ticket costs Z36. A weekend ticket for a group of up to five people is valid from 0000 Friday to 0000 Sunday and costs Z28. These can be purchased from kiosks, at the City Transportation Office, in the concrete building on plac Unii Lubelskiej, or at ulica Senatorska 37 between 0730-1500 (entrance from Saski Garden). Students up to the age of 26 (on production of an ISIC card) are entitled to reduced fares; children under four years old travel free. Pickpockets operate on some routes - especially bus 175 from the airport. Valuables should be kept close at hand and out of sight at all times.

Taxis
Taxis are metered and can be hailed on the street, although fares are usually cheaper if the taxi is ordered by telephone. There are also a number of private firms. Payment can be made by credit card with the following companies: Halo Taxi (tel: 96 23), Ele Taxi (tel: 811 1111), O'K! Taxi (tel: 96 28) and MPT Taxi (tel: 919). Other taxis firms include: BT Taxi (tel: 622 2222), Nowa Taxi (tel: 96 87) and Wawa Taxi (tel: 96 44).

Agree a price before entering the taxi. The first kilometre generally costs Z3.60, thereafter Z1.60. Rates go up to Z2.40 after 2200 and at weekends. There is no baggage charge. Overcharging is most likely to happen at the airport, Central station, the Old Town or near one of the larger hotels. Non-affiliated taxis should be avoided - it is advisable to take one with the telephone number on the top of the taxi and advertising on the side of the car.

Limousines
WCT Poland (tel: (022) 8366 757, ext. 20 or (0602) 662 947; fax: (022) 834 8884) have chauffeur-driven stretch limousines 24-hours a day. One day's hire (eight hours) costs Z1000 plus Z100 for each additional hour.

Driving in the City
In the past decade, traffic congestion has increased dramatically (the current index of over 400 cars per 1,000 residents is higher than Berlin's). The lack of a ring road means that traffic goes straight through the heart of the city - worsening congestion problems in the city centre. A variety of plans are underway but these are largely dependent on adequate investment. However, improvements have started to materialise. Warsaw city authorities have introduced paid street parking and there are ambitious plans for the construction of nine underground car parks in the city centre. Plans are also underway to ease congestion with the building of additional bridges. It is expected that Swietokrzyski Bridge, connecting the new Port Praski development with central Warsaw, will soon be completed.

Until matters improve, morning and evening rush hours (0630-0830 and 1430-1700), especially on the bridges that span the Vistula River (traffic is even heavy on Saturday) are best avoided. Most standard European rules, such as yellow-diamond priority routes, are in effect. At red lights, a small green arrow indicates that it is permissible to turn right, however, priority must be given to cross traffic. At intersections without lights, traffic must stop for pedestrians once they have begun to cross at zebra crossings. Parking meters were introduced in 1999 - the standard rate is Z0.6 for 30 minutes parking; Z2 for one hour; Z4.60 for two hours and Z31.80 for a whole day's parking.

Car Hire
Prices range from Zl200-1500 per day. The major car hire providers in Warsaw are Avis (tel: (022) 630 7316 or 650 4871/72), Budget (tel: (022) 846 7310 or 650 4062), Hertz (tel: (022) 621 0239 or (0800) 143 789 - free call) and Intercar (tel: (022) 838 8724).

Bicycle Hire
Cycling is not a popular option in Warsaw. Care should be taken while travelling in heavy traffic and at intersections. Bikes can be hired from Bike Rental, ulica Ostrobramska 73 (tel: (022) 613 6525).



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GETTING AROUND
Getting Around
 
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