Quick Answer
Warszawa Centralna — quick reference: PKP IC Pendolino (EIP) to Krakow Główny: 2h20, from PLN 89 (€21). PKP IC Pendolino to Gdańsk Główny: 2h40, from PLN 79. PKP IC Pendolino to Katowice: 2h35. PKP IC TLK Express to Wrocław: 4h05, from PLN 65. PKP EC to Berlin Hbf: 6h, from PLN 199 (€47). PKP EC to Vienna: 9h via Praha. RegioJet to Prague: 9h, from €25. SKM S2 to WAW Chopin airport (Lotnisko): 22 min, PLN 8.40. SKM S3 to Warsaw Modlin airport (WMI): via Modlin Mazovia line + bus shuttle. Metro M1 + M2: at lower level — to Centrum 2 min, Świętokrzyska 5 min. 1975 modernist building: Soviet-era + brutalist style. 3 major Warsaw stations: Centralna (main intercity), Wschodnia (eastern routes), Zachodnia (western routes).
PKP IC Pendolino — Poland high-speed
- EIP Pendolino to Krakow Główny: 2h20 direct, every 1-2h, from PLN 89 (€21) saver.
- EIP Pendolino to Gdańsk Główny: 2h40 direct, from PLN 79.
- EIP Pendolino to Katowice: 2h35.
- EIP Pendolino to Poznań Główny: 2h15.
- TLK Express to Wrocław: 4h05, from PLN 65.
- TLK Express to Lublin: 2h30.
- TLK Express to Białystok: 2h30.
- TLK Express to Olsztyn: 2h45.
- IC (Intercity) classes: EIP (Premium Pendolino), EIC (Express InterCity), IC (regular).
- Cheapest fares: book 6-8 weeks ahead — promo fares from PLN 49.
- Operator: PKP Intercity.
- Eurail/Interrail valid: all PKP trains.
- Booking: intercity.pl, PKP app, station counters.
International — Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Lithuania
- EC to Berlin Hbf: 6h direct, every 2h, from PLN 199 (€47).
- EC to Prague (via Wrocław + Olomouc): 11h with change.
- EC to Vienna (via Břeclav): 9h via Praha.
- EC to Budapest (via Prague): ~11h.
- EC to Kyiv: SUSPENDED (war in Ukraine).
- EC to Lviv (Ukraine): SUSPENDED.
- EC to Vilnius (Lithuania): 10h via Białystok + Šeštokai bus connection.
- Rail Baltica (future): Warsaw-Vilnius-Riga-Tallinn-Helsinki — under construction, not operational yet.
- Nightjet to Vienna: 14h, sleeper option.
- RegioJet (private): Bus + train Praha + Bratislava + Budapest options.
- FlixBus international: to Berlin €15, Vienna €25, Prague €15.
WAW Chopin airport + Modlin (WMI)
- SKM S2 + S3 to WAW Chopin (Lotnisko Chopina): 22 min direct, every 15-20 min.
- Price: PLN 8.40 single (Warsaw transit ZTM ticket valid).
- Hours: 4:50am-11:30pm.
- Bus 175: from city centre to WAW Chopin — alternative.
- To Modlin Airport (WMI, low-cost airlines): SKM S3 train to Modlin Mazovia station + shuttle bus to terminal. Total ~45 min, PLN 28.
- Modlin Bus: direct from Warsaw centre to WMI, 50 min PLN 38 — easier than train + shuttle combo.
- Taxi WAW Chopin to Centralna: PLN 55-80 (€13-19).
- Bolt + Uber: PLN 40-60.
- Cheaper than taxi: SKM PLN 8.40 vs taxi PLN 55-80.
Warsaw Metro + city transit
- Metro M1 + M2: at lower level Centralna.
- M1 (north-south, blue): Centralna → Centrum 2 min → Świętokrzyska 5 min → Ratusz Arsenał (Old Town) 8 min.
- M2 (east-west, red): Centralna → Świętokrzyska (transfer) → Nowy Świat-Uniwersytet 4 min.
- Tram lines 7, 9, 22, 24, 25: at street level Aleje Jerozolimskie.
- Walking to Old Town: 20-25 min — or M1 metro 8 min + walk.
- Walking to Palace of Culture (PKiN): 5 min — Soviet-era landmark.
- Single ZTM ticket (Zone 1): PLN 4.40 (75 min validity).
- Day ticket Zone 1: PLN 15.
- 72h Zone 1: PLN 36.
- Weekend ticket (Fri 19:00-Mon 08:00): PLN 24.
- Warsaw Pass: 24h €23 / 48h €33 / 72h €42 — transit + 50+ museums + restaurants.
- Apps: ZTM Warszawa, Jakdojade, Bolt.
Services, food, safety
- 1975 modernist building: Soviet-era brutalist style + signature concrete + glass.
- Below-ground main level: shopping arcade + ticket counters + waiting halls.
- Left luggage: automated lockers + manual storage. PLN 25-40 per 24h.
- WiFi free: PKP Intercity network.
- Salonik PKP IC lounge: EIP Pendolino + EIC Premium passengers.
- Food: KFC, Subway, McDonald’s, Costa, Carrefour Express, Biedronka.
- ATMs: PKO BP, Pekao SA, mBank, ING. AVOID Euronet ATMs — high fees + bad rates.
- Pharmacy (Apteka): in main hall.
- Currency exchange (Kantor): Centralna kantors among worst rates. Use bank ATMs only. Or “Wymiana Walut” near Marszałkowska — better rates.
- Tourist info (Visit Warsaw): in Pomnik Mikołaja Kopernika area, 10-min walk.
- Accessibility: elevators present, some platforms still partially step-up.
- Safety: generally safe — Warsaw safer than many western European capitals. Pickpockets at metro entrances + tram stops.
- Common scams: (1) “Tourist taxi” overcharging — always use Bolt or Free Now app, (2) currency exchange marked “0% commission” = worst rates, (3) friendly strangers offering vodka shots in clubs.
- Late-night arrivals: station 24h + metro until 1am. Bolt taxi readily available.
- Wschodnia + Zachodnia: Warszawa Wschodnia (Eastern) for some EC trains east; Warszawa Zachodnia (Western) for some routes west — check ticket carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
PKP Warsaw to Krakow?
Pendolino EIP 2h20 direct, every 1-2h, from PLN 89 (€21). TLK slower 5h from PLN 35. Best value Pendolino booked 6+ weeks ahead.
Warsaw Centralna to WAW Chopin?
SKM S2/S3 train 22 min direct PLN 8.40 — every 15-20 min. Or bus 175. Cheaper than taxi PLN 55-80.
Warsaw to Berlin train?
EC 6h direct, every 2h, from PLN 199 (€47). Beautiful route via Poznań. Alternative FlixBus 6h €15.
Warsaw Modlin airport?
WMI airport (Ryanair + low-cost). SKM S3 + shuttle bus 45 min PLN 28. Or Modlin Bus direct 50 min PLN 38 — easier.
Centralna vs Wschodnia Warsaw?
Centralna = main intercity (most travelers). Wschodnia = some Eastern trains (Belarus formerly, now limited). Zachodnia = some western routes. Always check ticket.
Warsaw currency exchange?
AVOID kantors marked ‘0% commission’ (worst rates). Bank ATMs (PKO BP, Pekao SA) = best rates. Or ‘Wymiana Walut’ near Marszałkowska.
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