For route planning, go to Jakdojade.pl.

Warsaw

Rather disappointingly, Poland only has one metro system - in Warsaw, and it's quite small. Therefore, all information in this article applies only to one city, though simultaneously to the entirety of metro transport in Poland. In general, the Warsaw metro is very well-functioning, with very frequent departures, well-kept trains and stations, and an easy ticket purchasing system.

Warsaw's metro is comprised of two lines - the North-South blue M1 line and the West-East red M2 line, with the M1 being significantly longer and with departures every 2.5 minutes compared to the M2's 5 minutes.

metro trains

Warsaw's metro trains are mainly modern, though approximately 30% of trains are older-generation trains (though still entirely fine). They have plenty of seats, which means you only have to stand in rush hour.

stations

Metro stations in Warsaw are generally well-kept. All stations have multiple entrances (though not always with escalators!), a ticket-purchasing area, and a metro platform. Some are more modern than others - the M2 line in particular is very modern. However, even the older stations are of Western European standards.

Warsaw has an integrated ticket system in which all public transport tickets are valid for all types of public transport, including metro, tram, bus, and urban rail. To read more about this ticket system and types of tickets, head to our Warsaw article.

Nonetheless, there are things specific to the metro system that belong in this article.

ticket purchasing areas and validation gates

Every station is equipped with a ticket purchasing area with a few ticket machines (read more about them in our Warsaw article), as well as validation gates. To pass through a validation gate, you must enter your ticket into a special hole in the gate, which unlocks the gate. By entering your ticket into the hole, you validate the ticket, and, if your ticket is, for example, valid for 20 minutes, the clock starts ticking. If you already have a valid ticket, when you enter your ticket into the hole, the gate unlocks and your ticket is unaffected.

Your ticket is returned to you after you enter it into the hole in the ticket validation gate. Remember to take it back before you pass through the gate.

rules

There are two rules you must consider when taking the metro in Warsaw.

on the platform

As insane as it sounds, even if you are not taking the metro, you must have a valid ticket while on the platform of a metro station (as in: past the ticket validation gates).

ticket control

Your ticket can be checked by a ticket controler both on the platform and in the train. Your ticket must be valid from the moment you go past the ticket validation gates to the moment you leave through the gates at your destination station. You must always have your ticket at your disposal.