Planning a trip to Suwalki Lake District
The tourist information center (Rynek Zygmunta Augusta 44; tel. 87/643-28-83; www.augustow.pl) is in a modern building in the town square. In July and August, it operates Monday through Saturday from 8am to 8pm. The rest of the year, it's open weekdays only from 8am to 3pm. The earnest staff speaks passable English. Aside from maps and accommodation listings, they have bus schedules and current listings of bicycle, canoe, and kayak rentals; excursion organizers; and fishing information.
Getting Around
Most of the kayak and bike rentals, and tour guides, set up shop on Nadrzeczna on the south side of River Netta and on Portowa and Zarzecze on the northern bank. To get beyond Augustów, you can arrange with your outfitter for transport; many are willing to collect you from Augustów. The PKS bus service (www.pks.suwalki.com.pl) serves the region.
Getting There
By car from Warsaw, Road no. 61 leads you to Augustów. It's about 260km (162 miles) and 4 hours on fairly good and very scenic roads. From Gizycko, it's a 108km (67-mile) journey. Road no. 16 takes you here in about 1 1/2 hours. Daily trains (www.pkp.pl) and buses (www.pks.pl) leave from Warsaw and the towns in the Mazurian Lake District for Augustów. From Warsaw, the journey time for bus and rail is about 4 1/2 hours. The railway station (Kolejowa 1; tel. 194-36) is 3km (1 3/4 miles) from the center. The bus station (Rynek Zygmunta Augusta 19; tel. 87/643-36-49) is in the town square.
