Public Transport
The Municipal Transport Board, ZTM (tel: (022) 827 3747, from 0700-1530; e-mail: info@ztm.waw.pl; Web site: www.ztm.waw.pl), operates the bus and tram network, connecting all parts of the city, as well as the miniature metro.

Buses and trams run 0500-2300. Night bus routes converge near Warszawa Centralna (Warsaw Central), aleja Jerozolimskie 54, half-hourly 2315-0445.

The one-line metro system runs every five to eight minutes 0500-2315, from the southern suburbs to the city centre.

Tickets, valid for all modes of transport, must be purchased before boarding. They are available at the green Ruch kiosks, post offices, hotels and most restaurants. A single fare costs Z2.50. With every change, a new ticket must be punched in the metal boxes inside the bus or tram, or before entering the platform on the underground. A full-price ticket must be punched for each large piece of luggage. The fare for night buses is Z7.50, which can be paid directly to the driver.

A one-day pass costs Z10 and is valid until midnight, while a one-week ticket costs Z36. A group ticket (two adults and three children) costs Z16, while a weekend ticket (for a group of up to five people) is valid from 0000 Friday to 2400 Sunday and costs Z28. These can be purchased from kiosks, at the City Transportation Office - on plac Unii Lubelskiej, or at ulica Senatorska 37 (entrance from Saski Garden) - between 0730-1500. Students up to the age of 26 are entitled - on production of an ISIC card - to reduced fares and children under four years travel free.

Taxis
Taxis are metered and can be hailed on the street, although fares are usually cheaper if the taxi is ordered by telephone. There are also a number of private firms. Payment can be made by credit card with MPT Radio Taxi (tel: (022) 919), Halo Taxi (tel: (022) 9623) and OK! Taxi (tel: (022) 9628). Other taxi firms include BT Taxi (tel: (022) 622 2222) and Nowa Taxi (tel: (022) 9687).

Travellers should agree a price before getting into a taxi. The first kilometre generally costs Z4.00 and Z1.60 thereafter. Rates go up between 2200 and 0600 and at weekends. Rates going out of the city centre area are also higher. There is no baggage charge and tipping is usually around 10f the fare. Overcharging is most likely to happen at the airport, central station, the Old Town or near one of the larger hotels. Non-affiliated taxis should be avoided - it is best to take a taxi with a telephone number displayed on the top and advertising on the side of the car.

Limousines
WCT Poland (tel: (022) 632 7464; Web site: www.wctpoland.waw.pl) has chauffeur-driven stretch limousines available 24-hours a day. One day (eight hours) of hire usually costs Z1000, plus Z100 for each additional hour. The Limousine Service (tel: (022) 635 3000, fax: (022) 635 7692, e-mail: windstartravel@limousineservice.pl; Web site: www.limousineservice.pl) offers Mercedes, people carriers and coaches. Rates start from Z90 per hour (including chauffeur) with a 50urcharge between 2200 and 0600.

Driving in the City
Traffic congestion in Warsaw has increased dramatically in recent years - the current ratio of over 400 cars per 1000 residents is higher than in Berlin. Many of the city's drivers travel at high speeds and perform dangerous overtaking manoeuvres, which may trouble nervous visitors. The lack of a ring road means that traffic goes straight through the heart of the city, worsening congestion problems in the centre. However, improvements have started to materialise. Until matters improve, morning and evening rush hours (0630-0830 and 1430-1700), especially on the bridges that span the Vistula River, are best avoided - traffic is even heavy on Saturday. Most standard European rules, such as yellow-diamond priority routes, are in effect. At red lights, a small green arrow indicates that it is permissible to turn right, however, priority must be given to cross traffic.

The city has paid street parking and the standard rate is Z0.6 for 30 minutes, Z2 for one hour, Z4.60 for two hours and Z31.80 for a whole day.

Car Hire
Drivers must be at least 23 years old and have a valid driver's licence and International Driving Permit. There is no mandatory insurance, although collision damage waiver is advised.

The major car hire providers in Warsaw are Avis (tel: (022) 630 7316; Web site: www.avis.com), Budget (tel: (022) 846 7310; Web site: www.budget.com) and Hertz (tel: (022) 621 0239 or (0800) 143 789; Web site: www.hertz.com). Prices range from Z300 - including Collision Damage Waiver and unlimited mileage - to more than Z1100 per day.

Bicycle Hire
Bikes can be hired from Bike Rental, ulica Ostrobramska 73 (tel: (022) 613 6525). Rates are approximately Z70 per day.