Public Transport
The Municipal Transport Board, ZTM (tel: (022) 827 3747, from 0700-1530; e-mail: info@ztm.waw.pl; website: www.ztm.waw.pl), operates the bus and tram network, connecting all parts of the city, as well as the miniature metro.
Buses and trams run 0500-2300. Night bus routes converge near Warszawa Centralna (Warsaw Central), aleja Jerozolimskie 54, half-hourly 2315-0445.
The one-line metro system runs every five to eight minutes 0500-2315, from the southern suburbs to the city centre. There currently are plans for a second line, with the necessary funding coming from German investors.
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, which can be paid directly to the driver.
A one-day pass costs Z10 and is valid until midnight, while a one-week ticket costs Z36. A group ticket (two adults and three children) costs Z16, while a weekend ticket (for a group of up to five people) is valid from 0000 Friday to 2400 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 (entrance from Saski Garden) between 0730-1500. Students up to the age of 26 are entitled on production of an ISIC card to reduced fares and children under four years travel free. Pickpockets operate on some routes especially bus 175 from the airport and 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 MPT Radio Taxi (tel: (022) 919), Halo Taxi (tel: (022) 9623) and OK! Taxi (tel: (022) 9628). Other taxi firms include BT Taxi (tel: (022) 622 2222) and Nowa Taxi (tel: (022) 9687).
Travellers should agree a price before entering a taxi. The first kilometre generally costs Z3.60 and Z1.60 thereafter. Rates go up to Z2.40 between 2200 and 0600 and at weekends. Rates going out of the city centre Zone 1 are also higher. There is no baggage charge and tipping is usually around 10% of the fare. 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 for travellers to take a taxi with the telephone number displayed on the top and advertising on the side of the car.
Limousines
WCT Poland (tel: (022) 632 7464; website: www.wctpoland.waw.pl) has chauffeur-driven stretch limousines available 24-hours a day. One day (eight hours) of hire costs Z1000, plus Z100 for each additional hour. The Limousine Service (tel: (022) 635 3000, fax: (022) 635 7692, e-mail: windstartravel@limousineservice.pl; website: www.limousineservice.pl) offers Mercedes, people carriers and coaches. Rates start from Z90 per hour (including chauffeur) with a 50% surcharge between 2200 and 0600.
Driving in the City
In the past decade, traffic congestion in Warsaw has increased dramatically the current index of over 400 cars per 1000 residents is higher than in Berlin. Many of the citys drivers travel at high speeds and perform dangerous overtaking manoeuvres, which may trouble nervous visitors. 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. Plans are also underway to ease congestion with the building of additional bridges. Until matters improve, morning and evening rush hours (0630-0830 and 1430-1700), especially on the bridges that span the Vistula River, are best avoided traffic is even heavy on Saturday. 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.
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. The standard rate is Z0.6 for 30 minutes, Z2 for one hour, Z4.60 for two hours and Z31.80 for a whole day. Warsaw is now the first European city where one can pay to park by using a mobile phone, although at present one must be a subscriber to the Idea mobile phone system.
Car Hire
Drivers must be at least 23 years old and have a valid drivers licence and International Driving Permit. There is no mandatory insurance, although collision damage waiver is advised.
The major car hire providers in Warsaw are Avis (tel: (022) 630 7316; website: www.avis.com), Budget (tel: (022) 846 7310; website: www.budget.com) and Hertz (tel: (022) 621 0239 or (0800) 143 789; website: www.hertz.com). Prices range from Z300 including Collision Damage Waiver and unlimited mileage to more than Z1100 per day.
Bicycle Hire
Cycling is not a popular option in Warsaw and cyclists should take care while travelling in heavy traffic and at intersections, as this can be dangerous. Bikes can be hired from Bike Rental, ulica Ostrobramska 73 (tel: (022) 613 6525). Rates are approximately Z70 per day.
