Getting Around Toruń: An Overview
Toruń's historic heart is compact and best explored on foot, while the rest of the city is served by a network of buses and trams. The key thing to understand as a visitor is that public transport deliberately does not enter the Old Town itself — so most journeys combine a walk through the medieval streets with a bus or tram ride for the outer districts.
Walking the Old Town
The Old Town is small, and walking around it is your best option. Because the public transportation system does not enter the Old Town, you won't have to dodge buses or trams among the historic buildings — the streets there are effectively pedestrian territory. During the summertime it is also possible to hire a pedicab if you'd rather ride than walk.
Trams and Buses
Outside of the Old Town, there are plentiful buses and trams. These are the workhorses of the city's public transport and will get you to districts beyond the historic centre, as well as to the main railway station across the river.
Buying tickets has become easier in recent years, but it's worth knowing your options before you board:
- Onboard ticket machines: There are more and more ticket machines in buses and trams. However, there is still a small possibility that you will find a vehicle without one.
- From the driver: If there's no machine, you'll have to buy a ticket from the driver. Be aware that drivers rarely speak English, so having your destination written down helps.
- Kiosks: You can also buy a ticket in one of the many kiosks (newspaper shops), but only for cash — unless you buy something more than a ticket.
- Mobile tickets: If you plan to use public transport regularly, consider a mobile ticket via apps such as Mobilet or SkyCash. Even if the websites are in Polish, the apps have English language versions.
Stamping and Inspections
If ticket inspectors — who are always in plainclothes — board the bus with you, you may have only 10–30 seconds to stamp your ticket before the stamping machines are frozen. Don't assume that a jam-packed bus will protect you: inspectors quite frequently force their way through crowded buses to check everyone's ticket, to maximise their chance of finding a ticketless traveller.
Planning Your Journey
The operator has a timetable available, but it may be better to use the Jak Dojadę application. It is reliable and has up-to-date information on changes in timetables.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis in Toruń are quite cheap, which makes them a reasonable option for short hops or when you're carrying luggage. If you want to get further afield, cars can be hired for around 100 zł a day.
Arriving by Train
Polish State Railways operates train connections to Toruń from Warsaw, Poznań, Gdańsk, Łódź, Katowice and Olsztyn. The city has two railway stations, and which one you use makes a real difference to your arrival experience.
- Toruń Główny (the main station) is across the river Vistula from the city. Walking into town takes about 35 minutes. A taxi into the Old Town will cost less than 20 zł. Alternatively, buses #22 and #27 run directly to the Old Town — these depart from both sides of the railway station, but the kiosk for buying tickets is on the south side. Take the bus two stops to Plac Rapackiego; you'll notice the Old Town as you cross the bridge, and it's the stop that immediately follows the bridge. You don't need an additional ticket for your bag, as long as you don't put it on the seats.
- Toruń Miasto is a smaller station but much closer to the Old Town. Not all trains stop there, but if your train does, getting off at Toruń Miasto is the simplest solution.
Arriving by Bus or Car
There are many bus connections to Toruń, and the bus station is just a short walk from the Old Town — a convenient arrival point if you're coming in by coach. By car, the highway between Toruń and Gdańsk offers a quick route, and Łódź can be reached by highway as well. Warsaw can be reached either via route 10 or by combining motorways.
Getting In from the Airport
Toruń itself does not have a commercial airport. The nearest airports offering commercial flights are in Bydgoszcz (low-cost airlines across Europe), Poznań–Ławica (low-cost airlines across Europe), Gdańsk–Lech Wałęsa (low-cost airlines across Europe, connected by motorway) and Warsaw–Okęcie (long-haul airlines), with Modlin also an option. From any of these, onward travel to Toruń is typically by train, bus or car — the rail connections listed above are the most straightforward way to complete the journey into the city.
Practical Summary
For most visitors, the pattern is simple: walk everywhere within the Old Town, use buses or trams for anything beyond it, and rely on taxis for convenience given how inexpensive they are. Buy your ticket from a kiosk, a machine, the driver, or a mobile app — and stamp it immediately if required. If you're arriving by train, aim for Toruń Miasto if your service stops there, and otherwise take bus #22 or #27 from Toruń Główny to reach the Old Town directly.