With the Polish Golden Autumn in full swing, my wife and I visited Warsaw at the end of October. This post details my experiences with public transport in Warsaw.
In a recent post, I described my experiences with public transport in the city I live in – Gdańsk. Hence, it’d be interesting to compare the efficiency of the public transport network as well as ticket prices in Warsaw and Gdańsk.
What forms of transport does the public transport network in Warsaw include?
The public transport network within the Warsaw metropolitan area boasts trams, buses, subway and SKM trains. SKM stands for Szybka Kolej Miejska (SKM, literally Urban Rapid Rail).
Who manages the public transport network in Warsaw?
The local authority controlled body which manages all forms of public transport in the capital is called Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego w Warszawie, shortened to ZTM.
Getting around Warsaw | General observations and impressions
From Mokotów to the centre – and beyond
I can’t profess to know everything about public transport in Warsaw. However, I’ve been to the city enough times to share what I believe are well-considered observations. Moreover, the three days I spent in Warsaw a week or so ago taught me a great deal about the city’s public transport network.
First thing’s first, leave your car at a Park and Ride car park or at your hotel. You’ll manage just fine using the public transport in Warsaw.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express hotel in the district of Mokotów. The hotel is just a ten-minute walk away from Warszawa Służewiec rail station. This station is just one stop away from Warsaw Chopin Airport. Over the years, I’ve used the SKM train (S2) to get from Warsaw Central Railway Station to the airport and vice versa many times. The journey takes a little over 20 minutes.
A better option for us to get into the centre (specifically the area close to Warsaw Central train station) was to take tram 17 from the stop right behind the hotel. If the traffic lights are kind, this journey can take as little as 17 minutes.
Early confusion on Day 2
On our second day in Warsaw, there was some confusion regarding tram 31, which also runs behind Holiday Inn. According to my interpretation of the timetable, it was supposed to go to a tram stop called Dworkowa. From there, we would have had a ten-minute walk to Park Łazienki Królewskie. However, the tram stopped close to Metro Wierzbno – some two kilometres short of Dworkowa.
So, an elderly lady informed us to use the same 75-minute tickets and take the metro three stops to Politechnika. From there, it was but a 10-minute walk to Park Łazienki.
All in all, this minor confusion didn’t alter my very favourable opinion of Warsaw’s public transport network.
Public transport tickets in Warsaw
Passengers can use public transport in Warsaw on the basis of time tickets, which allow for an unlimited number of journeys, short-term tickets and long-term tickets.
Most tourists should get by using time tickets (20-minute, 75-minute, 90-minute and group 75-minute) or short-term tickets (daily, three-day, weekend and group weekend).
Zones
Most tickets are valid in both zones 1 and 2.
A 75-minute ticket (individual and group) is only valid in zone 1 unless a passenger is travelling to the last stop or station on a particualr route. Frankly, I imagine that very few tourists need to venture outside city limits (i.e. into zone 2).
Time tickets
Time tickets are valid on all trams, buses, SKM trains and Metro.
20-minute ticket – 3,40 zl
A 20-minute ticket entitles a passenger to an unlimited number of journeys for a period not exceeding 20 minutes from its validation.
A few notes of caution:
- This ticket does not include parking at ZTM-operated park and ride facilities in Warsaw;
- The SKM train journey from Warszawa Śródmieście to Warsaw Chopin Airport may last over 20 minutes. Therefore, it’s advisable to purchase a 75-minute ticket.
75-minute ticket – 4,40 zl
A 75-minute ticket entitles a passenger to an unlimited number of journeys for a period not exceeding 75 minutes from its validation.
A few notes of caution:
- This ticket does not include parking at ZTM-operated park and ride facilities in Warsaw;
- If a stop or station is the last on a particular route, a 75-minute only entitles a passenger to a single journey. This journey may take longer than 75 minutes;
- Only valid in zone 1.
Group 75-minute ticket – 22 zl
This unique single fare group ticket entitles a group of up to 10 people to an unlimited number of journeys for a period not exceeding 75 minutes from its validation.
A few notes of caution:
- This ticket does not include parking at ZTM-operated park and ride facilities in Warsaw;
- If a stop or station is the last on a particular route, a 75-minute only entitles a group of passengers to a single journey. This journey may take longer than 75 minutes;
- Only valid in zone 1.
90-minute ticket – 7 zl
A 90-minute ticket entitles a passenger to an unlimited number of journeys for a period not exceeding 90 minutes from its validation.
A few notes of caution:
- This ticket does not include parking at ZTM-operated park and ride facilities in Warsaw;
- If a stop or station is the last on a particular route, a 90-minute only entitles a passenger to a single journey. This journey may take longer than 90 minutes.
Comments on the prices of time tickets in Warsaw
The first tickets I bought on this little break were 75-minute tickets. I was gobsmacked when I saw that a 75-minute ticket costs 4,40 zl. My immediate hunch was that ticket prices hadn’t increased in Warsaw for a number of years. I was right.
In an article I read on the TVN Warszawa news website, users of public transport in Warsaw have been paying the same prices since 2013. 4,40 zl for 75 minutes of travel in a well-developed European capital city – in this day and age. Astonishing.
In the same article, we learn that the Mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, is in discussions with councillors regarding an increase in the prices of public transport tickets. Trzaskowski pointed out that any adjustments to prices will only apply to single/time tickets and not long-term tickets. Additionally, any forthcoming price increases should be “very small”, the Mayor said.
Therefore, ticket price increases in Warsaw are inevitable for reasons that should be obvious. However, looking at the situation in other Polish cities, residents of Warsaw have never had it so good.
Comparing the prices of time tickets in Warsaw and other Polish cities
In the summer, the Public Transport Authority of Gdańsk hiked prices of a one-journey ticket from 3,80 zl to 4,80 zl. Admittedly, the 4,80 zl ticket now entitles a passenger to an unlimited number of journeys, should a passenger need to change buses or trams. One shouldn’t grumble about this price.
I pay 109,00 zl for a monthly ticket in Gdańsk because it saves me from having to drive into the city centre or to nature spots I frequently visit, such as the Tri-City Landscape Park.
When comparing prices of public transport in Warsaw with Kraków, my feeling that Varsovians have never had it so good surfaces once again. Cracovians have to fork out 6,00zl for a 60-minute ticket and 8,00 for a 90-minute ticket. Given that the 75-minute time ticket does not exist in Kraków, Varsovians get an extra 15 minutes and pay 1,60 zl less when comparing the price of a 75-minute ticket in Warsaw with the price of a 60-minute ticket in Kraków.
Short-term tickets in Warsaw
Short-term tickets in Warsaw take the form of:
- One-day ticket (24 hours) in zone 1
- One-day ticket (24 hours) in both zones 1 and 2
- Three-day ticket (72 hours) in zone 1
- Three-day ticket (72 hours) valid in both zones 1 and 2
- Weekend ticket in both zones 1 and 2
- Group weekend ticket in both zones 1 and 2
Here are the prices and a few more details about all of these short-term tickets.
Zone 1 one-day (24h) ticket – 15 zl
A one-day ticket entitles a passenger to an unlimited number of journeys over a 24-hour period from its validation.
A few comments:
- This ticket includes parking at ZTM-operated park and ride facilities in Warsaw;
- Passengers may use this ticket as part of the ZTM-KM-WKD integrated ticket offer.
Zones 1 and 2 one-day (24h) ticket – 26 zl
A one-day ticket entitles a passenger to an unlimited number of journeys over a 24-hour period from its validation.
A few comments:
- This ticket includes parking at ZTM-operated park and ride facilities in Warsaw;
- Passengers may use this ticket as part of the ZTM-KM-WKD integrated ticket offer.
Zone 1 three-day (72h) ticket – 36 zl
A three-day ticket entitles a passenger to an unlimited number of journeys over a 72-hour period from its validation.
A few comments:
- This ticket includes parking at ZTM-operated park and ride facilities in Warsaw;
- Passengers may use this ticket as part of the ZTM-KM-WKD integrated ticket offer.
Weekend ticket – 24 zl
A weekend ticket entitles a passenger to an unlimited number of journeys from 19:00 PM on Friday until 8:00 AM on Monday.
A few comments:
- Valid in both zones 1 and 2;
- This ticket includes parking at ZTM-operated park and ride facilities in Warsaw;
- Passengers may use this ticket as part of the ZTM-KM-WKD integrated ticket offer.
Group weekend ticket – 40 zl
A group weekend ticket entitles a group of up to five people to an unlimited number of journeys from 19:00 PM on Friday until 8:00 AM on Monday.
A few comments:
- Valid in both zones 1 and 2;
- This ticket includes parking at ZTM-operated park and ride facilities in Warsaw;
- Passengers may use this ticket as part of the ZTM-KM-WKD integrated ticket offer.
Zones 1 and 2 and three-day (72h) ticket – 57 zl
A three-day ticket entitles a passenger to an unlimited number of journeys over a 72-hour period from its validation.
A few comments:
- This ticket includes parking at ZTM-operated park and ride facilities in Warsaw;
Passengers may use this ticket as part of the ZTM-KM-WKD integrated ticket offer.
What is the ZTM-KM-WKD integrated ticket offer?
“ZTM-KM-WKD Integrated ticket” is a special tariff offer in which the holders of short-term ZTM tickets may travel by suburban trains in Warsaw and neighbouring communes.
For more information, check out this page.
Are any groups of tourists entitled to purchase reduced fare tickets in Warsaw ?
As far as I can see on the “Discount entitlements” section on the Public Transport Authority in Warsaw’s official website, only children and adolescents from October 1 in the calendar year they are 7 until they are 16 can purchase reduced fare tickets (bilet ulgowy).
Always carry an ID card or another document with a photo confirming your child’s date of birth.
Are any groups of tourists entitled to use public transport in Warsaw free of charge?
As far as I can see on the “Discount entitlements” section on the Public Transport Authority in Warsaw’s official website, the following groups of people can use public transport in Warsaw free of charge:
- Children from their birth until September 30 in the calendar year when they are 7 years old
- People over the age of 70
As with the reduced fare tickets, carry an ID card or another document with a photo confirming your date of birth.
Forms of public transport in Warsaw
As I’ve already pointed out, the public transport network within the Warsaw metropolitan area comprises trams, buses, subway and SKM trains.
Read on to find out more about some key bus routes and metro stops which might be interesting for tourists.
The Bus Network in Warsaw
Warsaw’s bus network is the most extensive means of transport in the city. Naturally, it is the least reliable form of public transport due to traffic jams.
There are over 200 daily bus lines in Warsaw. There are also around 50 suburban services and over 40 buses that run regularly during the night.
Recommended bus lines for tourists
116 + 180 – Royal Route in Warsaw
The stop Pl. Zamkowy 01 (Krakowskie Przedmieście Street) is but a five minute walk from The Royal Castle in the Old Town of Warsaw.
From this stop, you can take either bus 116 or 180 to both Łazienki Królewskie Park (10 minutes) and Wilanów Palace and Park (30 minutes in total from Pl.Zamkowy 01).
175 – Warsaw Chopin Airport bus
Warsaw Chopin Airport to/from the Main Railway Station (Dw. Centralny).
In light traffic, it should take no longer than 22-25 minutes to get from the stop in front of airport arrivals to the centre (and vice versa of course).
For the Old Town/Nowy Świat Street, get off at the stop Foksal 02.
The Metro Network in Warsaw
There are two metro lines in Warsaw:
1. M1 – from north to south
Key stops include:
- Dworzec Gdański – A short walk from Westfield Arkadia shopping centre
- Plac Wilsona – Check out the district of Stary Żoliborz (Old Żoliborz)
2. M2 – from east to west
Key stops include:
- Centrum Nauki Kopernik – For the Copernicus Science Centre and Vistula River
- Stadion Narodowy – For a tour of the PGE National Stadium
- Dworzec Wileński – Check out the Praga and New Praga districts, as well as Park Praski
Both metro lines cross at the station Świętokrzyska, which is a short walk north-east of the Palace of Culture and Science.
Practicalities
Where can you buy public transport tickets in Warsaw?
First thing’s first, all trams, buses, metro and SKM trains have the same tickets. Moreover, time tickets allow you to change between all of those forms of transport should you need to.
Ticket machines (biletomaty)
Stationary ticket machines
Slowly but surely, Warsaw’s Public Transport Authority continues to gradually develop the network of stationary ticket machines.
Currently, there are over 800 ticket machines in Warsaw and neighbouring towns. Most of them are located in Warsaw, mainly at metro stations, railway stops and interchange junctions.
Stationary ticket machines give change if you pay with banknotes and/or coins.
Of course, you can by card.
Ticket machines in vehicles
It has become a standard that all vehicles (buses, trams, SKM trains) have ticket machines installed on board.
You can only pay by card (PayPass payments included).
It’s possible to buy 20-minute, 75-minute and 90-minute tickets on board.
20-minute tickets, as well as 75 and 90-minute tickets sold in these ticket machines, are validated immediately upon purchase. These tickets have a printed QR code, which allows passengers to travel by metro (all stations have at least 1 gate equipped with a QR code reader).
Kiosks
If you’re old-fashioned, like I am, you can buy tickets at a kiosk scattered around the city centre.
Mobile apps
Check out this page to see which mobile applications enable passengers to buy tickets.
Public transport in Warsaw – A reason for Varsovians to be grateful for what they have in life
All in all, I’ve had very positive experiences of using public transport in Warsaw.
In terms of the frequency of services and ticket prices, Varsovians shouldn’t complain. As for traffic jams which might delay buses, the Public Transport Authority in Warsaw is hardly to blame.
In Gdańsk, by contrast, trams run rather infrequently at weekends – at certain times, every half an hour. Even at rush hour on weekdays, trams tend to run every 10 minutes in Gdańsk. In stark contrast, I’ve seen that some tram lines run every two to four minutes in Warsaw.
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For all public transport services and timetables in Warsaw: