IKEA in Warsaw

jonni:

Exactly. Did you know that they're changing the travelcards to one with a photo in. On the one hand it saves having to write the serial number of some photo id on, but on the other hand, they need a PESEL. Discriminatory to foreign residents without a PESEL? Maybe. Irritating? Yes.

new-expat	May 28, 09, 09:05 / #
Hi, I was told that there's an IKEA near Warsaw and that it's easy to go by metro then bus. Can you please give me more information guys ? Anyone having a car and planning to go in the next days / week-ends (so I could join :)) ? Thanks !!!

krysiaThreads: 26 Posts: 3,604 Joined: Aug 10, 06	May 28, 09, 09:51 / #
There are 3 IKEAS in Warsaw Ikea Targówek‎ Malborska 51, 03-286 Warszawa, Poland‎ - 22 334 44 00‎ Inter Ikea Centre Polska SA‎ Malborska 51, 03-286 Warszawa, Poland‎ - 22 711 22 49‎ "IKEA Retail" Sp. z oo‎ Malborska 41, 03-286 Warszawa, Poland‎ - 22 711 23 01‎

peter_olsztynThreads: 8 Posts: 760 Joined: Apr 18, 07	May 28, 09, 09:52 / #
new-expat: Can you please give me more information guys ? Use google Luke ;) IKEA Janki buses: 706 and IKEA bus (for free) IKEA Targówek buses: 112, 126, 140, 190, 390, 718, 805

new-expat	May 28, 09, 10:22 / #
Thanks anyway. I guess bus 706 can be take in the city center ? I'm sorry but somehow I cannot read the information on IKEA pl website :(

peter_olsztynThreads: 8 Posts: 760 Joined: Apr 18, 07	Edited by: peter_olsztyn May 28, 09, 11:07 / #
new-expat: I guess bus 706 can be take in the city center ? no, 706 route is OKĘCIE <---> JANKI

SzwedwPolsceThreads: 13 Posts: 1,915 Joined: Feb 21, 09	Edited by: SzwedwPolsce May 28, 09, 11:35 / #
You can for example take a bus from downtown to OKĘCIE, and then bus 706 to PL. SZWEDZKI. Or you can take the free IKEA-bus from OKĘCIE.

BevKThreads: 18 Posts: 281 Joined: Mar 20, 09	May 28, 09, 11:56 / #
Thanks for the map!

peter_olsztynThreads: 8 Posts: 760 Joined: Apr 18, 07	May 28, 09, 12:14 / #
SzwedwPolsce: OKĘCIE, and then bus 706 to PL. SZWEDZKI http://www.ztm.waw.pl/mapa/mapa_7.htm

BevKThreads: 18 Posts: 281 Joined: Mar 20, 09	May 28, 09, 13:53 / #
I do find it a bit weird that the bus is free since I have a monthly travelcard - I know people who lived here for years spending 9zl a day on travel ... crazy!

jonniThreads: 26 Posts: 4,181 Joined: Nov 27, 07	Jun 1, 09, 12:45 / #
BevK: I have a monthly travelcard Exactly. Did you know that they're changing the travelcards to one with a photo in. On the one hand it saves having to write the serial number of some photo id on, but on the other hand, they need a PESEL. Discriminatory to foreign residents without a PESEL? Maybe. Irritating? Yes. By the way, for the original poster, of the two big IKEAs (I think the third one's closed, unless they relocated it somewhere) the one at Targówek (Marki) is less crowded than the one at Janki, and the journey's a little easier.

sadieannThreads: 4 Posts: 320 Joined: Apr 28, 09	Jun 1, 09, 22:16 / #
Interesting. It is an experience. Crowded, one entry/exit, and huge parking lot. Most people drive there. The quality doesn't have longevity, but people in US tend to like the prices. Personally, it's not my favorite. I can see how it would be different in Poland. It might be interesting..

George8600Threads: 20 Posts: 1,114 Joined: Feb 19, 09	Jun 2, 09, 03:28 / #
peter_olsztyn: sadieann: Is IKEA popular in Poland? Many people go there for sightseeing. lol, IKEA is cheap, people don't go there for sightseeing. That doesn't mean it's cheap quality, I love IKEA and depending on how much money you invest depends on the quality you get. The cheap stuff is usually made in China from cheap materials and the expensive stuff is usually made in Scandinavia with expensive materials.

peter_olsztynThreads: 8 Posts: 760 Joined: Apr 18, 07	Edited by: peter_olsztyn Jun 2, 09, 06:06 / #
George8600: Is IKEA popular in Poland? No it isn't popular. Many people go there for sightseeing. Majority of 38 mln Poles never been to IKEA shop. They treat IKEA as novelty and modern, smart IKEA style doesn't fit to the rest of furniture in their houses. They buy smart stainless steel can-opener as a souvenir and that is all.

PolishCowboyThreads: 1 Posts: 64 Joined: Jan 30, 09	Jun 2, 09, 07:10 / #
George8600: That doesn't mean it's cheap quality, Sorry, to tell you- it is cheap. All it is, is cheap veneers on particle board, mostly. I agree with you that you get what you pay for. If you want quality modern furniture you should check out Knolls, or design within reach. I think they ship international or should have a place in Europe. Its expensive but worth it. Make sure its authentic, the Chinese make alot of cheap knock-offs that have flooded the market. hollabak: I jak we hartford bylo? And how was Hartford?,(I think that's what he was trying to ask) hollabak: ja taz :-) Me too :-)

esekThreads: 5 Posts: 269 Joined: Jun 3, 08	Jun 1, 09, 19:39 / #
jonni: On the one hand it saves having to write the serial number of some photo id on, but on the other hand, they need a PESEL. Discriminatory to foreign residents without a PESEL? Maybe. Irritating? Yes. if there is no way to get this new travel card by foreign people then this is just an omission and this is high time to tell ZTM about it and if it won't help then you should contact with local press - i would recommend tvn warszawa

sadieannThreads: 4 Posts: 320 Joined: Apr 28, 09	Jun 1, 09, 20:03 / #
Is IKEA popular in Poland?

BevKThreads: 18 Posts: 281 Joined: Mar 20, 09	Jun 1, 09, 21:23 / #
jonni: Exactly. Did you know that they're changing the travelcards to one with a photo in. On the one hand it saves having to write the serial number of some photo id on, but on the other hand, they need a PESEL. Discriminatory to foreign residents without a PESEL? Maybe. Irritating? Yes. No I didn't know that. Assume existing travelcards won't be affected and can just be recharged?

peter_olsztynThreads: 8 Posts: 760 Joined: Apr 18, 07	Jun 1, 09, 22:03 / #
sadieann: Is IKEA popular in Poland? Many people go there for sightseeing.

new-expat	Jun 2, 09, 09:20 / #
jonni: Discriminatory to foreign residents without a PESEL? Maybe. Irritating? Yes. What's a PESEL ? Mh I'm a foreigner and I bought a 3-months travelcard with a photo, I didn't have problems getting it... I think what ppl like about IKEA is that : 1) it's like a big supermarket for the house and you can buy many things and you don't need to go in several places to do your shopping ; so instead of spending months furnishing and decorating your flat you just spend an afternoon ;) 2) for many kitchen, bathrooms and decoration stuff, it's cheaper than in any other shops and the quality is the same, e.g basic lamps, frames, curtains... 3) The furniture and the other items are really practical and facilitates the everyday life because they're cleverly designed - and that's something Swedish ppl are good at. I'm personnally not a big fan of a whole IKEA-furnished flat but as a student I was very happy fo furnish my own flat by myself at a cheap price and with stuff which looks like design furniture :)

jonniThreads: 26 Posts: 4,181 Joined: Nov 27, 07	Edited by: jonni Jun 2, 09, 22:33 / #
BevK: No I didn't know that. Assume existing travelcards won't be affected and can just be recharged? Existing ones can be recharged until 2010 @ NewExpat, which office did you buy it at? People are saying that some ZTM offices require a PESEL and some don't. It seems to be up to whoever is behind the counter. I'd like to know because I really need to get one. As for IKEA, Poland is one of their largest markets - from a handful of stores 10 years ago, they've really grown. A lot of their production is outsourced here too.

new-expat	Jun 3, 09, 09:07 / #
I bought it in Centrum, upstairs. I think it's the main office. I was helped by a Polish guy but I didn't need any special document, even not a passport: my French ID card was enough. It took 10 minutes. But what's a PESEL ?

esekThreads: 5 Posts: 269 Joined: Jun 3, 08	Jun 3, 09, 10:29 / #
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PESEL

new-expat	Jun 3, 09, 11:15 / #
All right :) I think I filled a form especially for foreigners and the woman put my French ID number on it. No problem. According to the number of foreigners there are in Warsaw, I'm pretty sure everyone can have the same card as mine.

BevKThreads: 18 Posts: 281 Joined: Mar 20, 09	Jun 3, 09, 12:55 / #
Assume a passport would suffice then? The French ID card would fall under Schengen rules, which the UK is not part of.

HarryThreads: 62 Posts: 8,508 Joined: May 2, 07 [Suspended]	Jun 3, 09, 13:58 / #
Go to the ZTM website and there is a .PDF file you can download with the application form for a transport card for a foreigner who doesn't have a PESEL number. Fill it in and take it to the office with you and you'll have no problem getting the card.

BevKThreads: 18 Posts: 281 Joined: Mar 20, 09	Edited by: BevK Jun 4, 09, 09:58 / #
Thanks Harry. I have one already but helpful for peeps who don't yet :) http://www.ztm.waw.pl/ for people who need the general website, and the page about the travelcard in general is ztm.waw.pl/taryfa/wkm.php

BevKThreads: 18 Posts: 281 Joined: Mar 20, 09	Jun 4, 09, 14:22 / #
I've just realised I have a direct bus to IKEA in Targówek, so those cheap tat coffee tables I want will be a reality by bedtime YAY

kendriannnaThreads: 8 Posts: 32 Joined: Mar 22, 09	Jun 4, 09, 19:41 / #
IKEA sucks in Warsaw. everything is overpriced and crap

jonniThreads: 26 Posts: 4,181 Joined: Nov 27, 07	Jun 5, 09, 16:41 / #
@ Harry and @ Newexpat, thanks for the info!

HarryThreads: 62 Posts: 8,508 Joined: May 2, 07 [Suspended]	Jun 5, 09, 17:50 / #
Harry: Go to the ZTM website and there is a .PDF file you can download with the application form for a transport card for a foreigner who doesn't have a PESEL number. I was posting from my iphone yesterday so couldn't put the link for the form in but here it is: https://personalizacja.ztm.waw.pl/wniosek-obcokrajowiec.pdf