Warsaw is a hefty enclave: two million inhabitants plus transit travelers and tourists. And if it were not for competent logistics, developed, hourly transport network, the city would have been choked with human flow and stood rooted to the spot. Fortunately, the infrastructure in Warsaw is well thought out. There are: metro, trams, buses, taxis, an automatic bike rental system. In addition, there is a high-speed railway that connects Warsaw with the suburbs. And most importantly, the work of public transport almost does not stop during the day. For example, the subway on Friday - Saturday plows until three in the morning. Most of the buses leave the line every day at 5 am, they are replaced by night buses from 11 pm to half past five, that is, buses operate almost around the clock.
The content of the article
- one Buses, trams and metro in Warsaw
- 2 Cycle paths and bike rental in Warsaw
- 3 Fares and tickets
- 4 Jakdojade transport application
Buses, trams and metro in Warsaw
The most developed network is the bus network: about 200 routes covering 2,600 km of the capital. Less developed - the metro, it continues to be built. According to the latest data, it has two lines with a length of more than 20 km: north - south (22 stations), west - east (6 stations). The second branch will apparently open only in 2015. So the metro is convenient, first of all, for those who are based in the northern and partly southern districts of the capital. By the way, the Warsaw Metro has a fresher, more modern look than the Moscow one, since it was opened in 1995.
Buses in Warsaw
Metro in Warsaw
Metro in Warsaw
Warsaw metro map (from Wikipedia)
The tram service is not as developed and dense as the bus service: 34 lines; trams do not look at every street. But it has its advantages. For example, the interval of movement is 5-10 minutes. Or - additional routes operating during peak hours and even days. Trams are especially interesting in the morning and evening, when traffic on the highways is difficult. Tram lines - in contrast to Russian traditions - do not drive cars, so tram traffic is not a hindrance. Although there are such traffic jams in Warsaw that they are not at all traffic jams after Moscow 🙂
New tram in Warsaw
Old tram in Warsaw
Public transport runs on schedule. At bus and tram stops there is always a timetable of a particular route. Literally once there was everything when the bus was waiting, but it was not there, but it was not there at all that day, either the route changed, or something else.
Of the minuses, it is worth saying that the buses are painfully high-spirited, abruptly take off, stop abruptly. On the one hand, you quickly get to the place, on the other hand, you feel like firewood.
Cycle paths and bike rental in Warsaw
Cycle paths and a well-functioning bike rental system are a separate interesting topic. I did not know in detail, but throughout the central part of the city there are rental points where you can take a bike in one place and give it in another. Comfortable! Payment only, unfortunately, not by bank card, but a little differently. But if there is a local SIM card, then you can pay from its balance. In general, it seemed to me that there are a lot of cyclists in the city, and they ride quite ordinary urban and inexpensive models..
In addition to bicycles, there is also Taxi, for those who, on the contrary, want to quickly.
Cycle paths in Warsaw
Bicycle rental in Warsaw
Bicycle rental payment, information in Russian
Map of bike rental locations in Warsaw
Fares and tickets
There are also a number of convenient nuances that should be noted. One ticket for all types of transport, as in Singapore or Budapest, and more recently in Moscow. Sold everywhere: in vending machines at metro stations and near bus stops, in Ruch and ordinary print kiosks, inside the bus in a vending machine, and at the tram / bus driver.
The price of the pass is variable and depends on two parameters: the zone that you intend to cross - urban (1) and suburban (2); and the time during which they intend to ride (from 20 minutes to seven days). For example, a ticket for 20 minutes costs 3.4 pln, a ticket for 75 minutes costs 4.4 pln. I often did this, bought a ticket for 75 minutes and managed to return home using it (trip to the store).
A vending machine near the bus stop
Ticket machine inside the bus
Information in Russian
Public transport tickets in Warsaw
Nuances
- In vending machines on the street, you can pay for a ticket with banknotes, coins and a bank card, but in a vending machine inside the bus, only with a card.
- In the machine, which is inside the bus, 20-minute tickets for 3.4 pln are not sold, only 4.4 pln and more. Tickets for 3.4 pln must be bought at vending machines on the street or at postal kiosks.
- Bus drivers, as I understand it, want to get money without change, so it can be difficult for a tourist to buy a ticket without having a small change.
- A ticket purchased from a vending machine on the bus does not need to be punched. Time is on it right away. Tickets bought on the street in vending machines and a kiosk must be composted.
- I did not find ticket machines inside the old trams. I haven't seen it in new trams either, but maybe they are. Also, do not enter the old tram with a sidecar, the floor is very high.
I really liked the opportunity to buy tickets with a bank card, it is very convenient. I ran into the bus and here you have a machine gun. You don't need to take a trifle with you, or run into a kiosk on the way.
Jakdojade transport application
I am also delighted with the transport application (Android version, iPhone version). This is just mega-mega convenient for a person who does not know the city. You can completely relax and not prepare for a trip around Warsaw at all, studying the routes and timetables. Everything is in the application, you only need the Internet in your phone (3G internet in Warsaw) and knowing the address of the destination, well, or where it is located on the map. I used maps, since my memory for them is much better than for addresses..
The application is simple, I think it will not be difficult to figure it out.
- You have two options for how to build a route: by specifying an address for point B (End Point), or by selecting a point on the map. Point A (Start Point) will be determined by your GPS coordinates.
- After you have selected the location and destination, you click Search and you will receive a list of routes with bus / tram / metro numbers, transfer points from one transport to another and travel time.
- You need to choose a route and look at it on the map, so you will find out where the nearest stop is located, from which you will start your journey..
- After boarding the vehicle, you can stay on the same map screen and watch your bus / tram ride. Stops and transfer points will be marked on the map. Or you can switch to the Navigate mode, which is designed to control the process of the trip, but in my opinion it contains especially useful additional information..
In addition to Yakdoyade (or Yakdoyade), there is also an official bus schedule on the official website, where you can also build a trip route and download an application for your phone..
P.S. The article does not pretend to be all the nuances, since I used mainly buses and only in the first zone.
