Warsaw (Warszawa) / the capital & the largest city of Poland / 517.24 square kilometers / almost ~2 mln of citizens
Warsaw (/ˈwɔːrsɔː/ WOR-saw; Polish: Warszawa [varˈʂava]
…is the capital and largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the Vistula River in east-central Poland and its population is officially estimated at 1.8 million residents. With a greater metropolitan area of 3.1 million residents, Warsaw is the 5th most-populous urban area in the European Union. The city limits cover 517.24 square kilometres (199.71 sq mi), while the metropolitan area covers 6,100.43 square kilometres (2,355.39 sq mi). Warsaw is an alpha global city, a major international tourist destination, and a significant cultural, political and economic hub. Its historical old town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Once described as the “Paris of the North”, Warsaw was believed to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world until World War II. Bombed at the start of the German invasion in 1939, the city withstood a siege for which it was later awarded Poland’s highest military decoration for heroism, the Virtuti Militari. Deportations of the Jewish population to concentration camps led to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in 1943 and the destruction of the Ghetto after a month of combat. A general Warsaw Uprising between August and October 1944 led to even greater devastation and systematic razing by the Germans in advance of the Vistula–Oder Offensive. Warsaw gained the new title of Phoenix City because of its extensive history and complete reconstruction after World War II, which had left over 85% of its buildings in ruins. [WIKIPEDIA]
Public transport
Public transport in Warsaw includes buses, trams (streetcars), Metro, light rail Warszawska Kolej Dojazdowa line, urban railway Szybka Kolej Miejska and regional rail Koleje Mazowieckie (Mazovian Railroads). The buses, trams, urban railway and Metro are managed by Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego (ZTM, the Warsaw Transport Authority). There are also some suburban bus lines run by private operators.
ZTM tickets are valid on city and suburban bus lines, as well as trams, Metro, and SKM. Some ZTM tickets are also valid on the WKD and Mazovian Railroads, but only within the city or suburban zone. A given ticket costs the same price within one zone, but if a passenger passes the zone limit, it costs double. Tickets are best bought at newsagents and at ticket machines at various high traffic areas. ZTM tickets are invalid on PKS suburban and intercity buses and private companies that do not operate within the ZTM scheme. [WIKIPEDIA]
Ticket prices: Normal – 4,40 PLN / Student – 2,20 PLN (requires student or PhD student ID Card) More information
City Card (public transport card): More information
Taxi: Tele taxi +48/22 19627 / Sawa taxi +48/22 644 44 44 / Ele taxi +48/22 811 11 11 / Eko taxi +48/22 644 22 22
Useful information
Useful links: Residence, work permition etc./ All useful informations / Study in Poland / Additional information for foreigners.
Cost of living: some examples of average prices per month: Rent in a shared flat (or dormitory) – EUR 80-150 / Rent in a small apartement – EUR 360-500 / Transportation (public transport in big cities) – EUR 15-20 / Telephone/mobile, Internet, TV – EUR 12- 75
More practical information on visas, travel, accommodation, cost of living, health system, etc. can be found on the Study in Poland website.
National holidays (free days):
- 01.01 – New Year
- 06.01 – Epiphany
- Easter – Sunday between 22nd of March and 25th of April / Easter Monday (Wet Monday) – Monday between 23rd of March and 26th of April
- 01.05 – Labour Day
- 03.05 – Feast of the Constitution
- Pentecost/Whit (Exile of the Holy Spirit) – 49 days after Easter (19.05 in 2024)
- Celebration of the Saint Body and Blood of Jesus Christ – Thursday in May/June (30.05 in 2024)
- 15.08 – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- 01.11 – All Saints Day
- 11.11 – Independence Day
- 25.12 – 1st day of Christmas
- 26.12 – 2nd day of Christmas
See you in Warsaw!