Warsaw Central Station (Warszawa Centralna) is exactly what it says on the tin: central. What it isn’t is easy to navigate, and ongoing renovations can add to your frustration. That said, Centralna is looking better than it ever has with new storefronts and modern upgrades that will impress those who’ve been away for a while. From alighting the train you should take one of the two facing escalators (if they're working) in the centre of the platform, which will lead you up into one of the underground passages that flank the main hall. Whichever side you come up on you will be one level below ground level and the ticket hall. Kantors can be found in the underground passageway between Centralna and the Marriott. Signs for ATMs (bankomats) are everywhere, and though once sparse the machines can be spotted at almost every turn.
Tourist info can be found at the Service Point in the main hall or across the street at the Palace of Culture - just look for the 'i' sign (Open 08:00-20:00). They can provide you with maps, etc. There will also be special info points for Euro 2012 fans set up during the tournament in June. Tickets for the public transport system can be bought from most of the newspaper kiosks. Left luggage is located in the underground corridor that runs below the main hall. Look for Przechowalnia Bagażu, where stewards will look after your bag (lockers will be unavailable from May 31-July 5 due to security precautions. Find lockers in the UEFA Fan Zone at Pl. Defilad nearby). Payphones can be found in the underground tunnels with cards available from all the kiosks. Connect to a Polish network via mobile by getting SIM and pre-paid cards from the same newsagents.
Both entrances of the main hall are covered by taxi ranks, and by passing via tunnels under the main road you’ll find bus and tram stops though once you enter the signs are more of a hinderance than a help and you may never be seen or heard of again. Officially sanctioned ELE taxis can be found at the rank on Aleje Jerozolimskie and SAWA taxis can be found rank on the Złote Tarasy side.
On the ground level there is a travel office run by Polish rail. Find it on the Złote Tarasy side of the building to the right of the stairs heading down to the platforms under the Centrum Obslugi Klienta sign (info line 197 57, www.intercity.pl). Open from 09:00 - 20:00 (open 24hrs on Euro match days), the multi-lingual staff (they can even assist the deaf) can search for the cheapest/easiest connection, sell you international and domestic tickets, and can help plan your trip for you.
The selection of outlets selling food and drink at Centralna has improved dramatically with the renovations. Head to Green Coffee or Coffee Heaven for a range of good coffee or hot and cold snacks which are available to takeaway while McDonalds can also be found by following one of the many signs. If you have time to kill, Champions in the Marriott can be reached via the underground passageway and offers a far better place to sit and wait than the station itself, as does the nearby Złote Tarasy shopping centre. Don't be alarmed to find Warszawa Centralna used as a drop-in centre by Warsaw's homeless population - while most are harmless some like to pass their time being drunk and abusive. Bizarrely, while the Polish rail staff manning the ticket booths are mono-lingual (try booths number 14 and 16, which now claim English-speaking staff), the tramps in Centralna seem adept at begging in a multitude of tongues.
Tourist info can be found at the Service Point in the main hall or across the street at the Palace of Culture - just look for the 'i' sign (Open 08:00-20:00). They can provide you with maps, etc. There will also be special info points for Euro 2012 fans set up during the tournament in June. Tickets for the public transport system can be bought from most of the newspaper kiosks. Left luggage is located in the underground corridor that runs below the main hall. Look for Przechowalnia Bagażu, where stewards will look after your bag (lockers will be unavailable from May 31-July 5 due to security precautions. Find lockers in the UEFA Fan Zone at Pl. Defilad nearby). Payphones can be found in the underground tunnels with cards available from all the kiosks. Connect to a Polish network via mobile by getting SIM and pre-paid cards from the same newsagents.
Both entrances of the main hall are covered by taxi ranks, and by passing via tunnels under the main road you’ll find bus and tram stops though once you enter the signs are more of a hinderance than a help and you may never be seen or heard of again. Officially sanctioned ELE taxis can be found at the rank on Aleje Jerozolimskie and SAWA taxis can be found rank on the Złote Tarasy side.
On the ground level there is a travel office run by Polish rail. Find it on the Złote Tarasy side of the building to the right of the stairs heading down to the platforms under the Centrum Obslugi Klienta sign (info line 197 57, www.intercity.pl). Open from 09:00 - 20:00 (open 24hrs on Euro match days), the multi-lingual staff (they can even assist the deaf) can search for the cheapest/easiest connection, sell you international and domestic tickets, and can help plan your trip for you.
The selection of outlets selling food and drink at Centralna has improved dramatically with the renovations. Head to Green Coffee or Coffee Heaven for a range of good coffee or hot and cold snacks which are available to takeaway while McDonalds can also be found by following one of the many signs. If you have time to kill, Champions in the Marriott can be reached via the underground passageway and offers a far better place to sit and wait than the station itself, as does the nearby Złote Tarasy shopping centre. Don't be alarmed to find Warszawa Centralna used as a drop-in centre by Warsaw's homeless population - while most are harmless some like to pass their time being drunk and abusive. Bizarrely, while the Polish rail staff manning the ticket booths are mono-lingual (try booths number 14 and 16, which now claim English-speaking staff), the tramps in Centralna seem adept at begging in a multitude of tongues.
