Some of my friends told me that ticketing system in Warsaw (public transportation) is really confusing to them…So here is a little more info that hopefully it will make it more clear:

ZTM tariff includes the following types of tickets:

time-limit

single fare

single vehicle-and-fare ticket

short-term

long-term

A time-limit (short-term) ticket entitles to many journeys made on a short-term basis – up to 60 minutes, with as many changes of lines as necessary. The time-limit ticket entitles to travel by all ZTM lines, i.e. by bus, tram, metro and urban rapid rail. This is a bearer ticket.

During the first journey the ticket should be validated immediately after boarding the vehicle. When travelling by metro, you should validate the ticket at the entrance gate before entering the platform, or in the validating machine available next to the lift.

After validation, the time-limit ticket remains valid throughout the number of minutes as indicated by its nominal value.

The following types of time-limit tickets are offered:

20-minute

40-minute

60-minute

All time-limit tickets are valid both in Zone 1 and 2.

A single fare ticket entitles to a journey on one vehicle for a period not exceeding 120 minutes from its validation.

The ticket entitles to travel both on day and night lines.

There are the following types of single fare tickets:

ticket for zone 1

ticket for zone 1+2

Single vehicle-and-fare ticket entitles to a journey only on the vehicle in which the ticket was purchased for a period not exceeding 120 minutes. The ticket purchased in a specially marked ticket vending machine does not need validation.

A short-term ticket entitles to many journeys within a specified number of hours or days, with an unlimited number of changes made during its validity period. The short-term ticket entitles to travel on all ZTM lines, i.e. by bus, tram, metro, and urban rapid rail. This is a bearer ticket.

Short-term tickets are included in the “Wspólny bilet” (Integrated ticket) offer – they entitle to travel by trains of Koleje Mazowieckie (Warsaw rail) and Warszawska Kolej Dojazdowa – WKD (Warsaw Suburb Rail).

Short-term tickets include the following:

1-day City Travelcard

3-day City Travelcard

1‐day City Travelcard entitles to unlimited number of journeys for 24 hours from its validation.

3‐day City Travelcard entitles to unlimited number of journeys for three days from its validation until 23:59 of the last day.

Each of the short-term tickets may be used only for zone 1, or for both ticket zones – 1+2.

A long-term ticket for all lines entitles to many journeys made on a long-term basis, with an unlimited number of changes made during its validity period. The long-term ticket entitles to travel on all ZTM lines, i.e. by bus, tram, metro and urban rapid rail.

Long-term tickets are included in the “Wspólny bilet” (Integrated ticket) offer – they entitle to travel by trains of Koleje Mazowieckie (Warsaw rail) and Warszawska Kolej Dojazdowa -WKD (Warsaw Suburb Rail).

Long-term tickets are coded only on smart cards – Warszawska Karta Miejska WKM (Warsaw City Card) or Elektroniczna Legitymacja Studencka ELS (Student Electronic Card).

The card is validated by placing it in front of the marked area on the validating machine.

Long-term tickets for all lines include:

30-day City Travelcard

90-day Travelcard

There are two categories of tickets – personal and bearer.

Personal tickets are issued on personalised WKM cards (Warsaw City Card) with a photo, and full name of the holder being printed on the card.

Long—term tickets are valid from validation to 23:59 hours of the last day of their validity. Validity of the card may be verified by placing the card in front of the validating machine.

Each of personal long-term tickets may be used only in Zone 1 or for both ticket Zones – 1+2. Bearer long-term tickets are valid in Zones 1 and 2.

Senior Personal Pass for senior citizens over 65 years entitles to unlimited number of journeys for three hundred and sixty‐five days or three hundred and sixty‐six (if there are 29 days in February) from its validation until 23:59 of the last day. The pass is valid with the identity document which confirms the age of a passenger (no other reductions in journeys on the vehicles of municipal public transport in the capital city of Warsaw are applicable with the pass).

Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)