Travel Tips
Poland
Beautifully restored old towns, deep history and hearty food make Poland excellent value.
- Capital
- Warsaw
- Currency
- Polish zloty (PLN)
- Language
- Polish
- Best overall
- May to September
- Emergency
- 112
- Electricity
- 230V, plug types C and E
Top Destinations
This country is in the Schengen Area. Many visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, while others need a Schengen visa. Check the current rules for your passport, including the EES and ETIAS entry systems. Passport validity rules vary, so check the requirements before you book.
Read about visa on arrival, e-visas and online registration →
Still have specific visa questions?
Late spring to early autumn is best. Winter is cold, with Christmas markets and skiing in the Tatras.
Not sure which month suits your trip?
Krakow
A grand medieval square and Wawel Castle.
Warsaw
A rebuilt old town and powerful history museums.
Gdansk
A colorful Baltic port with a long trading history.
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial
A profoundly important memorial near Krakow. Book well ahead.
Zakopane
A mountain town for hiking and skiing in the Tatras.
Need help choosing where to go?
- Days 1 to 2 Warsaw
- Days 3 to 5 Krakow, with Auschwitz-Birkenau
- Days 6 to 7 Zakopane
- Days 8 to 9 Gdansk, by air or train
Want a route planned around your dates?
- Trains link the main cities. Book express trains in advance.
- Ride apps are widely used in larger cities.
Not sure how to get between places?
- Poland uses the zloty, not the euro. Pay in zloty and decline currency conversion on card machines.
- Buy an eSIM before you fly or a local SIM on arrival, so maps work from day one.
Questions about costs, cash or SIM cards?
- Pierogi: stuffed dumplings.
- Zurek: sour rye soup.
- Bigos: hunter's stew.
Want tips on what and where to eat?
- Dress and act respectfully at memorial sites.
- Validate paper tickets on public transport to avoid fines.
Planning a trip to Poland?
Book a one-on-one call and bring your questions about your route, costs and visa.
Information on this page may change, so please confirm the latest visa and entry requirements and your government travel advice on official websites before you travel.