Practical Stuff: Poland Travel Tips

Simply ask! We travel to see something new, or in many cases, something old. No matter the reason behind a trip, a journey is always smoother when armed with a bit of advance knowledge. This is your jumping-off point for the nuts and bolts of travelling in Poland — the weather, the border, the money, getting around, staying healthy, and everything in between. Below you’ll find a directory linking to every one of our practical guides, plus a quick checklist and a few answers to the questions visitors ask most.

Three things to know before anything else

  • Dial 112 in an emergency. It’s the single Europe-wide number for police, ambulance and fire, it works from any phone, and operators handle English.
  • The currency is the złoty (PLN), not the euro. Poland is in the EU but has kept its own currency. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but it’s worth carrying a little cash too — see Money & cards.
  • Most shops are closed on Sundays. Poland’s Sunday trading restrictions mean supermarkets and many stores shut on most Sundays of the month. Plan your big shop for a Saturday. Details under Shopping.

A practical guide, step by step

It always helps to know what the weather is like. That settled, your first hurdle will be the border: do I need a visa, do I need shots, does my dog need shots, and what can I bring with me? Once you’re safely inside, you’ll need some local money to pay for the transport into the city. After that you might want to make a phone call, get online, even mail a postcard back home before you start having so much fun that you forget to. And if your fun gets out of hand, you can find medical attention or catch up on the news in English while you recover. Every one of those topics has its own full guide — here’s the whole directory.

Practical guides directory

Before you go: a quick checklist

  • Check whether you need a visa for your nationality — see Entry, visas & Schengen.
  • Make sure your passport is valid well beyond your travel dates.
  • Tell your bank you’re travelling, and pack a card that works abroad plus a little cash in złoty.
  • Sort out a phone plan — roaming, or a local SIM once you arrive.
  • Note the emergency number (112) and the location of your embassy in Warsaw.
  • Pack for the season — Polish winters are cold and summers can be hot.
  • Remember most shops close on Sundays, so plan purchases accordingly.

Frequently asked questions

Is Poland safe?

Yes. Poland is one of the more hospitable and still relatively safe countries in the world. Violent crime is rare, cities are walkable day and night, and the usual common sense — watch your belongings in crowds and at transport hubs — is all most visitors ever need. In any emergency, dial 112.

Is Poland expensive?

Compared with Western Europe, Poland is still good value, though prices have risen in recent years. Eating out, public transport and museum tickets remain affordable, especially outside the very centre of the big cities. For current costs always check official sites, as prices change.

Do I need cash, or are cards enough?

Cards (including contactless and phone payments) are accepted almost everywhere, from restaurants to ticket machines. Even so, it’s wise to keep a small amount of złoty for markets, small kiosks, tips and the occasional cash-only spot. See Money & cards for the details.

While in Poland, be sure to learn more about how Poles live, eat, drink, shop and speak. If their current behaviour fascinates you, find out more about their past. Above all, enjoy yourself in one of the more hospitable and still relatively safe countries in the world.