Poland Travel Information, Tips and More

Passport and Visa Requirement

Poland is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens may enter Poland for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay in Poland. You need to show sufficient funds and a return airline ticket
If you are a citizen from any other country we suggest you check the Visa website to see if a visa is needed.

Currency & Credit Card Payments
The Polish Zloty is the currency of Poland. Unfortunately, in most places, it is not possible to pay with Euro or US Dollars. Only some hotels and shopping malls might accept such currencies. For most visitors bringing cash in a major currency like EUR, USD or GBP and exchanging it at a "kantor" money changer is the best way to deal with money for their trip to Poland, usually much better than exchanging in their home countries and mostly better than using ATMs.
Debit and credit cards are widely accepted in Poland, especially around tourist attractions. The most commonly used cards are Europay International, MasterCard, Visa, and American Express. If you have a card from a less popular vendor, find out if they can be used in Poland before you go

Language
The official language of Poland, Polish is a Slavic language. Along with Czech and Slovak, it is a member of the West Slavic language group. Behind Russian, Polish is the second most commonly spoken of the Slavic languages
Its principal and official language is Polish. More than 38 million people speak Polish as a first language in Poland, which represents 97% of the population. Polish is considered a West Slavic language and belongs to the Indo-European language family.

Water
Polish tap water is officially regarded as safe for drinking, but as you will hardly ever see locals drinking from the tap, it's a good idea to follow suit and buy your water bottled – unless your living arrangements include a water filter. Most people boil ordinary tap water for tea and coffee.

Time
Poland is in the Central European Time Zone . Central European Standard Time ( CET ) is 1 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time ( GMT+1 ). Poland is 6 hours ahead of New York, NY, USA

Electric 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. You need a voltage converter in Poland, when living in the United States of America! ... Also the frequency in Poland (50 Hz) differs from the frequency in the United States of America (60 Hz). You should use a voltage converter which also changes the frequency, but these are hard to find.
You can purchase one on Amazon here - Travel Converter

Weather

Poland sees an average daily temperature of 19°C (around 65°F), warm and pleasant to get outside and enjoy the warmer days, seeing the sights of the city. The highs for the month reach all the way to 25°C (about 77°F) and the lows drop down to 12°C (about 54°F)

What to Pack for Your Polish Vacation

* Packing layers will give you the greatest flexibility in unpredictable weather. Under Armor t-shirts stay relatively dry and light.
* Base layer tops and thermal tights keep you warm in even the coldest weather, without taking up much luggage space.
*  For men, crew neck base layer tops slip on unnoticed under a t-shirt or long sleeved pullover.
* Thermal shirts for women that provide excellent warmth without adding too much bulk.
* A warm, waterproof coat or jacket is essential during the winter. Don’t skimp on this.
*  In May, June, July, August, September and October it will be warmer, although there can still be heavy rains (particularly between June and August) so pack a raincoat and travel umbrella.
* Go lightweight from April to September, and pack warmer materials during the other six months of the year.
* Sturdy zipper pockets on your shorts are also useful for protecting valuables.
* Pack a pair or two of jeans so that you’ve always got something warm, versatile, and comfortable.
* Jeans teamed with lighter layers for the summer – try camisoles, t-shirts and light knitwear – and warmer ones for the winter e.g. long-sleeved tops and a sweater.
* It pays to have good footwear to keep you comfortable and your feet in good condition.
* Make sure your socks protect your toes properly.
*  During the summer, you might consider some lightweight, breathable walking shoes.
* Summer Accessories – If you’re travelling in high summer, a decent pair of shades will screen out harmful rays.
* The Weather+ app – gives an accurate 6 day forecast for day and night, which when you're planning from home is really helpful. You can keep all the places you've been to too – a nice way to remember your trip
* Wipes & hand sanitizer: Hand sanitizer vending machines appear in Southern Poland.

Health and Grooming Items to Pack for Poland

* Sunscreen and Insect Repellent
*  Tissues
* Antihistamine tablets
*  Moisturiser
* Ear Plugs for light sleepers

Important Local Customs
Polish tap water is officially regarded as safe for drinking, but as you will hardly ever see locals drinking from the tap, it's a good idea to follow suit and buy your water bottled – unless your living arrangements include a water filter. Most people boil ordinary tap water for tea and coffee.

 
Etiquette and Customs

Meeting and Greeting

* A firm handshake with a smile, direct eye contact and the correct greeting depending on what part of the day it is should always be used.
*  When addressing someone who is Polish it is best to use the prefix Pan for addressing males or Pani for females. This should be accompanied by the surname of the person.
*  Greetings are generally civil yet polite.
* Good morning or afternoon is “dzien dobry” and good evening is “dobry wieczor”.

Shopping
Shopping in Poland will never disappoint you as it is the land of bargains and unique handcrafted items. With large shopping malls Poland focusing the trending fashion to small eateries and craftsmen selling their goods to the people, you will enjoy everything about the Polish culture. Poland might not be the first country that comes to mind when you think “flea markets”. Still, it has a lot to offer to shoppers and vintage enthusiasts, with flea markets located in nearly all major cities.

Great Souvenirs to Buy in Poland

*  Amber jewelry - In Polish folk medicine, amber was a very popular remedy for various illnesses. The most popular gift is silver jewelry with amber.
*  Decorative Easter Eggs - folkloric easter eggs are real works of art. Patterns depend on the region of Poland, and they can be painted, scratched, stuck, or waxed. As a souvenir from Poland, we recommend wooden Easter eggs that will survive the journey
*  Pottery and Ceramics - It’s simply beautiful, and it works well as tableware or kitchen decor. Ceramics have been produced there since the beginning of the 19th century, and still, every product is hand-decorated with characteristic patterns.
*  Polish old-school gadgets - Polish design from the 60s, 70s, and 80s is still very popular. We recommend buying a mug used in a milk bar, a T-shirt with a Polish word or an artistic poster.
*  Wooden carvings - In Poland, you can buy beautiful wooden toys for children, Christmas decorations, or a nice gadget. Look for the figurines carved by hand. Some favorites are wooden birds and angels from Kraków.

Local Foods
The top 10 foods you have to eat in Poland
1. Bigos—Polish Hunter's Stew.
2. Pierogi is one of the most traditional Polish dishes.
3. Pickled cucumbers are great sandwiches, as a side dish or on its own.
4. Sour rye soup.
5. Cottage cheese with spring onion
6. Herrings in cream
7. Polish bread comes in many shapes and forms.
8. Smalec (Lard)
9. Sheep Cheese
10. Sausage

Don’t Leave Home without your Passport!