Although tourist information greatly exceeds the scope of our site and you may need to review a few detailed travel guides about Poland while planning your trip, below we list answers to some most commonly asked questions.
Feel free to contact if you need any further assistance or advice.
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What is the weather like? |
| Weather in Poland is greatly influenced by two major masses – continental climate from the east and marine climate from the west. As the result the weather is very changeable. You may come across winters without a flake of snow and summers with week-long rainy spells.
In general however there are no extremes. Summers (June-August) on the coast feature temperatures ranging from 20-30C with plenty of sunshine. Falls (September-November) typically lack warmth and are foggy and rainy. Winters (December-March) may surprise with temperatures well below 0 with longer periods of snow (especially in the mountains). And finally spring usually starts with cold and windy days but eventually it becomes warm yet in April.
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When to go? |
The tourist season on the coast begins in early May and runs through the end of September. The peak of the summer falls in July and August when many Poles take their annual time-off. The beaches are then invaded by tourists and local attractions may seem crowded. If you want to avoid swarms, choose shoulder months for your travels. May and September are pleasantly warm periods, perfect of outdoor activities while the tourism is not in full flood.
Despite of harsh conditions, many people visit Kolobrzeg in winter. Certainly they miss the advantage of spending time on the beach, but they gain highly discounted access to all spas and local clinics.
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What should I wear and what should I bring? |
Above all, do not worry if you forgot anything while packing (or if NSA confiscated it under supposition of “terrorist threat”) – the times when shelves in Polish stores were stunning with emptiness are long over. All you might need, be it New Years Eve Versace dress or Coleman gas tank, can be easily bought. You may even get surprised that the quality is better and price tags lower then anywhere else in Western Europe or US.
The Poles pay close attention to fashion and in general people are well dressed. Wearing shorts and a t-shirt you will definitely stand out in a theatre or even cinema crowd. To play safe, a few classy outfits won’t hurt.
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Is it possible to communicate in English or German? |
Since the beginning of 90s interest in learning foreign languages in Poland has increased tremendously. Nowadays English and German are taught in majority of elementary schools and are compulsory subjects in high schools and colleges. In most of large cities you will encounter individuals familiar with English or German on every corner. Don’t be surprised however if your waiter fluently jungles with Bostonian slang while a public official you meet at a mayor’s party (or mayor himself) won’t step out of mere “Hi” and “Thank you”.
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Do I need Visa to cross the border? |
During last several years Poland signed various bilateral conventions resulting in lowering tourist visa requirements. Currently citizens of entire EU, the three Baltic republics, most of Eastern European countries, Canada and the US do not need visa to visit and remain in Poland for up to 90 days.
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Can I use a foreign driving license in Poland? |
As long as your license bears your photo, it is acceptable in Poland. In addition you can use an International Driving License.
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What currency am I to use in Poland? |
The official currency in Poland is zloty [zwo-tee]. It is divided into 100 units called grosz [grosh]. It is the only currency officially accepted on the market. Exchanging money can be easily done at numerous banks or shops called “kantor”. As everywhere, banks tend to offer less attractive rates but are safer especially when swapping big amounts. Additionally, most of banks accept travelers cheques.
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And how about Credit / Debit Cards? |
Major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Eurocard, Access and Diners Club are widely accepted in bigger cities but you may find it more troublesome to use it at places not well traveled. Also, your card will be a convenient tool for making cash advances in banks or at ATMs - called "BANKOMAT" (faster and cheaper then travelers' cheques).
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Will my Ipod work in Poland? |
Well, depending on the color… But seriously, depending on the plug type and voltage range it is designed to work in. The electricity in Poland is 220V, 50Hz and the plugs have two round pins – the same as in the rest of Continental Europe. Thus, before you plug your Ipod or any kind of electrical device, check its voltage capability and if it doesn’t work in 220V environment simply get an adapter with a plug converter.
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Is it possible to rent a car? |
Avis, Budget, Hertz are some examples of international firms well represented in Poland. In addition, you will find numerous local companies. You will need to present a valid license, passport, a credit card and will need to be at least 21 years old to rent a vehicle. The prices are relatively higher then in other European countries and discounts are rare. One trick – 99.9% of card are stick shifts.
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