What to know as a new student inWarsaw

Poland 4.6 out of 5 stars

Student communities for new students in 2026

Get help with housing, socializing, activities and meetups. Join the Facebook groups that other students shared with us. Access the main WhatsApp for this semester to start your friendships and get support even before you arrive.

Do you know more groups we should add here? Just contact us.

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About Warsaw

Warsaw is one of Central Europe's biggest student hubs, home to the University of Warsaw, the Warsaw University of Technology and the SGH Warsaw School of Economics, with a creative, fast-moving and surprisingly affordable vibe.

  • 💸Affordable for a capitalOne of the cheapest major cities in the EU, so your budget stretches a lot further than in the west.
  • 🌃Nightlife with two sidesPolished bars around the centre and raw, creative clubs across the river in Praga, all in one night.
  • 🚇Easy to get aroundTwo metro lines, dense trams and buses, plus Veturilo bikes mean you rarely need a car.
🎓Student populationMore than 250,000 students across the city
🏘️Best neighbourhood for studentsPowiśle, right next to the main University of Warsaw campus and the Vistula boulevards
🏫Universities10
🗣️LanguagePolish, with English widely spoken by students and young people
1.9MPopulation
250KStudent population
10Universities
Best neighbourhood for studentsPowiśle, right next to the main University of Warsaw campus and the Vistula boulevards
Visitors per yearMore than 3.6 million foreign tourists, a record year in 2024
LanguagePolish, with English widely spoken by students and young people
CurrencyPolish zloty (zl)
AccessibilityMetro stations have lifts and trams are increasingly low-floor, though older buildings can be tricky
Best hospitalUniversity Clinical Centre of the Medical University of Warsaw (UCK WUM)
CashlessCard and contactless are accepted almost everywhere, including tapping to ride with the Warsaw City Card and WTP app
Average cost as a student (per month)around 4,000 zl / month
Average apartment for studentsaround 3,500 zl / month
Average room for studentsaround 2,000 zl / month
Cost of living for localsaround 3,500 zl / month
Cost of living for expatsaround 5,000 zl / month
International school fees (per year)around 25,000 to 60,000 zl / year
Shared scooter (Bolt, Lime)around 0.65 zl / min
Mobile data (10GB)around 35 zl / month
Dinner outaround 60 zl
Coffeearound 16 zl
Beeraround 14 zl
Public transport (monthly)around 110 zl / month

Warsaw is much cheaper than western European capitals, but rents have climbed fast and good rooms go quickly before each semester, so start early. Most students rent a private room in a shared flat for around 1,800 to 2,500 zl a month, or take a spot in a private student residence. Always sign a written contract and register your stay, and budget another 200 to 500 zl on top for utilities, which are usually not included.

🛏️
Average student roomaround 2,000 zl / monthPrivate room, often in an older block of flats
👥
Room in a shared flat1,800 to 2,500 zl / monthThe most common option for students
🏢
Studio apartment2,800 to 4,000 zl / monthYour own space, pricier in central districts
🏘️
Full apartmentfrom 4,500 zl / monthBest value when split with flatmates
🎓
Student residence2,600 to 3,500 zl / monthFurnished, bills included, built-in community
🏛️
University housingfrom 700 zl / monthCheapest by far, limited spots, apply early
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the lineup

What's on in Warsaw this semester

Every event below is part of the season for new students. Grab your spot and arrive already part of the crew.

🎉Welcome FestivalThe main night of the semester, where every new student in Warsaw meets for the first time.Get tickets
🪩Semester Kickoff PartyThe biggest party of the season, your crew and hundreds of new internationals on one dancefloor.
🧭Orientation Week MeetupsDaily hangouts, campus tours and coffee meetups across your first week in the city.
🗺️City GameExplore Warsaw through a fun mystery adventure, from the Old Town to Powiśle, and make your first friends along the way.See how it works
🌍International NightA night that brings together students from every country to celebrate the new semester.
🚣Vistula Riverside Day TripA relaxed day out along the Vistula boulevards and beaches with the whole community.
your future self ↓
student testimonials

What other students say:

Juliette
Bergen · Natt
Mishon
Lausanne · Darling Club
Simone
Copenhagen · Mirror
Alexa
London · Brixton Jam
Anna
Utrecht · Poema Club
Alison
Montreal · Jet Club
Frequently Asked Questions

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