Accessible Warsaw
Warsaw attaches special importance to ensuring equal access to attractions and convenient movement around the city for people with disabilities. The city is covered by a network of paved walkways with tactile surfaces for the vision-impaired, a significant proportion of pedestrian crossings have acoustic signalling, and numerous parks are easily accessible to all, including wheelchair users. In the Old Town, due to its historic character, many of the streets are cobbled, and the pavements are narrow.
At the airport
Both Warsaw airports are adapted to accommodate people with disabilities. Flat, stable floors, automatic doors and elevators allow people in wheelchairs to move comfortably, and those in need can benefit from free assistance.
Warsaw Chopin Airport
Assistance
Detailed information on assistance for passengers in need of support can be found on the airport website.
Parking
Designated parking spaces for people with disabilities can be found in the P2, P3, P4, and Express car parks as well as in the Kiss&Fly zone right by the traffic routes.
Check-in and security
People with disabilities can use special security procedures. This includes check-in at a more convenient low counter with handles, as well as the help of an assistant during security checks.
Tactile airport maps
In front of the arrivals hall, at the exit from the SKM (Fast City Rail) train station, at the bus stop on the ‘Departures’ level, and in front of the departure hall, you will find tactile (typhlographic) maps with Braille descriptions and audio information in Polish and English. The route between the arrivals hall and railway station is equipped with surface guide lanes for the blind and visually impaired.
The TOTUPOINT system for non-visual airport navigation
Once the mobile app is installed, it informs the visually impaired user of where they are.
Induction loops
Selected check-in desks (Nos 101, 118, 129, 142, 201, 210, 221, 230, 231, 240, 241, 250, 251, 260, 271, 280), information points, selected document-check booths, the lost property office, and assistance intercom pylons are equipped with induction loops.
Restrooms
Adapted and accessible public conveniences are located throughout the airport.
The Schengen zone also has a ‘Changing Places’ restroom for outbound passengers.
There is additional information in Braille in toilets and lifts.
The Braille information will help with using the bathrooms and elevators. You can find it above bathroom door handles and on the buttons of lifts for passengers with disabilities. These elevators also have voice announcements.
Modlin Airport
You can get help or information at check-in desk number 10 or at one of the two pylons marked ‘SOS’ in front of the entrance to the departure hall. By pressing the button, you can call staff who will answer your questions or provide you with assistance. Details can be found on the Modlin Airport website.
Special check-in point
To check in without queuing, go to check-in desk number 10. It is adapted for wheelchair users.
Security check
You can pass through security without queuing. If necessary, it can be done in a separate room.
Parking
Marked parking spaces for people with disabilities can be found just in front of the airport entrance.
At the railway station and on the train
Information about facilities for people with reduced mobility can be found on the Polish State Railways (PKP) website.
Free Assistance
At Warsaw Central Station (Warszawa Centralna), Warsaw East (Warszawa Wschodnia), Warszawa Gdańska, Warszawa Śródmieście, and Warszawa Wileńska stations, you can get free assistance. The conductor will help you get on and off the train. A security officer will help you get around the station.
To report a need for assistance, fill in the form on the PKP Intercity website. Detailed information about services for persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility offered on Intercity railways can be found on dedicated website.
If you need help getting around the station, all you have to do is report it 24 hours before departure. If you would also like assistance boarding or disembarking from the train, send the form at least 48 hours before departure. You can also write an email with detailed information about your needs to the rail carrier you will be travelling with.
If you indicate such a need on the form, you can use a station wheelchair at Warszawa Centralna, Warszawa Śródmieście and Warszawa Wschodnia stations.
If you are a wheelchair user, choose a suitably adapted train when buying tickets. As a result, you will be able to use a lift or ramp to board and disembark.
To learn more about the facilities for people with disabilities at a specific train station, go to the Polish State Railways (PKP) website and choose the station you are interested in.
Communication support for D/deaf people
At customer service points, marked ‘InfoDworzec’, at Warszawa Centralna and Warszawa Wschodnia stations, you will benefit from online sign language translation. All you have to do is make the international D/deaf help sign. Detailed information can be found on the PKP website.
Warsaw Public Transport
Facilities for people with reduced mobility
Metro stations
You can reach every metro station by an elevator operating between street level and the platform.
Bus and tram stops
The vast majority of public transport stops are easily accessible. To make sure a stop is fully accessible, go to the Warsaw Public Transport website and choose the stop you are interested in.
Stations of the Fast City Rail (SKM), Warsaw Commuter Railway (WKD), and Masovian Railways (KM)
Access to individual stations varies. Some can be reached by elevator, others by using a folding ramp. Few stations in Warsaw are inaccessible to people with physical disabilities. You can check the details on the following pages:
Information for people with reduced mobility travelling by SKM,
Public transport vehicles
Low-floor vehicles operate on all bus lines and the metro. Most tram services are run using low-floor vehicles, but not all. You can find this information on the timetable.
If you are a wheelchair user, the folding platform fitted in low-floor vehicles by the second door from the driver’s cabin will make it easier for you to use a bus or tram. To signal to the driver that you want to use it, press the button with the wheelchair pictogram located on or by the door before boarding. Once on board, use the designated place and fasten your safety belt. You will also find a button within reach to notify the driver you need to use the platform to get off.
On metro trains, places for wheelchair users are located by the first and last doors.
Assistance for SKM, WKD and KM passengers travelling in and around Warsaw
If you need help getting on and off the train, you’ll have to report it beforehand.
For SKM and WKD, complete the form at:
form for people with reduced mobility travelling by SKM
form for people with disabilities traveling by WKD
For KM, report the need on 22 364 44 44 or at informacja@mazowieckie.com.pl
Detailed information on accessibility features for people with disabilities is available at:
Information for people with reduced mobility travelling by SKM,
Transfer assistance at bus stations
You can get help changing to city buses at the stations located at Metro Młociny, Metro Wilanowska and at the Eastern Railway Station (Dworzec Wschodni). Detailed information can be found on the Warsaw Public Transport (Warszawski Transport Publiczny) website.
Facilities for blind and visually impaired passengers
Metro stations
Getting around the stations is facilitated by tactile floor guides. Every station has tactile maps with Braille.
Signalling of stations and stops
When travelling by metro, you will hear announcements for the current and next station.
Voice messages informing passengers of the current and next stop are given on all city buses and on most trams.
Facilities for D/deaf people
Assistance
Detailed information on assistance for passengers in need of support can be found on the https://www.lotnisko-chopina.pl/en/prm-assistance.html
On-screen signalling of stations and stops
On newer metros, you can read information about the current and next station on electronic displays. Modern buses and trams have an internal display with a route and a list of stops.
Online Polish Sign Language translator at Passenger Service Points
At the headquarters of the Public Transport Authority (ZTM) at ul. Grochowska 316/320 and at the following metro stations, you can use an online Polish Sign Language translator:
- Centrum
- Młociny
- Dworzec Wileński
- Świętokrzyska (Metro line 2),
- Księcia Janusza
- Trocka
Detailed information about facilities for people with disabilities can be found on the Warsaw Public Transport (WTP) website.
Parking in Warsaw
You can find parking spaces for people with disabilities throughout the city. They are designated by a blue sign with the letter P, an ‘envelope’, and a wheelchair symbol. In addition, the parking space has a blue surface with an envelope design and a wheelchair symbol. To use it, you must have a valid parking card for persons with disabilities, or a European parking card for persons with disabilities placed prominently in the windscreen of your vehicle. If you meet these conditions, you will not be charged for parking in spaces for people with disabilities in the paid parking zone.
If you do not have a parking card for people with disabilities it is illegal to leave your car here and you risk getting a ticket.
More information can be found at zdm.waw.pl.
Warsaw Tourist Information Point
The point is located in a side wing of the Palace of Culture and Science, about 300 meters from Warsaw Central railway station. You can reach it from Emilii Plater Street. It is marked with a large, blue, square sign bearing the letter ‘i’ and the words ‘Tourist Information’ clearly visible from a distance. You can get to the entrance level by a built-in elevator which opens automatically at the push of a button. The lift is equipped with handrails and signage for the blind and visually impaired. The entrance door opens automatically when the green button on the outer wall next to it is pressed. A similar button on the wall in the middle of the lift opens the door automatically when leaving the building.
For the hard of hearing, an induction loop has been installed at the point. D/deaf people can use the online Polish Sign Language translation service.
You can enter the point with an assistance dog.
To get the information you are interested in, or to receive information materials on site, call (+48) 503 033 720 or write to info@warsawtour.pl.
Detailed information on the accessibility of the Warsaw Tourist Information point can be found in the Declaration of Accessibility.
Tourist attractions and other facilities
To check what facilities tourist attractions, cultural institutions and sports facilities have for people with disabilities, use the latest information published in the accessibility declarations on their websites. You can also find information about facilities at the most popular tourist attractions at Warsaw Tourist Information points and on our website, next to the descriptions of individual places.
Public Toilets
A map of toilets can be found on the website of the Warsaw IoT Platform (Warszawska Platforma IoT). By each of the marked toilets, you will find information on whether it is accessible to people with disabilities, as well as its opening hours and fees.
Warsaw wins Access City award
Warsaw is constantly developing as a city. We are systematically adopting and implementing urban accessibility standards. The pace of change in the city has been recognised by the European Commission. In 2020, together with the European Disability Forum and the European Platform for Older People (AGE Platform Europe), it bestowed first place on the capital of Poland in the Access City competition, which gives awards to the most disability-friendly cities.