Warsaw · on the Vistula
Warsaw Metro Guide
Two lines, one interchange, and the fastest way to move around a spread-out city
Photo by viktor rejent on Unsplash
Warsaw's metro is small by European capital standards — just two lines — but that simplicity is exactly what makes it easy to use on a short visit. M1 runs north to south, M2 runs east to west, and together they cover the corridors that matter most for a visitor: the centre, the Old Town's edge, and across the river into Praga.
Because Warsaw is considerably larger and more spread out than many smaller European capitals, the metro earns its keep quickly — it is often the fastest way to cover a distance that would otherwise mean a long walk or a slower tram ride, particularly when crossing the Vistula.
01 · The network
The Two Lines
Only two lines to keep track of, which is part of what makes the system so approachable.
M1 — the north–south line
Warsaw's original metro line, first opened in 1995 and extended in stages until it reached its current full length in 2008. It runs from the southern Kabaty district up through the centre to Młociny in the north.
M2 — the east–west line
Opened in 2015 with a central core section, then extended further east and west in stages in the years since. M2 crosses the Vistula, linking the Praga districts on the east bank with the city centre and the west.
Where they meet: Świętokrzyska
The two lines interchange at Świętokrzyska station, a short walk from the Royal Route and the Old Town — the one transfer point you are likely to actually use as a visitor.
Run by Metro Warszawskie
The metro is operated by the city's own metro company and fully integrated into the wider ZTM public transport network — one ticket covers the metro, buses, and trams alike.
02 · Day to day
Using the Metro
Buy your ticket before the platform
Ticket machines sit at every station entrance, and validators are just past them — the same standard ZTM ticket used on buses and trams works here, so there is nothing metro-specific to learn.
Trains run frequently
Both lines run often through the day, with reduced frequency late at night — check the current timetable if you are planning a very late or very early ride.
Signage is clear and bilingual
Station names, line colours, and directional signage are easy to follow even without Polish, and platform screens typically show the next train's destination.
It is the fastest way to cross the river
M2 tunnels under the Vistula, so it is often quicker to reach Praga by metro than by tram or bus, especially at busy times of day.
03 · Where to get off
Useful Stops for Visitors
Centrum (M1)
Right by the Palace of Culture and Science, in the heart of Śródmieście — a natural anchor point for a first-timer's stay.
Świętokrzyska (M1/M2)
The interchange station and a short walk from the southern end of the Royal Route and the Old Town.
Ratusz Arsenał (M1)
One of the closest metro stops to the Old Town itself, useful if you are staying further out and want a fast way in.
Stadion Narodowy (M2)
On the Praga side of the river, next to the National Stadium — handy for events and for exploring Praga without a long walk over a bridge.
04 · A little history
How the Network Grew
Warsaw's metro arrived later than in many European capitals — M1's first section, running through the southern district of Kabaty up toward the centre, opened in 1995, decades after cities like Moscow or Budapest built theirs. Construction then continued in stages through the following years, extending the line north until it reached its current full length in 2008, linking Kabaty in the south all the way to Młociny in the north.
M2 came much later still. Its initial central section, crossing under the Vistula and connecting the two banks of the city for the first time by metro, opened in 2015. Since then it has been extended in further stages both east and west, gradually reaching more of Warsaw's outer districts — a project the city has continued to build out in the years since its 2015 debut.
For a visitor, none of that history matters day to day, but it explains why the network still feels compact: Warsaw is, relatively speaking, still growing its metro system even as it operates one of Central Europe's larger tram networks alongside it. The metro's real value on a short trip is speed over distance — pair it with walking in the historic core and trams or buses for everything in between.
05 · Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How many metro lines does Warsaw have?
Two currently operate: M1, running north–south, and M2, running east–west. They cross at Świętokrzyska station.
When did the Warsaw Metro open?
M1 opened its first section in 1995 and was extended in stages until 2008. M2 opened its initial central section in 2015 and has been extended further east and west in stages since.
Do I need a special ticket for the metro?
No — the metro uses the same standard ZTM ticket as Warsaw's buses and trams. See our tickets guide for how the ticket types and validation work.
Is the Warsaw Metro easy for tourists to use?
Yes. Signage is clear, trains run frequently, and the network is simple with just two lines, so it is one of the easier metro systems in Europe to pick up on a short visit.
Which metro station is closest to the Old Town?
Ratusz Arsenał and Świętokrzyska, both on M1 (with Świętokrzyska also serving M2), are the closest stops, each a short walk from the historic centre.
✦ Verify before you go
Sources & official links
We verify prices, hours, and dates against official pages. They change without notice — confirm time-sensitive details at the source before you go.
- WTP — public transport step by step — Official guidance on using the metro, buses, and trams as a visitor.
- WTP — ticket tariff — Current fares for the ticket that covers the metro.
- WTP — maps and schemas — Route maps and zone boundaries for the whole network.