Users of public transport in Gdańsk are able explore the city in a convenient and hassle-free manner.
Although I own a car, I have to say that I much prefer to use public transport to visit many parts of the city. For instance, I always take a tram to go to the historic part of the midtown (Śródmieście) district, and a bus to get to the district of Wrzeszcz.
Let’s check out the state of play with public transport in Gdańsk after the last increase in ticket prices on April 3, 2023.
Is yet another wave of public transport fare increases in Gdańsk justified?
On June 1, 2022, public transport in Gdańsk became more expensive.
A drastic increase in fuel prices (+33%), electricity (+37%) and record inflation brought about this increase in ticket prices. I took these figures from the official website of the City of Gdańsk.
So, a single bus/tram ticket that had previously cost 3,80 zl, went up to 4,80 zl. This increase worked out at 26.3% – not too radical considering the rising prices and inflation the Public Transport Authority in Gdańsk (Zarządu Transportu Miejskiego w Gdańsku) is having to contend with.
From June 1, 2022, the Public Transport Authority decided that a single ticket would also entitle passengers to a 75-minute journey. Passengers could change buses and/or trams any number of times.
This concession meant quite a lot to those who need to use separate bus/tram lines in succession to reach their destination.
Still, that was then and this is now.
Public transport price rises in Gdańsk from April 3, 2023
Public transport ticket prices in Gdańsk went up again on April 3, 2023.
The local council cited rampant inflation, an increase in fuel and electrivity prices and an increase in salaries as the reasons for the increase in ticket prices.
Before April 3, passengers could pay 4.80 zl and the use the ticket as either a single-ride ticket or a 75-minute transfer ticket. A transfer ticket allows passengers to travel an unlimited number of times on any bus or tram lines.
Those who buy single-ride tickets haven’t been affected by the latest wave of fare increases. The price for this ticket is still 4,80 zl. However, the Public Transport Authority decided to increase the price of the 75-minute “loop to loop” ticket from 4,80 zl to 6 zl.
The prices of concessionary tickets increased proportionally, amounting to 2,40 zl (for a single-ride ticket), 3 zl (for a 75-minute ticket) and 11 zl for a 24-hour ticket, respectively.
Key translations:
OBECNIE = current prices (now ‘old prices’)
PO ZMIANIE = prices after fare changes
normalny = normal price
ulgowy = reduced fare
na jeden przejazd = for one journey
na wszystkie linie = on all lines
czasowe = timed tickets
24-godzinny na wszystkie linie = 24-hour ticket on all lines
Monthly tickets – A genuine advantage
I tend to travel on public transport in Gdańsk using a monthly ticket.
From April 3, 2023, monthly tickets became more expensive, rising from 109 zl to 117 zl.
With this ticket, passengers can travel whenever they like – weekdays, weekends and holidays.
It goes without saying that buying a monthly ticket brings about significant savings. For example, let’s assume that someone uses public transport twice a day on 23 weekdays in a month. Validating single tickets amounts to 220,80 zl (46 single tickets x 4.80 zl). A monthly ticket is only 117 zl.
All in all, it’s just a lot more convenient to carry a monthly ticket. Unlike with a single ticket, you don’t have to validate a monthly ticket when you get onto a tram or bus.
Key translations:
obecnie = current prices (now ‘old prices’)
po zmianie = prices after fare changes
ważne we wszystkie dni tygodnia = valid on all days of the week
na linie zwykle pospieszne = on regular fast lines
nocne = night lines
What are the bus and tram services like in Gdańsk?
I’ve been using trams and buses in Gdańsk on a regular basis since moving to the city in February 2020.
As previously mentioned, I much prefer to take a tram to visit the historic centre of Gdańsk. The tram stop is just a five-minute walk from my flat and I have two lines (10 and 12) which stop in front of Galeria Morena shopping centre. There haven’t been many times where I’ve had to wait more than five minutes for a tram on weekdays.
It’s a slightly different story on weekends because tram lines 10 and 12 tend to run every 20 minutes. However, the schedule has been created in such a way that if, for example, tram 10 arrives at my stop at 11:30 and 11:50, then tram 12 would arrive in between these times, i.e. at 11:40. Hence, I generally don’t have to wait longer than ten minutes for a tram on weekends.
In terms of crowding in public transport in Gdańsk, I only recall a few occasions where there’s been a mad crush inside a tram or bus. This suggests that the Public Transport Authority has achieved the right balance in terms of the regularity of routes.
I’ve always been fairly satisfied with the cleanliness of public transport in Gdańsk. There’s nothing the Public Transport Authority can do about people (especially kids) who eat fast food and crisps inside buses and trams. However, it’s not a common occurrence for people to eat on board.
SKM trains
SKM (Szybka Kolej Miejska – Urban Rapid Railway) is the yellow and blue commuter-train network which runs between Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia.
I don’t use the SKM very often. This is not because the service is poor or overpriced. It’s more due to the fact I don’t live especially close to the main railway line. Since I bought a car in April 2021, it’s been more convenient for me to drive to places like Sopot and Gdynia.
SKM train fares vary according to the number of kilometres you travel. The prices below for adult tickets (bilety normalne) are valid as of 1 September 2024:
Run a search here to check out prices of season tickets, zonal tickets and other types of ticket, such as single fare tickets between specific stations.
As an example, buying a ticket to travel from Gdańsk Główny railway station to Gdańsk Oliwa Station would set you back 5,50 zl. In my opinion, this is very reasonable if your purpose is to have a day out in the charming district of Oliwa where you can take in the wonders of Oliwa Park.
Check out this extensive guide to travelling on SKM trains in the Tricity area.
Prices of public in transport in Gdańsk compared with other major Polish cities
Ticket prices for public transport in Gdańsk are now similar to fares in other major Polish cities.
In Kraków, fares haven’t risen since 1 February, 2021. Therefore, it still costs 4 zł for a 20-minute ticket, 6 zł for a 60-minute ticket and 8 zł for a 90-minute ticket. These timed tickets are valid in zones 1,2 and 3.
Nevertheless, it’s now cheaper to buy short-term tickets (24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours) in Kraków than it is in Gdańsk. For instance, the price of a 24-hour ticket is 17 zł (zone 1), while a 72-hour ticket costs 50 zł (all zones). The biggest bargain of all for tourists is the 7-day ticket priced at 56 zł (zone 1 only).
As for the situation in Poznań, a 15-minute ticket costs 4 zł, while a 45-minute ticket costs 6 zł. So, prices are broadly similar to those in Kraków. However, a 90-minute ticket costs 8 zł, which is a little steep in my view.
Nevertheless, prices for 24-hour and 7-day tickets in Pozńan are very respectable (15 zł and 50 zł respectively). These prices are for zone A – the City of Poznań – which excludes surrounding villages. Finally, it costs 949 zł for a yearly ticket in the City of Poznań – quite a bargain for those who can afford to pay the entire fee upfront.
I have written a post about the public transport network in Warsaw. Ticket prices there haven’t changed in 10 years which is extraordinary. In the capital, it only costs 3,40 zł for a 20-minute ticket and 4,40 zł for a 75-minute ticket.
Public transport in Gdańsk – Prices are rising, but the majority of passengers understand the situation
Back in the summer of 2022, the Public Transport Authority in Gdańsk referred to previous studies of passengers’ preferences and priorities. Namely, the quality of public transport – frequency, new routes and the quality and consistent upgrading of rolling stock – is far more important than the price of tickets.
I don’t think the Public Transport Authority would get away with playing this tune for much longer. The frequency factor doesn’t bother me that much. Frankly, I’d prefer to lose a few minutes of my life than pay an extra zloty or two for a single-journey ticket. Or an extra 10 zł a year for a monthly ticket the way things are going.
I do believe that public transport in Gdańsk is reasonably priced given the current economic climate. However, I’d be a bit aggrieved in the coming years if I had to start paying over 125 zł for a monthly ticket.