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.
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 tells you everything about the national character. Then there’s Gdańsk on the Baltic coast, the Tatra Mountains in the south, and about a dozen smaller cities that most tourists never bother with, which is honestly 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.
2–2.5 hrs
From the UK
May – Oct
Best time
Polish
Main language
PLN (Złoty)
Currency
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Best Time To Visit
Poland’s main tourist season is in the Summer (June – August), when the resorts on the Baltic coast get the warmest temperatures.
For exploring the mountainous regions, the best time to visit is in the Spring (April/ May) when the flowers are at their most vivid. You will find this is the best time of year if you want it a little quieter and you won’t be queuing for anything.
Autumn is the Polish cultural season, and hotels tend to be emptier after the holiday period.
In Winter, the icy temperatures mean the South of the country is perfect for skiing. It can be bitterly cold in winter. Be sure to check out Krakow’s Christmas Markets if you go around this time of year.
In all honesty, anytime of year is great to visit Poland! What a place!
For a month by month look click here
What To Expect
11°C
- Temperature
Capital: Warsaw
Language: The official language of Poland is Polish. ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Polish: “cześć” and “Dziękuję”
Currency: The official currency of Poland is the Złoty (PLN). £1 GBP is equivalent to 5.28 PLN and $1 USD is 3.77 PLN. Check the latest rates here
Credit Cards & ATMs: You can use an ATM for getting some Polish money. ATMs are called ‘bankomat’ and you will find them all over the place – there are more than 22 000 ATMs located across Poland! Most places will accept card but its always best to have cash for market stalls or smaller bars and restaurants. You will find your money goes along way in Poland!
Plugs: For Poland there are two associated plug types, types C and E. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type E is the plug which has two round pins and a hole for the socket’s male earthing pin. Poland operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.. I recommend buying a universal adapter
Safety: Most visitors to Poland experience no difficulties. Serious crime against foreigners is rare, but crimes do occur and in some cases attacks have been racially motivated. You should be alert to the possibility of street crime and petty theft, and that foreigners may appear to be easy targets. We have never had any issues.
Random useful tip: Mix with the locals! Wherever you decide to travel to in Poland, one of the best things to do is to make friends with the locals. Not only will they show you the best spots for culture and Polish cuisine but they will also share with you about their history in a way that you just can’t experience anywhere else.
Never ever: Don’t refer to Poland as an Eastern European country, but acknowledge their pivotal role in Europe
Poland Travel Guides
City breaks, road trips, hidden corners, and honest advice for every kind of traveller.
City Guides
Itineraries + Maps
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else
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.
🎒
Backpacker
~£25/day | ~$32/day | ~€30/day
- Hostel dorms from £7–14/night ($9–18 | €8–16)
- Milk bars (bar mleczny) for £2–3/meal ($2.50–4 | €2.50–3.50)
- City buses/trams from £0.80/ride ($1 | €0.95)
- Free walking tours, parks, and churches
🍜
Mid-Range
~£55–80/day | ~$70–100/day | ~€65–95/day
- Private rooms & 3-star hotels from £30–55/night ($38–70 | €35–65)
- Restaurant meals with beer for £8–15 ($10–19 | €9–18)
- Mix of trams, taxis, and occasional intercity train
- Guided tours, museums, and day trips
🏨
Upscale
~£130+/day | ~$165+/day | ~€155+/day
- Boutique hotels & 5-star stays from £80+/night ($100+ | €95+)
- Fine dining and tasting menus
- Private tours and first-class trains
- Spa resorts, helicopter transfers to Tatras
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm: £7–14/night | $9–18 | €8–16 | 35–70 PLN
- Budget hotel: £20–35/night | $25–44 | €24–42 | 100–175 PLN
- Airbnb (shared): £12–22/night | $15–28 | €14–26 | 60–110 PLN
Mid–Luxury
- 3-star hotel: £35–60/night | $44–76 | €42–71 | 175–300 PLN
- Boutique hotel: £60–120/night | $76–152 | €71–143 | 300–600 PLN
- 5-star hotel: £120+/night | $152+ | €143+ | 600+ PLN
City Travel
- Bus/tram single ride: £0.80–1 | $1–1.30 | €0.95–1.20 | 4–5 PLN
- Day pass: £2.80–3.60 | $3.50–4.50 | €3.30–4.25 | 14–18 PLN
- Uber short trip: £2–5 | $2.50–6.30 | €2.40–6 | 10–25 PLN
Long Distance
- FlixBus Warsaw–Krakow: £6–12 | $8–15 | €7–14 | 30–60 PLN
- Train Warsaw–Krakow: £10–24 | $13–30 | €12–28 | 50–120 PLN
- Domestic flight: £20–50 | $25–63 | €24–59 | 100–250 PLN
Eat Cheap
- Milk bar (bar mleczny) meal: £2–3 | $2.50–4 | €2.40–3.60 | 10–15 PLN
- Street food (zapiekanka): £1–2 | $1.30–2.50 | €1.20–2.40 | 5–10 PLN
- Supermarket meal prep: £2–5/day | $2.50–6.30 | €2.40–6 | 10–25 PLN
- Coffee: £1–2 | $1.30–2.50 | €1.20–2.40 | 5–10 PLN
Eating Out
- Mid-range restaurant: £6–14 | $7.50–18 | €7–17 | 30–70 PLN
- Pizza/burger joint: £4–7 | $5–9 | €4.70–8.30 | 20–35 PLN
- Craft beer (pint): £1.60–3.20 | $2–4 | €1.90–3.80 | 8–16 PLN
- Vodka tasting flight: £4–8 | $5–10 | €4.70–9.50 | 20–40 PLN
Budget Fun
- Free walking tour: Free (tip-based)
- Museum entry: £2–6 | $2.50–7.50 | €2.40–7 | 10–30 PLN
- Tatra National Park entry: £1.50 | $2 | €1.80 | 8 PLN
Big Experiences
- Auschwitz guided tour: £14–18 | $18–23 | €17–21 | 70–90 PLN
- Wieliczka Salt Mine: £19–22 | $24–28 | €22–26 | 95–110 PLN
- Krakow boat cruise: £6–10 | $7.50–13 | €7–12 | 30–50 PLN
Tips for Saving Money in Poland
🥣 Eat at milk bars (bary mleczne) — Government-subsidised canteens serving traditional Polish food for next to nothing. A full meal for £2–3. They’re everywhere and they’re the real deal.
🚃 Buy multi-day transport passes — Single rides add up fast. A 3-day pass in Warsaw is about £5.50 ($7 | €6.50 | 36 PLN) and covers everything including the metro.
🍺 Drink local, skip imported — A pint of Tyskie or Żywiec costs half what a Heineken does. The local craft scene is excellent too.
💳 Use a no-fee travel card — ATMs are everywhere but many 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 per week with free admission. Check websites before you go and plan around them.
🚌 Take FlixBus over trains for budget routes — Warsaw to Krakow by bus is £6–10 vs £15–24 by train. Takes longer (4–5 hours vs 2.5) but 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 noticeably 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 if you’re not on a UK plan that includes Europe.
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 Gdańsk or Krakow in under an hour.
✅ Fast, under 1 hour most routes
✅ Budget airlines from £20 one-way ($25 | €24)
❌ Airport faff eats into time saved on short routes
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 ($15 | €14)
❌ City parking is a nightmare, especially in Krakow
City Public Transport
Best for getting around within cities. Warsaw has a metro. Krakow, Wrocław, and Gdańsk have solid tram networks.
✅ Cheap: single ride from £0.80 ($1 | €0.95)
✅ Day passes available in every city
❌ Not useful between cities
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 / ~£40 / $51 / €47) = unlimited weekend travel
❌ Book early or prices jump
FlixBus / Polski Bus
Best for budget travel between cities. Cheaper than trains, just slower.
✅ Warsaw–Krakow from £6 ($8 | €7)
✅ Wi-Fi, USB charging, toilets on board
❌ 4–5 hours where the train does 2.5
Uber, Bolt & BlaBlaCar
Uber and Bolt work in all major cities. BlaBlaCar is great for cheap intercity rideshares.
✅ Uber/Bolt cheaper than traditional taxis
✅ BlaBlaCar for budget intercity trips
❌ Surge pricing on weekend nights
Which Is Right For You?
Sticking to one city
Trams, buses, or metro + walking
Hitting multiple cities
Trains for speed, FlixBus for budget
Countryside & mountains
Rent a car
Tight budget, flexible schedule
FlixBus + BlaBlaCar
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 accept excuses and the fine is steep (~200 PLN).
📱
Download Jakdojade
The Jakdojade app is Poland’s 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 Gdańsk overnight is surprisingly comfortable.
Book Tours & Tickets
Related Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
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 €20 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 (Krakow’s Main Square, 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 £25–40/day ($32–50 | €30–47) staying in hostels and eating at milk bars. Mid-range travellers typically spend £55–80/day ($70–100 | €65–95) 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 Złoty (PLN). Poland is in the EU but hasn’t adopted the euro. As of March 2026, the rates are roughly: £1 ≈ 4.93 PLN, $1 ≈ 3.70 PLN, €1 ≈ 4.25 PLN. Card payments are accepted almost everywhere, including tiny shops and market stalls. But carry some cash for occasional spots that are cash-only, especially in smaller towns. ATMs (called “bankomat”) are on every other street corner. Avoid the Euronet ATMs if you can, they charge terrible 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–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–February) is bitterly cold but absolutely beautiful. Krakow’s Christmas markets are special, and skiing in Zakopane is excellent. Spring (March–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–Krakow route in about 2.5 hours on the Pendolino, and the network covers all major cities. FlixBus is cheaper but slower. Budget airlines (Ryanair, Wizz Air) connect Warsaw, Krakow, Gdańsk, and Wrocław for as little as £20 one-way. Within cities, trams and buses are cheap and reliable. 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/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, Gdańsk, and Wrocław take about 2–2.5 hours. Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, LOT Polish Airlines, and British Airways all fly the route. Return flights regularly show up from £25–60 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. Żurek 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 Żubrówka (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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