Travel tips for Warsaw
Everything you need to know before visiting Warsaw — visas, currency (PLN, not euros), public transport, safety, and when to go.
Planning essentials
Visas (EU/US citizens need none), budgets, packing and the practical tips worth knowing before you land in Warsaw.
Getting around
Chopin Airport, Warsaw Modlin, the metro, trams, SKM commuter rail and the practicalities of getting around Warsaw and across Poland.
When to go
Warsaw has a genuine four seasons — cold winters with Christmas markets, warm summers with Chopin concerts in Łazienki, and colourful autumns. Month-by-month guides to what's on.
Getting the practicalities right in Warsaw makes an enormous difference to your trip, and most of the common traveller mistakes are entirely avoidable with a little preparation. The single most important piece of advice for arriving at Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) is to ignore the taxi drivers soliciting fares in the arrivals hall. Official-looking vehicles outside charge wildly inflated rates — some visitors report paying 200 to 300 PLN for a ride that should cost 90 to 110 PLN. Instead, use Bolt or Uber (book on the app before exiting, pick up from the designated zone outside arrivals) for a fixed rate of around 100 PLN, or take public transport: bus 175 or 188 from the terminal, or the SKM commuter rail from the airport's own train station (4.40 PLN, 25 minutes to Śródmieście). Passengers arriving at Modlin Airport (WMI), used by Ryanair, should budget around 30 PLN for the FlixBus shuttle to Warsaw city centre. Currency is the second major area where tourists lose money unnecessarily. The Polish złoty (PLN) is the national currency and the only one you should use; exchange at city-centre kantors (private exchange offices, NOT banks) for rates typically 8 to 12% better than the airport. In 2026 the approximate rate is 4.22 PLN per euro. Warsaw's public transit system (ZTM/SKM) is efficient, clean, and inexpensive: a single 75-minute ticket costs 4.40 PLN and covers metro, trams, and buses. A 24-hour pass costs 20 PLN. The M1 and M2 metro lines are the quickest way across the city. For mobile connectivity, a Polish SIM from Orange or Play costs around 30 PLN for a 15 GB data package — available at the airport or any city-centre phone shop. Warsaw is genuinely very safe for tourists, including solo women travellers, but exercise the normal urban awareness you would in any European capital, particularly around the Central Station area after midnight.
Where is the best place to exchange money in Warsaw?
Exchange at kantors (private currency exchange offices) in the city centre — around Nowy Świat, Chmielna Street, or inside the Złote Tarasy shopping centre. Avoid the airport exchange counters and hotel desks, which typically offer 8 to 12% worse rates. Never exchange on the street. Check kantor windows for the buy/sell spread — competitive kantors show minimal difference.
Is Warsaw safe for solo female travellers?
Warsaw is consistently rated one of Central Europe's safer capitals for solo female travellers. Violent crime is rare, public transport runs late into the night, and the main tourist areas are well-lit and active until midnight. Standard urban precautions apply: avoid poorly lit shortcuts near the Central Station late at night, use Bolt or Uber rather than unmarked taxis, and keep valuables secured.
What should I pack for Warsaw?
Pack for a wide temperature range: Warsaw winters can hit −15°C with snow (November through March), while July and August regularly reach 28 to 30°C. A waterproof layer is useful year-round. Comfortable walking shoes are essential — Old Town cobblestones are uneven. If visiting in winter, thermal underlayers and a proper coat are non-negotiable. A compact umbrella handles the frequent spring and autumn showers.
What is the mobile coverage and internet like in Warsaw?
Mobile coverage in Warsaw is excellent — 4G/LTE across the entire city and 5G in most central areas. A tourist SIM from Orange or Play costs approximately 30 PLN for 15 GB of data, available at the airport on arrival or at any phone shop in the city. Free WiFi is available in most cafés, hotels, and all major museums. The ZTM public transit app works well for journey planning.