Warsaw’s public transport is still one unified system run by ZTM, but ticket prices and how you buy them have changed over the years. Here’s an update with current 2026 information.
Public transport in Warsaw
We’ve covered finding an apartment in Warsaw before. Today, let’s dig into getting around the capital.
The whole public transport network is run by a single company: ZTM (Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego), the Warsaw Public Transport Authority. Which means Warsaw has a single, unified ticket valid across the whole city, from SKM trains to suburban buses.
You can check when your tram or bus is arriving via the ZTM website, electronic displays at stops, or a mobile app. A popular tool among locals is jakdojade.pl, along with the official ZTM app.
Ticket types and current 2026 prices
Warsaw is split into two transport zones: Zone 1 and Zone 2. Zone 1 is the capital itself; Zone 2 covers satellite municipalities that have signed an agreement with ZTM allowing their residents to use the capital’s public transport. If you’re heading to IKEA in Janki, for example, make sure you have a valid Zone 2 ticket.
ZTM offers many ticket types (the full list is on the ZTM website), but if you’re new to Warsaw and staying briefly, three types cover most needs (Zone 1 prices, current as of mid-2026):
| Ticket type | Price (Zone 1) |
|---|---|
| 20-minute ticket | 3.40 PLN |
| 75-minute transfer ticket | 4.40 PLN |
| 24-hour ticket | 15.00 PLN |
Zone 1+2 has separate pricing. Always check ZTM’s website for the current full price list, as fares are periodically revised.
The Warsaw City Card
If you plan to stay in Warsaw for a while, single or 24-hour tickets aren’t cost-effective: a monthly or three-month ticket is a better deal. This kind of ticket can only be loaded onto a personalized card with your name and photo, which you can get at any ZTM customer service point.
If you pay taxes in Warsaw and can prove it (with a UPO tax filing confirmation), you can qualify for the “Karta Warszawiaka” discount: this program is still active in 2026 and applies to monthly and three-month tickets.
Where to buy tickets in Warsaw
There are no conductors on Warsaw’s public transport, and drivers aren’t obligated to sell you a ticket. Buy your ticket ahead of time: ticket machines are available on newer trams, at stops, in metro stations, and on suburban train platforms; tickets are also sold at kiosks (Relay, Ruch). Many machines support multiple languages.
Remember: there are no conductors in Warsaw, so make sure you have a valid ticket before you travel. Fines for fare evasion remain significant, so check ZTM’s website for the current amount, since fines are periodically adjusted.
The Warsaw metro
Metro Warszawskie: as of 2026, the capital still has two metro lines, crossing in the center at Świętokrzyska station. Line M1 connects the northern district of Bielany with the southern district of Kabaty. Line M2 runs through the center, the Old Town area (Krakowskie Przedmieście), and the National Stadium. A third line, M3, is still in the planning stage and not yet open to passengers.
The metro runs from early morning to late at night, and until 3 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Trams and buses in Warsaw
Trams in Warsaw are a fast alternative in areas without a metro, since tram tracks are largely separated from road traffic. Most modern trams (including those made by PESA) are low-floor and accessible. Buses are also mostly low-floor with air conditioning; many streets have dedicated bus lanes (buspasy) to avoid congestion.
Besides regular lines, there are express buses (numbered 5xx) that skip fewer stops, and even faster express lines (e.g., E-2, E-4) with fewer stops still. Night buses (numbered Nxx) run from midnight to early morning, typically every 30 minutes.
Commuter trains: SKM, WKD, and KM
SKM (Szybka Kolej Miejska): Fast Urban Rail connects the capital with satellite towns (Piaseczno, Legionowo, Otwock, Pruszków) and effectively acts as surface-level metro for districts without underground lines, like Ursus or Rembertów. SKM trains run within Zones 1 and 2 and accept standard ZTM tickets.
WKD (Warszawska Kolej Dojazdowa): the Warsaw Commuter Railway, considered one of the most punctual forms of transport. Within Zone 1, a standard monthly ZTM ticket is valid, but ZTM’s Zone 2 doesn’t apply on the WKD line, so for trips further out (e.g., to Milanówek), you’ll need a separate WKD ticket.
KM (Koleje Mazowieckie): Mazovian Railways serve the entire region. With a monthly Zone 1 or 2 ZTM ticket, you can travel within the agglomeration; for longer trips, you’ll need to pay extra from the boundary station onward. It’s best to buy KM tickets in advance at a ticket counter or machine, since buying from a conductor on board may incur a surcharge.
Getting to Warsaw’s airports
Chopin Airport is located within ZTM’s Zone 1, so you can reach it via the SKM lines (S2, S3) using a standard city fare, with no special ticket needed.
Modlin low-cost airport (Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki) is located outside Warsaw’s city zones. You can get there by KM/SKM train to Modlin station, then a shuttle bus (timed to flight schedules) or taxi from the station to the terminal. Check the current schedule and fares directly on the Koleje Mazowieckie and Modlin Airport websites, as the connection setup is periodically updated.
Author: MojaFirma content team.
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