Plane tickets to Poland from CA$470

While in Poland, you are allowed to exchange currency only in banks or specialized exchange offices. Changing the currency from street exchangers is considered to be a serious crime. In no case you should resort to the services of these individuals. Watch out!

The customary amount for tips is around 10% to 15% of the total order. Note that tipping with your credit card is not common. However, in some establishments, the total bill may include the service charge. Be careful with your words when the wait staff collects the bill! Simple ‘thank you’ or ‘dziękuje’ (‘djenkuje’) means that you don’t want any change back. Use ‘proszę’ (‘pro-sheh’, which means ‘please’) if that is not what you mean.

Tickets for city transport are sold in vending machines. If you pay in cash, don’t worry, the machine will give you the change. You can find these vending machines both on the street and in buses. As soon as you enter the bus, validate your ticket immediately if you don’t want to be fined.

Bicycles are one of the favorite means of transport among locals. No wonder, as Poland is well-equipped with convenient paths for cyclists all over the city. You can rent two-wheeled vehicles at one of the many rental points. Enjoy your ride!

If your trip to Poland is short, relying on your provider's roaming services and occasional free WiFi may be enough. However, for a prolonged stay in Poland, you can get a SIM card with more than a dozen gigabytes of traffic for several euro. If your phone supports eSIMs, the change will be a piece of cake. To purchase the card, you will need to present a valid ID.

Even though Poland is part of the European Union, the country still uses its own currency, the zloty. Euro is not accepted almost anywhere, except for the most touristic cafes and restaurants. To exchange money, look for a “Kantor” sign; it’s an exchange office in Polish.

There are two prices for all types of public transport — day and night. The latter comes in force after 23:00 and till 5:00. Keep in mind that the fare increases 2-3 times at night. Nevertheless, coming back from late drinks at a bar in such a way, it’s still cheaper than taking a taxi.

If you travel in the company of four or more people, you may find it beneficial to take a taxi. Prices in Poland are quite acceptable for this means of transport. Keep in mind that after 22:00, the taxi rate changes and becomes higher.

Poland is equipped with water purification systems. You can safely drink tap water. Be sure to take a reusable bottle with you.

Taxis are a great way to move around the city, but be careful while choosing your cab. It should be explicitly marked and have a rate card and a counter. A trip with some ‘privateer’ driver may cost you a pretty penny! You can also call a reliable company or make an online order. If you wish to pay with a credit card, ask in advance if that is an option.

Polish laws are quite strict about drunk driving. If the level of alcohol in your blood exceeds 0.2‰, you can’t drive any vehicle. 0.2-0.5‰ may result in a driving ban and a fine. Anything above 0.5‰ leads to criminal conviction! All in all, if you plan to relax in a bar, opt for public transport or a taxi.

Kolorowa is an ice cream brand created in 1972 and considered by locals to be the best ice cream in Poland. There is a huge line to their stalls in summer, but the taste of this ice cream is worth waiting for! The cost of one portion is about 6 zloty (about 1.3 euro.)

You can use your credit card in many of the city’s shops, cafes, and restaurants. However, public toilets (which you usually have to pay for) and outdoor markets may lack such an option. In some cases, even cafes and restaurants charge visitors a small fee for using their facilities. Besides, you may need to buy tickets for public transport via vending machines. Keep some coins a hand — you’ll never know when you need them!

Pierogi is a popular Polish food. These are dumplings with different fillings. But the most famous version of this dish is pierogi with mushrooms and cabbage, made in the shape of a horned moon. If you're really hungry, try pierogi with minced mushrooms — these dumplings are much bigger and very tasty.