Country:
Republic of Poland
Capital:
Warsaw
Time:
Poland uses Central European Time (CET). Hence, clocks are one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Currency:
The legal tender in Poland is the Zloty. It is a hard, freely convertible currency. Private currency exchanges abound throughout the city centers and offer better rates than banks and do not charge commissions. As of July 2000, one US Dollar equaled 4.31 Polish Zlotys. Avoid bringing marked, dirty or old-style bills, as Poles are very wary of counterfeiting. Credit cards are becoming more popular with larger stores, restaurants, and hotels, but Poland is still a cash society. However, ATMs (Euro speak=bankomat) are an everyday feature and a very common way for Poles to withdraw money. There are no problems finding machines with MasterCard, Visa, and Cirrus access. The American Express office is on the main square in Kraków, but it is difficult to actually find businesses that accept it. Be sure that your cards have PINs for cash advances and withdraws.
Weather:
The Arctic wind and Southern Sahara wind converge over Poland, allowing sudden shifts in weather from day to day. Spring and autumn illustrate this phenomenon best. Often a rainy day is followed by sun, and later even by snow. Never fear, though. Temperatures rarely dip into the 40s during these seasons. Blue skies and warm nights characterize summer, and besides the occasional afternoon shower, are very consistent. Expect high 70s to high 80s. Winter usually brings snow in late November, with thicker drifts to the South. Temperatures hang around 15 degrees, but can be much colder in the mountains. Contrary to popular belief, Poland rarely has "Russian" winters.
Custom Regulations:
Everyone entering Poland must have a valid passport. US citizens do not need visas for stays up to three months. Besides a few routine questions, that is the extent of customs. Only a few restrictions on exports apply to tourists. While border controls laxly enforce it, Polish law prohibits exporting anything produced before May 3, 1945. Be sure to get receipts for anything that appears old. Spiritus, a Polish grain alcohol measured at 192 proof, is legal to buy and drink but illegal to export.
Banking Hours:
Banks are generally open between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Some are open to 6 p.m.
Electricity:
Poland uses 220 volts AC and the continental-style plug. If your appliance has a 120/240-volt switch, all you will need is a plug adapter. Otherwise a current converter is required. Pay attention to sockets in bathrooms and on trains marked "Shavers Only!" While these put out 110 volts, they will burn out with a more powerful appliance.
Tipping:
Tipping is a new and undefined custom in Poland. Unless you agreed with the driver on a price earlier, taxi fairs should be rounded up. Bartenders and waiters in cafes and don't expect a tip, but some people choose to leave the change. Not all Poles do it, but waiters in restaurants would appreciate 10-15%. Don't tip in milkbars.
Getting Around:
Poles drive on the right. American licenses are valid for one year. Beware! Poles have embraced car culture and believe that a good driver is a fast driver. With cars weaving in and out of traffic with barely a yard of leeway, simply watching the road from a bus window can be a scary experience.
All cities have well-planned public transit systems, and Krakow leads the pack. Get a city map for current routes. Poland works on a punch-ticket system. Get tickets at kiosks or from the bus/tram driver for a small fee. Punch the ticket immediately upon boarding in one of the several machines near the doors. Warning! A ticket must be punched for each item of luggage, even large backpacks.
Taxi ranks are packed, and Krakow has some of the cheapest rates in all of Poland. Rates are based on distance traveled. However, avoid taxis without phone numbers. Poles call these "mafia taxis," since they are rumored to have tricks to increase the rates. If you must resort to one of these, be sure to agree on a price beforehand. Bargaining before entering any taxi is possible. Highway robbery (literally), once a problem, is now virtually non-existent and even considered an urban legend.
Trains may not be up to Swiss or Swedish standards, but neither are the prices. Almost all engines are electric, but it is possible to find steam engines serving the Southeast. Warning: only Poles are eligible for any kinds of discounts. Buy normal tickets. Warning: While the main train station in Kraków (Kraków Glówny) is one of the most elegant and clean stations in Poland, it has an unusual layout. In order to reach the tracts from the ticket windows it is necessary to exit the building and walk north. Remember that the access through to the tracks is via an underground tunnel.
Buses generally run between the same places as trains, but are slower. Exception: while the train requires 4 hours between Kraków and Zakopane, the bus ride lasts only two. It may be necessary to take a bus in order to visit some towns in the East.
