Poland

Travel tips for Poland: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Cards work almost everywhere. Poland is highly cashless, with contactless payments accepted almost universally for transit, restaurants, and small purchases, allowing visitors to rely entirely on cards or mobile wallets for daily spending.

Try the food

Pierogi: Semicircular dumplings boiled or pan-fried, stuffed with savory fillings like potato and cheese, meat, or sweet fruit.
Hunter's Stew (Bigos): A hearty, slow-cooked stew made from chopped meat, various sausages, fresh cabbage, and tangy sauerkraut.
Sour Rye Soup (Żurek): A distinctively sour and smoky soup made from fermented rye flour, typically served with boiled egg and sausage, sometimes in a bread bowl.

Say it in Polish

Hello: Dzień dobry
Thank you: Dziękuję
Please: Proszę
Excuse me: Przepraszam
How much is this?: Ile to kosztuje?
The bill please: Poproszę rachunek
Yes / No: Tak / Nie
Goodbye: Do widzenia

Essentials

Plugs: Type C / Type E
Voltage: 230V, 50Hz
Driving: Right side
Tap water: Safe to drink
Emergency: 112 (general), 997 (police), 998 (fire), 999 (ambulance)
SIM tip: Pick up a prepaid SIM card from a convenience store like Żabka or a kiosk, but remember you must register it with your passport before it will activate.

Etiquette

Tipping around 10% is customary in restaurants; tell the server the total amount you wish to pay before they swipe your card, as leaving cash on the table is less common.