Phones

 
Direction number to Poland is 48, Lodz area code is 42.
Nearly all telephones in Lodz still belong to the one operator - the state monopoly TP S.A. Recently commercial operators have began building their own networks but so far the number of their customers is negligible. Phone numbers in Lodz consist of 7 digits unless it's the shortend number to some particular service (3 or 4 digits).

When calling from Lodz:
For making a phone call to Lodz you choose access code and area code 0 - 42. For longer distances you choose the area code of the city You are interested in. List of the codes is available here.The international access code is 00 so calling to Italy you dial: 0 - 0 - 39 - number.
0-800 indicates tall free services, 0-8xx combinated services, 0-7xx - paid services

There are three country-wide cellular phone operators. Their mobile phone numbers start with 5xx and 6xx and are 6-digits /e.g. 6xx nnn nnn/. You can access such a number dialing e.g. 0-6xx-number just as if you wanted to call to another city. From abroad these numbers are accessed by dialing e.g.+48 6xx number.

When staying longer in our city you can consider buying a mobile GSM phone and/or prepaid card to your phone (no contract). Phones and services are affordable. Mobile companies : Plus, Era, Orange. Approximate cost of prepaid system activation starts from 9 zl (without a phone). Prepaid systems in operatiors' offers have their specific names:
SimPlus (by Plus), Tak-Tak (by Era), Orange POP (by Orange).

To use a street phone it is sometimes posible to use coins but usually you need a phone card. Cards with different amount of credits are sold in Post Offices and other conveniant stores. Credits are stored on the magnetic stripe or microchip on the card itself, so you have to insert a card into the phone before you start dialing a number.

Telecommunication services are in general very expensive in Poland, especially international calls still dominated by monopol.

Private operators started with international calls as late as in 2003. One of new companies is DEALCOM with its Dzwoneczek Świat cards offering Voice Over IP services up to 90% !! cheaper than TPSA. Cards theoretically should become popular soon and be available in post offices and other stores but so far the service is not well recognized (Feb 2003) and one may have problems getting the cards.
The card contains a PIN number which gives you number of credits according to the card price. Dial an access code (for Łódź is: 639 80 21) and then you'll be asked about the PIN. Then dial the number you wish to call.
Domestic cards are planed too.

Simple, convenient and relatively cheap way to move around the city.
Cabs in Lodz belong to various tele-taxi companies and no uniform color distinguishing them from other cars exists. Cars of each company have the company's phone number and the 'taxi' sign sometimes in combination with simple graphics presented on the chassis and roof. There are also so called 'not associated' cabs not belonging to any company, which can be taken only from the street.
The same tele-taxi company may have several phone numbers, i.e. the 'real' number (7 digits) the shorten number (3 or 4 digits) and the toll free service starting with 0-800.
The operator should speak English. In general you will be asked about a phone number you are calling from. If calling from a street phone just explain it and give your name and place you want the cab to show up.

Numbers to some tele-taxi companies in Lodz:
  "Radio Taxi":  919  or   0 800 500 919
  "400-400": 42 6400-400 , 96-26
 "Carino": 42672-72-72 , 96-64 , 0 800 4267-26-27
 "Europa": 96-62, 37-11-11

Warnings: you'd better not take the cab from the street especially near railway/bus stations, hotels and other similar places. It's very easy to be cheated by the unfair non tele-taxi drivers waiting for naive clients especially foreigners who don't know the real local prices. Just make a call from the nearest phone and order a cab.


 
 

Cheap and quite convenient. Very well developed network.
You'll need a ticket before you enter a tram or bus. When you're in just date the ticket in a dater. Once the starting time is printed on your ticket it is valid in all tram and bus lines for a certain amount of time depending on the ticket price.

Full prices for the trip in day and night lines (Feb 2009):

You have to pay extra ticket for the luggage exceeding certain dimensions (suitcase, tennis bag, backpack). Tickets are available in all newspapers kiosks around the city, automatic seller machines and some shops especially near the stops. Tickets of different prices are available: 0.85 and 1.70 (which can't be combined with the others) and regular tickets of 1.20, 2.40, 4.80 and 9.60 zl. The stops are marked with blue-white signs with a bus or a tram in it. The timetable for the certain lines should be placed at the stop. Trams lines are numberd from 1 to 16 while bus lines from 50 to 99. Night lines numbers (only buses) start from 150.

Check the street cars and buses timetable for all the stops in the city (english version available) www.mpk.lodz.pl
http://www.mpk.lodz.pl/files/tramwaje.pdf - street cars network map (in Polish only)
http://www.mpk.lodz.pl/files/dzienne.pdf - day buses network map (in Polish only)
http://www.mpk.lodz.pl/files/autobusy_nocne_od_03_12_2007.pdf - night buses network map (in Polish only)

Technical University of Lodz - Map of the Campus
 

Universitiy's guest rooms
IX Dormitoty, Piotrkowska str. 277, 10 min walk (map) from the Institute, duplex rooms (single or double) with a shared corridor and a bathroom for one unit. Affordable pricing (ca 60 zl/day), limited number of places - prior reservation needed
If you are our guest and want this place we'll arrange it for you.


Apartment in the city
In case of short stay it is possible to rent an apartament. When staying in Lodz for a longer time it's the most convenient solution. It is not very easy to find something, especially for less then half a year but we can always do it for you. We always have a few good places up ours sleevs. Prices fluctuate around 600 zl per month (utilities not included) for a two rooms apartment.


Dormitories
VII Dormitory, al. Politechniki 9, 2 min walk from the Institute. Modest single or double rooms with bath. Kitchen on the floor. Student's standard. (gallery)
Pricing: ca 300-400 zl/month all.


Hotels
Situation with hotel rooms in Lodz is still far from perfect. It's always good to book a place in advance, especially during numerous fairs held in our city when all deacent hotels have complets. What we may recomend is:

Ibis ** - simple but new and pleasant hotel cituated in a very "strategical" place, close to the main street (Piotrkowska with its well known nightlife), multiplex cinemas just next door and very nice service. Watched underground parking.
tel. (+48 42) 638-67-00, fax. 638-67-77
90-368 Łódź, al. Piłsudskiego 11

Swiatowit *** - Pros: close to Piotrkowska, big open air parking place - watched.
tel. (+48 42) 636-36-37, 636-30-44, fax 636-52-91
90-432 Łódź, al. Kościuszki 68

Grand *** - deacent hotel in a stylish XIXth century building at the main street, but in the opinion of visitors doesn't deserve its stars. Nice vicinity though (restaurants, pubs, ets)
Only a few park places in front.
tel. (+48 42) 633-99-20, fax 633-78-76
90-102 Łódź, ul. Piotrkowska 72

Dejavu **** - Stylish new apartment hotel close to main street (Piotrkowska) located in the old villa. Historic interior is very attractive. Reasonable prices ca. 200-300zl /day. Our tip.
tel. (+48 42) 636-20-60, fax 636-70-83
90-301 Łódź, ul. Wigury 4

Qubus ***- new hotel in Łódź with on-line reservation
Al. Mickiewicza 7, Łódź