Practical information

Time zone

The time zone is CEST (GMT+2) (so, for instance: the same as in Germany and France, 1 hour ahead of Portugal).

Electricity

Poland's electricity supply is 230 volts (50Hz), and typical (continental) European outlets are in use.

Currency

Polish currency unit is called złoty (abbr. PLN or zł) and it is divided into 100 groszy (abbr. gr). In circulation there are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 groszy coins as well as 1, 2 and 5 złoty coins. The banknotes have 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 złoty nominal.

You can change cash in banks, hotels and exchanges called Kantor. The rates are always listed outside and may slightly vary between different exchange offices. Please do not accept exchange offers from strangers. Here you can find current exchange rates (choose the english language version and click Exchange rates table).

Most restaurants, hotels, travel agencies and shops accept credit cards. The most popular are Visa (also Visa Electron), Master Card (also Maestro and Eurocard) but many others are accepted, e.g., American Express, Diners Club, JCB.

Cash dispensers (ATMs) accept major credit cards and are easily accessible in many places.

Post offices

Post offices in Poland are called Poczta. Mail boxes are red. Post offices are usually open from 8 am to 6 pm. In larger cities the main offices are open all day and night.

The stamp for a postcard or letter (international) costs 2.20zł and it does not depend on the destination.

Phones

In every post office and in many kiosks you can buy phone cards. You will find the public phones in the streets, in/near post offices, in hotels and restaurants.

The mobile phone network covers more than 95 percent of Poland. Polish GSM operators use GSM 900/1800 network type.

Climate / weather

Climate in Poland is moderate. In august the temperature (during the day) usually varies from 18 to 25°C (64 - 77°F). During very hot summers this goes up to as high as about 32°C (89°F).

If you are interested in the weather forecast for Poland, you can get one at: ICM or CNN.

Travel

• by plane

  In Poland there are several international airports: in Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, Katowice, Poznań and Wrocław. The polish airlines are called LOT.

  You can find some information about flights to Poland here.

• by train

  The railway company in Poland is called PKP.

  Train types:

  • Express, IC (InterCity), EC (EuroCity) - express trains, with compulsory seat reservation (paid)
  • pospieszny - long distance trains, with no reservation
  • osobowy - local trains

  You can find the timetable here.