This is not a packing list. You can figure out what shoes to bring. This is the stuff that trips people up, in order of how often we see it go wrong.

1. The currency is złoty, not euro

Poland is in the EU but not in the eurozone. You need Polish złoty (PLN). ATMs are everywhere. Your bank card will work. The rate you get at a kantor (currency exchange) in the city is usually better than at the airport - skip the airport kiosk.

2. Krakow and Warsaw are different cities

People sometimes book flights to Warsaw and hotels in Krakow, then discover they are three hours apart. Double-check which city you’re actually going to.

3. August and December are both expensive and crowded

High season in Krakow is July–August and the Christmas market period. If you’re flexible, May–June or September–October are better in every way.

4. Tap water is fine

Everywhere in Poland, in every city. You do not need to buy bottled water unless you prefer the taste. Some older buildings have older pipes - if the water looks off, ask - but this is rare.

5. Public transport is excellent and cheap

Trams and buses in Krakow and Warsaw are reliable, cheap, and go everywhere you need to go. Buy a multi-day pass on the first day and use it freely. Taxis are fine; Bolt and Uber work; do not take an unmarked taxi at the train station.

6. The old city is walkable; the good parts aren’t

In Krakow: Kazimierz is twenty minutes’ walk from the Rynek. Nowa Huta is forty minutes by tram. In Warsaw: Praga is across the river. The interesting things are never all in one place.

7. Restaurants close earlier than you think

Especially outside big cities. If you’re planning dinner after 9pm on a Sunday, check ahead. In Krakow you’ll be fine. In smaller cities, less so.

8. Polish is hard; nobody expects you to speak it

A few words go a long way: dziękuję (jenk-oo-yeh) is thank you. Przepraszam (psheh-pra-sham) is excuse me / sorry. That’s it. Almost everyone in tourism speaks English.

9. You will be offered more food than you can eat

This is a feature. The portions are large and the prices are low. Order one main dish and see how you feel before ordering anything else.

10. The country is safe

We mention this because travel advisories sometimes describe Poland as if it’s more complicated than it is. Major Polish cities are as safe as any western European city. Use common sense, as you would anywhere.