Transportation
Traveling by plane
According to top-medical-schools, domestic flights are operated by LOT Polish Airways (LO), which flies to all major cities. From Warsaw there are connections to Gdansk, Katowice, Kraków, Poznan, Rzeszow, Szczecin and Wroclaw. Further information can be obtained from the LOT city offices in Frankfurt/M. (Tel. +49 69 153 253 324), Vienna (Tel. 0 810 810 885) and Zurich (Tel. +41 227 614 249).
Traveling by car/bus
The motorway network in Poland is still under construction. From the German-Polish border in Görlitz/Zgorzelec there is a continuous motorway connection (A4) via Wroclaw and Kraków to Korczowa on the Ukrainian border. Toll: Various sections of the A1, A2 and A4 motorways are subject to tolls. The fee can be paid in cash in both local currency and euros (banknotes only) and by credit card. Most petrol stations are open 24 hours a day, especially in large cities and on main roads. In smaller towns they often close in the early evening. Many petrol stations are closed on public holidays. The supply of unleaded petrol is guaranteed nationwide. Unleaded petrol can be recognized by the crossed-out letters Pb and the green lettering on the pumps. Diesel is marked with ON. Autogas (Gaz) is available at many petrol stations, as is biodiesel.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Right
Car rental
Rental cars are available at airports and in major cities. The minimum age is 21 years. You must have had your driving license for at least 1 year.
Coach
Within Poland there is a widespread network of state car traffic (PKS). The buses run on normal routes and express routes. Tickets are available at bus stations, Orbis offices, other travel agencies or from the bus driver. Intercity buses commute between the Polish towns. Long-distance buses go to the big cities. Many long-distance bus connections are also served by Polski Express. The bus stations are mostly in the town centres. You can get tickets at the train station or from the driver. In addition, there are numerous private companies whose minibuses operate on certain routes. Some towns and villages can only be reached in this way. Minibuses stop near bus and train stations;
Regulations
Traffic regulations: – Seat belts are compulsory. – Children up to 12 years of age and up to a height of 150 cm must be transported in approved child seats. – It is mandatory to carry a warning triangle and a first aid kit. – A national symbol (e.g. D) is required on the stern. – Drivers and motorcyclists must drive with dipped headlights all year round, even during the day. – Alcohol limit: 0.2 ‰. – The use of mobile phones at the wheel is only permitted with the use of a hands-free system. Speed limit: – urban: 50 km/h (5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.) and 60 km/h (11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.), – extra-urban: 90 km/h, – on expressways: 100 km/h h, – on dual carriageways: 120 km/h, – on motorways: 140 km/h.
Roadside Assistance
The Polish Motor Association Polski Zwiazek Motorowy (PZM) roadside assistance can be reached nationwide on the phone number 19637, for members on 9637. Further information: Polski Zwiazek Motorowy, Tel. +48 22 542 01 00. German-speaking employees can be reached by ADAC members on Tel. +48 61 831 98 88. The ADAC international emergency hotline can be reached on Tel. +49 89 22 22 22. It offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance assistance with regard to hotels, rental cars, vehicle or patient return transport. Poland has set up an emergency number for foreign tourists in the event of lost documents, medical emergencies or breakdowns. It is daily, except on public holidays, 1.
Documentation
Vehicle documents and national driver’s license. For citizens of EU and EFTA countries, the license plate number is valid as proof of insurance. Nevertheless, EU and EFTA citizens are recommended to take the International Green Insurance Card with them in order to make it easier to record accidents in the event of damage and to enjoy full insurance cover. Otherwise, the statutory minimum liability insurance coverage applies. It is advisable to take out an international protection letter. Persons wishing to travel to Poland with a vehicle that is not registered in their name need a power of attorney. User authorization is not required if the vehicle owner is a passenger in the car.
Traveling in the city
All cities have good bus networks, trams and trolleybuses that also go to the suburbs. The urban transport system in Warsaw (ZTM) includes buses, trams, metro and suburban trains. Tickets can be bought from ZTM agencies, newspaper kiosks and ticket machines in the subway stations, train stations and at interchange hubs. Taxis are available in most cities. There are taxi ranks. However, taxis can also be ordered by telephone. With the Warsaw Pass you have free entry to numerous attractions in Warsaw such as the Royal Lazienki Museum, the Chopin Museum, the National Museum or the Wilanow Palace. On various sightseeing tours you get a discount of up to 15%. With a small surcharge, the Warsaw Pass can also be used as a ticket for public transport. It is available for 24, 48 or 72 hours and can be purchased at Warsaw Tourist Information, the Chopin Museum or online.
Locally on the way by train
Trains operated by the Polish State Railways PKP connect Warsaw with all parts of the country. Children under the age of 4 travel for free, children from 4 to 7 years and schoolchildren pay half the fare. A train runs from Gdańsk to the Hel (Hela) Peninsula. Poland’s major cities are connected by high-speed trains. There are numerous historic narrow-gauge railways in Poland. Some operate on a schedule, others can be rented for group outings. More information can be obtained from the Polish Tourist Board.
rail passes
The Regio Karta is available for 6 or 12 months. With the card, holders receive a 30% discount on single journeys on regional trains. The Interrail One Country Pass and the Interrail Global Pass are also valid in Poland. The PKP Bilet turystyczny allows an unlimited number of trips on weekends (Friday 6:00 p.m. to Monday 6:00 a.m.). The weekendowy bilet is valid for a weekend (Friday 7:00 p.m. to Sunday 12:00 a.m.) on PKP IC long-distance trains, but is not valid on the Berlin-Warszawa-Express. Bilet tygodniowy is valid for seven consecutive days on all PKP PR regional trains. The Bilet sieciowy is a network card that is valid on all PKP trains.
Traveling by ship
The most important seaports in Poland are in Gdańsk, Gdynia, Świnoujście and Szczecin. Passenger traffic exists between the Baltic Sea ports, on the Great Masurian Lakes and on some sections of the Vistula and Odra rivers by coastal and inland waterway ships and hydrofoils.
