Public transport in Gdansk

Public transport in Gdansk is a convenient way to explore the city. The fares are acceptable, and if there are no traffic jams caused by some roadworks, accidents or extreme weather, it’s pretty punctual. All the buses and most of the trams are modern, with air-conditioning in summer and heating in winter. All buses and most trams are equipped with wheelchair ramps (serviced by the driver after pressing the button). For longer routes, there is the SKM Gdansk – Gdynia train that has stops along Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot.

Tip: download Jakdojade mobile application for Android or Iphone. You may check schedules, real-time departures, routes, maps, and buy tickets in this app. It also works for transport in other cities.

The bus and tram network allows you to get to any place in the city – beaches, museums and the Oliwa district, although it sometimes takes time to get there. To find buses and tram maps, look at the official public transport page of Gdansk, but you will find the best routes easier in the Jakdojade App.

Buses and trams

Where to buy bus and tram tickets

Tickets for buses and trams are the same. They may be obtained from kiosks, ticket booths (rare), vending machines or from the driver. After entering the bus/tram, you need to validate the ticket. You only need to do it once. It is also possible to buy tickets using the Android App (Jakdojade, Mobilet), but it is better to do it before you enter the vehicle. If you buy in the Apps don’t need to be validated, and they appear in the App.

Tip: if you can choose between tram and bus on your route, choose tram during rush hours, and bus outside rush hours. Trams are fast, but have too many stops. Unless there are traffic jams – buses are faster.

Types of bus and tram tickets in Gdansk

There are one-ride tickets, that are only valid for one ride – after you leave the bus/tram you must buy another one to go further.
There are also time tickets, that allow you to change buses and trams until the ticket runs out of time. Unfortunately, there are no tickets valid for more than 72 hours. There are, of course, monthly cards, but it is highly unlikely that you’ll need them.

To use night buses or trams (those with the letter N in the beginning, for example, N1) you needed to buy a separate ticket, which was a bit more expensive. However, since the 1st of April 2020, there has been no distinction between day and night tickets.

Ticket prices

The ticket prices are as shown below:

If you travel without a valid ticket, the fine is 154 PLN if you pay it within 7 days. Otherwise, it rises to 220 PLN

*You are entitled to buy a reduced ticket when you are a student up to 26 years old, and you have an ISIC or EURO26 STUDENT card that was issued outside Poland.

SKM Gdansk – Gdynia train

Gdansk has no metro, but there is SKM train, which is a fast way to travel within the main communication route. It is frequently called Gdansk – Gdynia train, but some trains go further, even beyond Wejherowo. SKM trains stop at every station, so it is also a good way to get from Gdansk to sightsee or party in Sopot. Travelling from Gdansk to Gdynia with SKM train lasts only 33 minutes and costs 6,5 PLN, while to Sopot it’s only 20 minutes and 4,2 PLN. Since 2013 there has also been a second line of SKM (PKM) that goes to the airport and Kaszuby. This is much faster than the bus, and the punctuality is not dependable on traffic. Gdansk – Gdynia train usually leaves every 10–15 minutes until evening, then every 30 minutes until night, and every 2 hours during the night.

There is a variety of tickets to travel on SKM, including one-ride, 24-hour, return, group/family and zone tickets. You need to consult their website to check, which ticket is best for you. Skycash App will automatically hint you with the ticket that best suits your needs.

SKM train tickets

Tickets are sold at the railway stations, automatic ticket machines on the phone (Skycash App) or on the board. If you buy the ticket from the cash desk at the railway station, make sure to validate it before you get on board. Tickets bought in the automatic ticket machine or by Skycash App don’t need to be validated. There are no validators inside the trains.

To buy the ticket on the board (there is an extra fee), you need to get in through the first door. Otherwise, the ticket inspector may stop you on your way to buy a ticket and fine you for not having one.

Unless you are a Polish citizen or have a permanent residence card, you can’t buy SKM reduced tickets.

MZKZG tickets (Metropolitarny ticket)

What is MZKZG? It is an association of cities around Gdansk, that decided to make it more convenient to travel in the area. MZKZG includes Gdansk, Gdynia, Sopot and a couple of smaller cities around Tricity.

If you want to travel both bus/tram and SKM, or you plan to use public transport in Gdansk and other cities within MZKZG, you should consider buying a combined ticket. Using that ticket, it is possible to go by bus/tram and SKM train. One more advantage of this ticket is that one of them is valid for 72 hours! The types of tickets and their prices are as follows:

*You may buy a reduced MZKZG ticket for buses with your ISIC/EURO26 Student card, but unfortunately, unless you are a Polish citizen or have a permanent residence card, you are not entitled to buy SKM reduced tickets. Combined tickets are difficult to buy. Usually, they are available in the main SKM stations, but the most convenient way is to install the Jakdojade app on your phone and buy it inside the application.

Some useful tips

On-demand bus stops

At some bus stops, those marked “Na zadanie” or “NZ” you need to show the driver that you want to get on/off the bus. While inside, you need to press the “Stop” button, while waiting at the bus stop, you have to waive for the bus to stop.

Note that during the night, all the bus stops are “Na zadanie”

Time tickets expiry

Theoretically, you have to leave the bus after your ticket runs out of time. But if according to the schedule, the bus was supposed to come to your destination within the validity of your ticket, but is late because of traffic, you can ride with that ticket even after it is void. But beware, that some ticket inspectors will not be willing to apply that rule (even though it’s stated in the terms). Furthermore, if you use the mobile app to buy the ticket, make sure to capture the screen with the ticket, as it may disappear once the ticket validity is over.

Bus stop boards

At some main bus and tram stops, there are electronic boards showing departures from the bus stop. If the information is “za XY min“, this is the real-time from GPS installed on the bus. If it shows the exact time of departure, this is the time according to the schedule, not the real-time info.

Airport connection

It’s easy and cheap to reach Gdansk airport by bus or train. You just need a normal ticket, no extra fee is charged. Check Getting from Gdansk airport to the city centre by bus, train and taxi for more information.

Alternative to public transport?

Car sharing is getting more and more popular. It’s cheaper than taking a taxi and faster than bus, so many people use it. Moreover, you may use the public bike system  – Mevo – for a short distance.

For more information and a voucher code for some minutes scooter ride, check our article on car motorbike and scooter sharing in Gdansk and Mevo – a public bike system in Tricity and surroundings.

Public transport in other Polish cities

If you are considering going to other Polish cities, check our articles on public transport in Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, and Poznan.