Warsaw Travel Guide

Getting There: By Air: This former eastern bloc outpost has been transformed into a chic modern gateway to central Europe. Located 10 miles southwest of Warsaw, the Frederic Chopin International Airport (WAW) (+48 22 650 3943) has undergone a major renovation that has added a second wing for discount air travel, loads of shopping outlets, nifty restaurants and cafes, news agencies and numerous conference rooms. ATMS and currency exchanges are also readily available.

Major airlines flying to Warsaw include:

Aeroflot Russian Airlines, +7 95 155 6643 (http://www.aeroflot.ru/eng)

Air France, +1 800 237 2747 (http://www.airfrance.com)

Alitalia, +1 800 223 5730 (http://www.alitalia.com)

American Airlines, +1 800 433 7300 (http://www.aa.com)

Austrian Airlines, +1 800 843 0002 (US), +48 22 627 5290 92 (Warsaw) (http://www.aua.com)

Blue1, +358 20 585 6000 (http://www.blue1.com )

British Airways, +1 800 247 9297 (http://www.britishairways.com)

Central Wings, +48 22 558 00 45 (http://www.centralwings.com )

Condor, +1 800 524 6975 (http://www7.condor.com )

Czech Airlines, +1 800 223 2365 (http://www.csa.cz)

Easy Jet, +33 8 25 08 25 08 (http://www.easyjet.com/)

El Al, +972 3 971 6111 (http://www.elal.co.il)

Germanwings, +44 870 252 12 50 (http://www1.germanwings.com)

Hungarian Airlines, +36 1 124 3888 (http://www.malev.hu)

KLM, +1 800 447 4747 (http://www.klm.com)

Lot Airways, +1 800 223 0593 (US), +0 801 300 953 (Poland) (http://www.lot.com)

Lufthansa, +1 800 645 3880 (http://www.lufthansa.com)

Norwegian, +47 21 49 00 15 (http://www.norwegian.no )

Scandinavian Air, +1 800 221 2350 (http://www.scandinavian.net)

Sky Europe, +421 2 4850 1111 (http://www.skyeurope.com/in.php )

SN Brussels Airlines, +1 516 622 2248 (US)/+0 801 300 972 (Poland) (http://www.flysn.com)

Wizz Air, +48 22 351 9499 (http://www.wizzair.com )

Ground transportation: Seven car rental companies are set up in the arrivals hall and include the likes of Avis (+1 800 230 4898 / http://avis.com) and Hertz (+1 800 654 3131 / http://hertz.com). After picking up the car simply merge onto Zwirki i Wigury Avenue for a direct route into the city center.

A taxi rank sits directly in front of the arrivals hall. Make sure to stick with an official cab, which is designated by a number atop the car. Numerous other solicitors are out front and offer what may seem like excellent deals, but are usually just apparitions that can lead anywhere from a mugging to one expensive ride. For ultimate safety just ring a cab at a taxi kiosk by dialing 919. Two municipal buses (Number 188 and Number 175) will get you into the city center in approximately 30 minutes. Although both bus options carry a reputation as a pickpocket's paradise, the risk is actually minimal and the fare of PLN2.40 is hard to beat. Buses run every 10-15 minutes off peak and every 8 minutes during peak hours from 4:50a to 11:10p. Pick up tickets at the "RUCH" kiosks. Polski Express (+48 22 844 5555 / http://polskiexpress.pl) also operates coaches from stops in front of the arrivals hall to more than 30 cities around Poland.

By Bus: Since deregulation in 1998 bus companies have popped up all over the place, many under the umbrella of the national bus service, PKS. Warszawa Zachodnia (+48 22 822 4811) is the central station, although there are others in town that may be just as close to your end destination. A few companies offering domestic and international service include: Polski Express (+48 22 844 55 55 / http://polskiexpress.pl) Pekaes/Eurolines (+48 32 351 20 20 / http://www.pekaesbus.com.pl)

By Car: The E30 from the east/west, E77 from the north/south and the E67 from the southwest flow into Warsaw. Check with your rental company if you are driving to Poland from another European county. A couple of outfits do not allow cars to cross into the country because simply put: the company may not get the car back and you may be stuck walking. Theft is still a bit of a problem in the country.

By Rail: Polish Railways (+48 22 620 0361 / http://www.pkp.com.pl) runs the rail show inside the country including intercity, commuter, and regional service. International routes include Berlin and Moscow. Four main stations serve rail traffic in the city: Warszawa Centralna (Central Station) is home to the majority international trains, although it also has domestic arrivals and departures. Although it is in the center of town, near many upscale hotels it is also one of the pits of Poland littered with beggars and thieves trying to make a living in the brave new world. Keep tight to what you don't want stolen and keep your eyes open. Warszawa Wschodnia (Warsaw East), Warszawa Zachodnia (Warsaw West) deal mostly with regional and long haul domestic trains, and Warszawa Gdanska is the hub for trains coming and going to old eastern bloc destinations.

Getting Around: The main tourist areas of Warsaw, downtown and Old Town, are exceptionally pedestrian friendly and by far walking is the best means of transport. Having a car in these parts will do little besides make you a potential target for thieves. Yet, rental car companies are readily available around town and the roads in and around Warsaw are surprisingly easy to maneuver, although like most European cities, parking is a hassle. Taxis are also have an extremely visible presence and can be hailed from the street, but make sure 1) a price is agreed on before hopping in (even though the cab may be metered and 2) that the cab is official (number on top) and not some fly by night yahoo out for the night trying to make an extra buck. Dispatching a cab by phone (Radio Taxi: dial 919, 9622, or 9623) is the cheaper option if you are preparing things in advance.

ZTM Warszawa (Municipal Transport Board) (+48 22 827 3747 / http://www.ztm.waw.pl) manages Warsaw's efficient public transit system, which includes trams, buses and a one line subway that connects the southern suburbs with downtown. Tickets are purchased at Ruch kiosks or from bus and tram drivers. Multiple variants of passes are available starting at PLN2.40. The trams are by far the best choice when motoring around town although they tend to be moving cans of packed sardines, and lines run both east/west and north/south down the area's main thoroughfares. Buses (also packed) fan out over the sprawling expanse of the city and if you are not driving a car are the best alternative to get to the far reaches of town. The entire grid operates from 5a-11p daily, although select night buses continue throughout the night.2008-08-02T07:29:22.000 112