Transport

Located in the heart of Europe, Poland is within easy reach by any means of transport: plane, train, coach, car or ferry. A flight to Warsaw takes 2 hours from London, Paris and Brussels and ca 1 hour from Berlin, Vienna or Prague. In the country, you can travel comfortably using our well-developed railway and coach transport. If you choose to travel by car, our extensive road network will lead you to beauty spots of Poland.

Train (pociąg)

The dense network of rail routes in Poland is operated by the Polish National Railways (Polskie Koleje Państwowe, PKP) which bring together several companies providing domestic and international passenger transport services. The fastest service and most comfortable travel conditions are offered by the PKP Intercity company; you can choose on average from ca 100 trains running daily between popular tourist centres, the biggest cities within Poland (Intercity and Express trains) and beyond its borders (EuroCity trains). While travelling Poland, you may also use services of the Cheap Railways (Tanie Linie Kolejowe) which offer cheaper tickets, usually for early morning and night trains.

Tickets (bilet) may be purchased from cash windows at all railway stations, in some travel agencies, as well as from ticket machines at some railway stations. You can also buy a ticket from the train conductor, paying in cash or – in all PKP Intercity trains – with a charge card; in this case, the price includes a small extra charge. Another option available is to reserve a ticket over the phone or to buy it from the PKP Intercity through the Internet. Children of up to 4 years of age travel by train in Poland free of charge, and accompanying persons may travel at reduced fare. Children and young people of up to 26 years of age enrolled in Polish schools or higher education institutions are entitled to a reduction off the full fare, provided that they hold a valid pupil or student identity card (to be shown at the train conductor’s request). Cheaper family tickets are another available and frequently chosen option, particularly attractive during the holiday season.

Car (samochód)

Poland has right-hand traffic and vehicles are overtaken on the left. When driving a car or any other vehicle in Poland, you are required to hold a driving licence, a vehicle registration document and a document confirming that you are covered by civil liability insurance (Green Card). Your vehicle should be equipped with a warning triangle, a fire extinguisher and a first-aid kit. You are not allowed to use your mobile phone while driving, unless you have a headset or hands-free set. Drivers are required to use dipped or daytime headlights also during the day all year round. All passengers (except visibly pregnant women, taxi drivers and persons holding a medical exemption certificate) are required to have their seat belts fastened both in the front and back seats. Children of up to 12 years of age and under 150 cm tall may travel only in child safety seats.

Driving licence (prawo jazdy)

Driving licences issued by the EU Member States are recognised in Poland until the validity date given on the document. EU nationals residing in Poland permanently are not required to change their driving licence, though they are entitled to have the Polish driving licence. Third-country nationals holding a driving licence issued in accordance with the Convention on Road Traffic of 1968 may drive vehicles on Polish roads on the basis of their document. Those who have obtained a permit for residence in Poland are required to change their document for a Polish driving licence within 6 months. Nationals of the countries which are not parties to the Convention should also hold an international driving licence during a tourist trip in Poland. Once a residence permit has been issued, both documents cease to be valid and the holder should apply for the Polish driving licence. To obtain it, applicants may be required to take a partial state examination.

Public urban transport