Underground, Warsaw

Contrary to most other East European cities, Warsaw opened its Metro after democracy came to Poland. The Metro currently consists of one line running from north to south (15 stations). The first part of the line was inaugurated in April 1995.

The Metro operates between 5 a.m. and 11.15 p.m. It is part of the public transport system of Warsaw, therefore tickets are valid for buses, trams and the Metro. Tickets have to be bought in advance and validated before boarding the Metro.

This is an entry to the underground.
There is only one line of underground in Warsaw, about 23 km length, but they just started to prepare to build the second line. It's a very good way of getting from the northern to the southern part of Warsaw.
You have to validate your ticket before you cross the "ticket zone" line (before you go to the platform).

The underground/ metro is clean and fast. Tickets are bought at a kiosk. We travelled from Natolin to Centrum for 2.40 Zloty each. As there is only one line, it is important to know the destination of the train in order that you go to the correct platform or you will end up going in the wrong direction. At each station there is an announcement about the next stop, but there are also signs in the train showing the various stops, so you can count how many there will be before you reach your destination.

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Warsaw has a new metro line. It was opened few years ago but, unfortunatelly, the line is not complited yet and what is more there is only one line for all Warsaw.

The metro joins the city centre (Pl. Wilsona) with its southern part: Ursynow (Kabaty).
The subway operates between 5 a.m. and 0.41 a.m., and the trains run every 3-4 minutes during peak hours, and every 4-6 minutes outside peak hours. Every day about 350 thousand people use Warsaw metro transportation.

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Warsaw has a one line subway running north-south. Its not very big in comparison with other European Subways, but it does the job. We used it a few times to get from Downtown Warsaw to the Old town.
We bought a 3 day card that cost us about 15zl, which was sufficient for our 3 day visit.

We found the trains to be fairly regular, and journey times very quick. The stations are very clean, and well lit, and we felt completely safe using the subway!

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There is only one north-south metro line in Warsaw as for now (map here) which goes from about 5 am to about midnight. There are 16 metro stations signed by red M in yellow circle (detailed maps here). The metro line is not that much usuful for a visitor to Warsaw but for sure for commuting locals. There are two next lines planned. To cross the metro station gates you must put a ticket into a slot/reader and take it back after validation.

WARNINGS for users of Warsaw city transportation:
1. After boarding bus/tram immediatelly validate your ticket in validating machine (date and time will be printed in your ticket).
2. Always have a valid ticket! There are numerous check-ups run by conductors and a ride without a valid ticket costs 120 zl (32 euros)!
3. Some city buses and trams are very crowded in the morning and afternoon (always watch for pickpockets and read details in my warning and dangers tip, please).
4. If the doors are closed after stopping a bus/tram press the lighted button with the writing DRZWI (doors)
5. There are bus stops marked NA ZADANIE (on demand), you have to hail a bus like a taxi, otherwise it will not stop; and you have to press the button DRZWI in advance the driver to stop you to get off on such bu stop.
6. The bus lines marked in red (401 up and E-1 - E-5) are fast lines, they don't stop on each bus stop and are more expensive.
7. For security reasons there are no trash bins in metro stations. Littering like smoking is ticketed as I noticed (the Big Brother is watching).
8. Timetables (open my next picture) are in Polish language. Let me translate key words:
Przystanek = (bus) stop
Dni powszednie = business days
Swieto i sobota = Saturday and holidays (incl. Sunday)
Nie kursuje = doesn't go (dates are written dd/mm/yyyy mode).

The Underground is relatively efficient in Warsaw, although I only used it a few times and to get all over the city you really need to combine the Underground with buses and trams. Most of what you'll want to see is walkable, with a few exceptions. Be sure to pick up a map at a Ruch Newssand where you also can buy your ticket for 2.40 zl.

The Underground operates from 5 am to 11 pm.

There's only one metro line in Warsaw going south-north across the town. The northern end is still under construction and the works are progressing very slowly.

The metro itself is relatively new but the trains are usually quite crowded in the rush hours. Still, it's the fastest way to get from the southern suburbs to the centre.

The stations are quite clean.

You should hold a valid ticket when entering the platform.

Warsaw is an excellent city to get around using public transport. It is best to buy a weekly ticket if you're there any length of time. It costs the equivalent of £4.

Make sure you stamp your ordinary book of tickets correctly. On the Metro the machine is just inside of the station, otherwise do it as soon as you get on trams or buses.
Bulky luggage requires a ticket of its own.

You will find tickets on sale at Ruch Kiosks. Don't rely 100 percent on being able to purchase one at the station - especially on a night.

The Metro runs from Kabaty, to the residential suburbs of Ursynow into the centre of the city now and presently ends at Dworzec Gdanski.

Trains run approximately every five minutes during the day and every ten minutes in an evening.

After what locals describe as seemingly endless years of planning and construction, Warsaw finally has a metro system, albeit an extremely short and limited one. For now there is only one line extending from Kabaty in the south to Dworzec Gdanski in the north. An extension of this line and the addition of two more lines are on the drawing board for the future, but locals mostly just laughed when I asked when those would be open.

I only rode on it a couple times but I found it to be one of the cleanest and most comfortable underground systems I've ever experienced. No need to buy a separate ticket for the metro. Your bus ticket gives you access to the metro and also the trams.