Getting around in Polish
Left, right, the station, one ticket, where is the toilet. Play the ten Polish words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Polish phrases in this lesson
- Gdzie jest toaleta?gjeh yest toh-ah-LEH-tah
- Where is the toilet?
- Jak dojść do...?yahk doyshch doh
- How do I get to...?
- W lewov LEH-voh
- To the left
- W prawov PRAH-voh
- To the right
- ProstoPROH-stoh
- Straight ahead
- TutajTOO-tay
- Here
- Dworzec kolejowyDVOH-zhets koh-leh-YOH-vih
- Train station
- Autobusow-TOH-boos
- Bus
- Lotniskolot-NEES-koh
- Airport
- Jeden bilet poproszęYEH-den BEE-let poh-PROH-sheh
- One ticket, please
Essential phrase. Public toilets in Poland often charge a small fee, usually 2 zł. Look for signs saying "WC" or "Toaleta." Men's is "Panowie" or a triangle, women's is "Panie" or a circle.
"Lewo" is left as a direction. On a map or sign you may see "lewa strona" (left side). Pair with "proszę skręcić w lewo" (please turn left) for giving or following directions.
"Prawo" also means law in Polish, so context matters. As a direction it always appears as "w prawo." Taxis and ride shares will understand basic direction words.
Simple and clear. You can also say "prosto przed siebie" (straight ahead of you) for emphasis. Poles use hand gestures generously when giving directions, so watch carefully.
"Tu" (too) is the shorter, equally correct form. Both are used interchangeably in everyday speech. Pointing while saying it removes all ambiguity.
Poland has an extensive rail network. PKP Intercity runs fast trains between major cities. The main station in Warsaw is called "Warszawa Centralna." Tickets can be bought online.
Works for trams, buses, and trains. Specify the destination for trains. On city transport you may be asked single or 20-minute fare. Inspectors check tickets frequently.