After five years under brutal occupation, with the tide of the war turning against the Third Reich, the leaders of the Polish underground resistance (the AK) made the decision to launch a total effort to dislodge the Nazis from the city of Warsaw. With over 45,000 troops already in Warsaw, the AK and several allied organizations took up strategic locations around the city and launched the Uprising. Across Poland, there were roughly 400,000 troops involved in the resistance. The Uprising was scheduled to begin on August 1, 1944 at 5PM. However, in the the city center, and the districts of Wola and ?oliborz, fighting broke out before the planned hour.
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 in postwar Poland.
After the surrender, the German army, despite its agreements under the surrender treaty, systematically destroyed over 85% of Warsaw in retaliation for the uprising, including the historic "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 first days of the fighting, Nazi forces indiscriminately murdered about 60,000 civilians, including women and children, in the district of Wola. 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.
The city was rebuilt in the immediate aftermath of the war, and the monolithic gray apartment blocks that characterize much of the city (especially its outer areas) are a relic of the Stalinist utilitarianism that dominated the rebuilding efforts. A typical example of the Stalinist architecture is the monolithic Palace of Culture (palac kultury), with its clocktower, which remains Warsaw's tallest building.
Since the fall of communism in 1989, Warsaw has been developing much more rapidly than Poland as a whole. You wouldn't recognize the city if you saw it ten years ago, and more changes are constantly taking place. Warsaw has long been the easiest place in Poland to find employment, and for this reason many of the Polish inhabitants of the city are first or second generation, originating from all over the country.
Even though much of Warsaw seems to imitate western cities, there are many peculiarities to be found here that you will not find in western capitals. Examples include the communist-era 'milk bars' that remain in operation (essentially cheap cafeterias for no-frills, working-class traditional Polish dining, which have remained incredibly popular in the face of westernization), as well as Europe's largest outdoor marketplace, following in the footsteps of the traditional Slavic bazaar, which is located in the region of Warsaw on the east bank of the Vistula by the Poniatowski bridge (near the stadium).
Warsaw 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.
The '''Warsaw Convention Bureau''' [http://www.warsawtour.pl] 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''' [http://e-warsaw.pl/2/index.php] has a lot of useful information on its website and would be a good place to get some information. '''Destination Warsaw''' [http://www.destinationwarsaw.com] 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. The best source of practical tips, contacts, and current event information is the '''Warsaw Insider''' [http://www.warsawinsider.pl/], available at every concierge, tourits information and larger newsagents'; the '''Warsaw Voice''' [http://www.warsawvoice.pl], an English language weekly newspaper, also maintains a good calendar of events [http://www.warsawvoice.pl/baza_wydarzen/lista_wydarzen.php?layout=wda&lang=en] on its website.
A wise investment may be the '''Warsaw Tourist Card''' [http://www.warsawtour.pl/index.php?lang=5&id=85&PHPSESSID=f93d0aee28ea5284e7ddf78e48633be8#Scene_1], 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.
As is the case with most major cities, Warsaw is situated on a river. The river's name is Vistula (Polish: ''Wis?a'') and it crosses the city on a north-south axis, dividing it into two parts, usually referred to as the left bank (Polish: ''lewy brzeg'' adj. ''lewobrze?na Warszawa'') and the right bank (Polish: ''prawy brzeg'' adj. ''prawobrze?na Warszawa'').
The central point of the city is located at the intersection of Al. Jerozolimskie and ul. Marsza?kowska, 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. Marsza?kowska, al. Jana Paw?a II, and ul. ?wi?tokrzyska, contains Dworzec Centralny, the main railway station, and the Palace of Culture and Science.
'''Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport''' [http://www.lotnisko-chopina.pl/?lang=en] ({{IATA|WAW}}, {{ICAO|EPWA}}) is located in the area of ''Ok?cie'' in W?ochy, some 10 km south of the center point of the city. For many years the airport used to be called just ''Ok?cie'', 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 majority of departures jointly with Terminal 1; the '''Etiuda Terminal''' (check-in counters E1-E8) was used by budget airlines and for charters, but now it's closed and all low cost airlines check-in are in T1 or T2. Terminals are very close to each other, but it's best to know from which terminal you will be departing. Arrivals are handled in Terminal 1 or 2, but they are connected, so it depends only from you which terminal you'll you use to leave the airport facilities.
For those traveling on international flights, you_fll 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_ft 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.
A 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_ft 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:
Avoid 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, Ele, 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 z? at night, less in the daytime (June 2008).
In any case, the most you should pay is 3.00 z? (up to 4.50 z? on Sundays; but typically no more than 2.40 z?) per km in the daytime plus an initial fee of no more than 6 z?. 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.
Some hotels offer a shuttle to/from the airport, while some will send taxis for you.
Warsaw 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 daily and is quite inexpensive if booked in advance. Students get discounts as well. It's a fairly comfortable six hour trip. Schedule are available on Intercity's website [http://www.intercity.pl] and tickets can be booked through Polrail Service [http://polrail.com].
One train per day runs to Vilnius in Lithuania, with a change of trains near the border.
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.
There is no central station for suburban trains, but the most important one is '''''Warszawa ?rodmie?cie''''' (in close proximity of ''Warszawa Centralna'' and ''Metro Centrum''). Some destinations you can reach from there are Grodzisk Mazowiecki, ?owicz, Milanowek, Mi?sk Mazowiecki, Otwock, Pi?awa, Pruszkow, Radom, Siedlce, Skierniewice, Sochaczew, Sulejowek, Terespol, T?uszcz, Wo?omin, ?yrardow.
Suburban trains going '''north''' depart from ''Warszawa Gda?ska'' (''Metro Dworzec Gda?ski''). From there, you can go to destinations like Ciechanow, Dzia?dowo, M?awa and Nasielsk.
Similarly, suburban trains going '''east''' depart from ''Warszawa Wile?ska'' (''ul. Targowa'' near ''Al. Solidarno?ci'', also a shopping mall there). Some example destinations include Ma?kinia, T?uszcz, Wo?omin.
WKD [http://www.wkd.com.pl/] (Polish: ''Warszawska Kolej Dojazdowa'') is separate train service that runs from a distinct platform at ''Warszawa ?rodmie?cie WKD'' to Grodzisk Mazowiecki, a city some 50 km west of Warsaw through Pruszkow, Milanowek, and Podkowa Le?na.
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''' - '''Bia?ystok''' 190 km (118 mi); '''Gda?sk''' 390 km (242 mi); '''Kielce''' 180 km (112 mi); '''Krakow''' 290 km (180 mi); '''Olsztyn''' 210 km (130 mi); '''Pozna?''' 310 km (193 mi); '''Siedlce''' 100 km (62 mi); '''Toru?''' 210 km (130 mi); '''Pozna?''' 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.
Regional 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'' [http://www.pks.warszawa.pl/] but ''PKS''es 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 [http://www.polskiexpress.pl/]. It serves the most popular destinations, such as Bia?ystok, Bydgoszcz, Cz?stochowa, Elbl?g, Gda?sk, Gdynia, Gorzow Wielkopolski, Katowice, Krakow, ?od?, Lublin, Pabianice, P?ock, Szczecin, Toru? along with some holiday resorts, such as Kudowa Zdroj and maritime Ko?obrzeg, Krynica Morska and Ustka. The departure point is at ''al. Jana Paw?a II'' near ''Dworzec Centralny'' (there are also shuttle services from and to the airport every half an hour)
The 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.
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. [http://www.metro.waw.pl] it runs daily from early morning until midnight at 3-10 minute intervals. On Friday and Saturday, ''Metro'' runs until 3 am. 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 now expected to be completed in 2013 at the earliest.
Buses operate usually from 5.00 to 23.00, 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.
Warsaw has well-developed night bus communication, that will take you basically to every part of city. Most buses start and finish at the back of Central Railway Station (Dworzec Centralny). They start every 30 minutes, hour by hour, at XX:15 and XX:45.
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:
:{| border="0" cellpadding="2" ! !! Normal !! Expedited !! Suburban ! All-Day Service ! Certain Hours Only (Usually Peak)
Other than that:
There are a few routes that are of certain interest to tourists:
A map of the tourist routes is available here: [http://www.ztm.waw.pl/images/schematy/turystyczne.gif].
'''Requesting a stop''' - certain bus stops are request-only (Polish: ''na ??danie''):
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 [http://www.ztm.waw.pl/images/schematy/central-noc.gif] 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: [http://www.ztm.waw.pl/mapa-noc.php].
'''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 Po?udnie to ''Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka'' in Wawer. This is always clear from the route map so please read it carefully.
Although 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: [http://www.ztm.waw.pl/images/schematy/tramwaje.gif].
There is a '''special route''' ?'''T'''? operated by historic cars from ''pl. Narutowicza''. You can see the route on a map here: [http://www.ztm.waw.pl/images/schematy/turystyczne.gif]. Note: 'T' only runs in July and August.
The tram services can end as early as at 10PM.
Although there are many carrier companies, tickets are issued and controlled by the single Warsaw Transport Authority (Polish: ''Zarz?d Transportu Miejskiego'' or ''ZTM'') [http://www.ztm.waw.pl/] and are valid for all means of transport except the trains.
Tickets can be purchased in kiosks and any shop that displays the ''Sprzeda? biletow ZTM'' ("WTA tickets sold here") stickers for around 3-6 Euros depending on the type of transportation.. 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 2.80 z? and there is a 50% concession for ISIC (international student ID) card holders, such tickets cost 1.40 z?. 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 z? (normal ticket) or 4.50 z? (50% reduction). '''3 day city travelcard''' ? Valid for 3 days after being validated. This card costs 16 z? (normal ticket) or 8 z? (50% reduction). '''One Week city travelcard''' ? Valid for one week after being validated. This card costs 32 z? (normal ticket) or 16 z? (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.
In addition, they can also charge you 6 z? initial fee (''slamming the door''), 40.00 z? 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: ''Stra? 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.
Considering 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 ?wiat'' (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. Marsza?kowska'' 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. Marsza?kowska'' 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 ?wiat'' and go straight ahead. This street, which then changes into ''Krakowskie Przedmie?cie'', 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.
There is a '''paid-parking zone''' in the center of the city. This applies '''Mon-Fri 8AM-6PM'''. Parking costs '''2.40 z?''' for the first hour. Subsequent hours cost more although there is no hour limit. ''0.40 z?'' 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).
<!--{{Infobox|Warsaw's essentials|No one should miss...}}-->
Most of the major sightseeing attractions are located in Centrum area, which encompasses seven districts, however, the most important district for sight seeing is likely to be considered ?rodmie?cie. The other districts all have something else to offer too, but the further from Centrum you journey, the less likely you're to find much of anything that is of any major interest, although Wilanow's palace and Kabaty forest are interesting enough.
Warsaw is home to several professional musical and play companies. Being the capital city means the Polish National Opera [http://www.teatrwielki.pl/index.php?nlang=en] and the Warsaw Philharmonic (also, National Philharmonic) [http://www.filharmonia.pl/index.php?id=&action=] call Warsaw home. There are a number of other companies, including play companies and theaters that will likely be of interest to travellers.
Despite all the emphasis on soccer, no traveller to Warsaw should be so naive as to think that soccer is the only sport to do in Warsaw. There is a mixture of both professional sports teams for spectators to visit and participatory sports for travelers to participate in.
Home 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:
For grocery shopping, even though you're likely to find a grocery store inside a mall, most people will go to a small neighborhood shop to buy their food. The two most well known grocery stores are Tesco and Carrefour, which are generally cheaper than the independent and often smaller stores that many people frequent.
Eating in Warsaw is not the treat it would be in Paris or London, but with that said, eating here can be fun and interesting mostly because Poland lacks large numbers of chain restaurants. Finding a unique dining experience is feasible daily.
For those on a budget, there are many kebab shops sprinkled around Warsaw, especially in ?rodmie?cie, which offer decent food and portions for the fair price of 5-10 z? a kebab. Other cheap alternatives are milk bars, which are discussed later in the section, and vietnamese restaurants.
Grease 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.
Remnant 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 z?). 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.
Old Town and areas like pl. Trzech Krzy?y, ul. Nowy ?wiat, ul. Chmielna, Krakowskie Przedmie?cie in ?rodmie?cie are saturated with cafes. Coffee typically costs about 10.00 z?. Beer can cost anywhere from 5.00 z? to 15.00 z? for half a liter (the supermarket price being about 2.50-3 z?). Drink prices in clubs can go up to 50.00 z? (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.
Clubs 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 ?rodmie?cie, which are actually quite nice for the most part and where the chic head.
Student clubs are of course popular and usually moderately 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 Stodo?a or Remont, located in ?rodmie?cie, and Park, located in Mokotow, 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 ?rodmie?cie, and more specifically the city center, there are other clubs to be found in the other districts, including Wola and Mokotow.
Warsaw'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.
Throw stereotypes out the door. For Poles, one of the most important staples to quench their thirst is not ''wodka'' or beer, but rather tea and coffee. As such, you're likely come across dozens and dozens of cafes. Chain-wise, Coffee Heaven [http://www.coffeeheaven.pl] and W Biegu Cafe are the big players. Starbucks [http://www.starbucks.pl] just setup shop in Poland, opening its first store in Warsaw in April 2009. The real treat of Warsaw, however, are small cafes that are littered about Warsaw. For the most part, a good cup of tea or coffee can be had for 5-10 z? a cup. A small tea kettle is between 20-30 z?.
Being 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 European Football Championship 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 ?rodmie?cie, Wola, Mokotow. For the business traveler, there are plenty of hotels near the airport too. There are also campgrounds in W?ochy, Wawer, Wola, Ochota and Mokotow.
The 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 z? a pop and you just add credit when needed. Going this route might be a wise investment if you'll be traveling around Poland.
In 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.
Visitors not knowing Polish may also be the target of "bar girls," especially in Underground off of ul. Mazowiecka on days where there isn't a cover charge. Be cautious if you encounter a girl speaking English who will offer you a drink or a cigarette. She will then ask you to walk her to her car parked outside of the club and then explain how her friend still inside of the club has her car keys. Then she will ask if you would like to share a cab back to her place for 70 zloty and then go back to the club. Doing so puts yourself in danger because it isn't known where she lives and is setting yourself up for possible harm or other scams.
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 ?azienki 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.
There are no laundromats in Warsaw. However, for travelers, including budget travelers, most hotels will offer laundry cleaning service, for a fee. 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.