Getting Around Łódź: An Overview
Łódź is a compact, walkable city in central Poland, and its public transport network makes it easy to reach most corners without a car. The system is run by MPK-Łódź, and it is widely considered the cheapest way to move around the city. Buses and trams form the backbone of the network, supplemented by taxis, ride-hailing, and a seasonal bike-sharing scheme.
Trams
Łódź has one of the oldest tram networks in Poland, dating back to the 19th century, and trams remain a core part of getting around. The network serves the city proper as well as a couple of suburban lines. Not all trams are equally accessible: some lines are served by low-floor trams throughout the day, while on other lines you are likely to board an older vehicle with no access for the disabled.
In summer, a special Tourist Tram Line runs from the area of Liberty Square (the beginning of Piotrkowska street) through the town of Konstantynów Łódzki to the village of Lutomiersk. Regular Łódź public transport tickets are valid on it, and you can also buy tickets from the tram crew dressed in historical costumes.
When tram tracks are under renovation, some lines are closed and replaced by substitute buses. These are marked with the letter Z or the abbreviation KZ (for "komunikacja zastępcza", meaning substitute transport), often followed by the number of the replaced tram line.
Buses
Buses are the backbone of public transport in Łódź, and almost all of them are easily accessible low-floor vehicles. They fill in where trams do not run and are the better option for attractions farther from the centre, such as the Old Jewish Cemetery or the Botanical Garden.
Most bus lines are operated by MPK-Łódź, but a couple of lines are run by other companies under the same ticket system within city limits. Be careful not to confuse a bus line with a tram line that happens to share the same number.
Tickets and Fares
Łódź is divided into two ticket zones: inner-city and suburban. Inner-city tickets are valid within the city borders, while suburban tickets cover the neighbouring towns and villages served by the Łódź public transport system. This zone division does not apply to the time-based tickets (20-minute, 40-minute and 60-minute tickets).
Every ticket lets you change vehicles an unlimited number of times within the ticket's validity time, but waiting time at stops also counts, so be careful if you hold a short ticket and face a long connection. Reduced-fare tickets are available at half price, but only if you carry valid documentation such as a Polish student ID or an ISIC card, which will be requested during ticket control.
Validate your ticket immediately after boarding a bus or tram. It is advisable to buy tickets beforehand from newspaper kiosks and small groceries; there are also ticket machines at selected spots in the city, usually near busy sites in the centre, which accept both cash and cards. Most vehicles have ticket machines, but the majority accept only card payment. It is not possible to buy tickets from the driver. If a vehicle's ticket machine is out of order and you encounter ticket control, you can buy a ticket from the controllers and avoid the penalty fee.
Tickets valid for longer than 24 hours are loaded onto an electronic card called "Migawka", available at a number of sales points. Tickets valid for longer than five days come in bearer and personal versions; personal tickets are cheaper but must be ordered in advance and require a photo. Several mobile payment systems also offer pre-paid e-purses through phone applications, though English-language support is limited. Travelling with reasonable luggage or a bicycle is free of charge.
Some lines have lettered variants, so always check the timetable, where all the information is included. Stop descriptions are in Polish only, but they are easy to follow. Outside of rush hour, public transport is quite efficient and runs on time; during rush hours and in snowy winter conditions, expect some delays. In summer, a reduced schedule applies to most lines.
Bike Sharing
Łódź has a bicycle-sharing system with stations across the city. You need to register for a fee, but if you return the bike within a short time window no money is charged. Bikes are not available in the winter season.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available in front of the airport terminal, where a number of them wait to choose from. Beyond the airport, taxis and ride-hailing apps are a straightforward option for point-to-point trips, particularly late at night or when carrying luggage.
Walking
Depending on your level of fitness, you can see the whole of the city centre without needing any transport. For some attractions farther out, such as the Old Jewish Cemetery or the Botanical Garden, you will be better off taking a bus. In winter, snow is sometimes not removed from the sidewalks, resulting in a mixture of snow and mud, so bring waterproof shoes if you plan to travel on foot.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Łódź Władysław Reymont Airport (LCJ) is one of the smallest airports in Poland and sits close to the city centre. It offers few connections, mainly served by Ryanair to destinations such as Dublin, London Stansted and Luton, Milan Bergamo, Alicante and Brussels Charleroi, plus seasonal and charter flights to holiday destinations including Burgas, Antalya, Bodrum, Crete, Corfu, Rhodes and Zakopane.
To travel between the city and the airport, you have two main options:
- Public transport: buses serve the airport, making this the cheapest way into town.
- Taxi: a number of taxis wait in front of the terminal.
Note that Łódź's own airport is marginalised by the proximity of Warsaw's Chopin Airport (WAW), which offers a wide range of European and intercontinental flights. Warsaw's other airport, Modlin, is served by Ryanair only and is farther away.
Arriving by Train or Bus
Łódź Fabryczna is a centrally located terminal station for domestic trains, including direct trains from Warsaw, Kraków, Gdynia and Poznań, and it has luggage lockers. Łódź Widzew, east of the centre, handles most intercity traffic to and from the city; you can reach it by tram (alighting at the Rondo Inwalidów stop and walking alongside Adamieckiego street) or by many buses. Łódź Kaliska, west of the centre, offers connections mainly to nearby towns around Łódź such as Sieradz or Kutno.
Long-distance buses, including Flixbus and Eurolines, depart from the Łódź Fabryczna bus station adjacent to the train station. Smaller minibus and bus companies also connect Łódź with cities around Poland, mostly departing from Łódź Fabryczna station.