Money and payments
Cards and cash
There is an extensive network of cash machines or ATMs (Polish: bankomat).
Tipping
The average tip is around 10% of the price.
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Europe · Central EuropeUsable guideCountry in Central Europe
Photo: Captain Blood at english Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Poland (Polish: Polska) has an eventful history, and a strong basis for its bourgeoning tourism industry. it offers a fair share of countryside, vibrant urbanity, and a culture in connection to its thousand-year history.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Poland.
Cards and cash
There is an extensive network of cash machines or ATMs (Polish: bankomat).
Tipping
The average tip is around 10% of the price.
LTE is available in every town and 5G is being implemented as of 2021.
Mobile networks
Tap water is safe to drink in all of Poland.
Tap water is safe to drink in all of Poland. If you stay in any larger settlement, there is no reason to worry about water quality.
Poles are generally old-fashioned about gender etiquette. It is customary to hold doors and chairs for women. Some men, particularly older men, may kiss a woman's hand when greeting or saying goodbye.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
Uniwersytet Wroclawski o poranku.jpg|thumbnail|right|Wrocław]] (Warszawa) — capital of Poland, and one of the EU's thriving new business centres; the old town, nearly completely destroyed during World War II, has been rebuilt in a style inspired by classicist paintings of Canaletto.
the former German city of Danzig is one of the old, beautiful European cities, rebuilt after World War II. It is a great departure point to the many sea resorts along the Baltic coast.
central district of the Upper Silesian Metropolis, both an important commercial hub and a centre of culture.
the "cultural capital" of Poland and its historical capital in the Middle Ages; its centre is filled with old churches, monuments, the largest European medieval market-place – and now with trendy pubs and art galleries. Its city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
the biggest city in Eastern Poland, it has a well-preserved old town with typical Polish architecture, along with unusual Renaissance elements.
once renowned for its textile industries, the "Polish Manchester" has the longest walking street in Europe, Piotrkowska Street, full of picturesque 19th-century architecture.
the merchant city, considered to be the birthplace of the Polish nation and church (along with Gniezno); presents a mixture of architecture from all epoques.
the most important city of Pomerania with an enormous harbour, monuments, old parks and museums.
An infamous complex of German Nazi extermination and slave labour camps that became the centre of the Holocaust of Jews during World War II. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
a huge area of ancient woodland straddling the border with Belarus. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
national park protecting the Tucholskie Forests.
monastery in the Beskids from 1600 with Mannerist architecture and a Stations of the Cross complex. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
national park in the Sudety around the Śnieżka Mountain with beautiful waterfalls.
home to the Malbork Castle, the beautiful huge Gothic castle made of brick and the largest one in Europe. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
national park next to the Baltic Sea with the biggest dunes in Europe.
the oldest still existing enterprise worldwide, this salt mine has been exploited continuously since the 13th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Places in Poland on the World Heritage List.
Białowieża Forest
Listed 1979
Malbork Castle
Listed 1997
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
Listed 2007
Centennial Hall
Listed 2006
Muskau Park
Listed 2004
Wooden tserkvas of Carpathian region in Poland and Ukraine
Listed 2013
Warsaw Old Town
Listed 1980
Churches of Peace
Listed 2001
Wooden churches of Southern Lesser Poland
Listed 2003
Kraków Old Town
Listed 1978
Old City of Zamość
Listed 1992
Medieval Town of Toruń
Listed 1997
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Central Poland is focused on the capital city of Warsaw, and Łódź which has a rich textile manufacturing and film-making heritage
Home to spectacular mountain ranges, the world's oldest operating salt mines, fantastic landscapes, caves, historical monuments and cities. The magnificent medieval city of Kraków is Poland's most-visited destination.
Colorful mixture of different landscapes. One of the warmest regions in Poland with the very popular, dynamic city of Wrocław. Within this region you will find Polish, German and Czech heritage.
A varied landscape, profusion of wildlife, bird-watcher's paradise and inland dunes. Its heritage is shaped by centuries as part of Germany.
Home to Poland's attractive seaside; sandy beaches with dunes and cliffs; lakes, rivers and forests.
Very green area filled with lakes. It offers unspoiled nature and the possibility of camping in beautiful countryside. Unique primeval forests and picturesque rivers (e.g. Biebrza River) with protected bird species make the region increasingly interesting for tourists.
Public transport and paid services in Poland.
By train
Inter-city routes are operated by PKP (Polskie Koleje Państwowe). Local routes are operated by Polregio, the brand name of Przewozy Regionalne, hived off from PKP in 2008.
By bus
Poland has a very well developed network of private charter bus companies, which tend to be cheaper, faster, and more comfortable than travel by rail.
By plane
LOT Polish Airlines offers domestic flights between Warsaw Chopin Airport and the airports of Kraków, Katowice, Wrocław, Poznań, Szczecin, Gdańsk, Olsztyn (only in summer season), Zielona Góra,…
By car
While the road network in Poland still lags behind many of its western neighbours, in particular Germany, there has been continued significant improvement since the 2010s with the opening of many new…
By taxi
Use only those that are associated in a "corporation" (look for a phone number and a logo on the side and on the top). There are no British-style minicabs in Poland.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Poland.
Finding apps for Poland…
Other ways to travel:By bicycleBy thumb
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Warsaw · International · WAW
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Warsaw
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | -1° | 1° | 7° | 14° | 20° | 23° | 25° | 25° | 20° | 13° | 6° | 1° |
| Avg. low | -7° | -6° | -2° | 3° | 9° | 13° | 15° | 14° | 9° | 4° | 1° | -4° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 44 | 37 | 37 | 40 | 72 | 67 | 74 | 64 | 51 | 49 | 44 | 45 |
| Humidity | 93% | 90% | 82% | 72% | 71% | 69% | 69% | 67% | 72% | 82% | 91% | 93% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$60
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$155
Per person, per day
Luxury
$400
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $30 | $85 | $235 |
| Food and drink | $15 | $35 | $75 |
| Local transport | $5 | $15 | $35 |
| Activities | $10 | $20 | $55 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin Poland. Poland is generally a safe destination for travelers. Review our Travel Guidance for Poland to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Ukraine-Poland border Russian military strikes have taken place in Ukraine within 20km of the Polish border. Access to the border is restricted. See Safety and security. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Poland.
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Culture & historyThe Wooden tserkvas of the Carpathian region in Poland and Ukraine is a world heritage site made up of 16 wooden churches in these countries.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsIf travelling between major cities in Poland, you don't have to drive, but to visit places off the beaten path, having a car can be a good idea.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsTrains are a convenient mode of short, medium and long distance travel across Europe, and often the fastest option. Western and Central Europe in particular have a dense and widely used railway network.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyWith a long history of immigration from different parts of Europe, Chicago is home to numerous churches reflecting that immigrant heritage.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe Amber Road (German: Bernsteinstraße, Italian: Via dell Ambra) is an ancient trade route which connects the Baltic Sea with the Adriatic Sea.
Wikivoyage
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