WARSAW
ach city has a place that is its showcase and a must-see on any trip. In Warsaw, it’s the Old Town, entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List – it’s where the city’s heart has been beating for centuries. However, when you cross the Vistula River and look at the Old Town from a distance, you are struck by how unusual the panorama of the city is – skyscrapers rise above the red roofs of the Old Town. Historical buildings blend in harmoniously with modern architecture, and the city surprises us by revealing its second face.
Although Warsaw is one of the most rapidly developing cities in Europe with huge potential and extraordinary energy, its residents like to look back on its history and are able to skilfully combine tradition and modernity. When you look around the city, you will see that both of its sides permeate at every step in a surprising and unique way.
When you stroll along the Royal Route that links the former residences of Polish rulers, go down to the Vistula River to see the modern boulevards stretching between the Multimedia Fountain Park and the Copernicus Science Center. During the summer, the city vibrates with life – the cafés and bars open up and dance parties and open-air concerts take place.
Interactive museums will help you understand the history of the city. The Warsaw Rising Museum is dedicated to the event that shaped the contemporary face of the capital. The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, which received the prestigious title of European Museum of the Year 2016, shows the 1000-year-old Jewish presence in Warsaw, and at the same time is an excellent example of contemporary architecture.
Warsaw will positively surprise you in many ways. Just give it a chance and plan your trip now.
Chopin Airport
Most flights to Warsaw land at Chopin Airport (www.lotnisko-chopina.pl) about 10 km from the city centre.
You can reach the city centre by public transportation:
– bus number 175 runs to the centre and around the Old Town (Stare Miasto)
– bus numbers 148 and 188 run to the other side of the river, to Praga, Grochów and Gocław
– night bus number N32 runs to the city centre
– suburban train line S2, S3 or RL – more information
Transport tickets are required on all lines.
The best way to get to the conference will by Taxi. A taxi rank in front of the Terminal offers selected and reliable taxi companies: Ele Taxi. Avoid people in the Arrivals Hall encouraging you to use random taxis. They are often unlicensed and their fees are several times higher than registered and legal taxis.
A multilevel car park is available at the airport where you can leave your car for several hours or days.
More information about taxis in Warsaw
Warsaw Modlin Airport
Warsaw Modlin Airport (modlinairport.pl) is located around 35 km north-west from the city centre.
Access to the city of Warsaw from the airport:
By train
Koleje Mazowieckie trains depart from Modlin railway station, which can be reached by a special airport bus that leaves from the airport terminal at times coordinated with the train timetable. A special airport ticket that costs 19 PLN can be purchased in the airport terminal. More information
Estimated journey time: 1 hour 15 minutes.
By taxi
The airport recommends one taxi company: Taxi Modlin. Transfer to the centre of Warsaw range from 100 to 250 PLN (depending on the district.)
CAUTION! We strongly advise against using taxis offered by random people in the Arrivals Hall and highly recommend using licensed taxi companies.
Please note you will need to add some extra time (approx. 25-30 min) to your journey, as the conference hotel is not in the city centre.
Warsaw has three large railway stations with international and domestic long-distance connections:
– Warszaw Centralna, Aleje Jerozolimskie 54
Located in the heart of the city, it is reachable from all districts of Warsaw.
– Warszawa Zachodnia, Aleje Jerozolimskie 144
Thanks its location right next to the international bus station, it’s a good point for people taking long-distance (both national and international) buses.
– Warszawa Wschodnia, ul. Lubelska 1
The station is located on the Praga side of the river.
Train tickets can be purchased at the ticket windows (kasa) in the stations, on the internet or at selected travel agencies. You can also purchase your ticket on the train from the conductor, whom you must seek out immediately upon boarding the train. Tickets sold on the train are subject to an additional fee.
Train timetables are available at:
www.pkp.pl
www.intercity.pl
www.e-podroznik.pl
The bus station Dworzec PKS Warszawa Zachodnia at Aleje Jerozolimskie 144 offers international and national connections.
Tickets for national and international routes can be purchased at ticket offices at the station and on the website E-Podróżnik:
tel. 703 402 802
www.e-podroznik.pl
The best way to get around Warsaw is on foot or using public transport – a fast and inexpensive way to travel. You can choose among buses, trams and the metro.
Information about public transport timetables:
tel. +48 19 115 (from mobile phones +48 22 19 115)
www.wtp.waw.pl
Maps and diagrams of the public transport system
Information about travelling by public transport is also available at www.jakdojade.pl
Tickets:
The Warsaw metropolitan area is divided into urban zone “1” (within the city boundary) and suburban area “2”.
Ticket prices – zone 1:
• 75 minute ticket – 4,40 PLN, discount – 2,20 PLN
• 75-minute group ticket (entitles a group of up to 10 people to an unlimited number of rides for up to 75 minutes from the moment of validating the ticket): 22 PLN
• One-day ticket (valid 24h from the moment of validating the ticket): standard – 15,00 PLN, discount – 7,50 PLN
• Three-day ticket: standard – 36,00 PLN, discount – 18,00 PLN
Ticket prices – zone 1 and 2:
• 20 minute ticket – 3,40 PLN, discount – 1,70 PLN
• 90 minute ticket – 7,00 PLN, discount – 3,50 PLN
• One-day ticket (valid 24h from the moment of validating the ticket): standard – 26,00 PLN, discount – 13,00 PLN
• Weekend ticket (entitles to unlimited number of rides from 7.00 p.m. on Friday to 8.00 a.m. on Monday): standard – 24,00 PLN, discount – 12,00 PLN
• Group weekend ticket (entitles a group of up to 5 people to unlimited travel from 7.00 p.m. on Friday to 8:00 a.m. on Monday): 40,00 PLN
• Three-day ticket: standard – 57,00 PLN, discount – 28,50 PLN
Tickets must be validated immediately after boarding a bus or tram, or at the gates leading to metro platforms.
Validated tickets entitle the holder to an unlimited number of journeys within the time indicated on the ticket from the moment of validation or until arrival by public transport to the last stop or station on the route.
You can buy public transport tickets at newsstands, Passenger Service Centres and ticket machines, which you will find on most buses, in the new trams, at underground stations and near stops. In the ticket machines, which support five languages (Polish, English, German, Russian and Ukrainian), you can pay for your ticket with coins or a card. Tickets can also be purchased using a mobile phone.
Detailed information at www.wtp.waw.pl or jakdojade.pl app.
Bus no. 180 – a regular bus line that takes you to most of the best tourist destinations in Warsaw along the Royal Route to Wilanów. The whole route takes about 60-70 minutes.
At night it is worth taking the metro, which runs until midnight on weekdays and to 3.00 am at weekends. Or take night buses marked with the letter “N”, which run from 11.15 pm to 04.45 pm.
Luggage and animals can be taken on public transport free of charge.
If you use public transportation without a valid ticket, you risk a 266 PLN fine. If you are handed a fine, you can pay it on the spot (always get proof of payment from the ticket controller). Fines can be reduced by 30%, if they are paid no later than seven days after being issued.
Public transport is free of charge for:
– children from birth until 30 September in the calendar year in which they turn 7 years old
– students of elementary schools operating in the area of Warsaw and students of elementary schools living in the area of Warsaw
– persons over 70 years of age (on the basis of a document with a photograph, containing the date of birth)
Children from the 1st of October of the calendar year in which they turn 7 until they turn 16 and students of foreign schools holding an ISIC (International Student Identity Card) until they turn 26 are entitled to half-fare travel on condition that they hold a photo-document confirming their birth date.
Detailed information about ticket prices and discount entitlements
