Why Visit Poland
Poland punches well above its weight for value, history, and variety. You get UNESCO-listed medieval old towns, sobering WWII sites, Baltic beaches, and a craft beer and food scene that rivals anywhere in Europe — all at prices that make Western Europe feel like a rip-off. Warsaw was rebuilt brick by brick after being almost entirely destroyed in WWII and is now a genuinely exciting capital with world-class museums, a buzzing nightlife district, and a skyline that mixes Gothic churches with glass towers. Krakow is the postcard city: cobblestone squares, a hilltop castle, the historic Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz, and day-trip access to Auschwitz-Birkenau for anyone who wants to understand the full weight of 20th-century history.
Beyond the two heavyweights, Gdansk on the Baltic coast has some of the most striking Hanseatic architecture in Europe and sits right next to the beach resorts of the Tri-City area. Wroclaw is compact, walkable, and full of character — its giant Market Square rivals Krakow's, and the city has a young, energetic population. Poland also has the Tatra Mountains in the south for hiking and skiing, the Białowieża Forest for European bison spotting, and the Masurian Lakes for sailing and kayaking. For the amount of ground it covers, Poland is genuinely underrated.
Best Time to Visit Poland
Late spring and early autumn are the sweet spots. May and June give you warm days (15–22°C), long evenings, green parks, and outdoor terraces filling up without the summer crowds. September and October are similarly comfortable, often sunny, and noticeably cheaper for accommodation. July and August are peak season — Krakow's Old Town gets busy, prices rise, and you'll need to book ahead, but the weather is reliably warm and festivals are in full swing. Winter (December–February) is cold, sometimes dropping to -5°C or below, but Christmas markets in Krakow and Wroclaw are genuinely good, and ski season runs through March in the Tatras. January and February are the quietest months with the fewest daylight hours — manageable if you're after low prices and no queues at museums.
Getting Around Poland
Trains are the backbone of intercity travel and they work well. PKP Intercity runs fast express services (Express InterCity and EIP) between Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Wroclaw, and Poznan. Warsaw to Krakow takes around 2.5 hours and costs €15–30 booked in advance. Book tickets at intercity.pl or at the station — seat reservations are mandatory on express trains. Regional trains and buses fill the gaps for smaller towns. FlixBus and PolskiBus routes are cheaper but slower. Domestic flights exist between Warsaw and Gdansk or Krakow but rarely make sense given the train times. In cities, use Uber, local taxi apps (Bolt is widely used), or the excellent tram and metro networks. Warsaw has two metro lines; Krakow relies on trams and buses. Renting a car makes sense for rural areas, national parks, or the Mazurian Lakes — just know that parking in city centres is a headache.
Visa & Entry Requirements
EU citizens can enter Poland with a valid national ID card or passport and stay indefinitely. UK and US passport holders are visa-exempt for up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area for tourism, business, or family visits. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date, and border officers may ask for proof of onward travel or sufficient funds. Stays beyond 90 days require a national D-type visa or residence permit — contact the Polish embassy in your country well in advance. ETIAS, the EU's electronic travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers including US and UK citizens, is expected to become mandatory in late 2026. It will require a simple online application, a €7 fee, and your passport details. It's not required yet, but worth monitoring if you're planning a trip in 2026 or beyond.
Money & Budget
Poland uses the Polish Złoty (PLN). Euros are not legal tender, and accepting them in tourist spots typically means a bad exchange rate — don't rely on it. Use ATMs for cash (they're everywhere), and tell your bank before you travel to avoid your card being blocked. Cards and contactless payments including Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted in cities and larger towns, but carry some cash for markets, rural areas, and smaller restaurants. Expect a 1–2% foreign transaction fee from most overseas cards — a fee-free travel card cuts this. For budget travellers, €40–60 per day is realistic: hostel dorm around €15–20, street food and cheap sit-down meals €5–10, public transport under €2 per ride. Mid-range travellers spending €80–120 per day can stay in solid three-star hotels, eat well at local restaurants (mains typically €8–15), and cover museum entry. Luxury travellers will find Poland excellent value — boutique hotels, fine dining, and private tours come in well below equivalent Western European prices, with a comfortable budget of €150–200 per day covering a lot.
Top Cities to Visit in Poland
- Warsaw — The capital rewards more than a weekend: the rebuilt Old Town, the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, and a nightlife scene centred around Praga and the Vistula riverbank.
- Krakow — Poland's most visited city for good reason. Wawel Castle, the vast Main Market Square, Kazimierz Jewish Quarter, and a short drive to Auschwitz-Birkenau make it a must.
- Gdansk — Colourful Hanseatic architecture along the Long Market, the historic Solidarity shipyards, and easy access to the beaches of Sopot and Gdynia.
- Wroclaw — A beautiful Market Square, dozens of bridges over the Oder River, and a lively university-town atmosphere. Hunt for the city's 400-plus hidden dwarf statues if you're travelling with kids.
- Poznan — Often overlooked but genuinely worth it: a Renaissance Old Market Square with mechanical goats that headbutt each other at noon, good food, and strong transport links.
- Zakopane — The gateway to the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland. Hike to Morskie Oko lake in summer or ski the slopes in winter; the mountain food and wooden architecture are a bonus.
FAQ — Flights to Poland
Which airports should I fly into for Poland?
Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) is the main international hub and the best entry point for most travellers — it's well connected to the city centre by train and bus. Warsaw Modlin (WMI) handles some budget carriers like Ryanair and is further out, so factor in transfer time. Krakow John Paul II Airport (KRK) is the second busiest and ideal if Krakow or the south of Poland is your focus. Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport (GDN) serves the north. Wroclaw and Katowice also have international airports with good budget airline connections.
How long is the flight to Poland from the UK and US?
From London, direct flights to Warsaw or Krakow take around 2.5 hours. From other UK cities including Manchester, Edinburgh, and Birmingham, direct routes exist to multiple Polish airports — Poland is one of the most connected destinations from the UK thanks to the large Polish diaspora. From the US East Coast, expect 9–10 hours direct to Warsaw; LOT Polish Airlines flies nonstop from New York (JFK) and Chicago. From the West Coast, you're typically looking at a connection, adding 2–4 hours to total travel time.
When is the cheapest time to fly to Poland?
January and February are consistently the cheapest months to fly, with accommodation also at its lowest. November and early December (before Christmas markets drive demand) are also good value. If you need to travel in summer, book at least 8–10 weeks out to get reasonable fares — last-minute summer flights to Krakow in particular can get expensive. Flying midweek rather than Friday or Sunday typically saves money regardless of season. Setting fare alerts for Warsaw and Krakow at the same time gives you flexibility on which city to base yourself in first.