Warsaw day trip, tips, advice, etc?

pin

Hi

Done a search, but no luck, so here goes.

I'm off to Warsaw on Saturday for a day trip. Any tips, advice, etc on what to see and do?

I get in at about 11am and fly back at about 6pm.

Also any advice on best way to get to and from the airport?

Thanks

Smiley_Mum

There is this Lonely Planet guide on Warsaw

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/poland/warsaw/see

I've been to Poland, unfortunately Warsaw was just a passing through the train station at 5am to catch train to Berlin.

Take some Rennies or some kind of indigestion remedy. I found Polish food very hard on the tum unless you stick junk food, probably the oil from the coffee among other things. Maybe that was due to my attending a wedding when I was there which went on for two days, they know how to party, and boy do they like their vodka!!!

There are usually some McDonalds to be found which are cheap and cheerful.

Buying pressies, I found amber and silver jewellery cheap compared to here and also coal ornaments which could be bought at a fraction of the price they can be bought here.

Hang onto your stuff as you'll probably encounter gypsies, kids begging, particularly your camera. If you go to take a picture they'll hover like vultures trying to grab it.

It helps if you know a few words of Polish. It is very difficult to learn but

N-yeah moo-veech po pole-skoo is I don't speak Polish.

N-yeah re-zoom-yem is I don't understand.

Tak and N-yeah are Yes and No.

Similar to Czech/Russian for Good day, evening etc.

I took a little Hugo Polish phrase book.

http://polish.slavic.pitt.edu/dictionary.pdf

I don't know what Poland is like now, I was there in 1996.

Was in Lodz, Piotrokow and Krakow. Visited at end of September and spent five days there, I remember it was very, very cold. It's hot just now so no problems.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?world=0056

http://www.ehow.com/how_9409_time-trip-warsaw.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_6106_learn-key-phrases.html

http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.fan.scarecrow/browse_thread/thread/f30364da98c4a5a2/a36d01fac23491fa?lnk=st&q=Eating+out+in+Warsaw&rnum=1&hl=en#a36d01fac23491fa

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poland

I'll give you an idea of the cost of things in Krakow, probably similar to Warsaw. There were four of us and to have a large Coke, a large pizza and the best dessert on the menu in Pizzeria Grace in Krakow (very popular with Americans), was around £10 for the four of us. McDonalds was very cheap to eat at. Things may be a little dearer now since becoming an EU member but can't see it changing that much.

http://www.excite.co.uk/travel/guides/europe/poland/Currency

We had dollars in cash and they were readily accepted at the local American Express office. Now states that sterling is better. Might be worth checking.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/letters/eur/pol_pc.htm#Scam

Noted a lot mentioned on the Lonely Planet forums about being fined for not having a ticket for backpacks on the trams etc, beware of undercover inspectors who sneak up on you. So when getting tram tickets etc get 2, one for you and one for your backpack or you'll get fined, so it states. One post states that this guy that got fined was told to get a pamphlet on the public transport system to enable you to buy the correct tickets etc, but then it states about being fined if the ticket is the wrong ticket for the size of backpack etc. What a carry on.

Also, be sure to take a copy of your passport etc and keep it safe, inside your shoes :rolleyes:. Just incase a policeman asks to see your passport and then you have to pay a fortune to get it back, someone states 100 USD to get their's back. Keep your hand on your cash at all times and don't get distracted etc. Difficult I know but keep your wits about you.

There must be someone out there who has been to Warsaw recently.

I didn't get bothered by anything like that, perhaps because we were sightseeing etc with Polish friends and my boyfriend was a big, burly guy so I don't think anyone would have tussled with him.

Have a good trip. Post back on the thread and let us know how you go with the trip.

There is this one too

http://www.nomadicsimes.com/warsawguide.html

They have KFC, McDonalds, Pizza Hut etc in Warsaw if you don't want to try the Polish food. I was hit hard due to the wedding food I think, good but my stomach just couldn't cope, pretty greasy, rich food.

fifeken

I don't know about buses etc from the airport but if you want a taxi, do not use any of the guys running around pestering you in the arrivals hall - they are crooks. Go outside to the taxi rank and get a licensed one.
They opened a new terminal last year (for the budget airlines I think). If you are leaving from there, be aware it is worse than basic. One small shop (cigs and tatty souvenirs), no bar, no restaurant, nothing! The main terminal is reasonable - just!
I've no idea if i've spelt it correctly it but Dzhen dobry is good day.

pin

I've actually found a good source of information, not just for Poland, but for other places:

http://www.inyourpocket.com/

Mr_Warren_2

Warsaw is a lovely city and contrary to previous comments, food is very nice (shame on Smiley_Mum for recommanding MacDo's!) they eat a lot of pork so you'll have a wide choice of meal to choose from. One of my favourite (and their's too) is a soup made with beef tripes called "Flaky". All restaurants serve it and it costs absolutaly nothing.
For the little time you have, I strongly recommend to go the what was once the "Warsaw Ghetto". You will have to use your imagination as Warsaw was litterally reduced to a pile of rubble no higher than the waist during WWII. They have put pictures and a good display for visitors to see what life was like.
Take a stroll in around the central Station, it is all being done up and if you like modern architecture, you won't be disappointed. The new shopping centre next to the station has a glass dome looking like the shell of an armadillo. Quite a piece of engineering.
Enjoy Warsaw as to my own knowledge and experience, this is one of the most dynamic cities of the old East Europe.

Smiley_Mum

I didn't recommend it, just an alternative. My stomach was hit hard with the wedding grub, booze etc. My stomach didn't know what hit it, definitely the coffee, although good, it was the oil in it that really did it. And as I'm not really a drinker, I couldn't get out of not having Wedding Vodka at 50% proof, shot after shot. If your glass was empty the brides father just went around and filled it up again. Boy, I suffered. If your stomach is healthy and strong then fine, go and try the Polish food, no problems. Just I suffered by over indulgence by attending a wedding that we knew nothing about before our visit. What a bash though.

pin

Just come back from Warsaw (yesterday). Had a great time. Weather was perfect and was a good city to walk around in.

Was very easy getting from airport to town, the 175 bus, took about 25 minutes. Had about 4 hours in the city, most of it walking around the old town. Also there was a street carnival going on, so I joined in for a bit!

Food was great. Me being a veggie, thought I would struggle. Not so, the restaurant I ended up eating in was very accomodating for me.

I'm waiting to board a flight to New York at the moment, so have not time to write everything properly, will do so when I get a spare minute.

Jem8472

Pity I missed this thread earlier because I have been loads to Warsaw and i love the city. Glad you enjoyed it and the Old city is a wonderful place to walk round.
I love it for the fact that not many people know about it yet. So there are not hordes of toruists there.................... yet

pin

I'm propably going to be back in Warsay in May, so more suggestions the more welcome.

I have to agree I did find it was great that the place was not rammed with tourists. There is tourism in Warsaw, but it seems to be very unabtrusive (sp?)

Also should have mentioned the day I was there there were LOADS of weddings going on.