Cost of Living in Poland

The cost of food depends on personal preferences and lifestyle. There are many big grocery chain stores in Poland including Auchan, Carrefour, Biedronka and Lidl. There are also smaller stores and fresh produce markets located in residential areas.

Additionally Warsaw offers a variety of bistros, cafes, fast-food and fine-dining restaurants with a variety of cuisine choices for every price level. Estimated cost of groceries per month ranges from around PLN 500 to 2,000 (approx. EUR 100-430). Lunch at a fast food restaurant - around 20-45 PLN (approx. 4.50-9.50 EUR). The canteen at SWPS University offers meals at moderate prices, e.g. lunch prices: 20-40 PLN (approx. 4.50-8.50 EUR).

Similarly to the cost of groceries, the cost of entertainment depends on personal preferences and lifestyle. Warsaw is a modern city and also an academic center, where young people from all over the world choose to study. There are numerous clubs, cinemas, theatres, museums, fitness facilities and a variety of events and festivals. Every day there is something interesting to do.

Here are some examples of entertainment costs:

• cinema - PLN 20-35 (aprox. EUR 4.50-7.50)
• theater - PLN 30-160 (approx. EUR 6.50-35)
• concerts and music festivals, starting from 60 PLN (from approx. 13 EUR)
• clubs (entrance fee) – 5-30 PLN (aprox. 2-7 EUR)

For more information on numerous events taking place in the city, please go to the official website of Warsaw at E-Warsaw Guide

Warsaw Public Transport

The most economical and the easiest way of moving around Warsaw is public transport. Warsaw offers a good network of public transportation, including subway, buses and trams. When using public transport, you do not have to worry about traffic jams, road blocks, finding available parking or paying parking fees. There are a variety of tickets available, including short-term, long-term, and one ride options. The Public Transport Authority offers a refillable travelcard, called the Warsaw City Card, which is the cheapest way to travel around the city.

Some public transportation costs are as follows:

• Single ticket valid for a 75 minutes ride (bus, tram or underground) - 2.20 PLN (approx. 0.50 EUR), with a student discount.

Refillable Warsaw City Card:

• 30-day all means of transportation – 55 PLN (approx. 13 EUR), with a student discount
• 90-day all means of transportation - 140 PLN (approx. 35 EUR), with a student discount

For current information about public transportation, including all ticket prices, timetable, and transportation routes, go to the official website of the Public Transport Authority of Warsaw (ZTM)

Poland is a beautiful country and studying here provides a great opportunity to visit many wonderful cities, geographic areas as well as places of historical and cultural heritage. During your studies, plan to visit Gdańsk, Kraków, Lublin, Poznań, Sopot, Wroclaw, and Toruń. Travel south to ski in the Tatra Mountains, go to the North to walk along beautiful sandy beaches on the Baltic sea, see European bisons in Białowieża National Park, get to know Polish culture and history, and try Polish regional cuisine.

You can travel by train or by bus.

Hostel prices range from 40 to 200 PLN (approx. 8.50 to 43 EUR) per night depending on the season, location and the standard of accommodation.

For more information about Poland, go to Poland's Official Travel Website