From inexpensive transportation options to free cultural events and affordable milk bars serving traditional Polish fare. For tourists on a tight budget, Warsaw is heaven. Learn how to enjoy the best of the city at a fair price by reading our guide.
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Getting Around
Take the Local Bus from the Warsaw Chopin Airport
Take a local bus from the Warsaw Chopin airport to the city center to start saving money straight away (nr 175, 188, and the night bus N32). You can take the train or the Modlin Bus, which will get you to the Palace of Science and Culture in the heart of Warsaw in about an hour if you are flying into Warsaw Modlin Airport, which is 45 kilometers from the city.
Spending your weekend in Warsaw
Make sure to get a weekend ticket if you're staying for the weekend. This ticket is good for usage on any public transportation, including buses, trams, and the subway, from Friday at 7 p.m. to Monday at 8 a.m. If the weather permits, you may simply navigate the city by renting a Venturillo public bike or strolling around on foot.
Where to Stay
Warsaw’s central Śródmieście district
To make getting around Warsaw easier, it's usually advisable to stay in the city's ródmiecie neighborhood. Instead of booking a hotel room, consider an Airbnb or hostel. You'll experience far greater social interaction and financial savings. Many hostels provide free city tours, and homeowners on Airbnb are likely to share helpful insider information that will help them experience Warsaw like a local.
What to do
Free Museums
Warsaw’s must-see museums include the Warsaw Rising Museum, the POLIN History of the Polish Jews Museum, and the Copernicus Science Centre. Tickets don’t cost a fortune, but if you want to experience them for free, plan your visit to the annual Night of Museums on May 20, 2017. Last year, over 250 museums took part in the event.
Free Walking Tours
A fantastic way to learn more about the city is to sign up for one of the many free guided tours available, including Warsaw at War, Chopin's Warsaw, Old Town Warsaw, Communist Warsaw, and Alternative Warsaw. These tours are all offered by guides who speak English, Spanish, and Italian.
Łazienki Park
Take a stroll through Łazienki, the most picturesque park in Warsaw, on a sunny day. The 17th-century Palace on the Isle, a peacock sanctuary, and a bronze statue of the Polish musician Frederic Chopin may all be found here. Every Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer, free outdoor classical music performances are held here.
Simply Walk Around
It's always advisable to explore different neighborhoods on foot, from the hipster favorite Plac Zbawiciela and the alternative Praga area to majestic churches (free entry) and historical landmarks of Krakowskie Przedmiecie and the Old Town.
Where to Eat
Milk Bars
Visit one of the strategically placed milk bars like Bambino, Prasowy, or Bar Familijny for a really Polish and reasonably priced dining experience (milk bars were immensely popular in postwar socialist Poland). Make sure to sample some traditional Polish dishes like borsch soup, pierogi, and kotlet schabowy.
Lunch Offers
When dining out, always inquire about discounts. The daily lunch menu is something that many restaurants in Warsaw offer, and it is always less expensive than purchasing meals à la carte..
Street Food
Great food markets have also exploded in number in recent years in Warsaw. Young locals and families love the weekend Breakfast Market (Targ niadaniowy), which is held in a variety of places on Saturdays and Sundays (it's always a good idea to check the events tab of their Facebook page before attending). On the weekends, the Burakowska 14 market is open until 2 am and sells everything from locally sourced veggies to trendy food trucks serving Polish and foreign cuisine. A fantastic destination to find goods created in the area is Hala Mirowska.
We've reached the end of the article about the Budget-Friendly Trip to Warsaw. This city has a fantastic atmosphere, and we believe you will love it as much as we did! In the meantime, you can read other articles on our blog. How about Best Museums in Warsaw or What to Visit in Warsaw? Remember to follow us @thewalkingparrot to be continuously updated on the new releases. We will be back soon with a new article!