First Steps: Warsaw and Wrocław
Written on January 30th, 2025 by Dariusz Siedlecki
Since I don’t have much travel experience, I wanted to ease into this new lifestyle by starting somewhere familiar—what better place than my home country? It was also convenient: I had friends to visit, I didn’t need to worry about baggage limits since I was traveling by train, and, most importantly, I spoke the language—so, less stress for me!
Even though leaving Berlin was bittersweet, it didn’t feel like a complete farewell. I knew I would see my friends again, especially in Warsaw.
Because I was still surrounded by familiar places and people, it was hard to consider this the real beginning of my new adventure. Despite staying in a capsule hostel and eating out every day, it felt more like a short holiday rather than the first step of something bigger. That feeling stuck with me from the moment I arrived at Warsaw Central Station and even now, weeks later as I write these words.
I decided to take a short nostalgia trip to the area where I grew up, a place I hadn’t visited in years. Arriving there via the subway felt surreal—when I left, Warsaw had only one metro line, and now it has two. Progress! Walking through the neighborhood, I was struck by how much had changed. The supermarket downstairs had expanded, the veterinary clinic where I used to take my dog was gone, and in its place stood a hipster-looking ice cream shop.
But some things, even if altered, remained the same. I visited the nearby park, now featuring a sculpture park that made it even more interesting to walk around. I took the same path to the local shopping mall, a walk that had once felt like a grand adventure but now felt ordinary. I looked around, searching for familiar faces, but after 15 years, the neighborhood had changed—just like me.
Still, I caught up with my friends, as I always do. Sharing my travel plans with them was exciting, and hearing their thoughts and encouragement reassured me that I was making the right decision. Having familiar faces around before fully stepping into the unknown was comforting.
After Warsaw, I made a short stop in Wrocław before my flight to visit one of my oldest friends, whom I’ve known for over 20 years. We always talk online, but seeing and hearing her in person was special. We caught up on life, and as a bonus, I was in town for the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, Poland’s largest NGO event, which I got to experience in both Warsaw and Wrocław.
Overall, this was the perfect way to begin my journey—familiar, low-pressure, and filled with warm memories. I know the rest of the trip won’t be this easy, but I hope it will be just as rewarding.
Accommodation
- Kapsuła Hostel - A centrally located capsule hostel, just a 20-minute walk from the main train station. The entire capsule floor is a designated quiet zone (whispering only), and the room temperature is kept cool, which prevents the capsules from getting stuffy. The bathrooms are exceptionally clean and frequently maintained. One small quirk—guests must exchange their shoes for provided slippers when entering the hostel, which is a slight inconvenience but manageable.
Food Spots
- Uki Uki – One of the most popular ramen spots in town, with two locations. It offers an authentic selection of ramen styles, and the restaurant’s design evokes the feel of pop-Tokyo.
- Przystanek Pierogarnia – There are many places to eat pierogi in Warsaw, some arguably even better, but this remains my favorite. The interior is simple (though the sticky-note-covered wall is a nice touch), but the portions are huge, the quality is excellent, and the prices are very affordable.
- Pizzatopia – If you’ve ever wanted a pizza exactly the way you imagined it, this is the place for you. Think of it as the Subway of pizzas—you choose your ingredients, they assemble it, bake it, and serve it within minutes.
Practical Takeaways
- Public Transport: In both Warsaw and Wrocław, use Jakdojade.pl for planning routes and purchasing tickets. Tickets can also be bought at ticket machines on subway platforms, at major bus stops, and inside most buses and trams—always with a card, sometimes with cash.
- Airport transfer: From Warsaw Chopin Airport, take the S2 or S3 train or the 175 bus to the city center (ticket price: 4.40 PLN).
- Mobile Internet: SIM cards are extremely cheap. Orange Flex offers 75GB of data for 35 PLN per month, with the flexibility to cancel anytime - and you can get an eSIM online even before you arrive.
City Habits
Since I’m originally from Poland, many of the city’s habits feel natural to me. However, if you’ve visited Warsaw or Wrocław, did anything stand out to you as particularly unique? Let me know—I’d love to hear an outsider’s perspective!
