Warsaw

Health & safety

Dangers & annoyances

Warsaw is no more dangerous than any other European capital city, but you should take precautions while strolling about the streets at night, and watch your possessions on public transport and in other crowded places. Pickpockets are especially active on bus 175 (between the airport and the city centre), on the trams that run along Al Jerozolimskie, and in and around the central train station. Beware also of ‘mafia taxis’.

Praga has a reputation as a rough area at night. Most locals use taxis as transport in and out of the neighbourhood, and so should you.

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While you're there

Medical services

For an ambulance, call 999, or 112 from a mobile phone. English-speaking dispatchers are rare, however, so you’re probably better off phoning the following medical centres. For nonurgent treatment, you can go to one of the city’s many przychodnia (outpatient clinics). Your hotel or your embassy can provide recommendations.

There are plenty of pharmacies in Warsaw where you can get medical advice; look or ask for an apteka. There are always several pharmacies that stay open all night; a list is provided (in Polish) in the Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper (in the Supermarket section).

Apteka 21 (022 825 3128; Warszawa Centralna train station, Al Jerozolimskie 54; 24hr) An all-night pharmacy at the central train station.

Damian Medical Centre (022 566 2222; www.damian.com.pl; ul Wałbrzyska 46; 7am-9pm Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm Sat, 10am-3pm Sun) A reputable private outpatient clinic with hospital facilities.

EuroDental (022 627 5888; www.eurodental.com.pl; ul Śniadeckich 12/16; 8am-8pm Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm Sun) Private dental clinic with multilingual staff.

LIM Medical Center (022 458 7000; www.cm-lim.com.pl; Marriott Hotel Bldg, Al Jerozolimskie 65/79; 7am-9pm Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm Sat, 9am-6pm Sun) Private clinic with English-speaking specialist doctors and its own ambulance service; carries out laboratory tests and arranges house calls.

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