Buses and trams
In Wrocław, there are over twenty tram lines, and approx. fifty daily and thirteen night lines. All buses and about 40 per cent trams are low-floor vehicles, adapted to the needs of people with disabilities, in wheelchairs.
If you plan to use the city transport, you must first buy a ticket. In Wrocław, there are two ticketing systems: the single fare and the time-limit fare. Tickets can be purchased either at kiosks, as well as in ticket machines located at bus stops. Also, all the buses and trams are equipped with mobile ticket machines. You can pay the fare also using the phone application and on-line. On the other hand, tickets for regular journeys can be encoded on the URBANCARD-Wrocław City Card.
"Purchasing a tram or bus ticket shouldn't be a problem for foreigners," says Klaudia Zając with the Office for Communication and Promotion of MPK Wrocław. - Detailed information in the English language is available on all ticket machines. Foreign visitors can also use the English version of the Urbancard page HERE . On the other hand, for the map of the points of sale of public transport tickets see HERE
To check timetables, locate a desired tram or bus line, and even to find out if en route of the journey we come across a traffic jam, you can also use the free mobile application iMPK, which is available both for Android and IOS. A very helpful tool in planning your journey with Wrocław public transport is also THIS PAGE , where, using the English language, you can learn not only about the departure times of a tram or bus, but also find out how to optimally combine the different lines, and even the time to get out of the house to reach the destination on time and as soon as possible.
Owen Williams - Briton who came to Wrocław in 2012 and decided to stay described the city mobility options especially for people from abroad coming to Wrocław. His film is a practical guide for foreigners. Owen shows not only the charms of the capital of Lower Silesia, but mainly explains how to get around by public transport, instructs how to buy a ticket from a ticket machine, or how to use the application iMPK.
Hop on a train
People who commute to Wrocław from nearby towns, or simply find it more convenient to travel by train, can use the so-called agglomeration ticket. It allows travelling by train in the major Wrocław area cheaper - between Wrocław and Strzelin, Jaworzyna Śląska, Wołów, Żmigród, Oleśnica, Jelcz-Laskowice, Oława and Trzebnica, as well as to all train stops in Wrocław. It also allows travelling with Wrocław public transport.
A personal monthly ticket of the carriers Przewozy Regionalne or Koleje Dolnośląskie with a municipality sticker entitles to an unlimited number of journeys via the shortest route or that indicated on the ticket between all stations of the journey for which it was issued, with passenger trains in class 2, and an unlimited number of journeys on all public transport lines within the city limits of Wrocław. You can buy an agglomeration ticket in railway ticket offices. The fares for railway agglomeration journeys depend on the distance.
Travellers using the public transport daily have at their disposal an average of 220 trains a day, which they can take at their leisure, and travel between 19 railway stations and stops in Wrocław. This means that the journey from the remotest part of the city to the centre will take no more than 25 minutes, regardless of the time of day. The journeys are possible only within the limits of the city, between the stations labelled "Wrocław."
Everybody grab a bike!
Enthusiasts of the healthy lifestyle, ecology and swift moving through traffic jams can choose a bicycle when moving around the city.
"Wroclaw has more than 250 km of cycle paths, and 100 km of river embankments, mainly along the Oder and Widawa, available for cyclists," says Daniel Chojnacki, Wrocław's Cycling Officer. "At their disposal is also approx. 6.000 parking spaces designed specifically for bicycles. On the other hand, people who like to combine moving by bike with the use of public transport, can take advantage of more than a half thousand Bike&Ride stations. After leaving their two-wheeler there, they can simply switch to a tram or bus, and continue their journey this way, because these places are usually located next to the bus stops.
A good solution is the use of the offer of Wrocław City Bike, which has been successfully operating in the city for several years. This alternative means of transport, which is a good complement to public transport in Wrocław, involves renting a bicycle at one of its stations, and returning it to the other, located in the part of town, which we wanted to reach. Cyclists have 76 stations and 760 bicycles at their disposal.
"Ever since I came to Wroclaw to study, I have been using the Wrocław City Bike," says Ian Bejm from Denmark, a student of the Technical University of Wrocław. "For me, it is the most convenient and cheapest way to get around the city. Especially that I need only about 10 minutes to get to my Uni, and the first 20 minutes of bike rental are free."
A map of the Wrocław City Bike stations can be found HERE . On the other hand, all the information on how the system works, and the cost of renting the bicycles can be found HERE, also in English and German.
Straight from the airport
Travellers arriving to Wrocław by plane also have easy access to any corner of the city, even though the airport is 10 km away from the centre. You can choose either taxis, buses or rented cars.
"Wrocław airport is an example of passenger-friendly communication," says Jarosław Wróblewski, Vice President of Wrocław Airport. "We are one of the best city and region-integrated airport in Poland. Access to the airport from critical sites, located in different parts of the city, takes up to half an hour.
A well-developed infrastructure allows for easy access by car. For example, a trip to the Market Square takes approx. 20 minutes and to the main railway station, less than half an hour. Travellers can use the car rentals, which are located in the arrivals hall, or taxis waiting outside the airport building. In this case, it is recommended to opt for one of the corporations with which the airport has signed a contract - Partner Taxi, Taxi-Plus, EcoCar. In these taxis, the fare charge is displayed on the windscreen.
Wrocław airport is connected with the districts of the city by a day bus line no. 106 that connects the Airport with ul. Dworcowa. The bus departs approx. every 20 minutes and the travel time is 35-40 minutes. On the other hand, at night, passengers can use the bus line no. 206, which covers the same route. Wrocław airport also supports travellers who, upon arrival, want to see not only the capital of Lower Silesia, but also the entire region. Thanks to the Passenger Information System, implemented within the project Champions, you can read the information about times of departure and directions of the trains starting off from the Main Station. Special electronic boards are located in the public hall in the arrivals area.
Something for motorists
As in any big city, Wrocław's infrastructure is also well-prepared for drivers. They have a number of car parks in all parts of the city at their disposal. In Wrocław, the parking fee for vehicles applies to designated parking spaces in the paid parking zone.
The limits of the paid parking zone are indicated on the map
The parking fee must be paid immediately upon taking up a parking space, without summons, in the nearest parking machine within the paid parking zone. This is obligatory from Monday to Friday, 9.00 am - 6 pm. The fee varies depending on where the vehicle is parked, and ranges from 1 to 4.30 PLN per hour. This depends on both the type of the paid parking zone - A (the centre), B and C (places distant from the centre) - and from the time the car is parked there.
On the other hand, drivers who don't want to bother with finding a free parking space in the city centre can use the Park & Ride parking. They are usually in the vicinity of bus stops and interchanges. It's the perfect solution for people who combine travelling by car and public transport. Currently, Wrocław operates seven of these car parks. Their location can be found on the map below.
For car enthusiasts who come to Wrocław without no means of transport of their own await also a broad offer or car rental companies located throughout the city. A daily rental fee starts at about 50 PLN.
