Overview
Everything you need to know before visiting Poland. From visa requirements to local customs, we've compiled the essential information to help you travel confidently and avoid common pitfalls.
Currency
Polish Złoty (zł)
Best SIM Provider
Orange
Main Ride App
Bolt
Payment
Cards accepted
Visa & Entry Requirements
Visa requirements vary based on your passport country. For the most accurate information, always check with your country's embassy or the official immigration website.
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Medication Restrictions
Medicines for personal use
Carry a medical certificate confirming you need the medicines (best when flying). You may bring no more than 5 packages of a given medicinal product, and only if it contains no narcotic or psychotropic substance. Reselling medicines you brought from abroad is prohibited. Carry prescription medication in its original packaging with your doctor's prescription.
Narcotic and psychotropic medicines
The 5-package allowance does not cover medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances. Contact Poland's Chief Pharmaceutical Inspectorate before you travel to find out which document you need.
Essential Apps
BoltRide-hailing with the price shown in the app before you book.
UberWorks in Warsaw. At Chopin Airport the pickup point is shown in the app and may not be the exit nearest to you.
Notes for Visitors
- Buy a transit ticket at a machine or in an app first, then validate it: stamp it on boarding, or at the gate or validator on the metro. Travelling without a valid ticket costs 266 zł (159.60 zł if you pay the inspector immediately). Tap-to-ride with a bank card does not exist yet in Warsaw.
- A 75-minute zone 1 ticket (4.40 zł) covers the airport trains, bus 175, and the metro, trams, and buses in the city centre.
- Carry ID. A printed copy of your passport photo page is acceptable.
- Drinking alcohol in public places is illegal in Poland.
- Auschwitz-Birkenau: entry cards are only available online, so reserve before you go.
SIM Cards & Internet
An eSIM you install before you land is the simplest way to be online on arrival. Poland's four main mobile networks are Orange, Play, T-Mobile, and Plus.
eSIM Options
Skip the airport SIM queue with an eSIM
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Money & Banking
Cards vs Cash
Poland is card-friendly: credit cards are widely accepted across the country. The ticket machines in Warsaw, including those on buses and trams, take cards and contactless BLIK, so you can pay for transit without cash.
ATM Tips
ATMs that accept U.S.-issued cards are readily available. If an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, choose złoty. In bars, check your card bill before you pay: overcharged bills at the end of the night have been reported.
Tipping Culture
Tipping is optional. Rounding up or leaving about 10% in a restaurant is the usual practice.
- Poland is in the EU but uses the złoty (PLN), not the euro. Euros are generally not accepted for daily purchases, so pay in złoty.
Recommended Travel Cards
Avoid foreign transaction fees with these travel-friendly cards
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Getting Around
From the Airport
Rapid urban rail from the station at the airport. The S2 runs via Warszawa Zachodnia, Warszawa Śródmieście, and Warszawa Wschodnia. The S3 runs via Warszawa Zachodnia, Warszawa Centralna, and Warszawa Wschodnia. Buy a ticket from the machines at the station entrance or on the train, or in an app. The Mazovia Railways RL line also stops at the airport and takes the same ticket.
Runs to the city centre, including Warszawa Centralna, Warszawa Śródmieście, and the Centrum metro station. Board at the Arrivals 02 stop on the lower level. You cannot board buses at the upper departures level. Night bus N32 runs to the Central Station.
Use the official taxi rank or phone a licensed company, or book in an app. Official taxis show a company name and phone number on the door and roof and a rate card in the window. A taxi with only a crest and no company name is not official. Unofficial drivers overcharge, and passengers have been attacked, so avoid them.
Local Transport
One ticket system covers the metro, trams, buses, and SKM trains. A 20-minute ticket (zones 1+2) is 3.40 zł, a 75-minute ticket (zone 1) is 4.40 zł, and a 90-minute ticket (zones 1+2) is 7 zł. Luggage and animals travel free.
24-hour: 15 zł (zone 1) or 26 zł (zones 1+2). 72-hour: 36 zł (zone 1) or 57 zł (zones 1+2). The weekend ticket (zones 1+2, from 7 pm Friday to 8 am Monday) is 24 zł.
Ticket machines are in all buses, trams, and SKM trains and near stops and metro stations. The machines (the stationary ones and those on buses and trams) accept contactless BLIK and Visa, Mastercard, Diners, and Discover cards, according to the machine operator. You cannot tap a bank card or phone at the gates or validators to ride: a new tap-to-ride system is planned from 2027 and is due to cover all vehicles and metro stations by 2029. You can also buy tickets in apps such as moBiLET and SkyCash. Validate on boarding. On the metro, validate at the gate before the platform, or at the validator next to the lift.
Tickets that must be validated: 15-minute 4 zł, 30-minute or single trip 6 zł, 60-minute 8 zł, 90-minute 9 zł. 24-hour: 20 zł (zone I) or 25 zł (zones I+II+III). 48-hour 40 zł, 72-hour 55 zł, 7-day 65 zł (zone I) or 80 zł (zones I+II+III).
Driving & Rental Cars
International Driving Permit required
Poland requires an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive or rent a car legally. Rental agencies often won't ask — but if you're pulled over, local police may require it and fines can be significant. Also required if your license isn't in the local language or script. Costs around $20, takes about a week, and you can't get one once you've left.
Side of road
Right
Speed limit (km/h)
50 city / 140 hwy
Alcohol limit
0.02%
Right on red
Not allowed
Min rental age
21
Renting a car in Poland
- Book early for busy seasons, and book an automatic ahead of time if you need one (manual is the default in many countries)
- Choose a "full to full" fuel policy so you only pay for the fuel you use
- Use a credit card in the driver's name, since the desk will hold a deposit on it
- Photograph or film the car at pickup, including every existing scratch
- Ask about tolls, cross-border fees and extra drivers before you sign
- Minimum rental age here is 21, and drivers under 25 often pay a young-driver fee
EconomyBookings
Compare rental car prices in Poland across hundreds of agencies — often cheaper than booking direct.
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Safety & Accessibility
For Women Travelers
- The U.S. State Department rates Poland Level 1, 'generally a safe destination for travelers'
- Use official taxis or a ride app, and avoid walking alone in isolated areas at night
- Do not accept drinks from strangers or leave your drink unattended
LGBTQ+ Friendliness
Same-sex activity is legal, but Poland does not recognise same-sex marriage or civil partnerships. There are LGBT+-friendly venues in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Poznań, Gdańsk, and Sopot, but social acceptance is lower outside Warsaw and in small towns and rural areas.
- Big cities are more open than small towns and rural areas
In Partnership With
Everywhere Is Queer
Want to check out local queer businesses on your trip? Everywhere Is Queer maps queer-owned bars, cafés, restaurants, and shops so you can spend your money where it matters. Not every city is on the map yet, but coverage is growing fast — check if your destination is live.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Warsaw's public transport authority publishes an accessibility guide and live notices of elevator outages on wtp.waw.pl. Check them before you travel.
- Warsaw transit publishes live elevator-outage notices
- Warsaw transit has a 'travel without barriers' page
Pickpocket Hotspots
- Crowded areas and tourist spots
- Main railway stations
- Trains, including overnight sleeper trains
Travel Insurance
Don't travel without coverage
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Scams to Watch Out For
Taxi overcharging and assaults
Unofficial taxi drivers overcharge, and passengers have been attacked, including sexual assaults.
Prevention: Use an official taxi (company name and phone number on the door and roof, and a rate card in the window), or book Uber or Bolt in the app. A taxi with only a crest and no company name is not official.
Drink spiking
Victims of spiked drinks have been robbed in bars and clubs.
Prevention: Do not accept drinks from strangers and do not leave your drink unattended.
Inflated card bills
Visitors have been overcharged when paying for drinks at the end of the night by debit or credit card.
Prevention: Check the bill carefully before you pay.
Traveler Safety Essentials
Traveler Safety Essentials
These safety tips apply everywhere you travel. Small habits can prevent the most common security problems travelers face — from phone theft to home break-ins.
Don't forget anything
Turn these tips into a trackable checklist so nothing slips through the cracks.
Weather & Climate
Poland's climate varies by region. Here's a seasonal overview to help you plan.
Dec – Feb
-3-3°C (26-37°F)
Low rainfall
Cold, snow on about 16 days
Mar – May
4-15°C (39-58°F)
Medium rainfall
Cool, snow on about 7 days
Jun – Aug
14-25°C (58-77°F)
High rainfall
Warm summer, wettest month
Sep – Nov
5-13°C (41-55°F)
Medium rainfall
Cool
Packing Tip
Check the specific month you're traveling for detailed packing suggestions. Weather can vary significantly by region and elevation.
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Tap Water
Tap water is safe to drink.
Taste can differ from home, and some people prefer filtered or bottled water anyway. A refillable bottle saves money and plastic.
In Poland
Warsaw's city hall says its tap water can be drunk straight from the tap without boiling, and Kraków's water utility says its water meets the national and EU standards.
Power & Electricity
Voltage
230V
Frequency
50Hz
Plug Types
C, E
Polish sockets are Type E (two round pins, earthed) and Type C. Type C and Type F plugs also fit Type E sockets. Poland uses 230V, so US and Canadian devices must be dual voltage (look for 100-240V on the label) or need a converter.
What You May Need
- •From US/Canada/Japan: Likely need adapter and possibly converter for non-dual-voltage devices
- •From UK: Likely need adapter, voltage usually compatible
- •From Europe/Australia: Check plug type, voltage usually compatible
EPICKA 70W GaN travel adapter
3 USB-C + 2 USB-A ports with 70W GaN fast charging, so the whole family's devices charge off one plug. Not a voltage converter.
Shop on AmazonAnker power bank
A dead phone is as useless as a stolen one. Compact fast-charging backup power.
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Most modern phone chargers and laptops work with 100-240V. Check your device's power adapter for compatibility before traveling.
Language & Communication
Languages Spoken
Official Language(s)
English Proficiency
Poland ranks 15th in the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index, in the 'very high' band (score 600).
Essential Phrases
Dzień dobry
Good day (formal hello)
jeyn DOB-ry
Cześć
Hi (informal)
tch-esh-ch
Proszę
Please
PRO-she
Dziękuję
Thank you
jen-KOO-yeh
Przepraszam
Excuse me / sorry
pshe-PRA-sham
Ile to kosztuje?
How much is this?
EE-leh toh kosh-TOO-yeh
Proszę rachunek
The bill, please
PRO-she ra-KHOO-nek
Gdzie jest toaleta?
Where is the toilet?
g-jeh yest toa-LEH-ta
Dietary Options
🌱 Vegan Friendly
Large cities such as Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, and Gdańsk have many vegan restaurants, and the scene has grown quickly, but options thin out in rural areas. Traditional food hides animal products: lard, meat stock in soups, egg and dairy in dumplings and desserts. Veganism is often confused with vegetarianism, so ask about eggs, dairy, and stock.
🥗 Vegetarian Friendly
Easy in the big cities, and meat-free pierogi (ruskie, mushroom and sauerkraut, cheese) are everywhere. Watch for bacon toppings, meat stock in barszcz and other soups, and lard. Say 'Nie jem mięsa' (I don't eat meat) and ask about the stock and toppings.
🌾 Gluten-Free Friendly
Warsaw and Kraków have dedicated gluten-free bakeries and cafes, and a few restaurants are certified by the Polish Coeliac Association. Traditional food is wheat-based: pierogi dough, and żurek and white barszcz built on a rye starter. Ask carefully, and confirm cross-contact with the venue.
Traveling with a Pet
Governed by the uniform 2026 EU pet entry health protocols (Regulation 2026/131).
Timeline
21 days minimum
Quarantine Risk
None if compliant
Regulatory Framework
EU Regulation 2026/131 framework.
Key Constraints
Strict microchip-before-rabies vaccine sequence. 10-day window for official vet portal validation. Tapeworm rules add-on applies if entering Norway/Finland.
Pet Culture
Extremely pet-friendly. Highly normalized across regional rails, sidewalk dining, and city park trails.
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Cultural Tips
Say 'Dzień dobry' (good day) as the polite hello, and 'Cześć' with friends. 'Proszę' means please and 'Dziękuję' means thank you.
Drinking alcohol in public places is illegal. If you are drunk in public, police can take you to a clinic and you pay for it.
Always carry ID. A printed copy of your passport photo page is acceptable.
Cross at crossings and follow the signals: police can fine you for jaywalking.
Walkers and cyclists must wear reflective items at night outside built-up areas (the fine is about 100 zł).
In a Polish home, offer to take your shoes off. Bring wine, chocolates, or flowers, and give an odd number of unwrapped flowers. Avoid red and white flowers, and even numbers, which are for funerals.
Alcohol is usually not drunk until someone proposes a toast. A common one is 'Na zdrowie' (your health): make eye contact, and stand if your host stands.
It is impolite to ask a woman her age.
Local Quirks & Fun Facts
Warsaw's Old Town and New Town were almost completely destroyed in World War II and were carefully rebuilt afterward.
Kraków's Old Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978, and it has more than 300 places to eat and drink.
Poppy seeds are the most prominent baking ingredient in Polish cooking, in the poppy-seed roll (makowiec) and many pastries.
Kraków's Kazimierz was once a separate medieval town, and it is now the historic Jewish quarter and a nightlife district.
Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau
- Admission to the grounds is free, but entry cards are only available online at visit.auschwitz.org. You cannot get one at the Museum.
- Guided tours are paid. Groups must hire a Memorial guide. The standard guided tour takes about three and a half hours.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before your tour starts, because of security checks.
- The maximum bag size is 35 x 25 x 15 cm. Paid luggage storage is available (30 kg maximum).
- The Memorial does not recommend that children under 14 visit.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Boarding without a validated ticket. Inspectors check, and the fine is 266 zł
Expecting to tap a bank card at the metro gate or validator. Buy a ticket from a machine or app first
Taking an unmarked or unofficial taxi, especially at the airport or a station
Not checking your card bill at the end of a night out
Assuming euros are accepted
Drinking alcohol in a public place
Turning up at Auschwitz-Birkenau without an online entry card, or with a bag larger than 35 x 25 x 15 cm
Tours & Experiences
Book ahead — the best tours sell out fast.
Tours and experiences in Poland
Browse bookable tours, tickets and day trips on Viator, our tours partner.
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Gear to make your trip easier
Pack smart
4BAGAIL compression packing cubes
Six compression cubes plus vacuum bags and a hand pump, so you can squeeze bulky items down hard when mesh alone isn't enough. Sold as a bundle; every piece is also available on its own.
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Notabag packable backpack/tote
Folds into its own pocket, then opens into a backpack or tote for market runs, day trips, and overflow on the way home.
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FYY electronics organizer
Keeps chargers, cables, and adapters untangled in one place, so you're not digging through your bag at security.
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TSA toiletry containers (3oz set)
Refillable, TSA-approved bottles so you carry your own products in a carry-on without the airport surprise.
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Rest on the way
7Mavogel sleep mask
Blocks light completely for sleep on planes, in bright rooms, or across time zones — contoured so nothing presses on your eyes.
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Sea to Summit Aeros neck pillow
Inflatable, so it packs down to nothing but still holds your head up on long flights and buses.
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Twelve South AirFly SE
Pairs your own headphones with any 3.5mm jack — seatback screens, gym equipment, whatever doesn't have Bluetooth. Reusable, so you're not relying on (or wasting) a disposable pair every flight.
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Children's EarPlanes
Reduces the pressure change in a child's ears during takeoff and landing — less pain, less crying. 3-pair value pack.
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Pedialyte electrolyte powder packets
Single-serve oral rehydration packets — lightweight, no fridge needed, and often not available at your destination.
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Compression socks
Keep your legs from swelling and aching on long flights and bus rides — the cheap habit frequent flyers swear by.
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Loop Quiet earplugs
Reusable, low-profile earplugs that dull engine drone, snorers, and noisy streets so you actually rest.
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Keep it safe
9
NordPass
Keep every login and a passport photo encrypted, so losing your phone doesn't lose your accounts. Use code TRAVELREDDI for 4 months free on a paid plan.
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NordVPN
Encrypts your connection on sketchy public and hotel WiFi. Use code TRAVELREDDI for 4 months free on a paid plan.
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Apple AirTag
Slip one into a checked bag, daypack or even your wallet, then find it in Find My. For iPhone users.
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Tile tracker
The same idea for Android and iPhone. Great in luggage, a daypack, or a wallet.
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Pacsafe crossbody
Locking zippers and a slash-resistant strap. The bag I wish I'd had when mine got unclipped.
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Peak Gear money belt
A hidden belt for cash and a backup card, out of reach of pickpockets.
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Guard Dog door lock
For when you're in the room. Adds a sturdy lock to almost any hotel or rental door so no one can open it while you're inside or asleep.
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TSA locks with cable
For when you're out. Use the cable to lock your bags to each other or to a fixed piece of furniture, so they're harder to grab and more obvious if someone tries. TSA-approved, 2-pack.
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TORRAS phone lanyard
Keeps your phone on your body, much harder to snatch out of your hand.
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Weather ready
3BAODINI mini umbrella
Packs into a daypack and blocks both UV and sudden downpours — a travel-day staple when the forecast can't make up its mind.
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Diveblues portable fan
Rechargeable handheld fan for hot, humid days and stuffy transit — stands hands-free when you need both hands.
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Nearby destinations
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