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Info about Poland

Above: A pocket-full of coins won't get you very far with these things

Below: A rainy day in Kazimierz

Here are a few things to remember during your time in Cracow:

Avoid changing your money at the Bureaux de Change in the town centre unless you want to hand a complete stranger an early Christmas present - the rates can be awful.

Don't hail your taxis from the rank - ask someone to phone for one - it's generally 30 percent cheaper.

Coin-operated phone boxes are almost non-existent. You'll need to buy a telephone card (karta telefoniczna) from a post office or roadside kiosk.

Take care when buying antiques. It's illegal to export certain items, particularly old paintings, produced before 1945.

Don't expect first class service in Cracow's restaurants and bars - the city still has a long way to go in that respect! Things have improved a lot however in the last few years, and with an ever-increasing amount of tourists in the city tipping is also becoming customary. Ten percent on any meal should mean you're welcomed back next time!

One of the ancient Chakra energy stones is believed to be buried in Wawel Castle. It's all nonsense, according to the guides, but thousands still come for the vibe.

If you're planning a trip to Cracow be sure to book your accommodation in advance, particularly in the high season. The best hotels fill out quickly, with apartments a better bet for last minute breaks. Backpackers meanwhile should check out our page on Cracow hostels.

When it comes to partying, Cracovians start early and finish late. Whereas you'll find it hard to get a seat if you arrive at a nightspot after ten, the clubs only really start to get going when Cinderella's on her way home... and carry on until 4 a.m. or even later. If you want to go the distance make sure you pace yourself! Cracow has more drinking holes per square metre than anywhere else in the world. Hurrah!

Bring warm clothes and a hat. The weather in Poland can be surprisingly pleasant, but equally it can have a bitter cold edge even in late spring. You may just end up blessing that ridiculous old balaclava.

Poles are passionate about their food. Throw away your preconceptions about miserable Eastern Bloc stews, and be prepared for a great surprise.

Poland has adopted its own uniquely confusing symbols for differentiating public toilets for men and women. Remember, too, that you may well have to pay. Oh, and by the way, the circle is for women, the triangle for men!

Krakow travel tips

	going back to krakow in december my 4th visit in 3 years as a single traveller i have found everyone very friendly out of season when the english stages arnt there but in the summer months i think people think i am with 1 of these big mouth groups and avoid me for that reason i always go in december now what a beautiful city and beautiful friendly people
reviewed by steve reilly from United Kingdom on Sep.27.2011

	Had a brilliant time in Krakow,. Fantastic city, greta people, greta food. Got a much better exchange rate in the city than back in the UK
reviewed by Jeff Blythin from United Kingdom on Sep.22.2011

	I find your website fantastic with the range of helpful information available.One query are discounted tickets available to pensioners from the UK?
reviewed by John McCann from United Kingdom on Feb.02.2011

Just returned from my first trip - had a great time. Thanks to all your tips on here - they really helped. If planning to visit - do your own thing. The transport links to all the sites are fab - and cheap. The hotels & tour operators charge a fortune for exactly the same thing. Visit the Tourist Info booths & get all the info you need. Auschwitz was an amazing trip - and the electric buggy tours of the town are fun :-)

reviewed by Donna Torch from United Kingdom on Sep.23.2010

went to cracow in 2009 during august.for ten days. stayed at the wyspiansky which is close to the square. great breakfast. clean and good location and reasonably priced. most enjoyable trip i ever took. cracow is like new orleans on steroids. take the train from the airport . very reasonable with frequent runs. take the train to czestochowa and auschwitz if you want to save money and the bus to the salt mine. czestochowa was a very moving experience with all of the pilgrims arriving and spontaneous singing.learn to use the trains and the buses if you want o save money. about the 1/3 the cost of a guided tour. l seldom had trouble finding someone who spoke english. went to the wawel twice. went to the square every evening. loads of free entertainment, jugglers,mimes,break dancers,singers,horses,artists,musicians ticketed performances, bizarros etc.why havent american cities revived the town square. meals were pricey if you want something other than chicken or fish. the markets especially the kasimir was a lot of fun.

the next time i visit i want to see the koszczuisko mound , zakopane,the national parks.the factory and apartment tour, the military plane museum and the jewish cemetaries which i missed because they were not open on saturday. I did arrange a guide to take me to my fathers village of brzana gorna and visited his parish church and cemetary in bobowa.

things ive learned guided tours are 3x as expensive. dont try to see 5 cities in ten days. pick one place that has lot of variety. i did not like the fact that there were a lot of police dressed in black like storm troopers and the new mall which is the worst idea ive ever seen . the new mall the largest in poland will put the local enterpreneur out of business and ruin the texture and vibrancy of the city. the poles have taken the worst from america. cracowians support your local businesses and avoid the international corporates that will take your jobs and money and ruin your local economy and forever change the charm that you now offer. the internatinal corporatization of cracow is a greater enemy than communism.

before visiting read poland and the peasant prince.

have a great trip.

b.

reviewed by bernard bronczyk from United States on Sep.17.2010

	Cheers CLife just wanted to make sure it was the bog standard one i normally take on hols with me
reviewed by det66 from United Kingdom on Feb.27.2010

	Hi Det, What you want is the 2-pin socket adaptor. Best,
reviewed by CLife from Poland on Feb.26.2010

	what kind of power adaptors would I need coming from the UK?
reviewed by det66 from United Kingdom on Feb.15.2010

	Hi Ted, it's about 9 zlote these days for a good brand. That's just over 2 quid. Better than the UK at least... Happy smokin'!
reviewed by John from United Kingdom on Jan.29.2010

	can anyone tell me the price of english cigarettes and rolling tobacco in krakow?
reviewed by ted from United Kingdom on Nov.21.2009

	visited crakow jan 09 planning another visit for jan 10,wnat a great city,people are so friendly and it is so laid back,cant wait!!
reviewed by donna from United Kingdom on Nov.03.2009

	i miss Poland!! its so freakin hot here in Florida,USA!!!i will come back.i promise.even though i have to walk everywhere!!i hope my american money will be worth more too!my Polish friends are with me now.im showing them Florida.there english not so good.we play charades a lot! having fun.bye you all !
reviewed by cindy from United States on Sep.19.2009

	just got back from Poland! went to Cracow for a day !took 2 hrs. by tram.spent the whole day. it was Great !girls just watch your purses and be careful taking pictures,some people dont like it and some people want to take your pic. with your camera,than want money.ugg.lots of Waling so be ready for that.all in all-A GREAT TIME !!!thanks for making us feel welcome. we will be back !!!!
reviewed by cindy from United States on Sep.11.2009

	Hi! gonna visit cracow this oktober me and my wife. was wondering if theres any tip to get of what to do,where to eat and a nice hotel to be recommended. And ofc any risks to avoid while there?
reviewed by henrik from Sweden on Sep.10.2009

	cindy, what dates in sept are you going to be there? i will be there for the first time and could use some company.
reviewed by calomalo from United States on Sep.02.2009

	Cindy, go on the vodka tasting which you can find at cracow city tours. You get to try different types of vodka and then eventually turns into a pub crawl. It was quite fun and entertaining. Go to Kitsch, Prozac, Pausa and the like all really great clubs
reviewed by MB from United States on Aug.11.2009

	my sister-in-law,sister and i are going to Poland this Sept. 2009.anything we Have to see or do? this will be our first overseas trip ! we are interested in the Pub-Crawl of course anything else?? please help. we are 28,26,and 30 yrs. old.
reviewed by cindy from United States on Aug.04.2009

	That's really interesting about the Chakra energy stone. Does anyone know of any other sources about this? Cheers
reviewed by Becky from United Kingdom on Jul.31.2009

	Moth - I don't believe it's the best food you've ever had but Krakow is great (especially when its sunny)!
reviewed by James R. from United Kingdom on Jun.30.2009

	ive been in Krakw for 3 weeks now and its been great!! the best food ive ever had and the night life is amazing,, i dont want to leave :)
reviewed by Morh from United States on Jun.27.2009

	by the way, im very much a Malaysian...
reviewed by Steven Nathaniel Aju from Malaysia on May.22.2009

	I will be in Krakow some time mid june..my first stop in my journey across europe...Would like to know if there is a back packers lodge there aka cheapest accomodation and the train far to get to bucharest romania... does anyone want to meet up? can really appreciate great company... cheers
reviewed by Steven Nathaniel Aju from United States on May.22.2009

	I just arrived in Krakow yesterday (Saturday) afternoon. The folks at Cracow-Life agency are very helpful and trust-worthy. I was pleasantly surprised at the excellent location of my apartment and the "energizing" activity in the town square. There sure are a lot of young visitors drinking! Good thing there are police everywhere. My experience, so far has been excellent.
reviewed by Harvey from Canada on May.16.2009

	I am planning on going to Kracow in June. Is this a good time to go. how is the weather and is it easy to get around from Kracow airport to hotel near the main square
reviewed by Mas from United Kingdom on May.12.2009

	I am planning on going to Kracow in June. Is this a good time to go. how is the weather and is it easy to get around from Kracow airport to hotel near the main square
reviewed by Mas from United Kingdom on May.12.2009

	how wrong you are the food is horrendous but the weather is fab!!
reviewed by liz from Ireland on Apr.15.2009

	going to krakow with my parents later this year, can someone tell me how much a taxi is from the main square to auschwitz. Thanks
reviewed by julie crimmins from United Kingdom on Mar.29.2009

	No Louise, we have just gone down from trees, we keep dragons in our backyards and we do not know what sport shop is.... Come on! Do you really think that in normal European country we do not have any sport shops? Unless it is a joke - as this post.
reviewed by MIcha from Poland on Jan.12.2009

	Jane, for 6 people you have to pay 15 zloty extra for a larger cab, but then it's just the regular fare. However, you're better off taking a cab to the bus station and then taking a bus there, it will save you a fortune!
reviewed by Ania from Poland on Jan.12.2009

	I was in cracowlast year and i must say your review on service is wrong,i was very impressed with all the service,quality of the staff ect.i will be definately going again and will recomend it to everybody.
reviewed by frank higgins from United Kingdom on Jan.10.2009

	Can anybody tell me how much a taxi for 6 people would cost from Krakow airport to Pisarzowa on a Saturday morning? Thank you.
reviewed by Jane from United Kingdom on Jan.07.2009

hi my boyfriend is going to krakow on m