Located in the center of Europe. This country is interesting for tourists at any time of the year.
In Poland, you can wander through medieval cities and castles, visit the Bialowieza National Park and see bison, go skiing in Zakopane in winter or lie on the beaches of the Baltic Sea in summer.
The first Polish state appeared in 966 after the adoption of Christianity by Prince Mieszko I. Most Poles are Catholics and the church has great influence; it is not for nothing that from 1978 to 2005 the Pole John Paul II, the first Pope of Slavic origin, sat on the Vatican throne.
During World War II, much of the country was destroyed, Warsaw was especially damaged, but the Poles carefully restored and restored everything.
A two-week itinerary in Poland can be compiled as follows:
1. Warsaw
. The old town in the capital of Poland is not very large. You should definitely see the Castle Square and the Royal Palace.
Every week we offer you a new option: ticket + route + budget + hotel + insurance.
It’s worth starting with the fact that, having found cheap air tickets to Poland, you will never want to travel by bus, no matter how convenient it may be. Thanks to WizzAir, a flight can cost $15-20 if you plan it 5-6 weeks before your planned trip.
The Kyiv-Lublin flight takes 1 hour, during which you can relax and enjoy the air travel, read newspapers and magazines, edit photos or think about your future travel route, if this has not happened before.
If you are not flying WizzAir, you can find cheap flights on the websites
Finding a plane ticket to Warsaw is also not difficult, using. If you don’t like to fly, the Kyiv-Warsaw bus will take you to your destination in comfort. You can use the services of FlixBus or Busfor.
How to get from Lublin to Warsaw
Lublin's small airport is located just 15 minutes from the city, accessible by small buses. The cost of the trip is 10 zlotys. The bus arrives at the Lublin bus station, from where you can immediately leave for Warsaw for 30 zlotys. True, the road itself leaves much to be desired. Of the 2 hours and 40 minutes of travel, only the first 40 minutes remain comfortable; then the road needs repairs. If this doesn’t bother you, you can safely go and enjoy 50 shades of green - this is truly a visual pleasure. Pay attention to the sign on the bus. It must be express, otherwise you will travel much longer.
You can get to the train station and go to Warsaw by Intercity train for the same 30 zlotys. The road is better, but the views are completely different. The train travels a little over 3 hours.
Offline maps
I would like to say a huge thank you to the developer of MAPS.ME. This is not the first time this offline travel map has come to the rescue. The main thing is to download at home a map of the country you are going to and, voila, you are armed with everything you need. There are sections for food, hotels, attractions, wifi, transport, gas station, parking, shop, ATM, bank, entertainment, hospital, pharmacy, police, toilet and even post office. You can create routes and mark places to visit. In general, all the most relevant and useful things are concentrated in MAPS.ME.
To download maps, residents of Ukraine must first log into the VPN, since the service, like mail.ru, VK, OK.ru and some others, is blocked. However, despite all the prohibitions, many travelers use it, it is very convenient.
Accommodation in Warsaw
I have already used it several times Airbnb and I'm absolutely satisfied with it. You can find inexpensive housing in any part of the city. It is possible to sort by price, by location, by dates, etc. You can also use booking.com and find accommodation there, for example, cheap hostels in Warsaw or apartments.
You can also rent housing on the following sites:
Nutrition
Since I prefer not to run anywhere in the morning, I go to the supermarket in the evening and buy food for breakfast. If you don’t know where to find a supermarket, go to MAPS.ME. When traveling, the main thing for me is not to rush anywhere, but to enjoy the moment, which is why it is so important for me to find balance and surround myself with positive emotions in the morning. An omelette with tomatoes, sausages and arugula, tea with pastries and a great view from the window - that’s what makes my morning.
The host from whom we rented the apartment did everything possible to ensure that his guests did not need anything. Thus, in the apartment there was tea, coffee, sugar, sweets, cookies, butter, cream, jams, milk, beer. The apartment is fully equipped with everything you need, from an ironing board and iron, to a dishwasher and washing machine.. Follow the link Airbnb, You'll get $42 discount for your first booking.
English in Poland
This is probably one of those cases when I did not prepare for the trip at all due to lack of time, which is why I had no expectations. I can say with confidence that everyone we turned to for help on the street happily answered in English - bad, good, whatever, but they answered. This is about young people. The older generation speaks Polish, which is also not difficult to understand what is being said. But I say this because I know Ukrainian, it seems to me that the languages are very similar. However, this is a topic for a separate article, because there are words that sound similar, but mean something completely different, for example, “simply” is straightforward.
When traveling, I try to never speak either Russian or Ukrainian, I improve my skills and test the locals’ understanding of the English language. And this is exactly the case when I strongly recommend knowing common phrases in order to find out how to get there, how to get there, how to get somewhere, and so on.
People and hospitality
It’s probably illogical to draw a conclusion from 4 days of travel, but I’ll still note that the people are very good-natured. What is this “dzień dobry, pani” worth? The mood is made up of such little things that seem to be completely unnoticed by the locals: perfect cleanliness on the streets, smiles on people’s faces, an excellent transport system. More on this below.
Transport in Warsaw
This topic deserves a separate paragraph, since all urban transport can be rated 100 points out of 100. Large and comfortable buses and trams, which are equipped with terminals for purchasing tickets (the main thing is to have some change with you).
All stops are announced and shown on the board, so it’s simply impossible to mix something up and go the wrong way. You can find city transport traffic patterns online ztm.waw.pl or at any stop - the time and destination are marked on the schedule. The movement interval is 5-10 minutes. In the evening it may be increased.
Most buses run from 5 am to 11 pm. The ticket can be purchased inside the bus, at newsstands, at metro stations or at ZTM kiosks at stops. The price starts from 3.5 zlotys. If you plan to travel a lot, it is better to buy a travel ticket. The tram schedule coincides with the bus schedule, but you can check for sure Online tw.waw.pl
You can rent a car anywhere in the world from Renalcars.com
Lublin Airport
This is another place that deserves attention. The last time I saw this was only at the Tunis airport - prices are cheaper than in the city. If you want to drink a cup of cappuccino, you can do it for 9 zlotys, while in the city the price is 11-12. Security checks at the airport are serious: be prepared to open suitcases, undergo drug tests, etc. Remember that nothing can be cooler than a safe flight.
2 thoughts on “How to travel to Poland cheaply”
I want to go to Poland, but only by wheeled transport. I have already started making a biometric passport. As soon as the document is in hand, I will consider all possible travel options.
Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!
My interactive guide
“Poland: Undiscovered Europe” has been released!
I have been living in Warsaw for the second year now and, to be honest, for the first time in my life I feel that I have truly found my city and my country. I really want to show you the beauty of Poland too.
What kind of guide?
This is a system for people who want to travel interestingly and independently, but do not have enough time or experience to prepare for the trip.
This includes:
1) Convenient and easy-to-read description of the route with interesting points, a clear plan for each day,
2) markers on maps for smartphones (everything works without the Internet!)
3) detailed instructions on the technical side of the trip: the correct exit from the metro, the correct entrance to the building, luggage storage, purchasing a variety of tickets, etc.
I'll be honest I've been looking for something like this for a long time. To be taken care of, well and efficiently, not just for show. I haven’t gone on group tours for a long time, and I don’t always have enough time to prepare for individual trips. But I also want not just a trip, but something with a twist!
We really thought of everything: we selected several hotels in which it is convenient and pleasant to stay, planned places for delicious lunches and dinners, made a plan for walks around the city and put all the necessary marks on the map... At the same time, there is no such strict schedule as with group excursions: you can arrange a long lunch for yourself or a very leisurely climb.
By the beginning of our cooperation, the publishing house Top3Travel had already created two guides on this technology: “ Gaudi. Architecture for life"(for Spain) and " Sheikh Zayed. How to create a miracle in the desert"(in the UAE). And when I saw the level of work, how detailed everything was and at the same time easily and clearly described, how clearly and competently the route was drawn up, I even doubted a little: could I do the same in Poland?
However, the eyes are afraid, but the hands do
In the summer of 2016, I thought through the route and described it and all the technical details in detail. In the fall, we completely drove through it, checked everything, and made the necessary corrections. The route is now completely ready for use.
For whom
For budget holidays for singles, couples and families of all ages. If you like to walk through beautiful cities and natural places, this is the ideal route for you.
Type of journey
A truly personalized journey. You will have detailed instructions and an exact route in your smartphone, accessible without the Internet. At the same time, you will do just fine without knowing English or Polish, you will always see where you are, and you will definitely not get lost.
Budget
So that you understand the budget: All three transfers between cities, including one for 7 hours, will cost you 10-20 euros per person (depending on the date of purchase). The hotels we recommend cost $40-60 per room per night. Along the route, we have planned several lunches in tasty, but very inexpensive places where locals go - a full lunch with meat for one here costs 5-7 euros. And you can spend the money saved on a water park, museum or gifts for loved ones.
Level of detail
You will receive several files and video instructions. You will know exactly which excursions and trips are worth purchasing online before your trip, and what can be purchased on the spot. You will see a clear plan for all days and a separate, very detailed plan for each day. At the same time, everything is read as you go, step by step - it turns out very convenient. Here are some screenshots.
Route
Warsaw (2 nights)
Krakow (2 or 3 nights)
Zakopane (recommended from 4 nights)
There is something to do everywhere, both in winter and summer!
Detailed program
The first day. Evening in Warsaw. View of the city from above
You will visit a small but very interesting museum, which is almost not in guidebooks, have lunch at a popular restaurant serving Polish cuisine, look at the city from a height of 114 meters and stroll along an evening pedestrian street. By the way, Warsaw is not only an old, but also a very modern city, which you will also see.
Second day. Heart of Warsaw
You will stroll along the most beautiful streets of the city, find out how the Old Town of Warsaw differs so much from other similar ones, look at the embankment, and in the warm season - at the Botanical Garden on the roof of the library - the real highlight of the city. And again we will tell you where to eat and relax.
Day three. Moving and walking around Krakow
The Poles themselves call Krakow the soul of Poland. This is where the largest central square in all of Europe is located. And a couple of years ago, the Dungeons were opened to tourists - with a unique multimedia museum and an unusual atmosphere inside. If you haven't been under the central square yet, be sure to visit it!
Day four. Royal Castle in Krakow and Wieliczka Salt Mine
Get ready - a day full of emotions and impressions awaits you! You will be able to see not only the Royal Chambers, but also the Armory and the Treasury, see a place as significant for Poland as the Kremlin for Russia, look into the Dragon Cave... In the afternoon we will have a trip to Wieliczka - to the grandiose underground halls, which simply impossible to miss!
Bonus day in Krakow
If you decide to stay in Krakow for an extra day, you can use our additional tips and take a walk through the artistic quarter of Kazimierz, see the largest aviation museum in Poland (there are about 150 pieces of equipment!) and visit the Schindler Factory museum.
Day five. Moving to Zakopane and walking around the city
And again, we have described everything in detail for you: departure platform, arrival, check-in options, marked useful points in the city on the map... On this day we will walk along the cozy streets of this resort town, admire the houses that are more than 100 years old and climb the mountain Gubałówka, where there are some rather unusual attractions
Day six. Climbing Kasprowy Wierch Mountain
My favorite day! You will see gorgeous landscapes, breathe in the mountain air and clear your head of garbage! It is impossible to describe, you just have to see it! There are several options for ascent and descent, all of which are described in the guide, and you can easily find the one that best suits your physical fitness.
Day seven. Walk to Lake Morske Oko
This mountain lake is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. Unreal color water, picturesque stones and trees around, peace and tranquility... What’s nice is that the road to it is very simple, although quite long (2-3 hours one way). However, there is always the opportunity to get there by horse-drawn carriage. A wonderful walk along the forest awaits you, and then along the lake.
Today, many people go to Poland, some on vacation, and some just to live in this country for some time. But not long ago, this state joined the European Union. What you should know tourist, who decided to go on vacation to Poland on his long-awaited vacation.
Before going on vacation to this state, you first need to worry about documents. If you don’t have a passport, then you need to get one. If this is your first trip abroad, the procedure may take a little longer. Therefore, you should not do this at the last moment. Now you need a visa to Poland.
The standard procedure in such cases applies here. You need to come to the consulate, fill out a form in which you must indicate the purpose of the trip. At the same time, it is important to take into account the following point: for a positive decision you need to present confirmation of the booking hotel, and you also need to take out insurance. At the same time, you should check with the consulate what other documents may be needed. Most likely, you will be asked for a certificate of income. After filling out the questionnaire, you will be interviewed.
Despite the seeming absurdity of the questions, they should be taken quite seriously. Poles will want to be sure that you are not planning to get a job in Poland, and you just want to relax there. If you already have Schengen visa. You should not rely on the fact that having it will allow you to enter any country in this zone. A visit to the representative office of this state is necessary in order for you to receive a visa so that you can enter the territory of Poland. This must be done. Otherwise, customs officers may consider your visa insufficient, and you will fly back to Russia .
If in Poland you have relatives, talk to them, perhaps they will help simplify the procedure for obtaining a tourist visa. In this case, the cost of paperwork will be much cheaper. You will only need to pay for insurance. And an invitation to the country will significantly facilitate and speed up the resolution of your application in a positive direction. Moreover, if you are traveling by invitation, then in this case, all expenses for your maintenance, according to Polish laws, are borne by the receiving party. Failure situations are quite rare, but, nevertheless, they also happen. It is better to plan everything in advance than to take the next flight back home.
Apply for a visa to Poland yourself. Visa centers in Poland, what visa is needed, how much it costs and how to apply. Visa-free entry or documents for obtaining a tourist visa.
- Last minute tours Worldwide
Citizens of Russia and the CIS countries to visit ancient and charming Poland will need a Schengen visa, which can be submitted to the consular department of the Polish Embassy in Moscow or through the VFS Global visa service in Russian cities. Among the features of the Polish Schengen visa are an online application form (printed forms are not accepted) and confirmation of 50% payment for the hotel (in case of an independent trip). Otherwise, the requirements are standard: a 3-month passport validity period at the end of the trip, air ticket reservations, insurance and confirmation of financial solvency. A nice bonus is the possibility of obtaining a 6-month or one-year visa.
Tourist visa to Poland: general information
Regular visa cost
Express visa
Visa fees
19,5-23 EUR
Types of visas
In the Republic of Poland, the following categories of visas are in use:
- A: classic airport transit visa: needed by those for whom Poland is only a connecting point for two flights. Allows you to stay exclusively in the transit zone of the air harbor;
- C: the most common, there is a single and multiple entry (multiple visa). Requested by tourists, businessmen, and anyone traveling to visit relatives or for treatment. Limits the period of stay on Polish soil to 90 days within six months, allows you to freely enter the territory of other Schengen countries and stay there;
- D (national): for those who want to spend more than 90 days in Poland in six months, for example, for study or work, as well as immigrants. With this visa you can freely cross the borders of any state in the Schengen area.
Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo
Independent visa application
Before submitting your documents, you should decide on the type of visa you need and the place to submit your application: this can be a consulate (in which case you will not have to pay a service fee) or visa centers. Reception points are located not only in the Central Federal District, but also in Murmansk, Novosibirsk, Khabarovsk, Kazan and other large cities. The visa fee is not the same for everyone.
Those submitting documents in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Smolensk, Voronezh, Vologda, Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk pay 19.5 EUR. In Krasnodar, Ufa, Perm, Novorossiysk, Saratov, Murmansk, Petrozavodsk, Veliky Novgorod, Pskov, Vyborg, Omsk, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk - 23 EUR. Prices on the page are for April 2019.
Applications for a national visa are considered only by the Consulates General of Poland in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad. You can make an appointment to submit documents to the consulate and visa centers in advance, but this is not necessary.
Documents for a visa to Poland
Required documents:
- international passport (valid for at least three months from the end of the trip);
- photocopy of international passport (page with photo);
- a photocopy of the pages of the used passport, if it contained Schengen or Polish visas;
- A completed application form . At the consulate it is registered and filled out online, and then printed and signed. At visa centers, the document is immediately filled out by hand;
- one color photograph 3.5 x 4.5 cm, which must be glued to the application form (see photo requirements below);
- a document confirming the purpose of stay (voucher or confirmation of payment for the tour, invitation from an organization or individual);
- a certificate from the place of employment on a form with the details of the organization, indicating the position, length of service and salary;
- confirmation of the availability of funds: a bank account statement, traveler's checks or a copy of a credit card (with a certificate from the bank about the availability of funds on it);
- a copy of electronic round-trip air or railway tickets or confirmation of ticket reservation;
- confirmation of reservation and 50% payment of the hotel for the entire period of stay in the country, if the purpose of the trip is tourism;
- original and copy of health insurance valid throughout Schengen territory and for the entire duration of the trip. The amount of insurance coverage is at least 30,000 EUR;
- completed consent to the processing of personal data.
Individual entrepreneurs who travel for work, to confirm the purpose of their stay, provide an invitation from a Polish legal entity, company or organizing committee of the event or an entrance ticket to this event (the “age” of the document is no more than 3 months), as well as confirmation of engaging in economic activity: certificate 2 -NDFL or 3-NDFL, an extract from the tax register, a certificate that the applicant is engaged in an independent business, or a bank statement for the last three months (not older than 1 month).
Schoolchildren and students include in the main package of documents a certificate from a Polish educational institution on inclusion in the list of students, or a student card, or a certificate of enrollment in courses, plus documents on payment of tuition, if it is paid. Participants in international sports tournaments - a written request from the host organization.
Those who are going to visit relatives must submit to the visa center or consulate a notarized written application from the inviting person indicating his and the invited person’s personal and contact information, confirmation of the legality of the inviter’s stay in Poland, and a copy of the first page of his passport.
If it is not possible to provide a certificate of employment, another proof of financial solvency will do - a bank statement for the last 3 months, documents on ownership of real estate in the Russian Federation.
To obtain a visa for the purpose of treatment, you need original documents from a medical institution in Poland confirming its necessity, and a guarantee of sufficient funds to cover the costs of accommodation and treatment.
Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo
Applying for a national visa
The package of documents for a national visa is slightly different. Two photographs must be attached plus documents confirming the purpose of the trip: the original and a copy of the Pole’s Card, or the original and a copy of a work permit in Poland, or the original and a copy of the document on admission to study (students additionally provide a certificate of payment for studies and confirmation of financial solvency: sponsorship letter or bank account statement).
Visa for children
For each child entering Poland, a full-fledged visa is issued - even if he does not have his own foreign passport, his visa is pasted into the “foreign passport” of the parent. The standard package of documents must include the original and a photocopy of the birth certificate, copies of the parents’ Schengen visas, if they were made earlier than the child’s visa, a copy and original of a notary-issued exit permit from one or both parents (if the child is traveling with only one parent or with a third face).
Photo requirements
Clear, contrasting, new - these are the main requirements for photos for a Polish visa. You need to attach to the package of documents photographs measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm, taken full-face on a white background a maximum of 6 months before the trip. Look straight into the frame, without a smile, mouth closed, ears and forehead, if possible, open. The face occupies 70-80% of the photo, the neck and upper part of the shoulders are visible, there is no headdress, even for religious reasons. Glasses are allowed only for medical reasons; the frames are simple, thin, do not cover the eyes, the lenses are not tinted and do not create glare.
If the passport photo was taken without glasses, the visa photo must also be taken without them.
Both adults and children should be removed without foreign objects or people. Photos cannot be retouched.
Visa validity periods
With a category C visa, you can stay in the state for no longer than 90 days in six months. The visa can be single or multiple (multiple visa - up to two years). With the “cartoon” you can freely visit other Schengen countries and stay there until the visa expires, but no more than 90 days in six months.
A national visa type D is issued for a specific period (often a year) and can be extended. The “90 days in six months” rule does not apply to its owner.
Cost and processing time for visas
You should apply for any type of visa at least two weeks before your trip. The decision on extradition will be made by authorized bodies from 5 to 15 days. If they have questions about the reliability of the information provided, this period may be extended to a month. The most unfavorable time to request a visa is during Russian holidays, when you need to add another 1 to 4 days to the standard waiting period.
An urgent visa can be issued in 3-5 days if you document its need.
The most expensive of all visas is express, they charge 70 EUR for it, 60 EUR for national visas, the rest cost 35 EUR. When accepting documents at visa centers, an additional service fee is charged - from 19.5 to 23 EUR. At the consulate, payment is made in euros, at visa centers - in rubles at the current exchange rate.
The following are exempt from paying the visa fee:
- children under 6 years old;
- close relatives of Russian citizens legally residing in Poland;
- members of official delegations, national and regional governments and parliaments, Constitutional and Supreme Courts;
- schoolchildren, students, graduate students and their teachers who go to study or internship;
- disabled people and accompanying persons;
- persons traveling on an urgent humanitarian mission, to a funeral or to visit a seriously ill close relative;
- participants of youth international sports tournaments and their accompanying persons;
- participants in scientific, cultural, creative and other exchange programs;
- scientists whose purpose of travel is scientific research;
- representatives of NGOs traveling to events of other NGOs in Poland.