Warsaw
About Warsaw
Warsaw is the place to go for curious travellers on a shoestring budget. Its turbulent history has left behind a mixture of architectural styles, from imposing Soviet-era buildings to the Gothic-effect Old Town, which was destroyed in World War II and carefully restored. You can explore Warsaw's many museums and galleries, or spend your time strolling through the parks that cover 30% of the city. At night, the lively bar and restaurant scene come to life, with dance parties and concerts both inside and, in summer, outdoors too.
Many hostels in Warsaw are right in the city centre, so you'll be close to the major sights and vibrant nightlife. Lots of them have sociable common spaces or relaxing gardens, where you can meet new people to check out the local bars with. You can stay in an 18th-century building in the UNESCO-listed Old Town, or in a renovated tenement house with modern interiors. Or how about a Warsaw hostel with a bright retro-inspired décor or one with a minimalist design? If you prefer your own space, there are also Warsaw hostels with private rooms and en-suite bathrooms.
There are two main neighbourhoods in the central ÅšródmieÅ›cie district: Old Town and New Town. The bustling Old Town is the medieval centre, where you'll find the Royal Castle, the famous Warsaw Mermaid statue and the 13th-century market square. The neighbouring New Town – built in the 14th century – is full of historic churches and tends to be a little quieter than the Old Town. Praga is perfect for arty types, with quirky bars and warehouse spaces for grabbing a craft beer.
Warsaw is a city with the culture at every turn – with a nightlife spot right beside it. For people who like to immerse themselves in the local history, the Warsaw Rising Museum is well worth a visit. Royal Lazienki Park is a perfect place to spend an afternoon, with an orangery, several palaces and free Chopin concerts in the summer. You can live like a local by visiting the city's beaches at Vistula river or trying a typical vodka cocktail.
The closest airport is Warsaw Chopin Airport, which is just 20 minutes from the city centre by train. If you're flying into Warsaw Modlin Airport, the train journey will take an hour. Take a train to Warszawa Centralna, the main railway station, to arrive right in the centre of town. The city is easy to navigate using public transport. You have the option of tram, metro, bus and train, which all use the same ticket system.
Accommodation in Warsaw
There are many different options for arranging student accommodation in Poland. They vary depending on the city and higher education institution you choose. Many Polish HEIs have their own dormitories, which are usually the cheapest option available. However, most Polish students prefer to rent a room in a private apartment.
Student houses and dormitories
The pricing of the student houses depends on the particular HEI. Usually, the cost of accommodation in a dormitory ranges is around EUR 60-80 monthly for a shared room and between EUR 100-150 for a single room. However, the standard of the dormitories may differ greatly even between various student houses of the same HEI, so it’s good to do some research before the final decision. What doesn’t differ is the friendly and helpful atmosphere in the student houses.
Private housing
It is quite common in Poland to rent a room in a bigger apartment. Most of the out-of-town students share flats in this way. The cost varies between cities and it depends greatly on the location of the apartment as well as the size and quality of the room. The monthly rent is usually between EUR 150 and 200. Some landlords may require a deposit of a similar amount. Don’t worry if you don’t have friends to live with. Sharing a flat with locals is an amazing opportunity: you can pay for the accommodation and get great friends for free! And if you really don’t like to share, you can find an independent apartment. The rent for the smallest, one-room apartment starts from about EUR 300 (in Warsaw).
Visa and residence card costs
This applies only to those students who come from the countries whose nationals are obliged to get a visa before coming to Poland. If you come from the European Union, you can skip visa fee charges. For those requiring it - there is no uniform fee, but it should not exceed EUR 70. When applying for a visa, please remember about other costs which are not stated directly - you need to have health insurance of at least EUR 30,000 and be in possession of sufficient funds to cover your entry, stay and departure - which is minimum PLN 543 for each month of studies and PLN 200, 300 or 2,500 for securing a return journey for people from neighbouring countries, EU countries or non-EU countries respectively.
Even if you do not need a visa to come to Poland, bear in mind that every foreigner staying in Poland for a period longer than 3 months has to apply for a temporary residence permit, so for visa holders, it is also the next step to plan in their budget. The cost of issuing a temporary residence permit for students is PLN 390 in total.
