Taxis, Warsaw

The easiest way to get from the airport to your hotel in Warsaw is to take a taxi. Normally, taxi fares are very inexpensive in Warsaw, but at the airport you need to be cautious. You will almost surely be approached by people inside the terminal offering taxi rides, but be aware that these people are known locally as the "mafia taxis." They will charge far more that the trip is worth, so instead just go outside and pick up one of the "real" taxis from the que. My taxi fare from the aiport was very reasonable, but another person in my trip hired one of the mafia drivers and got charged about three times what I did.

When you arrive in Warsaw and there is no one to meet you at the airport the first people to welcome you will be the drivers of private taxis. In fact, you will probably get so many offers of their services that you will find it hard to choose one. Don't be tempted and ignore them. Many of them will just try to rip you off or take you on a tour of Warsaw when all you want is to get to your hotel. Walk to the official taxi-rank or come up to the stand of Sawa Taxi and ask them to send a taxi for you. The difference in what you will pay can amount to a hundred zloties or more. A ride to the centre shouldn't cost more than about 40 zloties. Always ask in advance how much you will have to pay. Better write the name of the place you are going to or the driver might later say that he misunderstood you.
Beware also when your hotel orders a taxi for you. Don't get into the first taxi you see - dishonest taxi-drivers often lurk there too. Ask the people at the reception to write the name of the firm and the number of the taxi for you and don't get into any other one. Forewarned is forearmed.

The second we stepped out of the Etiuda terminal, we got a man with a taxi driver badge offering us a ride to our hostel for the "nice" price of 140 PLN "because after 10pm it's another rate". We immediately said no because according to our hostel we shouldn't pay more than 40. Then he laughed at us and said "40? Well maybe one of those" and pointed out the MPT taxis and all this time I was thinking "What? Do we look like we're made of money?" (expressed here in a suitable and polite manner). We took one of those and guess what? We paid 40. On the way to Terminal 1 we paid around 28 PLN using a company the hostel called and this was at 6am. So don't give in to this ripoff! There's no need to pay more than you have to. When in doubt, always contact your hotel.

Welcome to Warsaw! But make sure you do not have a bad start at the airport: Just ignore the guys offering you taxi service at the entrance hall of Warsaw airport - even though sometimes they show some official looking ID cards to you.

Just exit the hall and pick a taxi outside. Make sure it has the name of a company displayed on its roof-top. (Same applies anywhere in the city). All no-name taxis should be avoided - they have to overcharge now a lot, to make business of the few people who do not know about them yet. ;-)

I was warned and I knew all the scams and I still think we got overcharged by not checking if the meter was reset.

Try to look for taxis with phone numbers at the airport, don't take one that approaches you in the terminal, go outside to the curb.

Make sure the meter is reset, the ride from the airport to central Warsaw should be 25-30 zl.

Agree a price before entering the taxi.
The first kilometre generally costs 3.60 PLN, thereafter 1.60 PLN. Rates go up to 2.40 PLN after 22:00 and at weekends. There is no baggage charge. Overcharging is most likely to happen at the airport, Central station, the Old Town or near one of the larger hotels. Non-affiliated taxis should be avoided - it is advisable to take one with the telephone number on the top of the taxi and advertising on the side of the car.

Taxis are metered and can be hailed on the street, although fares are usually cheaper if the taxi is ordered by telephone. There are also a number of private firms. Payment can be made by credit card with the following companies: Halo Taxi (tel: 96 23), Ele Taxi (tel: 811 1111), O'K! Taxi (tel: 96 28) and MPT Taxi (tel: 919). Other taxis firms include: BT Taxi (tel: 622 2222), Nowa Taxi (tel: 96 87) and Wawa Taxi (tel: 96 44).

Be careful!Once I wanted to pay with Euro and I didn't know the currency exchange, I paid more than the taxi was supposed to receive. He just got the money and didn't mention anything. Also taxi drivers don't speak English, so they'd use this as an excuse. It's better to pay with a credit card when possible, so check with the driver before you jump in.

Warsaw is special because of black-business with taxi. There are many black taxi, who has normal numbers, signs, but they use people and take 2-3 times more cash than it has to be.
Before going there i found all official taxi numbers and names on internet, then i took only them.
We made even a little research. Went to one taxi by Palace of Culture and Science and asked how much it will be to go our hotel and went to another taxi, from another corner. The way is the same, but they wanted to take 2 times different price. Black taxi even required us to jump in his taxi.. We run away.
So going there first what You guys should do is to google!

There are now stands at the airport operated by reliable taxi firms. They are in the arrivals hall, to the left of the doors. Any of them will get you a taxi. Should be about 30zloty to the centre.

Contrary to some of the advice on this page, DO NOT get a taxi from the kerb outside. Many are ok and come from the same firms that have stands inside, but some are not and will charge you whatever they think they can get.

If you need a taxi elsewhere, ask the barman in a bar or restaurant. They will get you decent one. Or try MPT on (004822) 919 or ELE on (004822) 811 1111. They are honest and some of the switchboard operators speak English.

If you flag a taxi down or get one in the street, make sure it's got the both the name of a company on top AND a four digit phone number (or the ELE number 8111111).

The meter will have a tariff number on. It will be 1 for daytimes, 2 for after midnight. 3 and four are for public holidays. All taxis now give printed receipts (paragon).

BEWARE OF PRIVATE TAXIS IN WARSAW. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES GET INTO A TAXI OFF THE STREET UNLESS YOU ARE 100% sure the taxi belongs to a reputable taxi company such as Wawa.

I used a private taxi called GABO TAXI OWNED BY GABRIEL LECH. I told him I wanted to go to "Brudnowski" Hospital. Instead, he ended up taking me to "Praski" Hospital. When We arrived at the wrong destination, he started calling me names and became very aggressive. When I told him to let me out of his taxi, he locked my door and made threats that he would put a fist in my face if I didn't shut up. He said I would have to pay the fare and wouldn't allow me to get out of the taxi, blaming me for his mistake he said he doesn't drive "BUMS" around the city for free.

Please be sure not to get into a car with this man driving. His taxi has a "Wawa" or similar sign on it but this taxi is not affiliated with "Wawa" taxis.

His name is GABRIEL LECH. THIS MAN IS A CROOK AND HAS NO RESPECT FOR HIS PASSENGERS WHO FOR HIM ARE JUST BUMS THAT ARE THERE TO PAY HIM FOR HIS SHODDY SERVICES. EVEN THOUGH I was born OS, MY POLISH IS Excellent and I clearly said I wanted to go to Szpital Brudnowski not Praski.

He is extremely dangerous and aggressive.

Other private taxis in Warsaw are equally dangerous. They overcharge and approach tourists at the airport. Always go to a recommended taxi rank at the airport. Do not accept unsolicited offers from private taxi drivers at the airport arrivals terminal or off the street.

I gave him 50PLN and he gavee me 10PLN in change. The Fare was 28,90PLN