Travel to Poland

– 6 Tips & Tricks

Do you want to travel to Poland but don’t know where to go, what to expect, or how to behave? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered! This guide will answer all your questions and provide you with our tips and tricks for a memorable getaway to this Central European country! Read on to find out more!

Poland Traveler’s Info

Let’s start with some basic information about the country that might interest you as a traveller.

Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Poland?

No, you don’t need a visa to travel to Poland from the UK, as the former is a part of the Schengen Area. However, you are allowed to stay in Poland only for up to 90 days in any 180 days, so bear that in mind if you’re planning more than just a summer holiday.

Is It Safe to Travel to Poland?

Yes, Poland is extremely safe to travel. The crime rates there are much lower than in the UK—according to the World Population Review, we’re talking about an overall of 70.8 in the safety index for Poland vs. only 53.1 for the UK.

Is Poland Expensive?

Poland is relatively inexpensive, though everything depends on the final destination of your choice. Some cities or regions are tourist-oriented and, hence, might have significantly higher prices than the others.

Embarking on a Travel to Poland from the UK: Where to Go?

If you know exactly where you want to go, you can skip this section. But, if you dream of travelling to Poland from the UK but haven’t made up your mind about the exact destination yet, take a look below—you’ll find our destination recommendations there!

Warsaw

Warsaw (PL: Warszawa) is the capital city of Poland, and as such, it’s a great place to travel to. Here, you should mostly be interested in museums:

• Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego (Warsaw Uprising Museum),
• Muzeum Narodowe (National Museum),
• Centrum Nauki Kopernik (Copernicus Science Centre),
• Muzeum Żydów Polskich POLIN (Museum of the History of Polish Jews).

Additionally, you should definitely visit local landmarks like Pałac Kultury i Nauki or the right shore of Vistula, which has natural beaches instead of concrete.

It’s also a city known for its vibrant nightlife and tons of events, so you might want to check out what’s going on there at the time of your visit.

Cracow

Cracow (PL: Kraków) is a magnificent historical city in the southern part of the country. It’s a great hub for your travels, offering you a lot, from the mediaeval market square (the largest of its kind in Europe!) and the royal castle (the city used to be the Polish capital), to the Jewish Quarters of Kazimierz. However, that’s just the surface.

This city is perfect for travelling to Poland because of its rich cultural heritage and the numerous tourist attractions you’ll find in the region.

After all, apart from touring the city, you can visit (and explore!) the Wieliczka Salt Mine, enjoy nature in Ojcowski National Park or even go hiking in the nearby Tatry.

You should also try obwarzanek (ob-wah-zah-neck), a local delicacy in the form of a ring-shaped bread that is entered into the list of UNESCO Cultural Heritage.

Travelling to Poland—Our Tips & Tricks

So, what do you need to know when travelling to Poland? We’ve got a couple of tips and tricks that will help you have a much more enjoyable experience.

1. Don’t feel discouraged if people don’t smile at you — Polish people are generally less open to strangers (though it doesn’t mean they aren’t welcoming!).
2. Don’t say that Poland is Eastern European — This isn’t a rule, but many people might be offended by such claims.
3. Don’t drink alcohol in public spaces — You can get fined for that.
4. Explore nature — Poland has a lot of breathtaking landscapes, so escape the cities and explore their surroundings!
5. Poland is visibly warmer than the UK — Be ready for some massive heat waves during the summer.
6. Plan your travel around the country with some spare time in mind — While travelling in Poland by car is relatively easy, it isn’t so with other means of transport. Trains are frequently late, so you should take this into account when preparing your itinerary.

The Takeaway

Poland is a beautiful country that we highly recommend—not only Cracow and Warsaw but also Toruń, Mazury and the towns on the shore of the Baltic Sea. After reading our guide on travelling to Poland, you know everything you need about this country, so now it’s time to book your flights and hostel and plan your adventures!

Want to make your travel to Poland more exciting? Combine it with visiting the neighbouring countries—here’s our article on Prague’s not-so-hidden gems that should help you plan your trip!

Sources:

• World Population Review