| | Time: | Local time is GMT +1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October). | | Electricity: | Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. The standard two-pin European style plugs are used. | | Money: | The official currency is Zloty (PLN), divided into 100 groszy. Poland is essentially a 'cash country', and it is difficult to negotiate credit cards and travellers cheques in the cities, and well nigh impossible in rural areas. American Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard are, however, accepted in places frequented by tourists. ATMs are also beginning to proliferate in Polish cities, where the sign 'Bankomat' indicates them. Money (preferably US$ or Euros) can be exchanged in the cities and larger towns at banks, hotels or bureaux called 'kantors', which offer the best rates. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and some are open on Saturday till 1pm. | | Language: | The national language is Polish. English is widely understood in tourist areas. | | Passport Visa: | A passport valid for at least six months after arrival is needed for those who require a visa. Visa exempt nationals must have a passport valid for period of intended stay. The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. | | Entry Requirements: | US nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Passports must be valid for period of intended stay.
UK nationals with a passport endorsed British Citizen do not require a visa. If passport endorsed British National (Overseas), British Overseas Territories Citizen or British Subject with the right of abode in the UK a visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days. Other passport holders require a visa.
Canadian nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Passports must be valid for period of intended stay.
Australians require a passport valid for at least the period of intended stay to enter Poland and may stay for up to three months without a visa.
South African passport holders require a visa for travel to Poland. Passports must be valid for at least six months after arrival.
Irish nationals require a passport, but no visa is necessary.
New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for at least the period of intended stay. A visa is not needed for up to three months.
| | Getting Around: | | | Health: | There are few health risks associated with travel to Poland. Those visiting forested areas are advised to seek medical advice about inoculations for tick borne encephalitis. Bird flu was first discovered in northern Poland in March 2006; there is little risk to travellers, but close contact with live birds should be avoided and all egg and poultry dishes well cooked as a precaution. It is safest to drink bottled water to avoid stomach upsets. There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK and most EU countries, whose citizens are entitled to low-cost emergency medical treatment on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but full health insurance cover is still advised. Medical facilities and standards of health care are good, but not many nurses or doctors speak English. | | Tipping: | Tipping is not customary in Poland, but small gratuities of 10% can be offered for excellent service. In restaurants, when your money is collected, by saying 'thank you' this signals to the waiter/waitress to keep the change. | | Climate: | Poland has a temperate climate characterised by cold winters and warm summers. Winters become increasingly severe inland from the Baltic coast, with January temperatures in Warsaw averaging 23°F (-5°C). In summer it is hotter inland; with July temperatures in Warsaw averaging 66°F (19°C). Rain can be expected throughout the year, particularly in the southern mountains. | | Safety: | Tourists should be alert to the risk of robbery in tourist areas in large cities, particularly in the vicinity of hotels, markets and banks. Vigilance against theft should also be exercised at central railway stations in Poland, as well as on overnight long distance trains, and when travelling on public transport between Warsaw's Frederic Chopin Airport and central Warsaw. Avoid walking alone at night. Tourist sites, areas near big hotels, money exchange facilities and ATMs are popular with thieves. | | Customs: | Jay walking is an offence, which is punishable with a fine. Public drunkenness is severely viewed; police will take drunk people to drying out clinics until sober and the person will be charged for the stay, and driving after drinking alcohol is punishable by law. | | Business: | Poland has an interesting mix of the old and the new, and this is apparent in the business world too. Women can expect a kiss on the hand rather than a handshake and one can expect to be warmly offered drinks during meetings; it is impolite to refuse. Although the Polish are hospitable and friendly, business is still conducted formally. Punctuality is important, dress should be formal and conservative (a suit and tie the norm) and business cards are exchanged. Use titles and first names unless otherwise indicated. English is widely spoken, though attempting some basic Polish phrases will be appreciated. Business hours in Poland are traditionally 7am to 3pm Monday to Friday, with a long lunch taken after 3pm. Western influence, however, means that hours are starting to shift to the more common 9am to 5pm. | | Duty Free: | Travellers to Poland over 17 years arriving from non-EU countries do not have to pay duty on 250 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; 1 litre wine and 1 litre spirits; cosmetics and medicines for personal use; gifts up to the value of EUR175. Travellers to Poland arriving from within the EU do not have to pay duty on 800 cigarettes or 200 cigars or 1kg smoking tobacco; 10 litres spirits, 90 litres wine and 110 litres beer. Prohibited items include birds and poultry arriving from countries infected with Avian influenza. The export of all articles of artistic, historic or cultural value are subject to special regulations. | | Communications: | The international access code for Poland is +48. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)22 for Warsaw and (0)12 for Krakow. Cheap rates apply between 4pm and 6am, and on weekends. Mobile phones work throughout the country, local operators use GSM networks, which may not be compatible with some US cell phones. Internet cafes are available in most towns. | | Tourist Office: | Polish National Tourist Office, Warsaw: +48 (0)22 849 8128 or www.polandtour.org | | Local Embassy Contacts: | Polish Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 234 3800.
Polish Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)870 774 2700.
Polish Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 789 0468.
Polish Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6272 1000.
Polish Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 430 2631/2.
Polish Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 283 0855.
Polish Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 475 9453.
| | Embassy Contacts: | United States Embassy, Warsaw: +48 (0)22 504 2000.
British Embassy, Warsaw: +48 (0)22 311 0000.
Canadian Embassy, Warsaw: +48 (0)22 584 3100.
Australian Embassy, Warsaw: +48 (0)22 521 3444.
South African Embassy, Warsaw: +48 (0)22 625 6228/6233.
Irish Embassy, Warsaw: +48 (0)22 849 6633.
New Zealand Embassy, Warsaw: +48 (0)22 521 0500.
| | Emergency Number: | Emergencies: 112/999 |
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