A Practical and Complete Travel Guide to Warsaw, Poland

Warsaw, Poland is a vibrant city with a tragic past that underwent a rebirth after being completely destroyed in WWII. It is a city that mixes history, beauty, and modern architecture. In this Travel Guide to Warsaw you will find all the information you need to start planning your trip to this fast growing city.

When is the best time to visit Warsaw?

The best time to visit Warsaw, as any other destination is during the shoulder seasons as the weather is still nice and accommodation prices are cheaper. In Warsaw those months are late April to June or from late August to September. Avoid visiting Warsaw during the Summer as it gets hot and there are more tourists, even though can enjoy more of the surrounding green areas. We have been to Warsaw in late May and late October and both times were magical. In the fall we were able to witness the foliage, which made the city even more colorful and beautiful.

How to get to Warsaw?

The best way to get to Warsaw depends from where you are coming from. We flew from Madrid, taken the train from Krakow and the bus from Berlin. If you are flying into the city, you most likely will arrive at the Frederic Chopin Airport. The airport is about 25 minutes away from the Old Town and you will have to take a private bus, public or an Uber to get to the city. When traveling with multiple people or large amount of luggage it is actually cheaper and easier to take an Uber or a private transfer.

If you are taking the train into Warsaw, you will be arriving to central station. If you arrive by bus we recommend using FlixBus as they have a wide network of bus routes across Europe with comfortable seats and great service!

How to Get Around Warsaw?

It is really easy to travel around Warsaw as they have really good public transport and it is a very walkable city. We use Google Maps to get directions as it also has the information of what bus or tram to take along with the cost.

Where to stay in Warsaw?

It all depends on your preferences and your budget. Our first time in Warsaw we stayed at Hostel Helvetia. The second time we rented an apartment called “Little Home,” which is perfectly located but is on the third floor with no elevator.

How expensive is Warsaw?

Warsaw is not as expensive as other major European cities like Berlin or Paris. We found it pretty affordable, not super cheap nor too expensive. A rough estimate we spent between $40-$60 per person per day including eating out 2-3 meals, transportation and attractions. Once again, it all depends on the activities you choose to do, where you would like to stay and eat.

There is a full guide to travel expenses in Poland if you are looking for a complete breakdown of travel expenses.

Should I have a travel Insurance?

Yes, the answer will always be yes, no matter where you go! We always make sure to travel with an insurance in case things get awry. We use WorldNomads.com as it has a simple and flexible search system that helps me get the right insurance for any type of trip.

What to do in Warsaw?

My favorite activities include visiting the Wilanow Palace, the Palace on the Isle, the viewpoint at the Palace of Culture and Science, take a warsaw food tour, taking a bunch of photos at the Warsaw University Library Rooftop Garden, visiting the Royal Palace, take a free walking tour of Jewish Warsaw, stroll down the streets of the New Town and the Old Town. While in the Old Town make sure to go up to the St. Anne’s Church Observation Deck for a panoramic view of the square and the whole city.

For more info about what to do in Warsaw check our other guides: What to do and see in Warsaw and The Complete Photography Guide with the best Photo Spots in Warsaw.