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Poland: Europe's Best-Kept Open Secret

Medieval cities, mountain trails, and food that'll ruin you for home cooking. Here's everything you need.

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Wawel Castle overlooking the Vistula river in Krakow, Poland
Wawel Castle
Aerial view of St Mary's Basilica in Krakow's Old Town
St Mary's Basilica
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Start Here

Why Poland, Why Now

Poland catches people off guard. They come expecting cheap beer and pierogi (fair enough, both are excellent) and leave genuinely obsessed. Krakow's Old Town looks like it was pulled straight from a medieval painting, except with better coffee shops. Warsaw got flattened in WWII and rebuilt itself brick by brick, which honestly tells you everything about the national character. Then there's Gdansk on the Baltic coast, the Tatra Mountains in the south, and a dozen smaller cities most tourists never bother with, which is their loss.

The food is heavy in the best possible way. The people are warm once you get past the initial reserve. And your money goes absurdly far here compared to Western Europe. This guide covers all of it, budgets included.

2-2.5 hrsFrom the UK
May-OctBest time
PolishMain language
Zloty (PLN)Currency
90 days visa-freeSchengen
Seasons

Best Time To Visit

Honestly, any time of year works in Poland. Still, each season has a genuinely different personality, so here's how they stack up.

Spring (Mar to May)

Wildflowers and quiet

April and May are the sweet spot for the mountains. Flowers at their most vivid, fewer crowds, and no queuing for anything. Genuinely one of the best windows to visit.

Summer (Jun to Aug)

Peak season

Poland's main tourist season, and the Baltic coast resorts get their warmest temperatures. Krakow and Warsaw get properly busy, especially in July and August.

Autumn (Sep to Nov)

The cultural season

Poland's cultural calendar picks up, and hotels empty out after the summer holidays. September especially offers warm days and noticeably thinner crowds.

Winter (Dec to Feb)

Bitterly cold, magical

Icy temperatures make the south perfect for skiing, and it can get bitterly cold everywhere. Time it around Krakow's Christmas Markets and it's genuinely magical.

Watch First

See Poland in 60 Seconds

Sixty seconds of medieval squares, mountain trails, and Baltic coastline. Then read on for the full story.

Poland is one of Europe’s most rewarding destinations, where medieval cities, fascinating history, stunning mountains, and beautiful Baltic beaches come together at incredible value. In just 60 seconds, we’ll explore the colourful streets of Kraków, the rebuilt Old Town of Warsaw, the breathtaking Tatra Mountains, fairytale castles, and poignant historical sites that tell the story of the nation’s past. Whether you’re travelling for culture, food, history, or outdoor adventure, Poland is a country that deserves far more attention than it often receives.

Discover Krakow, Poland: Top 10 Things to Do
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The exact booking sites we use ourselves. Nothing here we wouldn't personally recommend.

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Good To Know

What To Expect

The practical stuff, minus the waffle.

Capital

Warsaw was flattened in WWII and rebuilt brick by brick. Old Town, the Vistula riverfront, and a skyline that keeps growing.

Language

Polish is official. English is common in cities and with younger people, patchier in rural areas. Quick wins: "czesc" (hi) and "dziekuje" (thank you).

Currency

The Polish Zloty (PLN). Rough ballpark: £1 is about 5.06 PLN, and $1 is about 3.80 PLN. Rates move around, so check XE before you go.

Cards & ATMs

ATMs (called "bankomat") are everywhere, over 22,000 of them nationwide. Most places take cards, but keep some cash for market stalls and smaller bars.

Plugs

Types C and E, two round pins, 230V and 50Hz. UK visitors need an adapter. A universal adapter covers you everywhere.

Safety

Most visitors have no issues at all. Serious crime against tourists is rare. Usual city sense applies: watch your bag in crowded squares and don't flag yourself as an easy target.

Random Useful Tip

Mix with the locals wherever you can. They'll point you to the best milk bars and the odd hidden corner, and share history you won't get from a guidebook.

Never Ever

Don't call Poland "Eastern European". It's Central European, and the distinction actually matters to a lot of Poles given the country's pivotal role in Europe's history.

Right Now

Live Weather in Krakow

Straight from the source, updated as you read this.

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Detailed weather
The Guides

Poland Travel Guides

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Budgets

How Much Does Poland Cost?

Poland is one of the best-value countries in Europe. Your money goes seriously far here, especially outside Warsaw and Krakow. Prices shown in pounds, dollars, euros, and Polish zloty.

Backpacker

£25 / $32 / €30 / 125 PLNper day, roughly
  • Hostel dorms from £7-14 a night ($9-18 / €8-16)
  • Milk bars (bar mleczny) for £2-3 a meal
  • City buses and trams from £0.80 a ride
  • Free walking tours, parks, and churches
See Money-Saving Tips
Most Popular

Mid-Range

£55-80 / $70-100 / €65-95 / 275-400 PLNper day, roughly
  • Private rooms and 3-star hotels from £30-55 a night
  • Restaurant meals with beer for £8-15
  • Mix of trams, taxis, and the odd intercity train
  • Guided tours, museums, and day trips
Plan Your Budget

Upscale

£130+ / $165+ / €155+ / 650+ PLNper day
  • Boutique hotels and 5-star stays from £80+ a night
  • Fine dining and tasting menus
  • Private tours and first-class trains
  • Spa resorts, helicopter transfers to the Tatras
Find Accommodation
The Numbers

Detailed Cost Breakdown

Real prices in pounds, dollars, euros, and Polish zloty. Pick a category.

Budget

Hostel dorm£7-14 / $9-18 / €8-16 / 35-70 PLN
Budget hotel£20-35 / $25-44 / €24-42 / 100-175 PLN
Airbnb (shared)£12-22 / $15-28 / €14-26 / 60-110 PLN

Mid to Luxury

3-star hotel£35-60 / $44-76 / €42-71 / 175-300 PLN
Boutique hotel£60-120 / $76-152 / €71-143 / 300-600 PLN
5-star hotel£120+ / $152+ / €143+ / 600+ PLN
Spend Less

Tips for Saving Money in Poland

Ten easy ways to keep a Poland trip cheap without missing the good stuff.

Eat at milk bars (bary mleczne)

Government-subsidised canteens serving traditional Polish food for next to nothing. A full meal for £2-3.

Buy multi-day transport passes

A 3-day pass in Warsaw is about £5.50 and covers everything, including the metro.

Drink local, skip imported

A pint of Tyskie or Zywiec costs half what an imported lager does. The local craft scene is excellent too.

Use a no-fee travel card

Many ATMs charge foreign card fees. A Wise or Revolut card gives you the mid-market rate with no markup.

Hit free museum days

Many museums in Warsaw and Krakow have one day a week with free admission. Check before you go.

Take FlixBus over trains for budget routes

Warsaw to Krakow by bus is £6-10 versus £15-24 by train. Slower, but it saves serious money.

Shop at Biedronka or Lidl

Poland's cheapest supermarkets. Perfect for breakfast supplies, snacks, and picnic lunches.

Carry a water bottle

Tap water is safe to drink across Poland. Skip the bottled water entirely.

Go off-season

May/June and September/October have better weather than you'd expect, fewer crowds, and lower prices than July/August.

Get a local SIM or eSIM

An Airalo eSIM or a local Play/Orange SIM gives you cheap data, way better than roaming fees.

Transport

Getting Around Poland

Poland is way easier to get around than you'd think. Trains are solid, buses are cheap, and the cities have genuinely good public transport.

Domestic Flights

Best for saving time on longer routes. Warsaw to Gdansk or Krakow in under an hour.

  • Fast, under 1 hour most routes
  • Budget airlines from £20 one-way
  • Airport faff eats into time saved on short routes
Find Cheap Flights

Car Rental

Best for countryside exploration. The Tatras, Masuria lake district, and smaller towns are much easier with your own wheels.

  • Total freedom outside the cities
  • Rentals from £12/day
  • City parking is a nightmare, especially in Krakow
Compare Car Rentals

City Public Transport

Best for getting around within cities. Warsaw has a metro. Krakow, Wroclaw, and Gdansk have solid tram networks.

  • Cheap, single ride from £0.80
  • Day passes available in every city
  • Not useful for travel between cities
Travel Tips

Intercity Trains

Best for comfort between major cities. Warsaw to Krakow in 2.5 hours on the Pendolino is genuinely pleasant.

  • Fast, comfortable, wi-fi on most routes
  • Weekend Ticket (199 PLN, about £40) gives unlimited weekend travel
  • Book early or prices jump
Search Train Routes

FlixBus / Polski Bus

Best for budget travel between cities. Cheaper than trains, just slower.

  • Warsaw-Krakow from £6
  • Wi-fi, USB charging, toilets on board
  • 4-5 hours where the train does 2.5
Find Bus Routes

Uber, Bolt & BlaBlaCar

Uber and Bolt work in all major cities. BlaBlaCar is great for cheap intercity rideshares.

  • Uber and Bolt cheaper than traditional taxis
  • BlaBlaCar for budget intercity trips
  • Surge pricing on weekend nights
Recommended Tours
Cheat Sheet

Which Is Right For You?

Sticking to one city

Trams, buses, or metro, plus walking.

Hitting multiple cities

Trains for speed, FlixBus for budget.

Countryside & mountains

Rent a car.

Tight budget, flexible schedule

FlixBus plus BlaBlaCar.

Before You Go

Quick Tips

Book Trains Early

PKP Intercity prices can triple closer to departure. Book 2-4 weeks out for the best fares.

Validate Your Ticket

City transport requires ticket validation on board. Inspectors don't take excuses, and the fine is steep, around 200 PLN.

Download Jakdojade

Poland's answer to Google Maps for public transport. Works in every city, shows live departures.

Consider Overnight Trains

Night services on longer routes save a night's accommodation. Warsaw to Gdansk overnight is surprisingly comfortable.

Experiences

Book Tours & Tickets

Handpicked Poland experiences, powered by GetYourGuide.

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Questions

Poland Travel FAQs

The questions we get asked most, answered honestly.

Do I need a visa to visit Poland?
If you're from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, or most EU countries, no. Poland is part of the Schengen Area, so you get 90 days within any 180-day period visa-free. You don't need to apply for anything in advance right now. That said, the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is already in its phased rollout, started October 2025, full compliance by April 2026, which means your biometrics will be collected at the border. And ETIAS, a new pre-travel authorisation, is scheduled for late 2026. When it launches, you'll need to apply online and pay about 20 euro before travelling. It's not live yet, but keep an eye on it. Always check the latest requirements before you book.
Is Poland safe for tourists?
Very safe. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare, and Poland consistently ranks well on safety indexes. The main risks are the usual European ones, pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas like Krakow's Main Square and Warsaw's Old Town, and the occasional taxi scam. Use Uber or Bolt instead of hailing random cabs, keep your valuables close in busy spots, and you'll be fine. Polish cities feel noticeably safer than many Western European capitals, honestly.
How much money do I need per day in Poland?
Poland is one of the best-value countries in Europe. Budget travellers can get by on around 25-40 pounds a day staying in hostels and eating at milk bars. Mid-range travellers typically spend 55-80 pounds a day with private accommodation and restaurant meals. The big costs are guided tours, Auschwitz, salt mines, and intercity transport if you're moving around a lot. See the full cost breakdown above.
What currency does Poland use?
The Polish Zloty (PLN). Poland is in the EU but hasn't adopted the euro. Roughly, 1 pound is about 5.06 zloty, 1 dollar is about 3.80 zloty, and 1 euro is about 4.29 zloty. Card payments are accepted almost everywhere, including tiny shops and market stalls, but carry some cash for occasional cash-only spots, especially in smaller towns. ATMs, called bankomat, are on every other street corner. Avoid the Euronet ATMs if you can, they charge poor exchange rates and high fees. Use bank ATMs instead.
What's the best time to visit Poland?
May to October is the sweet spot overall. Summer (June to August) is warm and buzzy but also peak season with higher prices and crowds, especially in Krakow. May, June, and September are arguably the best months, warm enough for everything, noticeably fewer tourists, and lower prices. Winter (December to February) is bitterly cold but absolutely beautiful, Krakow's Christmas markets are special, and skiing in Zakopane is excellent. Spring (March to April) is unpredictable weather-wise, but the flowers and empty streets are worth it.
What's the best way to get around Poland?
Between cities, trains are the most comfortable option. PKP Intercity runs the Warsaw to Krakow route in about 2.5 hours on the Pendolino, and the network covers all major cities. FlixBus is cheaper but slower. Budget airlines connect Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, and Wroclaw for as little as 20 pounds one-way. Within cities, trams and buses are cheap and reliable, and Warsaw also has a metro. Download the Jakdojade app for real-time schedules. See the full transport breakdown above.
Do I need travel insurance for Poland?
Yes. Poland has good hospitals, but as a non-EU resident you'll be billed directly for treatment, and it's not cheap. Even with a UK GHIC or EHIC card, which covers some EU healthcare, you're not covered for things like repatriation, lost luggage, or trip cancellation. Good travel insurance is non-negotiable. Compare policies in our Travel Insurance section.
Can I drink the tap water in Poland?
Yes. Tap water is safe across Poland. Some locals still prefer bottled water out of habit, but the quality meets EU standards everywhere. Bring a reusable bottle and save your money.
How do I get from the UK to Poland?
Direct flights from London to Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, and Wroclaw take about 2 to 2.5 hours. Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, LOT Polish Airlines, and British Airways all fly the route. Return flights regularly show up from 25-60 pounds if you book a few weeks out. Budget airlines also fly from Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and other UK airports. It's one of the cheapest destinations to fly to from the UK, which is a big part of why it's so popular for weekend breaks.
What food should I try in Poland?
Start with pierogi, dumplings. Ruskie (potato and cheese) are the classic, but the meat and mushroom ones are just as good. Zurek is a sour rye soup served in a bread bowl and it's better than it sounds. Bigos, hunter's stew, is hearty, filling, and perfect in cold weather. Oscypek is smoked sheep's cheese from the mountains, usually grilled and served with cranberry sauce. For drinks, forget what you think you know about vodka. Polish vodka is meant to be sipped, not shot. Try Zubrowka (bison grass vodka) with apple juice, it's called a szarlotka (apple pie) and it's dangerously good. The craft beer scene has exploded too, especially in Krakow and Warsaw.
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