2 Weeks in Warsaw

What You Should Know Before Going On A Warsaw Tour

Where is Warsaw?

Warsaw is a city located in Masovian Voivodeship, Poland. It is the capital of Poland and is its largest city with 1.7 million inhabitants. Warsaw is an alpha global city, which means that it is an extremely important node in the global economic system. With Poland being home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Warsaw's’ Old Town holds a spot on that list.

Warsaw boasts of diverse architecture which reflects the city's tumultuous past, ranging from Gothic churches and neoclassical palaces to modern skyscrapers and Soviet-era blocks.

The city is  is very close to the other surrounding polish cities. The distance between Warsaw and Krakow is 167 miles while its distance to Lublin is only 95 miles.

When is the Best Time to Visit Warsaw?

The peak months to visit Warsaw are between May through September with temperatures fluctuating in the 60s and 70s. It also rains during this season so be sure to pack an umbrella. Although, there are more crowds in comparison to the colder months, the many seasonal activities make up for it.

With the summer months comes big events like Chopin Summer Concerts where you can hear talented young musicians and world renowned pianists. There are also Warsaw Summer jazz days as well as an International Street Art Festival.

If you're looking to travel to Poland on a budget, you will find cheaper tickets during the colder months of December through February when weather is a chilly 20 to 30 degrees.

Is Warsaw Safe?

Violent crime is almost non existent in Warsaw. With a safe rating of 80.7, it is ranked 16th out of 113 on the ranking of the safest and most dangerous cities. The occasional pickpocket on public transport will occur, but other than this it's is an extremely safe location. For female travelers, it is safe but traveling anywhere you should always use common sense.

One area to avoid as a traveler in Warsaw is Praga. Northern Praga can be dangerous at night and is considered to be the poorest part of the city. The highest amount of crime occurs here in Warsaw.

During spring time, Warsaw may flood in certain areas. Other natural disasters are highly unlikely to occur.

Getting to Warsaw

The easiest and most convenient way to reach Poland capital is by air. There are two international airports in the city that connect the city to the world. Warsaw Chopin Airport is at a distance of about 10 kilometers from the city center and is connected to the city through five bus lines. You can also take a taxi or choose the railway to travel to the city.

Warsaw Modlin Airport, located 35 km from the city center, is a smaller airport and hosts only budget airlines. Take a ModlinBus from there that works 24 hours a day and takes about 50 minutes to reach the city center. If you choose to travel by train, that will be an 1 hour and 15 minutes journey. A taxi is also an option.

Three train stations in Warsaw provide service for domestic as well as international trains. Warszawa Centralna, Warszawa Zachodnia, and Warszawa Wschodnia. You can purchase the tickets online or from the ticket windows at the stations.

Dworzec PKS Warszawa Zachodnia is the only bus station that facilitates national and international bus connections. Tickets can be purchased online or at the station.