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Krakow in winter | Poland travel guide
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Krakow in winter | Poland travel guide

Poland Travel Guide

From stunning old towns to epic wilderness, here's everything you need to know about Poland.

What you'll find in this guide:

Top things to do in Poland

Practical Information

Weather in Poland

Getting to Poland

Getting around Poland

Where to stay in Poland

Top things to do in Poland

  • Malbork Castle
    EXCURSIONS & DAY TRIPS

    Malbork Castle tour from Gdańsk

    Enjoy a guided tour of the world's largest castle. See the castle's many permanent and temporary exhibitions holding 40 thousand items and visit St. Mary's Church.

  • Krakow guided tour
    ACTIVITIES

    Self-guided tour with interactive city game of Kraków

    Explore the city of Kraków in a unique and affordable way.

  • Vodka and food tasting tour in Warsaw
    ACTIVITIES

    Vodka and food tasting tour in Warsaw

    Taste your way through some of Poland's best vodka and local delicacies.

  • Wieliczka Salt Mine
    ATTRACTIONS & GUIDED TOURS

    Wieliczka Salt Mine tour

    Step into the underground and enter the world of the Wieliczka Salt Mine – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • Person playing piano
    TICKETS & EVENTS

    Chopin concert in Kraków

    Experience the masterpieces of Chopin in a unique setting and enjoy a complementary glass of wine.

What time zone is Poland in?

GMT +1

What currency do they use in Poland?

Polish złoty PLN

What language do they speak in Poland?

Polish

What power adaptors do you need for Poland?

Type C & E

What is the average flight time to Poland?

2 hours 20 minutes

Practical Info

Culture and etiquette

Religion

The majority of Polish people identify as Roman Catholic, with over a quarter attending mass every week.

Tipping

No one's going to force you to tip in Poland, but around 10% to 15% is very much appreciated for good service.

Smoking

Smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces, including shops and public transport. However, smoking is allowed in cafes, bars, clubs, restaurants and other public places as long as it's in a separate, well-ventilated room. So smoking rooms are quite common.

Language

The official language of Poland is, believe it or not, Polish. English is pretty widely spoken in the country so you shouldn't have too much trouble speaking to locals, but it might be worth learning a few handy phrases to help you along the way. Locals will appreciate it too.

Be warned – there are 32 letters in the Polish alphabet compared to the 23 in English. Don't worry, we'll help out with pronunciations...

Hello – Cześć (cheshch)

Excuse me – Przepraszam (psheh-prah-shahm)

Yes – Tak (tak)

No – Nei (nyeh)

Please – Proszę (proh-sheh)

Thank you – Dziękuję (dyen-koo-yeh)

Do you speak English? – Czy mówisz po angielsku? (tu moh-viez poh an-gel-skoh)

How much? – Ile? (eel-eh)

Where is? – Gdzie jest? (gd-yest)

  • One – Jeden (yeden)
  • Two – Dwa (d-vah)
  • Three – Trzy (t-seh)
  • Four – Cztery (ts-ta-reh)
  • Five – Pięć (pee-ench)
  • Six – Sze?? (seh-shch)
  • Seven – Siedem (sheh-dem)
  • Eight – Osiem (oshem)
  • Nine – Dziewięć (jeh-vee-ench)
  • Ten – Dziesięć (jeh-sench)

Goodbye – Do widzenia (doh vid-zenyah)

Jabs, visas and other advice

For up-to-date advice on jabs, visas and other foreign advice, we recommend following the government's website.

Emergency numbers

For fire call 998, police call 997 and call 999 if you need an ambulance.

  • Flying shuttle bus with plane wings | Poland airport transfers

    Poland Airport Transfers

    Book your Poland Airport transfers, with prices starting from under £5 and free cancellations up to 3 days before travel.

  • Car in the sky parked on a cloud | Poland Car Hire

    Poland Car Hire

    Book your Poland car hire, with free cancellations.

  • Malbork Castle | Poland Ultimate Experiences

    Poland Ultimate Experiences

    From grand castles to salt mines! Make the most of your trip and book the top Poland experiences for you and your family before you fly.

  • Racoon stealing a sleeping bear's camera | Poland Travel Insurance

    Travel Insurance for Poland

    Whatever you're doing in Poland, you'll want a reliable travel insurance policy for your trip.

What's the weather like in Poland?

Poland has four distinct seasons not too dissimilar to the UK. Think mild weather and blossoming flowers in spring, fairly hot summers, then a crisp and sunny autumn followed by cold winters.

The mountains get a lovely blanket of snow in the winter that's perfect for skiing. Head there between December and April for all things winter sports, or to laze on the beach (yes, beach holidays to Poland are a thing) head up to the Polish Riviera in summer – Sopot, Gydnia and Gdańsk will do the trick.


Getting to Poland

It takes about two and a half hours to fly from London to Kraków, and you'll get to both Warsaw and Gdańsk even quicker. Perfect for a city break if you ask us.

If you wanted to cut down your air miles, you can also get there by train. Just catch the Eurostar from London to either Berlin or Brussels, stop off for a bratwurst or a Flemish stew, then when you're ready head on over to Kraków, Warsaw or wherever else takes your fancy.


Getting around Poland

One way to get around is by hiring a car, which you can pick up at the airport. Conditions can be tricky though, especially in the countryside, so try to avoid driving at night and stick to major roads if you can.

Or, trains connect most major cities and are pretty reliable. Consider getting an InterRail or Eurail pass if you plan on travelling around a bit.

Sticking to the city? Major ones are well served by buses, trams and metros so you shouldn't have much trouble getting from A to B. Taxis are available too, just make sure to avoid unlicensed 'pirate' taxis.

Top
The Good Trip Index
45th

Poland ranks 45th on the Good Trip Index

This score is calculated based on Sustainability, Human Rights, Women's Rights, Press Freedom, Quality of Life, LGBTQI+ Rights and Animal welfare

Find out more

Where to stay in Poland

Kraków

Kraków is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so yes the medieval architecture is as stunning as you'd expect. The historic Old Town, Wawel Castle, and the Jewish Quarter (Kazimierz) are must-visit attractions. Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, a sobering but important historical site, is nearby too if you wanted to pay your respects and learn more about this terrible part of history.

Street in Krakow

Warsaw

The Polish capital is a mix of old and new, with a reconstructed Old Town, Royal Castle, and modern skyscrapers. The Warsaw Rising Museum and the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews are worth a visit for their historical significance.

Warsaw Old Town

Wrocław

Picturesque Wrocław is known for its colourful Market Square, beautiful bridges, and charming Old Town. Cathedral Island (Ostrów Tumski) and Centennial Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are popular attractions.

Wroclaw Old Town

Gdańsk

A port city on the Baltic Sea, Gdańsk is rich with maritime history. The Old Town, Long Market, and the historic shipyard are major highlights. You can also visit the nearby resort town of Sopot and the medieval Malbork Castle.

River in Gdansk Top