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Warsaw
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[edit] Districts[edit] UnderstandIt is often said that Warsaw bears some resemblance to the mythical Phoenix. Having been completely destroyed, the city somehow managed to lift itself from the ashes. In the aftermath of the 1944 Uprising against the Nazis [2], Warsaw was obliterated with nine out of every 10 buildings crumbled to ruins. At the end of World War II (1939-45), it was virtually uninhabited, yet with a tremendous reconstruction effort, most of the city was rebuilt as early as the 1950s. The Communist era (1945-1989) has significantly contributed to the city architecture, with the most noticeable landmark, the Palace of Culture and Science (Polish: Pałac Kultury i Nauki, PKiN) [3], a "personal gift" from Joseph Stalin, dominating the Warsaw landscape. Since the fall of communism, Warsaw has been developing rapidly, even chaotically at times. Certainly, the harmonization of urban landscape was of little importance to the country's first entrepreneurs, as they were busy plugging gaps in supply by selling various items on a provisional basis. Warsaw's all about change now. You wouldn't recognize the city if you saw it ten years ago. In the next ten years, it will be changed again. If you want to go off the beaten path, you can still see some of Warsaw's peculiarities before they disappear forever. [edit] Warsaw UprisingThe Warsaw Uprising, not to be confused with the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943, is a strong statement testifying to the spirit and soul of not only Varsovians, but all Poles. After five years under German occupation, the leaders of the Polish underground resistance fought back against the Nazis. With over 45,000 troops already in Warsaw, the Home Army (also referred to as the "AK") and several allied organizations took up strategic locations around the city and began the Uprising. Nationwide, there were roughly 400,000 troops involved in the resistance. The Uprising was scheduled to begin at the "W-hour", or on August 1, 1944 at 5PM. However, because the order wasn't prepared in time, the liaisons and couriers were unable to get the word out in time because of the curfew in force at the time. In the the city center, and the districts of Wola and Żoliborz fighting broke out before the "W-hour". The effectiveness was amazing, particularly in the first few days. Within days of fighting, the Polish resistance had secured key locations which allowed for the creation of a Polish postal service in Warsaw. The creation of resistance hospitals and cafés gave Varsovians and the insurgents much needed medical care and rest. Despite German and Soviet efforts to spread propaganda, the immediate surge of Polish newspapers and radio stations helped to defeat the propaganda campaign. Fighting continued until October 5, 1944 when the Home Army and its allied organizations surrendered. Despite its successes and valor, the Polish fighters were outnumbered and outgunned. The Home Army was unable to continue its fight without the help of the Allies. America and Britain did very little to support the Uprising, other than dropping some supplies over the city (the Soviet Union refused to allow the use of airfields in territory under its control). The Soviet Union took a multifaceted role by allying themselves with the Home Army to win victories against the Germans in other Polish territories, then disarming and imprisoning the Polish soldiers. The Soviet Union purposely allowed the Warsaw Uprising to fail by abandoning the Home Army and Varsovians so it could install a puppet government easier. After the surrender, the German army, despite its agreements under the surrender treaty, destroyed over 85% of Warsaw in retaliation for the uprising, including the "Old Town" which was rebuilt after the war. Of 987 historically important buildings, only 64 were left untouched by the Germans. Polish soldiers were rounded up and sent to concentration camps. Warsaw's civilian population was "evacuated" with some being sent to concentration camps, or sent to Germany for forced labor. Others were sent to different Polish cities. In the end, the Uprising cost 180,000 civilians their lives, the lives of an additional 18,000 insurgents, the capital its glory, and the Polish nation its long-desired independence. The only thing that persevered was the Polish spirit. [edit] ClimateWarsaw has four seasons, although, it may, at times, seem like it has two seasons – winter and summer. The summers are cool to warm with temperatures varying from the low-50's (Fahrenheit) to mid-70's (Fahrenheit). Temperatures in the fall can vary wildly. One day, you may experience sub-freezing temperatures and the next day you could experience temperatures in the 60's (Fahrenheit). Winter in Warsaw can be incredibly cold. Be sure to bring warm clothing, coats, scarves, and gloves. The average high in January is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. [edit] TourismThe Warsaw Convention Bureau [4] is the official tourist information agency in Warsaw and can provide visitors with information regarding hotels, attractions, and events. They also have maps for travelers. Unfortunately, the bureau's website isn't well designed and doesn't provide all that great of information, though, it can be helpful. They operate three locations in Warsaw. There are a few other organizations that are useful when planning or looking for information about a trip to Warsaw. The City of Warsaw [5] has a lot of useful information on its website and would be a good place to get some information. Destination Warsaw [6] has some useful information, but seems to trump up its members' products, restaurants, and services over others. It's main goal is the promotion of Warsaw as a destination abroad. Warsaw Voice [7], an English language weekly newspaper, maintains a good calendar of events [8] on its website. A wise investment may be the Warsaw Tourist Card [9], which can either be purchased for a 24 hour period or three days. The card will get you into museums for free or for a discount. It also doubles as a ticket for public transportation in Warsaw. You may also be able to get discounts at galleries, sports facilities, shops, restaurants, and discounted tours, car rentals, or accommodation. The card can be purchased at the tourist agency's offices around the city, some hotels, and a few other locations. [edit] Orientation As is the case with most major cities, Warsaw is situated on a river. The river's name is Vistula (Polish: Wisła) and it crosses the city vertically, dividing it into two parts, usually referred to as the left bank (Polish: lewy brzeg adj. lewobrzeżna [Warszawa]) and the right bank (Polish: prawy brzeg adj. prawobrzeżna [Warszawa]). [edit] City centerHistorically, the right bank was the first one to become populated, during the 9th or 10th century. However, the present city's central district, called Śródmieście (the Inner City) lies on the left bank. The Old Town is fully contained within the borders of the city center. The central point of the city is located at the intersection of Al. Jerozolimskie and ul. Marszałkowska, near the entrance to the Metro Centrum subway station. It is good to know that the Palace of Culture is a landmark visible from almost any location in Warsaw. Should you ever get lost in the city, just walk toward the Palace of Culture and Science. The quarter delimited by Al. Jerozolimskie, ul. Marszałkowska, al. Jana Pawła II and ul. Świętokrzyska, contains the main railway station Dworzec Centralny and the Palace of Culture and Science [10]. [edit] Get in[edit] By planeWarsaw Frederic Chopin Airport [11] (Template:IATA, Template:ICAO) is located in the area of Okęcie in Włochy, some 10 km south of the center point of the city. For many years the airport used to be called just Okęcie, but this reportedly caused confusion and it was renamed. There are three terminals: Terminal 1 is the "default" terminal; Terminal 2 is the newly-built terminal which handles all arrivals and some departures jointly with Terminal 1; the Etiuda Terminal (check-in counters E1-E8) is used by budget airlines and for charters. Although they are only some 500m apart, it's best to know from which terminal you will be departing. As all arrivals are handled in Terminal 2, Etiuda Terminal only deals with departing passengers and has a few basic facilities. For those traveling on international flights, you’ll need to pass through a passport control station before going through security. As of the end of March 2008, you do not need a passport for countries that are part of the Schengen Agreement, though you do need some proof of ID. Getting through security isn’t too difficult, but the queues, while they may be small, will likely take a fair amount of time because there are only a few screening points. Before passing through security in Terminal 1, buy your duty free items, newspapers, and food and drinks because there are no shops or restaurants in the boarding area. The Etiuda Terminal has two shops and a small snack stand for those waiting on their flights. [edit] Getting to/from the airport[edit] By busA bus ride on route 175 to and from Warszawa Centralna and to and from the Frederic Chopin Airport will, on average, take 30 minutes, although in rush-hour traffic the time can be up to 45 minutes. Depending on weather, traffic can be at a complete standstill and traveling a few meters may take upwards of 20 minutes, so be sure to assess traffic conditions and leave early enough to make sure you don’t miss your flight. The bus is also the cheapest way to get to and from the airport. Buy a ticket before boarding and validate it immediately on board. The three main bus lines are:
[edit] By taxiAvoid the taxi drivers soliciting customers inside the terminal, as they severely overcharge. Instead, use one of the companies recommended by the airport authorities (Merc Taxi, MPT Radio Taxi, or Sawa Taxi). They are slightly above market average in terms of prices and stop near the exit from Terminal 1. You can also order a taxi from another corporation by phone (there is no surcharge). A typical fare to a hotel near Warszawa Centralna station is around 40 zł at night, less in the daytime (June 2008). In any case, the most you should pay is 3.00 zł (up to 4.50 zł on Sundays; but typically no more than 2.00 zł) per km in the daytime plus an initial fee of no more than 6 zł. You are entitled to a receipt (which must specify the route used) upon request. The Polish word for receipt is rachunek. There is no obligation to tip the taxi drivers, but most won't refuse if you offer. See the Taxis section for a more in-depth explanation of taxi fares. [edit] By other meansSome hotels offer a shuttle to/from the airport, while some will send taxis for you.
[edit] By trainWarsaw has three stations for long-distance trains:
Unless you really know what you're doing, the best option is Dworzec Centralny (Warszawa Centralna) station, as it has best connections with all the places in the city. All long-distance trains pass through this station and all stop there. It is the only long-distance station underground. It isn't the last station on the route! Trains running eastwards start at Warszawa Zachodnia, stop at Warszawa Centralna and then at Warszawa Wschodnia, while trains heading westwards make the same trip in the opposite direction (except that they don't always stop at Warszawa Zachodnia). The same is true for arriving trains. Tourists often find it confusing that the main train station (Warszawa Centralna) is not the last station on the route. The Berlin-Warszawa Express runs from Berlin to Warsaw most days and is quite inexpensive. Students get discounts as well. It's a fairly comfortable six hour trip. You should try to avoid the bathrooms. Schedules and tickets are available on Intercity's website [15]. If you don't have a reservation, you may get a better seat by boarding the train at its point or origination. During peak season, you may not be able to get a seat at all. [edit] Suburban trainsThere is no central station for suburban trains, but the most important one is Warszawa Śródmieście (in close proximity of Warszawa Centralna and Metro Centrum). Some destinations you can reach from there are Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Łowicz, Milanówek, Mińsk Mazowiecki, Otwock, Piława, Pruszków, Radom, Siedlce, Skierniewice, Sochaczew, Sulejówek, Terespol, Tłuszcz, Wołomin, Żyrardów. Suburban trains going north depart from Warszawa Gdańska (Metro Dworzec Gdański). From there, you can go to destinations like Ciechanów, Działdowo, Mława and Nasielsk. Similarly, suburban trains going east depart from Warszawa Wileńska (ul. Targowa near Al. Solidarności, also a shopping mall there). Some example destinations include Małkinia, Tłuszcz, Wołomin. [edit] Warsaw Commuter RailwayWKD [16] (Polish: Warszawska Kolej Dojazdowa) is separate train service that runs from a distinct platform at Warszawa Śródmieście WKD to Grodzisk Mazowiecki, a city some 50 km west of Warsaw through Pruszków, Milanówek, and Podkowa Leśna. [edit] By carUnlike most European capitals, Warsaw has no real bypass, so all transit traffic is routed through the city streets. The following streets, which constitute a circle with the radius of some 10 km (six mi) from the city centre, can be considered an ersatz ringroad: Trasa Toruńska-Trasa Armii Krajowej-al. Prymasa Tysiąclecia-Al. Jerozolimskie-ul. Łopuszańska-ul. Hynka-ul. Sasanki-ul. Marynarska-ul. Rzymowskiego-ul. Dolinka Służewiecka-ul. Sikorskiego-al. Witosa-Trasa Siekierkowska-ul. Marsa-ul. Żołnierska. Four European "E-roads" lead to Warsaw: E30 (A2), E77 (7), E67 (A8), and E372 (17). The E-numbers are usually displayed on signs but it is best to know the national road numbers too, which are the numbers in parentheses. What follows is a list of streets you will find yourself on when approaching the city from different directions:
The cities listed above are the ones displayed on signs in the city. The abbreviations in (parentheses) show you which neighboring countries can be reached with a road. If you are coming to the city, follow the blue-on-white Centrum signs. One exception is when you are coming from the north-east: follow the Praga sign unless you are driving a lorry. Driving distances to other cities: In Poland - Białystok 190 km (118 mi); Gdańsk 390 km (242 mi); Kielce 180 km (112 mi); Kraków 290 km (180 mi); Olsztyn 210 km (130 mi); Poznań 310 km (193 mi); Siedlce 100 km (62 mi); Toruń 210 km (130 mi); Poznań 310 km (193 mi) In other countries - Berlin (D) 570 km (354 mi); Budapest (H) 700 km (535 mi); Kaliningrad (RU) 350 km (217 mi) Car Hire operators are available in the major towns and cities across Poland. At the Frederic Chopin airport in Warsaw you will find Avis, Hertz, Budget and Sixt. Telephone numbers can be found in the free magazines located in hotel and cafe lobbies. Also refer to the individual companies websites too. It is a legal requirement for you to carry your driving licence, insurance documents and the vehicle registration details at all times. If the Police stop you, they are likely to impose a fine. [edit] By busRegional and long-distance bus connections in Poland are traditionally called PKS. Once it was a legitimate abbreviation for the state-owned monopoly. Now, however, bus routes are operated by completely independent companies, some of which has chosen to retain the old PKS as a part of their name. In Warsaw, there's PKS Warszawa [17] but PKSes from various other cities also operate. Most PKS buses arrive and depart from either of two major terminals:
There is also a competitor to post-PKS companies, the Polski Express. It serves the most popular destinations, such as Białystok, Bydgoszcz, Częstochowa, Elbląg, Gdańsk, Gdynia, Gorzów Wielkopolski, Katowice, Kraków, Łódź, Lublin, Pabianice, Płock, Szczecin, Toruń along with some holiday resorts, such as Kudowa Zdrój and maritime Kołobrzeg, Krynica Morska and Ustka. The departure point is at al. Jana Pawła II near Dworzec Centralny (there are also shuttle services from and to the airport every half an hour)
[edit] Get around[edit] Public transportThe public transport system in Warsaw is generally well-developed, with some 200 bus routes and 30 tram lines. The route descriptions on the tram stops are easy to follow (although bus stop notices are more complex) and the tickets are cheap. It can be painfully slow, however, to travel between destinations far from the city center. There is also a modern underground line going from south to north on the left bank, and a recently-introduced Rapid Urban Railway (Polish: Szybka Kolej Miejska or SKM) which has proved to be a big disappointment. [edit] Metro (subway)Warsaw's subway system, called Metro, opened in 1995 and is one of the newest underground railway systems in Europe. Operated by Metro Warszawskie sp. z o.o. [18] it runs daily from early morning until midnight at 3-10 minute intervals. Trains and stations are clean and neat. The system currently consists of only one line, which was designed to carry commuters from the densely populated new districts at the northern and southern outskirts into the city center. As a result, the subway does not go to many tourist destinations, however several stations will take you in a general vicinity of some attractions. A second route is planned, which is supposed to link the center with the right bank of the river Vistula (i.e. Praga) with a segment containing 7 stations slated to be completed in 2011 or 2012, but that may be a tad too optimistic. [edit] BusesBuses operate usually from 5AM to 11PM, but you should always check the schedule. The intervals can be anything from as little as 5 minutes (crowded routes during peak hours) to nearly 2 hours (certain suburban routes). Usually, you will wait 20 minutes at most. Bus route numbers consist of three digits. Only the first digit has any meaning, the latter being merely ordinal. Here's the key to understanding Warsaw bus route numbers:
Other than that:
There are a few routes that are of certain interest to tourists:
A map of the tourist routes is available. Requesting a stop - certain bus stops are request-only (Polish: na żądanie):
Sometimes, the door will not open automatically. To open it, locate the button drzwi (blue) and press it. Then you have 15 seconds until the door closes back.  Night buses operate on 38 routes: N01 to N95 . The first digit indicates the area of Warsaw the bus travels to. All parts of the city are covered, but travelling to distant locations is particularly time-consuming. All buses operate at 30-minute intervals and depart from their central stop at Dw. Centralny 15 and 45 minutes after the hour, which facilitates changing. When travelling on a night bus, it is essential to know the location of your bus stop at Dw. Centralny. There is a map that will help you. All night bus stops except Dw. Centralny and Centrum are request stops. Signal well in advance as some night bus drivers may be too busy accelerating to notice. There is also a map of all the night bus routes. Note that not all bus stops that have Centrum in their name are in the city center. For example, there is a bus route 525 that goes from Centrum (the real city center) through Centrum Optyki in Praga Południe to Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka in Wawer. This is always clear from the route map so please read it carefully. [edit] TramsAlthough trams are not faster than buses unless there is a heavy traffic jam, they may have some appeal for a tourist as it is easier to predict where they are going - they usually go straight ahead and only rarely turn. However, it may be worth travelling by tram in the city centre during rush hours. Because of Warsaw's dreadful congestion problems it can take 20 mins for a bus to get to the next stop which is only a few hundred metres away. Trams have two-digit numbers below 50 (for the curious, the 50+ numbers were used by the long-lost trolley buses). Trams with numbers above 40 operate during peak hours only. A map of tram routes is available to assist you in planning your journey. There is a special route T operated by historic cars from pl. Narutowicza. You can see the route on a map. Note: 'T' only runs in July and August. The tram services can end as early as at 10PM. [edit] TicketsAlthough there are many carrier companies, tickets are issued and controlled by the single Warsaw Transport Authority (Polish: Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego or ZTM) [21] and are valid for all means of transport except the trains. Tickets can be purchased in kiosks and any shop that displays the Sprzedaż biletów ZTM ("WTA tickets sold here") stickers. For buses and trams, the ticket can also be bought on board from the driver. From 2 June 2008, along with the other fare changes, there is now no extra charge for buying tickets from drivers, though they can refuse to sell you a ticket if the bus is over 3 minutes late. The ticket system is quite complicated, but as a tourist you shouldn't need to trouble yourself about knowing all the details. What you need to know, however, is that a single ticket costs 3.00 zł and there is a 50% concession for ISIC (international student ID) card holders, such tickets cost 1.50 zł. The same prices apply for a 40 minute travelcard where travel is allowed however you want as long as it is in the 40 minute time limit. Immediately validate your ticket after boarding the bus, subway, or tram. Travelcards, however, only need to be activated on your first journey, except in the underground where touching in and touching out (or inserting a ticket) is required to open the gate to the station. Travelcards are probably the simplest way of paying for public transportation, if you're spending more than a day in the city and want to see as much as possible. If you will be taking a bus, subway, or tram at least three times in a given day, it's best to buy one of these cards, especially as they are valid for all modes of transportation, including night buses. There are several options for purchasing travelcards, but the most sensible way for most travelers would be either a 24 hour ticket, a three day card, or a one week card. Additionally, there are one month and three month travel cards for those who are staying in Warsaw for a longer time. 24 hour travelcard – Valid for 24 hours after being validated. The card costs 9.00 zł (normal ticket) or 4.50 zł (50% reduction). 3 day city travelcard – Valid for 3 days after being validated. This card costs 16 zł (normal ticket) or 8 zł (50% reduction). One Week city travelcard – Valid for one week after being validated. This card costs 32 zł (normal ticket) or 16 zł (50% reduction). Note that the tickets and prices above can only be used for travel within Warsaw. For suburban travel outside Warsaw, a more expensive ticket covering zones 1 & 2 is required. [edit] TaxisThe maximum base fare (taryfa 1) is 3.00 zł/km (although no corporation charges more than 2.40 zł/km) and applies to journeys within the city (zone 1) on weekdays. Taxi drivers can charge 150% of the base fare (taryfa 2) at night or on weekends and public holidays, and 200% of the base fare (taryfa 3) for journeys into the suburbs. Watch out for blue rectangular signs saying taxi 2 strefa (Taxi Zone 2), they can charge 300% of the base fare (taryfa 4) at night and in the suburbs or on weekends and public holidays). In addition, they can also charge you 6 zł initial fee (slamming the door), 40.00 zł an hour for waiting for you if you you are not in the first zone, and for getting back to the boundary of the first zone if you left in zone 2. There are no surcharges for additional passengers (normally up to 4 should fit), or for luggage. They cannot charge you for anything else. There is no obligation or custom of tipping the drivers. The driver is required to give you a receipt on request. The full route must be written on the receipt. If the route was suboptimal, the fare can then be challenged. Call City Guard (Polish: Straż Miejska) at 986 (+48 22 986 from a mobile phone) should there be any problems. The aforementioned prices apply only to officially registered taxis. Others (non-taxi carriers) may charge you whatever they feel like, so they are best avoided. A legal taxi will have its number displayed on the front door under the window (black digits on white), on a TAXI sign (not TAX1 or TAKI), on a sticker with the base fare displayed on the passenger (rear) door window, and on the driver's ID card visible inside the cab. [edit] WalkingConsidering that the strict city centre is a flat area whose sides measure only some 2 km, it is a good idea to take a stroll through it. There are two streets that serve the purpose of a promenade,ul. Chmielna (Hop Street), which is fully pedestrianized and ul. Nowy Świat (New World Street), which is closed to traffic on summer weekends If you start your walk from Metro Centrum (this is a popular place where people arrange to meet one another), you can get to the other side of ul. Marszałkowska through the underpass. The round building adjacent to the intersection is called the Rotunda. It is a bank branch and the pavement in front of it is another popular meeting place. Going along the ul. Marszałkowska you'll pass some department stores and after 500 m or so, turn right into ul. Chmielna. At the end of it, turn left into ul. Nowy Świat and go straight ahead. This street, which then changes into Krakowskie Przedmieście, will lead you to Castle Square and Old Town. Walking is a great way to explore the city, but please stay alert while crossing the streets. Be aware that in Poland drivers are allowed to turn right even at a red light. Also, unlike some other countries, it is not legally OK to walk across the street at a red light, even if there is no traffic. [edit] By carThere is a paid-parking zone in the center of the city. This applies Mon-Fri 8AM-6PM. Parking costs 2.40 zł for the first hour. Subsequent hours cost more although there is no hour limit. 0.40 zł is the minimum payment. You can pay with coins (must be exact amount - the parking meters give no change) or with the Warsaw City Card (not the tourist card). [edit] See[edit] Itineraries
[edit] Parks
[edit] MuseumsMost museums are closed on Mon and often have free admission once a week. Visitors must usually enter at least 30 min before closing time.
[edit] Do[edit] Concerts and performancesWarsaw is home to several professional musical and play companies. Being the capital city means the Polish National Opera [22] and the Warsaw Philharmonic (also, National Philharmonic) [23] call Warsaw home. There are a number of other companies, including play companies and theaters that will likely be of interest to travellers. [edit] Festivals[edit] Sports[edit] Learn[edit] Universities
[edit] Polish language
[edit] WorkHome to many international companies, Warsaw has an excellent job market for potential expats. Of course there are several immigration hurdles, but landing a job should not be overly difficult if you have the right skill sets. If you're a backpacker and looking for short-term employment this may be somewhat more difficult, as you are legally required to have a work permit. You could possibly find short-term work in the hospitality industry, or possibly as an ESL teacher or tutor students in English. If you'd like to work in Warsaw, or Poland for that matter, but don't want to do all the hassle of finding a job opportunity, there are some employment recruiting agencies you can use in your search for a job. Just a few are:
[edit] Buy[edit] Payment options[edit] CashIt is not essential to buy the local currency before you arrive. Warsaw has many accessible ATMs (labeled bankomat) where cash can be withdrawn. Remember that you may be charged by your home bank for the transaction though. To get started, 300 zł should suffice for taxis, coffee, beer and and a few meals. [edit] Credit and debit cardsVisa, MasterCard, Visa Electron, and Maestro as well as some other obscure cards are widely accepted and if they're not then there's usually plenty of ATMs available (Polish: bankomat). AmEx and Diners' Club are less popular and may not be accepted. There may be a minimal purchase value for card payments, usually 10.00 zł or so in shops, but can be 20.00 zł, or even 50.00 zł in bars. [edit] Shopping malls and marketsMost people nowadays do their shopping in the malls (Polish: centrum handlowe pl. centra ~, often abbreviated CH). These are usually located in the suburbs (with some notable exceptions) and open until 10PM. Apart from shops, malls also have entertainment areas with cinemas, bars, etc. Some also have sports facilities. Immediately, the two malls likely to be of interest to travelers are:
[edit] EatEating in Warsaw is nowhere near the treat as it would be in Paris or London, but with that said, eating here can be fun and interesting, if you know where to look and avoid where the Poles go. Sadly, an increasing staple of Varsovians' diet is American fastfood. Thankfully, Poland lacks large numbers of chain restaurants which means that just about every restaurant will be a new experience if you stray away from the safe options of fast food, T.G.I. Fridays, or Hard Rock Cafe. For those on a budget, there are many kebab shops sprinkled around Warsaw, especially in Śródmieście, which offer decent food and portions for the fair price of 5-10 zł a kebab. Other cheap alternatives are milk bars, which are discussed later in the section, and vietnamese restaurants. [edit] Fast foodGrease lovers will be happy to know there's no shortage of fast food in Warsaw. The most popular brand names are of course McDonald's, KFC, and Pizza Hut, but there are also a few Subway sandwich shops and even a Burger King, which is somewhat a surprise after being nudged out of the market a few years back by McDonald's. The problem with these fast food joints is that the quality and not-very-generous portions are valued far above what should be paid for a meal. [edit] Milk barsRemnant of the communist era, milk bars (Polish: bar mleczny, bary mleczne) were originally created in the sixties to serve cheap meals based on milk products. After the fall of communism, most of them closed down but some survived and still bear the climate from the old days. Almost everything inside looks, feels and smells like in the 1980s. Milk bars attract students and senior citizens, because of the low prices (soup and the main course together may cost as little as 10.00 zł). The food served by milk bars can actually be quite palatable. Even if you can afford more expensive meals, milk bars are interesting because they offer somewhat a view of life before democratization in Poland. [edit] DrinkOld Town and areas like pl. Trzech Krzyży, ul. Nowy Świat, ul. Chmielna, Krakowskie Przedmieście in Śródmieście are saturated with cafés. Coffee typically costs about 10.00 zł. Beer can cost anywhere from 5.00 zł to 15.00 zł for half a liter (the supermarket price being about 2.50-3 zł). Drink prices in clubs can go up to 50.00 zł (and possibly more). Drinking alcoholic beverages in public places is prohibited, but this is often ignored by locals with regard to public drinking in parks. {{Infobox|Speak easy|If you're looking to mingle with real Varsovians, there's a well-kept, secret row of nameless, dark bars located off of Nowy Świat. They are reportedly good for those wishing to participate in the more decadent side of Varsovian night life. In truth, the places attract a younger crowd who want to socialize over a beer (usually about 6 zł for a half liter). If you'd like to give one of these bars a try, walk through the gateway at Nowy Świat 22. You'll find a few small buildings with bars tucked away. The number one tip about visiting one of these bars is go early if you want find a seat. You won't be able to find one after 10PM. [edit] ClubsClubs are in no shortage in Warsaw and are a very popular way to spend nearly every night out. There are several clubs littered about on ul. Mazowiecka in Śródmieście, which are actually quite nice for the most part and where the chic head. Student clubs are of course popular and usually moderatetly priced, but it can be a roulette picking one. Normally, the centrally located Hybrydy is a good option for night out. Other student clubs, like Stodoła or Remont, located in Śródmieście, and Park, located in Mokotów, are less predictable and quality isn't necessarily a concern for these clubs' patrons. If the sole point is to get drunk, then these are some of the better places to go for a cheap drink. While there are quite a few clubs in Śródmieście, and more specifically the city center, there are other clubs to be found in the other districts, including Wola and Mokotów. [edit] ConcertsWarsaw's music scene can sometimes be disappointing, but it's a matter of knowing where to look because Warsaw has an abundance of musical delights, they just need to be fettered out. [edit] Tea and coffeeThrow stereotypes out the door. For Poles, one of the most important staples to quench their thirst is not wódka or beer, but rather tea and coffee. As such, you're likely come across dozens and dozens of cafés. There aren't any Starbucks in Warsaw, yet, but Poland does have its own version – Coffee Heaven [24], but, unfortunately, its coffee products are a let down compared to the heavenly delights of Frappucinos. No worries, though, AmRest [25] is slated to start opening Starbucks in Eastern and Central Europe. The real treat of Warsaw, however, are small cafés that are littered about Warsaw. For the most part, a good cup of tea or coffee can be had for 5-10 zł a cup. A small tea kettle is between 20=30 zł. [edit] SleepBeing the new up-and-coming city in the EU has meant that Warsaw has seen an influx in investment by hotel companies and will continue to see growth of the hospitality industry, especially as Poland is slated to co-host the Euro Cup in 2012 and a Polish city will be one of the 2016 European Capital of Culture cities. For travelers, there is no shortage of budget, mid-range, or splurge accommodation options in Warsaw. Most appealing hotels and hostels will be found in either Śródmieście, Wola, Mokotów. For the business traveler, there are plenty of hotels near the airport too. There are also campgrounds in Włochy, Wawer, Wola, Ochota and Mokotów. [edit] ContactThe area code for Warsaw is 22 - when calling from abroad, prefix it with +48 22. [edit] Postal service
[edit] InternetOverall, Warsaw is not as well connected to the internet as other major central and western European cities, but that doesn't mean you can't get access to internet. Internet cafés (Polish: kawiarnia or kawiarenka internetowa) can be found throughout the central part of Warsaw, however, some can be found in other districts too. Wi-fi is becoming increasingly accessible for travelers too. Some cafés, restaurants, and offer free wi-fi for guests. [edit] TelephonesThe area code for Warsaw is 022 and, as of the present, you'll need to use the area code even when making local calls. When calling internationally to Warsaw, dial +48 22 followed by the rest of the number (dropping the leading 0 in the process). When dialing from a number that does not share the Varsovian area code, you'll need to keep the initial 0. When dialing from a mobile phone, you will dial any number as if it was an international number. Pay phones are few and far, so it's best not to rely on making phone calls from pay phones. If, however, you're an antiquities hunter and manage to find a pay phone, you'll need to use a card to make calls from the pay phone. These cards are available at post offices. If you want to purchase a SIM card in Warsaw, you can buy a pre-paid SIM card from just about any major carrier and you'll have a Polish number. SIM cards should cost about 30 zł a pop and you just add credit when needed. Going this route might be a wise investment if you'll be traveling around Poland. [edit] Stay safeIn general, the problems that plague many visitors to Warsaw are alcohol related, be that a hangover or a possible run-in with the police (Polish: Policja). The city center has a strong police presence and is generally a very safe area. The Praga districts are reputed to be dangerous, but this seems to be more hype than reality. Of course, it would be wise to exercise a little extra caution, if you're in an area you do not know well. The bus and rail stations can be a magnet for homeless and drunkards, who for the most part will leave you alone. There are, however, some problems that are not widespread, but, unfortunately, happen too frequently and travelers should be forewarned. Pickpockets can sometimes be a problem and you should be careful to hold onto your belongings when in a large crowd or on buses (Number 175 is reportedly infamous for pickpockets). At bars and clubs, a good rule of thumb, is the cheaper the door entry and the more lax the bouncers are about letting people in, the more likely you're going to want to keep extra care of your wallet, passport, cell phone, and camera. Make use of hotel room safes to help ensure your valuables are not stolen. Also, if you have a car, try to park in a guarded parking lot and do not leave any valuables in plain sight. Soccer hooligans can be a problem in Warsaw, so it's best to avoid them, because they seem to only understand two things - soccer and destruction. Visitors will particularly want to avoid Łazienki Park when there's a soccer match, as the Legia stadium is located near the park. In case of emergencies, call emergency services. The number for the police: 997, firefighters: 998, Ambulance: 999. The common European emergency number 112 works too. [edit] Cope[edit] Religious services
[edit] LaundryThere are no laundromats in Warsaw. However, for travelers, including budget travelers, most hotels will offer laundry cleaning service, for a price. Most hostels offer this service (which they often do not charge for) or they will make washers and dryers available to guests. Otherwise, you can find a full-service laundry shop at just about any mall, but you're going to pay a good more than you would at a laundromat. The premier full-service laundry shop is 5 à Sec [26].
[edit] Printing shops
[edit] Embassies
[edit] Get out
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