Yes. Krakow is one of the safer cities in Central Europe. Petty theft exists around the Old Town at night - keep your phone in your pocket and don't leave bags on chair backs. The areas tourists worry about (Nowa Huta, Kazimierz after dark) are fine.

Poland Travel: Questions We Actually Get Asked

Q: Do I need cash in Poland?

Have some, but you won't need much. Cards are accepted almost everywhere in cities. The exception is smaller milk bars, market stalls, and the occasional old-school tram ticket machine. Take out 200–300 PLN at an ATM on arrival and you'll be covered.

Q: Do people speak English in Poland?

In Krakow and Warsaw, very well - especially anyone under 40. Outside major cities it drops off, but you can get by with patience and pointing. Learning 'przepraszam' (excuse me) and 'dziękuję' (thank you) goes a long way.

Q: What's the currency and should I exchange before arriving?

Polish złoty (PLN). Don't exchange at the airport - the rates are poor. Use an ATM on arrival or find a 'kantor' (currency exchange) in the city centre. Avoid exchange offices near tourist attractions. The rate at a kantor in Kazimierz will beat anything at Balice airport.

Q: When is the best time to visit Krakow?

May–June and September–October. Summer (July–August) is crowded and hot. Winter is grey but atmospheric, and prices drop significantly. Christmas market season (late November–December) is genuinely good if you dress for it.

Q: How do I get from Krakow airport to the city centre?

Train. The direct rail link takes about 17 minutes to Krakow Główny (main station) and costs around 10 PLN. It runs frequently. Taxis and Uber exist but cost 3–4x more and take longer in traffic. The bus is cheaper than a taxi but slower than the train.

Short answers to the questions we get asked every week. If something isn’t here, try the Field Notes - longer reads on specific topics.

Do I need cash in Poland?

Cards are accepted in most restaurants, shops and hotels in Krakow and Warsaw. That said, have 200–300 PLN in cash for:

Smaller milk bars and traditional restaurants
Market stalls (Hala Targowa, Stary Kleparz)
Some tram ticket machines
Tipping (tip in cash - not on card)

Withdraw from ATMs in the city, not at the airport. Avoid Euronet machines - they push dynamic currency conversion. Use a bank ATM (PKO, Santander, ING).

Is Krakow safe?

Yes. Comfortably so. The standard city-travel precautions apply - don’t wave your phone around in crowds, keep bags closed - but there’s no area of Krakow we’d tell you to avoid.

Nowa Huta gets asked about a lot. It’s a normal residential district. Go.

Do people speak English in Poland?

In Krakow: yes, widely. Service staff, younger people, anyone in hospitality. University city, lots of international students.

Outside Krakow, especially in smaller towns: less so. A translation app helps. People are generally patient and will try.

What’s the currency and should I exchange before arriving?

Polish złoty (PLN). 1 EUR ≈ 4.25 PLN (check the rate - it moves).

Do not exchange at the airport. Rates are terrible. Options in order of quality:

Kantor (exchange office) in the city - best rates, no commission
Bank ATM - fine, use your card’s rate
Euronet ATM - avoid, they charge conversion fees and push bad rates
Airport exchange - worst, use only if desperate

When is the best time to visit Krakow?

May–June: warm, green, not yet packed. Our favourite.

September–October: quieter, beautiful light, lower prices. Also good.

July–August: hot, very crowded around the Old Town and Wawel. Still fine, just busier.

Winter: cold and often grey, but Krakow looks good in the snow, prices drop, and you’ll share the Rynek with actual residents rather than tour groups. The Christmas market (late November through December) is worth it.

How do I get from Krakow airport to the city centre?

Take the train. 17 minutes, ~10 PLN, runs every 30 minutes. Buy a ticket at the machine in the terminal (card or cash) or on the PKP Intercity app.

Taxis cost 60–90 PLN and take 30–45 minutes depending on traffic. Uber is similar. Neither is worth it unless you have a lot of luggage or arrive after the trains stop (they run until around midnight).