How to visit Bialowieza Forest from Warsaw
Bialowieza forest and National Park in Poland. The oldest national forest in Poland and one of the oldest in the whole of Europe. Currently, Bialowieza Forest is the only natural UNESCO site in Poland.
Bialowieza Forest
A magical place where you experience nature at its best. Last and only place in Europe where forests preserved in their primeval states. In the Bialowieza forest, you will meet the Polish Bison (Zubr)!
The distance to Bialowieza Forest from the Center of Warsaw is around 240km (Driving time is around 3 hours and 10 minutes)
Bialowieza Forest
Bialowieza Forest in UNESCO List
The Białowieża Forest is named after the Polish village of Białowieża, which is located in the middle of the forest. The village was probably one of the first human settlements in the area.
Located on the border between Poland and Belarus, the Bialowieza forest decorates the green life of both countries with the ability to cross the borders between the two sides: Read More Information Below.
An immense range of primary forests including both conifers and broadleaved trees covering a total area of 141,885 hectares.
Situated on the watershed of the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea, this transboundary property is exceptional for the opportunities it offers for biodiversity conservation. It is home to the largest population of the property’s iconic species, the European bison.
Thanks to several ages of protection the Forest had survived in its natural state to this day. The Bialowieza forest in Poland was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979 and extended to include Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Belarus, in 1992.
Source: UNESCO List - Bialowieza Forest
Points of interest in Bialowieza forest
Below are the most important points of interest to see when you are going to visit the Bialowieza forest for only one day and then return to Warsaw.
- Strictly Protected Area - You can enter only with a Guide!
- European bison reserve
- The Park Palace
- The Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas
- Towarowa in Bialowieza
- Hajnowka
Bialowieza Forest - More to See
Booking a night in the forest is the best way to enjoy and really see the Bialowieza forest instead of a day trip from Warsaw.
This will allow you to get time to enjoy nature and have some free time in the forest as well. Also, you will be able to see more in the area. What else you can do in Bialowieza when going for a 2-day trip?
- Visit the Ethnographic Park (Skansen)
- Enjoy trekking in the beautiful nature
- Discover the older oak trees located in the Kings Oaks’ trail
- Do you know about the 20km of Hand railway in the wild forest?
Grabarka- On your way back to Warsaw, don't forget to pass by Grabarka, the Holy Mount with the crosses.
When to Visit
When to visit the Bialowieza Forest in Poland?
Every time of the year has its beauty. It is easier and better to enjoy the forest during a warm time of the year, but the winter has its beauty.
During Spring
One of the most beautiful times of the year, not only in the Bialowieza forest but in the whole of Poland. The best months are April and May when everything inflorescence and the weather in Poland start to get warmer.
Great in Summer
During the summer, there will be a lot of mosquitos, so be prepared and take your spray. You can find very good sprays at any pharmacy. Also, the busiest time in the Bialowieza forest, as tourists and locals prefer to visit due to the warm weather.
Golden Autumn
An amazingly beautiful time of the year. The forest starts to get ready for the hard winter. It is called the golden period for a very good reason.
Winter in the forest
It is going to be very cold. But it is worth the effort, as this time is the best time to visit the Bialowieza forest. The animals are looking for food and it is very easy to spot them moving around.
Is it allowed to visit Bialowieza Forest without a Guide?
Yes, It is allowed. Only the reserved part of the Bialowieza forest you cannot visit without a guide. The reserved part of the Bialowieza forest demonstrates how the world would be without human interruptions.
Tour From Warsaw
Tours to Bialowieza Forest from Warsaw
Booking an all-inclusive tour to the Bialowieza forest from Warsaw is the best way to relax, enjoy nature without any planning. Everything will be prepared for you and you have the ability to choose either to do the trip in one single day or in two days.
We highly recommend taking the trip in two days, because you are going to see more and also you are going to spend an unforgettable night in the forest.
A. Day Trip to Bialowieza forest PriceList
1 pax 2 pax 3 pax 4 pax 5 pax 6 pax 7 pax 8 pax €350 €200 €155 €135 €120 €110 €100 €95 An English-speaking driver will pick you from your hotel or apartment in Warsaw around 7:00. You are going to visit the Bialowieza forest on a guided tour with a local guide. Then you are going to have lunch, have free time, and finally return to Warsaw around 22:00.
Price Includes
- Door-to-door transfer by car or minivan from your hotel or apartment in Warsaw city center.
- English-speaking driver.
- Guided tour in English (3-hour walking tour including the strict protection area of the Bialowieza Forest).
- Entrance fee to the National Park and the Bison Reserve.
- Traditional lunch (dish of the day) in a local restaurant.
B. Two-Day Trip to Bialowieza
In this case, you are going to stay overnight in the forest (listed prices are for local guesthouse with the ability for an upgrade). You are also going to visit the Belarussian side of the forest in the two-day trip to Bialowieza Forest.
1 pax 2 pax 3 pax 4 pax 5 pax 6 pax 7 pax 8 pax €760 €410 €295 €245 €225 €215 €205 €200 Included in the Price
- Door-to-door transfer by car or minivan from your hotel or apartment in Warsaw city center.
- English-speaking driver.
- Guided tour in English (3-hour walking tour including the strict protection area of the Bialowieza Forest).
- Entrance fee to the National Park and the Bison Reserve.
- Traditional lunch (dish of the day) in a local restaurant (first day).
- Accommodation in a traditional local guesthouse with breakfast.
- Belarus Guide for the Belarusian side.
- Entrance fees: Bison Zoo in Belarus, Father Frost Museum, Ethnographic Park.
- Visa Arrangement (Note: We need a scan of your passport at least 2 weeks in advance)
In case you are not able to afford any of the all-inclusive tours, please keep reading and see how to plan your trip to the Bialowieza forest on your own. In case you need any additional information, please send me a message.
Plan your Trip
Plan your Trip to Bialowieza Forest
How to visit Bialowieza Forest
It is possible to go from Warsaw to the Bialowieza forest without an organized tour. As the traveling times are high, It is highly recommended to stay at least for one night. This will allow you to see the forest, rent a bike and enjoy the place.
With the same-day tour, you will not have the time to enjoy nature and relax! The transportation time is more or less 7 hours to go and come back with a car. The distance from Warsaw is 240 KM.
The best way will be to Rent A Car From Warsaw. But there are also other options - keep reading.
Where to Stay in Bialowieza Forest?
There are a few nice places we can recommend except the one you can spot on the map below.
First, we recommend a wooden traditional guest house surrounded by a charming garden and only a 10-minute walk from the Bialowieza National Park. It is a low-budget place to stay. For example, a room with a private bathroom can cost around 400 PLN for 2 people (4 nights) - that's €25 per night.
The above place is also very close to the beginning of a famous path which is called zebra zubra and to the entrance to the protected part of the forest.
Secondly, we also recommend an authentic house with an old stove, a nice garden, and an orchard of priceless, old, branchy trees.
Finally, we recommend exceptional accommodation just 1.1km from the forest with a restaurant, free parking, a garden, and free Wi-Fi.
Map: Hotels in Bialowieza Forest
HOW TO GET TO BIALOWIEZA FOREST FROM WARSAW
There are direct bus services from Warsaw (near the West Train Station-Warszawa Zachodnia). The bus goes to Bialowieza by Ostrów Mazowiecka, Ciechanowiec, Bielsk Podlaski, and Hajnówka. The journey takes approximately 5 hours (267 km). Check the timetables of Buses.
On the website «https://en.e-podroznik.pl/» you can check also the current timetables of buses and trains in Poland. The best option is to look for a train to a point and then go on a bus.
Just do not get lost, see some more info on this website about trains to Bialowieza. In case you will go and come back the same day, then going on a bus might not work for you. Renting a car is the first best option but as the ride is a few hours it might be worth staying for one night.
TOURS IN THE FOREST
Finally, you can find and book a group tour of the place - if you need one. You can also rent a bike and visit the Belarussian side of the Park. See below for more info. Check this with your hotel and get a nice Tour of the forest. You can find all available Tours to Bialowieza Forest.
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Rent a Car in Poland
Must-see in Poland: Malbork Castle, Gdansk from Warsaw
Border Crossing
VISA-FREE Border Crossing in Bialowieza forest
Visitors coming to Białowieża Forest have the opportunity to go to the Belarus side of the Forest without any visa. In the first place to cross the border, you need a valid passport and an "online pass" or "permit".
You are allowed to stay only within the territory of the National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha". The duration of one visit can be a maximum of 72 hours.
Finally, you can only cross walking or by bike in the one crossing point Białowieża-Piererow. In the case of a "migration card", keep it also with you.
Working hours
- Beginning of April - End of September: 8.00 - 20.00
- Beginning of October - End of March: 8.00 - 18.00
Cross the Bialowieza National Park borders
Visit the National Park Website, fill in, and send your visitor request to get a border pass "Permit" (cost about €5). You should receive the pass by email in a few hours.
Get also medical insurance. You can buy the insurance in Białowieża village (PTTK tourist Office, Żubrówka Hotel, Białowieski Hotel). The cost is about €2 per person and lasts for 3 days.
Finally, keep any "migration card" together with your passport. You can get to the crossing point on foot or by bicycle.
Tips about Border-Cross in Bialowieza
In case you are in a group, check the possibility to get a tourist agency that offers trips to the Belarus part. You can find them in Białowieża. Mobile phone charges and time varies in the Belarus part of the Bialowieza forest.
Do not buy any goods that you might not be able to pass through the border.
What is worth seeing in the Belarus Part?
Kamieniuki is a must-see on the other side of the forest. The place is located 19 km from the border and you can easily get there by bus. The bus works between 10.00 and 17.30 CET. The cost of the ticket is around €7 per person with the return.
Some more interesting places to visit on the Belarussian side are:
- The bison ZOO in Belarus.
- Father Frost Museum.
- Ethnographic Park where you can try local vodka Samogonka.
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