|
Money: The cheapest way to change money is to take
it out of an ATM, but make sure you bring a second source of money
in case your credit card does not work in Poland.
The Airport Kiosk: Whilst you have the opportunity
at the airport you may want to buy the following things (see why
below): Phone card, tram/bus/metro tickets, "Warsaw
In Your Pocket".
Phone cards: Phone cards are available at newsstand
kiosks called "Ruch" in denominations of 25 or 50 units. Once you
have bought your card you need to activate it by snapping off the
perforated corner. Phoning is much cheaper in Poland by fixed phone
than by mobile.
Taxis: As in all of Eastern Europe, taxi drivers
are a mixed bag. After coming through customs, you may well be offered
a taxi by men waiting amongst the crowd. Never accept this offer.
Either:
Buy a telephone card at the newspaper kiosk and telephone 9644 (Wawa
taxi - the cheapest in town). There should be an English speaker
to help you. Ask for the taxi to come to Odloty (departures) upstairs.
The taxi normally comes in 10 minutes and you will have to give
your name to the driver to confirm he was ordered for you.
Or
If the kiosks are closed, go upstairs to departures and try to get
a taxi there. Never take a taxi not displaying a corporation name
AND a phone number. a ride into town will cost between 20 and 35
zloty depending on the tariff (50% extra evenings and public holidays).
You MUST have polish currency to pay them. Taxis don't carry much
change so try to have 50 zloty note to hand. Never let a taxi driver
drive you un-metered.
Bus/Tram/Metro tickets: Whilst we don't recommend
using public transport for the airport connection, it is certainly
worth buying a ticket for every day you will be in town. Tickets
are valid on all forms of public transport. Like phone cards these
can be bought at the "Ruch" kiosks (there is one at the airport).
There are two types of ticket:
1 day ticket ("bilet dzienny"). Just stamp it once in the machines
on the bus or tram and it's valid all day. Cost: About 5 zloty.
1 stretch ticket ("bilet normalny"). This is just valid for the
vehicle on which you travel. If you change vehicles, you need to
use another ticket. Don't forget to punch the ticket or a Neanderthal
ticket inspector will get you for sure. Cost: 1.60 Zloty.
"Warsaw
In Your Pocket": This little magazine is packed with useful
information about what to do in Warsaw. If you can't get a copy
at the airport, you can always try the newsstands inside the bigger
hotels.
In Town
Restaurants: There are plenty of these, especially
in the Old Town. However, price and quality vary dramatically around
the tourist areas. Always be careful about ordering wine. It can
be extremely expensive (or very cheap). Check the price if you let
the waiter choose your wine for you. Check the "Warsaw Insider"
for restaurant comment. If you don't have a copy, budget for up
to 50 zloty per person (starter, main course and 1 drink). If the
menu looks like it will cost more, you are either in a very good
restaurant or a tourist trap.
Service quality also varies. If the service is too good, you will
be paying for it in the prices. There is no rule for tipping. Poles
tend not to tip, but foreigners do, so it's up to you. Don't tip
more than 10% unless you feel you have to.
Warsaw's top restaurants include "Fukier" and Gessler - both in
Old Town Square, "Belvedere" - in Lazienki park, and the Bristol
Hotel Restaurant, a short stroll from the Old Town. The Bristol
also does an excellent "Brunch" on Sunday afternoon. All you can
eat and drink (very good sparkling wines) for a very reasonable
fixed price.
Taxis: Same rule as at the airport. Never take
a taxi not displaying a corporation name and phone number. You will
find some taxi stands in touristy spots where these "good" taxis
never go to.
Sights: It is best to buy a guide to get the best from
Warsaw, but key sights include:
The Palace of Culture. a present from the Russians built with Polish
money. The Poles hate it, but no-one knows what to do with it, as
it is a key feature of Warsaw's architecture.
Lazienki park. This is the nicest park in town, with a palace or
two thrown in for good measure.
The Old Town museum (in the Old Town Square - free entry). a fascinating
glimpse of Polish history including devastation during the War and
the effects 40 years of communist rule.
The Russian Market. You are unlikely to find this in any guide book,
but it is interesting nevertheless. You need to get up early. It
starts around 5:30a.m. and ends before midday. Get yourself all
manner of clothes, military knick-knacks and bootlegged CDs and
software for bargain prices. The CDs normally work, but beware the
software. Don't wear nice clothes and don't carry a handbag. This
is a place to be cautious.
Shopping: To be honest Warsaw, is not a shopper's
paradise. It would be better to keep your money for your next trip
to London or Paris. If however you insist, the largest shopping
street is Marszalkowska near the Palace of Culture. Avoid buying
foreign brands though, as they are inevitably bootlegs or much more
expensive than you can buy them for at home.
Night Life: Here is Warsaw's forte. Again, you
need a copy of the Warsaw Insider for the latest places to go, but
some interesting ideas are:
An after dinner drink in the Panorama Cafe on the 40th floor of
the Marriott Hotel on Jerozolimskie street. Have a look at the city
lights whilst sipping expensive cocktails.
There are many cafes and discos in Warsaw. a good place to find
both is Foksal street. It doesn't have many, but the entertainment
level is high. The disco is right at the end in a cul de sac. For
other discos, ask a Taxi driver to take you to "Ground Zero", "Tango"
or the "Labyrinth". There is a ladies night at "Loch" on Thursdays.
Chippendale imitations dance for your entertainment.
"Lolek", the best of 3 pubs in "Pole Mokotwskie" (a park). Fred-Flintstone
couldn't have designed this place better himself. This place is
fun day or night.
1 a.m. and don't want to go to a disco? Try the bar at the Bristol
Hotel. Open until 2 a.m. Very Plush, and spitting distance to your
apartment.
|
