The advantage of such a trip is savings. A trip to Poland in your own car is an incredibly cheap pleasure. A week's holiday, including gasoline (which is more expensive than ours), toll roads in Belarus and Poland, paid parking, hotels, restaurants and entertainment - will cost 50 euros per person per day. And if you also spend the night in campsites and eat semi-finished products, you can even meet it in 25. Here, there is no limit to perfection!
Not to mention complete freedom to control time and position in space is also a pleasant state, and it’s worth a lot.
However, when embarking on this venture, it is necessary to think through and prepare in advance. We offer you a win-win algorithm of actions that should precede your trip. So that it brings you only pleasant surprises, and does not turn into a continuous “resolution” of various types and degrees of seriousness of problems.
1. Route
First of all, we determine the route. Literally - from the threshold and... wherever the soul calls. Decide, after consulting with friends and acquaintances, surfing the Internet in the evenings, looking through colorful guidebooks and albums... - where you want to visit. This is the first – and most serious – step.
We will tell you that northern Poland is good for a beach holiday - the soft Baltic coast with moderate temperatures and cool water, picturesque beaches. These are summer routes that run through the ancient coastal cities of Gdansk, Solot, Slupsk, Gdynia.
And in winter they will beckon you, and the most popular of them is Zakopane.
Poland literally breathes living history, all of it is the embodied chronicle of centuries - from knightly times to the present day. very, very diverse and numerous, because no matter what city you take, there will definitely be a historical monument in it, and more than one. In order to get acquainted with the history and culture of Poland, you should definitely visit Warsaw. Then come Krakow, again Gdansk, located in the heart of the country Lodz, living evidence of the Polish Renaissance Poznan and of course, the ancient capital - Gniezno.
Attention to the most curious and energetic! Don't even try to take in this vast splendor in one trip. Poland is too big to discover in a week's vacation. Decide what you would like to see first. .
To fully get to know the country, it’s still better. To fully explore the country, it is better to buy a sightseeing tour. Then the trip will be structured in an optimal way so that in the minimum time you get the maximum impressions from this trip
2. Book a hotel
Ideally, you need to book hotels in advance in all cities through which the route will pass. This is not easy to do; there are too many factors to consider. If you entrust this part of the preparation to a travel agency, you will gain time and save energy.
In any case, you need to book in advance the hotel where you will arrive first when you are in Poland. Because confirmation of your hotel reservation will be required to obtain a visa.
3. Visa application
It is not difficult for Russians to obtain a visa to Poland. To do this, you need to contact the embassy or consulate of the Polish Republic. To avoid standing in lines and wasting time on working days before your vacation, order a visa from a tour operator. It is not much more expensive, and if you are traveling with your whole family or a large group, discounts on this service are possible, and for very little money you will gain time and save energy, which will be useful both for preparation and for the trip.
The best part is that Poland is part of the Schengen zone, which means that having received a visa to Poland, you can proceed to any European Schengen country. Therefore, many experienced motor tourists have chosen Poland as an ideal start for a big trip to Europe.
4.Documents required for the trip
So, in addition to the visa, you need:
Green card and medical insurance for the Republic of Belarus (purchased at the Russia-Belarus border). Green card and health insurance for Poland (purchased at the border in Brest).
However, if you are transiting through Poland, medical insurance is not required. If you do not have health insurance, when entering Poland you must have 300 zlotys per person per day (that’s about 75 euros).
If a child is accompanying you, and you are not a parent or the other parent is not with you, then a notarized permission to take the child abroad is required.
Driver license. Not necessarily international. Enough Russian.
Technical passport. Attention! The owner of the car must be present. Even if he's not driving. But management by proxy in the absence of the owner will not work.
Car: no tint, especially on the front doors. Entry on studded tires is prohibited. Don't forget the first aid kit. And be sure to remove radar detectors and other tricks. Polish traffic police will not forgive you for this.
5. What else should I take with me?
Important: restrictions on the import of tobacco products and alcohol. To avoid problems, it is better not to take cigarettes with you in reserve. Gasoline too - only in the gas tank. You cannot import certain types of food - meat, for example. So finish your sandwiches before crossing the border.
Money. If you have health insurance - 100 zlotys per person per day (about 25 euros) - minimum. Take 1,500 euros with you for a week - you will probably have enough for a family or a small company.
Be sure to buy a road map of Europe in Moscow - it is difficult to find in Poland.
6.How to go?
From Moscow it is easier to take the M1 highway all the way to Brest. Border crossing - Brest-Terespol. There are more border guards here, which means the line moves faster. From Moscow to the border the journey takes 11-12 hours. The transition procedure takes from half an hour to four hours, depending on the time of day and day (weekends, holidays, weekdays). It’s best to go at 2-3 am – there are almost no people. South of Brest there is a transition to Domachevo. There are fewer queues there, but there are also few border guards, so the time is longer than in Brest itself.
When asked about the purpose of the trip, you answer – tourism. Present your passport with a visa. Show a printout of the email as confirmation from the hotel.
And now you are in Poland. Be careful on narrow Polish roads, obey traffic rules and use common sense. We hope that these tips will make your trip easier and allow you to devote maximum attention and time to active recreation, vivid impressions and wonderful discoveries. Bon Voyage!
Traveling by car gives tourists ample opportunities when choosing a vacation spot and route. During such trips you can visit several resorts and even countries. Therefore, every year there are more and more fans of road routes. Our compatriots confidently travel not only around their home country, but also throughout Europe. Sometimes, during one vacation, motorists manage to travel around almost the entire European Union and they usually begin their journey from Poland.
This country is located closest to the border with Russia, and there is also something to see in the capital itself and in small provincial towns that have retained their authenticity. However, traveling to Poland by car, despite its simplicity and low costs, has a lot of pitfalls that a first-time tourist may not be aware of. We will reveal all the secrets of choosing a route, crossing the border, as well as specific requirements for a vehicle and many other important nuances for travelers. So, let's start preparing for a trip to Poland by car from the Russian Federation.
Selecting a route
Traveling in your own car gives you incredible freedom of movement. The tourist can afford to plan the route as he pleases, and, if desired, change it at any time. In addition, a couple of weeks of vacation by car gives you a unique opportunity to explore in detail the country you are going to, and not just one of its corners.
What to see in Poland by car? You need to take care of this while still at home and draw up a detailed itinerary for your future trip. This will make it easier for you to navigate using maps and a navigator in a foreign country. Naturally, every tourist who crosses the border with Poland for the first time strives to get to Warsaw and begin getting acquainted with the country from the capital. It is best to immediately drive to the territory of the old city. However, keep in mind that all parking there is paid and you will have to walk a little to some places.
In the old town there are two of the most beautiful squares in Warsaw: the Castle and the Market Square. On the first is the Royal Castle, which tourists are always recommended to visit. Most of its rooms are open to guests and are of great historical interest. The entrance fee ranges from seven dollars per person.
The Market Square is home to numerous cafes, restaurants and taverns. By the way, Polish cuisine is very tasty, and the portions are large. The average bill per person is from three hundred to five hundred rubles. The National Library of Poland is also located here. Even if you are not interested in old books, we still advise you to look into this building. On its roof is the largest and most luxurious garden in Europe. In addition, the view of the city from here leaves an unforgettable impression.
If you came to Poland by car, then your next travel destination should be Krakow. This city is rightly called the ancient Polish capital. Here you can also visit the Old Square, where handmade amber products are sold. This stone is considered a symbol of Poland, and the dragon, depicted everywhere in the city, is the mascot of Krakow.
After the noisy, it’s time to walk in nature, and here the town of Zakopane will be on your route. It is surrounded by mountains and lakes; a tour of local attractions will cost twenty-two dollars. You can also stay overnight here; all local hotels are quite colorful and inexpensive.
The route we have described is designed for approximately a ten-day trip. For a first visit to Poland by car, this time and impressions are quite enough. But in the future the route can be changed, because there are still many interesting and unusual places in the country.
Usually our compatriots go to the Polish borders from Moscow. Since from here it’s only a few hours by car to Poland. However, keep in mind that only Kaliningrad borders this country. In other cases, tourists will have to travel through Ukraine or Belarus.
By car, according to experienced travelers, it is simpler and easier through customs control points in Ukraine. However, due to the political situation, this path is still closed to Russians. Therefore, the only option is to travel through Belarus. If you don’t make unnecessary stops and are lucky that there are no queues at the border, then taking into account the departure from the Russian capital at seven in the morning or even earlier, by the evening of the same day you will already find yourself in Warsaw. We have given the route along which motorists will travel below.
Despite the desire to get to Europe as quickly as possible, which all travelers without exception have, such a forced march should only be undertaken if there is a person nearby who can replace you behind the wheel. Otherwise, the risk of getting into an accident is high.
Typically, during a car trip, it is recommended to stop every two and a half hours and get out of the vehicle to stretch your limbs. During these breaks you need to have a snack and drink hot coffee from a thermos. With this approach, you will not feel tired and will maintain a high concentration of attention.
Features of customs control: choosing a checkpoint
When choosing a route to Poland by car, you must take into account the checkpoint through which you plan to cross the border. The speed of completing all formalities will depend on this, because at some points there are traditionally queues of vehicles.
Usually our compatriots use six checkpoints in Belarus to cross the border (they are marked on the map). However, one of them (“Kozlovichi-Kukuryki”) does not work with passenger vehicles. If you end up here by mistake, the border guards will turn you around and send you to another point, since only trucks are accepted here.
The most crowded checkpoint is Brest-Terespol. The main flow of tourists from Russia goes here. Therefore, the wait sometimes takes several hours. But the neighboring ones - “Domachevo-Slavatyche” and “Peschatka-Polovtse” - are not so busy. Sometimes there are no queues at all. But if you want to cross the border quickly and surely, then arrive at the checkpoint at four in the morning or after midnight.
Requirements for the technical condition of the car
If you are planning to travel to Poland by car, then make a diagnosis of your vehicle before traveling. The Poles pay increased attention to this issue and, due to a minor malfunction, may well not allow you into the country.
Take care of the headlights first and take a set of spare bulbs with you. The fact is that you can only move around Poland with your low beams on. Therefore, its breakdown will always be of interest to local highway guards. Also, at the checkpoint they may be denied entry into the country due to cracks in the windshield and chips on the body. The integrity of the vehicle is an indispensable condition for the safe crossing of the border.
Don't forget to put a first aid kit, a spare tire or repair kit, a hazard sign and a fire extinguisher in the trunk. There must be vests with reflective stripes in the car interior. Moreover, their number must coincide with the number of travelers. Even if you have an infant traveling with you, he must have his own vest. At night outside the city, you can only travel along the highway wearing them.
By the way, winter travelers should know that in Poland you cannot drive on studded tires. In order to overcome ice, you need to put wheel chains in the trunk.
Keep in mind that the radar is best left at home. It is prohibited in Polish territories, so either do without it or hide it carefully.
Traveling to Poland by car: documents
Customs officers will check the package of documents at the border very carefully, but by and large it is considered standard. At checkpoints they know that many Russians travel by car through Poland to other European countries. But all responsibility for the documents falls on the shoulders of Polish customs officers. What will interest them when crossing the border?
Regardless of your age and make of car, at the checkpoint you will be asked for foreign passports with a Schengen stamp (whether you fly by plane or drive, you will still need a visa to Poland), medical insurance for each traveler and international-style insurance for the vehicle. Naturally, you must take with you on the road a full package of documents for the car, a Russian driver’s license and, if available, a driver’s license in the established international form. Usually in Poland they are not interested in their presence, but they will not be superfluous.
Experienced travelers are advised to take copies of all documents, including confirmation of hotel reservations and Russian passports. It would be a good idea to store copies in electronic form on a regular flash drive or a specialized Internet resource.
Goods prohibited for import into the country
On the Polish side, customs control is leisurely and thorough. However, some types of products may be confiscated from you. For example, the import of meat and dairy products and chocolate into Poland is prohibited. However, if necessary, customs officers can leave them in your car. Milk will definitely not be taken away if a child is traveling in the car (people also work at the border control).
As for alcoholic beverages and alcohol, there are clear restrictions for them. One person can carry a liter of spirits and two packs of cigarettes. But, as experienced tourists say, these points are not always thoroughly checked.
A few words about gas stations and gasoline prices
Our compatriots do not always imagine how much money they will have to spend on gasoline on a road trip. Therefore, it is difficult for them to calculate the travel budget. In fact, you can do this at home if you know that on average one liter of Polish gasoline will cost you just over one euro. Some people are scared by these prices, and they try to save money by refueling as much as possible on the territory of Belarus. In addition, the rules for entering the country allow the presence of a canister of gasoline with a volume of no more than ten liters in the trunk of a car. By the way, keep in mind that at Polish gas stations you can only fill up with gasoline grades 95 and 98. The 92 fuel, so beloved by many of our compatriots, simply does not exist on sale.
If we begin to describe gas stations, then we must say the main thing - they cause great delight among our tourists. The area around is clean and well-groomed, toilets are free, rest areas for drivers are equipped, and children's playgrounds are located everywhere. Usually there is also a good cafe at the gas station. Moreover, such establishments are usually chains and offer food at the level of an expensive restaurant, but at quite reasonable prices.
Buying a car in Poland
Some of our compatriots cross the Polish border for one purpose - to drive a car. You can bring quite good vehicles from Poland to Russia, because the country borders Germany, from where used cars of various brands in good and excellent condition come to it.
Therefore, driving yourself a car looks like a very tempting offer. However, this can only be done by carefully weighing the pros and cons and finding a suitable vehicle in advance via the Internet. There are quite a lot of websites where sellers offer cars from Poland for sale. All the necessary information is indicated here and often even the VIN number. Therefore, it will not be difficult to check the car you like in various databases for theft and accidents.
In order not to run into scammers, do not leave a deposit with the seller. Discuss all questions with him over the phone (you may need a translator) and only then go to Poland. It is most reliable to purchase a car from large dealers who have been in this business for several years.
After completing the transaction, the seller must provide you with a purchase and sale agreement and a registration certificate. You must obtain insurance for your car and issue transit license plates. This will delay you somewhat in Poland. However, many Russians leave the country with existing license plates. They are not bothered by the fact that there is a fine for license plates belonging to another country (Germany, for example). However, it is low and only slightly exceeds the cost of purchasing transit license plates.
In a brand new car, the journey from Poland to Russia takes several hours. But at the border you may be delayed by issues of customs clearance of your vehicle. And it’s good if they don’t bring unexpected surprises.
Cost of a car in Poland
Quite low prices for cars in Poland attract Russians. However, few of them approach the transaction thoroughly and accurately understand how much money they should have on hand.
So how much does a car cost in Poland? If we take only the car itself, then the prices are really low. For example, a fresh “Beetle” at the age of four years will cost a little less than one hundred and fifty thousand rubles. And for three hundred thousand rubles you can become the owner of an almost new German luxury car. But don’t rush to rejoice ahead of time, because this is not all the costs of purchasing an iron friend.
A significant expense item is customs duties. For a car less than three years old, they will be about half the price of the car. Plus, a rate for engine power is added to this. On average, for each cubic centimeter of its volume you will need to pay from two and a half to twenty euros.
To all of the above items you need to add the costs of living in Poland, travel, food and visa processing. The final cost may even exceed the price of a similar car on the Russian market. Therefore, think twice before going abroad to buy a new vehicle.
By car to Poland through Belarus.
We left Moscow on our Goetze at 5 am on Thursday. We reached the border with Belarus without any problems and in the evening we were ready to cross the Belarusian-Polish border. We did not feel any border between Russia and Belarus, as such.
About five hundred kilometers from Moscow, Belarus will begin. This is about an 8-hour drive straight ahead along the Minsk Highway and it’s already within easy reach by car, about another 600 km. In total, we got 13 hours and a half. True, we went in the spring. In winter, I think it will take longer because of the road.
You no longer have to pay for transit travel by car in Belarus. By the way, you can also buy insurance there, if someone doesn’t have it, and exchange money.
Then a toll highway begins on the territory of Belarus. It is better to fill up with gasoline to a full tank on Russian territory. You won’t be able to pay for gasoline at gas stations in Belarus with our Russian rubles; they don’t accept rubles, but you can use a card. But at the same time, you have to pay for everything else in Belarusian rubles.
We continue to move by car to Poland through Belarus. If you decide to take the M1 highway, then at the Radki PVDS (toll collection point) you will need to pay for the toll road. You will know that the toll road will start soon by the blue roadside banners. This is the M1-E30 road from the Russian border to Brest. Payment is made in euros. But you can also pay in Russian rubles. You will have to pay only 4 times according to the amount of PVDS, in the end you will pay only 90 Russian rubles. By the way, this route is quite decent, the asphalt is smooth and the average speed limit on this section is 110 km/h. Keep in mind that there are a lot of radars on this route, so be careful not to break the speed limit.
If you are driving a car to Poland through Belarus from Moscow, then it is better to buy green card insurance in Moscow, from any insurance company, it will be cheaper. However, who cares. You can also buy insurance at the border.
Crossing the Belarusian - Polish border.
You can cross the Belarusian-Polish border quickly, or you can stand there for several hours. Before going to the border barrier, you must first pay a fee of 50 Russian rubles again, and only then can you safely move to the customs zone. First we go through passport control, then customs. While we are standing in line, you can go to the toilet or have a smoke. In advance, while you have time, ask where the “tax free” payment window is located on the way back. It might come in handy on the way back. And also, on the way back, if you want to go to the toilet on Polish territory, keep in mind that it is paid, not like on Belarusian territory.
Next, choose which corridor you need, green or red. Usually all normal tourists head to the green corridor.
Polish customs officers are quite polite, they speak quietly and calmly. Many people are asked to open the trunk. In our presence, only one Belarusian driver was forced to take all the bags out of the trunk. Belarusians often try to smuggle cigarettes into Poland in prohibited quantities. So they are examined with passion. They also check for the presence of meat and dairy products. Those. you should not have any cheese, sausage, cottage cheese, etc. with you. There is a provision according to which the transport of meat and dairy products into the Eurozone is prohibited. I think that now no one will take these products with them to Poland. Previously, yes, they did, especially tourists, to save on food.
When going through passport and customs control with government officials, it is better not to start a conversation yourself. Do everything they say, present everything they ask. As a rule, these are guys without a sense of humor.
In Poland, when driving on the roads, you must turn on low beam headlights. If you drive with side lights or fog lights, you may be fined. Poles don’t like tinted cars either; they force them to rip off the tinting.
Traveling through Poland.
Finally you are in Poland in the small border town of Terespol. There are a lot of signs in Russian along the road. The road is numbered E30. There are also Polish inscriptions. (joke). If you see a large sign that says “Sklep”, don’t be alarmed, this is the name of the store in Polish.
You can exchange currency at these exchangers. Just be very careful and careful and first ask how much money they will give you. Of course, it is more profitable to exchange euros for zlotys.
Roads in Poland are smooth, mostly two-lane. There is a solid line to the right. If you are going to overtake someone, then the person being overtaken presses to the right and lets you pass. You do the same. Very similar to driving in Greece. Speed in populated areas of Poland from 5 am to 23.00 - 50 km/h, from 23.00 to 5 am - 60 km/h. Outside populated areas 90 km/h. This is for cars up to 3.5 tons. On motorways the speed limit is 130 km/h. You are required to drive with your headlights on low beam for 24 hours. A settlement in Poland is indicated by the sign “silhouettes of houses on a white background.”
If you are driving through Poland on weekends, be prepared for some traffic jams, especially in the first half of the day. Poles are very religious people and at this time the whole family gathers in churches, which are usually located along the roads. They park their cars along the roadway.
After crossing the border, it is advisable to stop somewhere to have a snack and exchange money. About 10 kilometers from the border there is a place called Pajero.
The town of Pajero in Poland.
There is a good cafe and a money exchange office with a favorable exchange rate. Exchange euros for zlotys. There is also a small grocery store where you can buy water or juices for the trip. We bought Krakow sausage here, but we couldn’t eat it all the way, it was too peppery.
In general, in Poland, all roadside restaurants and cafes readily accept euros as payment. Every 30-50 kilometers there are roadside cafes and gas stations with toilets. It is not at all necessary to use a navigator in Poland; everything is clear on a simple map that can be bought at any gas station. Many Polish words, and especially names, are very similar to ours.
A very cozy cafe in Poland, where you can have a tasty and inexpensive snack.
Along the roads there are often road signs with the words “Uvaga”. These are usually warnings that you are being monitored by video cameras. True, we saw the signs, but we didn’t see the cameras themselves anywhere.
Studded tires are prohibited in Poland. Therefore, if you are going to Poland in your car in winter, then it would be advisable to install a winter non-studded Velcro on your car. There is practically no snow like we have in Russia in Poland, but the roads in some places, especially outside populated areas, can be very slippery.
Entrance to a toll road in Poland.
Route planning
We now have 5 days free and a small budget for a short trip.
5 days for travel is quite a bit, considering that almost two days are spent on the road. Therefore, we decided to go somewhere nearby, where we can get there relatively quickly and still have an interesting time.
Because our starting point at that moment was the city of Kyiv, then we simply opened the map and highlighted a radius of 900 km. around Kyiv. Why 900 km? This is the distance that can be comfortably covered in one day by car.
To be honest, we have already traveled to the countries falling within this circle: our last trip was to Belarus and Lithuania (we wrote about this), and the year before - to Romania and Bulgaria (we wrote about this). Hungary, Slovakia and Poland remain. We decided to postpone Hungary and Slovakia until our trip to Austria, so the choice fell on Poland.
We have already been to Poland: once while passing through as part of an excursion tour, the second time also while passing through on the way to Germany and Luxembourg (we wrote about this). We were also in Krakow, but somehow we were running.
Therefore, after thinking and consulting, we decided to go again to Poland, namely to Krakow. But in such a way as to thoroughly explore both the city itself and its surroundings.
In addition to Krakow itself, we decided to visit the Krakow Zoo, which is located in the suburbs, and also find time to go to Auschwitz.
Therefore, the final one-way route looked like this:
Budget planning
The main expense items were as follows:
- visa;
- travel insurance and Green Card for cars;
- hotels;
- fuel for cars;
- payment for roads in Poland;
- visiting a museum, zoo, attractions and gifts;
- other purchases.
The costs for each of these items may vary. For example, in our case, we did not have to spend money on visas, because one of us enjoys the benefits of visa-free travel for citizens of Ukraine, and the second already has a Schengen multiple entry visa in his passport.
Of the museums, we planned in advance a visit to Auschwitz and the Krakow Zoo, so the costs of these events could be foreseen in advance.
We always issue travel insurance without fail, just like car insurance (in Russia you can choose and order travel insurance at).
As for road tolls, our route included one toll section between Krakow and Auschwitz, and this section can also be driven for free; I’ll tell you more about this in the next article.
As for fuel, it is slightly cheaper in Ukraine than in Poland. Therefore, we refueled fully before the border, and this fuel was enough for us until we returned to Ukraine, so that we did not have to refuel in Poland.
Selecting and booking hotel rooms
Because We planned to first visit the zoo (which is located outside the city), as well as Auschwitz, which is 70 km away. from Krakow, we decided to save money for the first couple of days and check into a hotel outside the city, and then move to a hotel in Krakow for two days.
Therefore, for the first two nights we booked a room in the three-star hotel Dwór w Tomaszowicach (which, looking ahead, turned out to be a valuable find).
For the last two nights, we decided to move to a large chain four-star hotel BEST WESTERN Efekt Express Kraków. At this hotel, breakfast was included in the price, which freed up our time a little.
I will tell you more about hotels in the following articles. Let me just say that we always book hotel rooms on booking.com in advance, and it has never shown itself to be on the bad side, we have encountered overbooking and other surprises, but everything has always been successfully resolved, both to the booking itself and the service which they provide, there have never been any complaints. We have described in detail, as well as.
For short-term trips, it is more convenient to stay in hotels, which is why we book through the market leader - booking (although sometimes I compare prices on the websites of the hotels themselves). And for long-term stays, it may be more convenient to rent an apartment so that you can cook for yourself. And in the area of apartment rentals, the AirBnb service offers good competition to booking (if you register using our link, you will get a good discount on your first stay).
Travel documents
Visa
To visit Poland, Russians and Belarusians need a Schengen visa; for Ukrainians, a valid biometric passport is sufficient.
Passport
Everything is clear here, valid foreign passports are required.
Medical insurance
This item is optional, but highly recommended. Honey. Service in Europe for foreigners without insurance is very, very expensive. So, even the smallest cold can cost you a lot. Therefore, we recommend that you take out travel insurance for each tourist. There are a bunch of web services in Russia that help you choose and apply for insurance: , .
Despite the fact that we did not need to obtain visas for this trip, and no one required travel insurance, we still took out policies for ourselves. By the way, for one of the policies we found a good option for extended insurance, which also included some items for additional maintenance of the car in the event of an unexpected breakdown and the need to call for evacuation. In any case, do not hesitate to ask about additional options that can be added to your policy; sometimes these options can be very interesting.
Documents for the car
Here's the usual kit:
- rights,
- technical passport for the car,
- Green Card insurance.
The Green Card is almost always checked at the border.
There is no need to worry about paying for roads in Poland in advance. On toll sections of the highway, you will pass through special payment points where you can pay in cash or with a bank card (in this article you can see our recommendations on which card is better to pay when traveling abroad).
Printing out hotel room reservations
Sometimes at the border they ask for confirmation of the purpose of your trip. And a regular printout of the booking from the booking office is sufficient justification.
There are situations when the traffic police may stop you and inquire about the purpose of your trip and show some evidence. For example, we were once stopped in Poland and Germany, although it was only an oral conversation and a check of the rights and passports of all passengers. But just in case, I recommend having a printout of the booking reservation in your car (and it’s better if it’s a printout than the booking app, because your Internet may not work at the right time, or you simply won’t activate roaming, so you simply won’t be able to make a reservation in the app show).
Vehicle equipment
The car must have:
- working fire extinguisher;
- warning triangle, or better yet two;
- a reflective vest for (often in European countries it is forbidden to go on the highway without it);
- European first aid kit (red with a white cross and the inscription First Aid);
- spare wheel and jack.
So, preparations for the trip are over. In the next article I’ll tell you about the road to Krakow, crossing the border and the first hotel. And also about the striking difference in the quality of road surfaces in Ukraine and Poland, about gas stations and roadside cafes.
Related articles that may interest you:
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From Kyiv to the border with Poland is just over 600 km. Without violating traffic rules, this distance can be covered in 7-8 hours. Therefore, we decided to leave Kyiv as early as possible, so as not to rush, and to have enough time in case of delays at the border. Almost the entire road from Kyiv to the border is part of the Kyiv-Chop highway, and the Kyiv-Lviv section itself is part of the European road route E 40. Therefore, the condition of the road surface is quite good. These are, of course, not Polish and especially not German autobahns, but still this is the best road in Ukraine. The road passes through many settlements, so the speed is not something to joke about, and it is worth driving without breaking the rules. |
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In previous articles, I talked about preparing for the trip and the first day of the trip. Today I will share with you my impressions of the second day. We plan to visit the Krakow Zoo (Ogród Zoologiczny w Krakowie), walk through the shopping centers Galeria Bronowice, IKEA, Factory Kraków, have lunch on Swedish meatballs at IKEA, and go to the City of Auschwitz to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum there. The daily schedule is very tight, so we planned everything in advance literally down to the minute. And we managed to stick to our schedule. |
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As I said in previous articles, this was not our first trip to Krakow. This time we decided to slowly walk through familiar places, as well as visit those for which we did not have enough time on previous trips. The previous day was very eventful (we visited the Krakow Zoo and the Auschwitz Museum, read about it in this article), we walked a lot and were pretty exhausted, so today we decided not to get up very early, but to give ourselves a rest. After having a snack and a short walk in the hotel park, we started getting ready. |
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Today we decided to go to those places that we have always put off visiting. These places are associated with difficult moments in the life of Jews in Krakow. The day before yesterday we already visited the Auschwitz camp in Auschwitz, which we described in this article. Today we plan to walk through the Jewish district of Kazimierz, get to the Ghetto Heroes' Square, and visit Oskar Schindler's factory. |
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On the last day of our stay in Krakow, we decided not to go into the city, but to sleep well, have breakfast, and get ready for the return trip without haste. The main task for today is to get to Kyiv, everything else is secondary. |
Polish Mix: 2-Week Itinerary from Krakow to Gdansk
Castles, deserts, ports, lighthouses, caves, lakes - this journey through the south and north of Poland turned out to be a vibrant cocktail of opposites that could completely change the impression of this country!
Travels are different, just like dishes: some are bland, others are spicy, others are exotic. Our recipe is unique: friendly company, changing plans on the fly, a desire for new experiences and, of course, a colorful country.
It all started with the fact that we decided to visit friends, and at the same time diversify our impressions. The plans were grandiose - to drive along the entire Baltic coast of Poland by car, visiting a dozen lighthouses, sunbathing on the beaches, discovering new horizons, then seeing Warsaw and going home rested. But plans tend to change without the knowledge of their owners. Therefore, upon arrival to see friends, it was decided to go not to the north, but to the south - to Krakow. This idea was unanimously approved, and we set off by car.
South. Beskids. Krakow
A few hours' drive, and here we are. We rented accommodation through airbnb and, having parked the car, walked to the old town. The entire historical center is surrounded along the perimeter by a neat park with bicycle paths and places to relax in the shade of trees. We entered the city from Shchepanskaya Square near the Palace of Arts, and straight away we found ourselves at a light show - many fountains were illuminated and created a festive atmosphere. After admiring the luminous streams, we headed to the heart of the Old Town - Rynok Square.
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The same city can be completely different depending on the time of day. We recommend admiring all its beauties during the day on an educational excursion. Krakow greeted us with the yellow lights of lanterns in the twilight that had fallen on the city, the sounds of a jazz orchestra on the Main Market, the clatter of hooves and the creaking of carriages from carriages. A diverse crowd of tourists slowly moved through the streets, flowing from one brightly lit building to another. We also followed their example and dived into the Cloth Rows, the central building of the square. This historical building was transformed and completed several times under different rulers, but always had one purpose - trade. Even now they sell souvenirs and handicrafts here, from leather bags to amber jewelry. The variety is such that your head is spinning and you want to buy everything. Coming out, St. Mary's Church with towers will immediately appear before your eyes, which at night looks like an ancient castle. The square is full of cafes and restaurants, where you should definitely try zurek or pirogi (that is, dumplings and some delicious dessert). This is how we spent the whole evening, walking through the narrow streets of the old city and looking at the ancient houses.
On the second day we went again to the old city, but from the northern side, where the Barbican is located, which once served as a defensive structure. It was connected to the city by a bridge, and now there is a branch of the historical museum there. We entered the city through the northern gate and headed towards the center. During the day, Market Square looked completely different: a fair spread out over almost the entire territory, noise, music from all the cafes. We hastened to look inside St. Mary's Church: there is a separate entrance for tourists and a separate one for parishioners. The temple is crowded, but not noisy, there is a lot of air inside - this effect is created by high arches, the huge central nave is painted like a starry sky - there are golden patterns on a dark blue background, light pours through the high windows, illuminating all the splendor and splendor. If you wait, you can see how they open a huge altar of carved wood. The church is impressive, but you definitely need to look at it from another side.
We climb the steep steps of the City Hall, at the same time you can see the exhibition of ancient clothing, which is exhibited on one of the floors (the City Hall is a branch of the Historical Museum of Krakow). There is no observation deck as such, the windows are just open on the top floor, but the views are still beautiful. The entire Market Square and the church are in full view, the basilica domes, and below the cafe umbrellas and fair tents look like a mosaic. Wawel Castle is visible in the distance, just right for us. You can also find out in detail about all the exhibitions, opening hours and addresses of the departments of the Historical Museum of Krakow.
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It takes about 10-15 minutes to walk from the Market Square to the Royal Castle along the pedestrian street Grodzka, but we didn’t want to rush, because at every step we came across some attractions - for example, the Church of St. Andrew the First-Called - or simply beautiful historical buildings. The castle itself is an entire architectural complex, including about two dozen buildings, but the main ones, of course, are the Royal Palace and the Cathedral of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslas, over the entrance of which hang huge bones, they say that of a mammoth. Entrance to the castle grounds and the cathedral is free, but you must purchase a ticket to enter the interior, where various exhibitions are located. Wawel Castle stands on the hill of the same name on the banks of the Vistula and from there offers a beautiful view of the modern part of the city and the river. By the way, after going down, you can take a cruise ship along the river with a sightseeing tour, and this will allow you to look at the city from a different angle.
It was not by chance that we ended up in Krakow and specifically in Wawel, but because this is the first of 16 castles in a chain of defensive structures. The so-called Eagle's Nest Path is a route passing through the Lesser Poland and Selesia voivodeships. King Casimir III the Great built these castles to protect borders and trade routes. And they received such a bizarre name because of their location on the hills and rocks, like eagle’s nests. In order not to go astray and not miss a single castle, we used the website and, having examined the first castle, without wasting time, we went to the next one.
You can learn all the secrets and legends of Krakow at: why the dragon became a symbol of the city, what you should definitely try from the local food, and how women were punished in the Middle Ages. You will find all the answers to your questions there!
Kozkiew Castle
A castle is located 13 kilometers from Krakow, near the small village of Kozhkiew. It was built in the 14th century, restored, and today is used as a place for celebrations. Numerous halls host weddings and various events. When we arrived, preparations for the wedding were actively underway and one of the halls with ancient tapestries turned into a banquet room.
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Inside, in many of the halls the walls are not plastered, but bare brickwork is left and decorated with animal horns. The place is very picturesque, but the castle may be closed during celebrations. You can allocate 1-1.15 to Kozhkevsky Castle and that will be enough.
Ojcow National Park and Ojcow Castle
We arrived at the next castle, or rather its ruins, in the afternoon. The car was left in the parking lot, next to the ticket office and information center, where they will give you a map and tell you the route.
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Ojcow Castle itself is located on a high cliff and most of it has been destroyed. A gate and a couple of towers have survived to this day in good condition, the rest is only in the form of foundations and ditches, but the view from the cliff offers a wonderful view of the emerald hills and valley. There are several routes in the national park, varying in length and difficulty. Walking along an asphalt road, you come across amazingly shaped rocks, as if a shark’s fin or the tip of a knife were growing out of the ground; for anyone, what associations do these bizarre sculptures of nature evoke? The most famous rock is the Mace of Hercules - a 25-meter rock formation surrounded by forest. The entrance to the trail is through a rock canyon - a narrow entrance opening into an emerald valley. A great place to breathe deeply in the cleanest air and move forward.
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There are caves in the park, but we didn’t go down there, the temperature there is no higher than 16 degrees, and after a hot day and an active hike without warm clothes, we risked getting sick in them. But we came out to a high observation deck, from where we could see the entire park. It’s worth spending 5-6 hours on Ojcow Castle and the park for a leisurely stroll, but if you go down to the caves, it’s better to leave a separate day for it.
Rabshtyn Castle
By evening we reached the town of Olkusz, which is 45 kilometers from Krakow. Nearby was the village of Rabshtyn with a castle, next on our route. We toured the castle ruins, which have been partially restored.
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The gate tower is in good condition; on the information signs we read that there is a small museum inside and various historical festivals are held. We decided to stay somewhere nearby for the night. It turned out that local residents rent out their homes to tourists at a low price. We stayed on the second floor of a private house right under the castle, and from the courtyard we could see the ruins.
Mosquitoes woke me up, buzzing annoyingly over my ear, I could no longer sleep and decided to go for a walk. Early morning, the time before dawn was quiet, I left the house and walked along the paved path. The village is located in a lowland around mountains and forest, only a small clearing and pasture near the castle. She approached the walls, and you could see the fog rising from the cold grass, like a ghost that was afraid of the light.
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From the hill the distant mountains are clearly visible and the first rays of the sun, at first timidly, insinuatingly, shine on the castle, on the forest, on the village, on the clearing. Then the orange disk of the sun rises higher and higher above the tops of the trees, the rays become brighter, the white walls of the castle seem to wake up from sleep, dew glistens on the fresh grass, the fog rises above the forest, evaporates and the mysterious haze disappears. I have never seen a sunrise in the mountains, it was so simple and at the same time fabulous that I did not regret waking up early.
Smolen
We arrived in Smolen for lunch and immediately headed to the castle. The whole area was green and it was pleasant to walk, although the day was hot. More recently, Smolen was in decline, but now it is being restored and you can walk along the massive walls of the fortress and look at the surroundings from above, like other fortifications along the Eagle’s Nests path; it is located on a high hill. We climb the stone stairs to the tower; it is likely that it used to be a lookout tower. The view from the tower is in all directions - the castle dominates the plains and small hills, the fields are like a patchwork quilt, spread out all around and only in the distance are the foothills covered with forest visible.
In the castle courtyard there is a deep well, and on the opposite side there are dungeons. At one time, Smolen was an impregnable fortification, but now it has become an interesting place with a rich history and lush nature. 2-2.5 hours is enough for a visit and excursion.
Ogrodzieniec
Our last point on the Eagles' Nests Trail was Ogrodzieniec in the town of Podzamcze. We had the pleasure of spending half a day in this wonderful place and were satisfied. Moreover, there is an amusement park nearby, where neither children nor adults will be bored. The castle is very beautiful, despite its dilapidated state, its snow-white towers and massive walls create the impression of a fairy-tale town.
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Work is currently underway to reconstruct it. But tourists are allowed inside, entrance is paid, and the price also includes a visit to the tower with an exhibition of instruments of torture. The structure is located on a hill and seems to grow out of the rocks. You can walk for a long time along narrow, gloomy corridors with loophole windows, climb into galleries, and climb towers. And here it’s worth stopping and admiring the scenery. The castle is surrounded by a defensive wall, which in one place smoothly flows into the rocks. The entire area is covered in soft grass, where you can lie down and relax after the excursion. After walking around the castle and its surroundings, we headed to the amusement park. And here everyone chooses what their heart desires: an adrenaline park in the trees, and an educational theme park. Entertaining physics, where you can feel the influence of its laws on different equipment, a luge track like a bobsleigh, but not with such sharp turns, and a haunted dungeon.
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There is a miniature park and attractions for children. You can choose entertainment and events and see prices on the website. Festivals and knightly tournaments are held in Ogrodzieniec, so you can also plan interesting historical leisure activities. So it won't be boring. We set off home in the late afternoon and were only there by midnight.
North. Baltika. Gdansk
A couple of days of respite and we are moving north. At this point my soul wanted to go all out and visit the Curonian Spit, and Hel, and in general all the lighthouses along the coast. But that was not the case - there were only four days left and I had to choose the most interesting and compactly located. The route was as follows: Gdansk-Sopot-Hel-Sławinski National Park.
All motorways are in excellent condition and free of charge, and new motorways are under construction all along the route north. Having left the suburbs of Warsaw, we arrived in the evening. We parked near the historical center; after 6 pm parking is free. After walking literally a hundred meters, we came out onto the pedestrian Dluga Street, where a lot of attractions are concentrated on it and the parallel Pivnaya Street, which makes the walk eventful. You immediately admire the imagination with which the facades and gables of the houses are decorated. The impression is that these are gingerbread houses with sugar icing for Christmas, lined up in a holiday window, waiting to be selected and placed in a basket.
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The splendor of the architecture is due to the fact that the city was a rich and important seaport and, from the mid-14th century, was part of the Hanseatic League, which united more than 300 Baltic cities. It was inhabited by merchants and traders who competed in the luxury and beauty of the decoration of their houses - you look and you won’t find two identical ones. There are dragons on the roofs, horses, drainpipes in the shape of fish, and museum-like statues decorate the façade of the house. An excellent view of the evenly laid out streets and the bay opens from the Town Hall, which is located on the Dlugy Targ, as well as from the bell tower of the Church of the Virgin Mary. Along these same streets you can go through the Green Gate to the embankment.
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In the evening the city is dressed in bright lights, creating a particularly cozy atmosphere, and all this is reflected in the slow Vistula. All cafes and restaurants invite you to stop by and try delicious fish dishes of national cuisine. That evening we just walked and admired the views of the city. For a more impressive experience, you can climb into the cabin of the Ferris wheel on Warehouse Island, near the Maritime Museum. But we were very tired and went to bed.
We rented housing for one night with parking for 100 zlotys (less than 25 euros) in a new area of Gdansk and were very pleased. In the morning we returned to the old city again, but this time we purposefully walked towards the embankment. There, at the old Zhurav, a port crane and also the city gate, we tried delicious smoked sheep cheese with cranberry jam. This combination gives a very piquant taste and you want to eat a dozen of these cheeses. To complete the picture, we decided to take a ride on a pirate galleon that was parked at the pier along the Vistula towards the mouth.
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The cost of the excursion is 40 zlotys per person (less than 10 euros). There is a guide on board who speaks good Russian, and there is a cafe inside. My husband and I wanted to have a snack and we ordered Polish borscht. I knew that this was not Ukrainian borscht, but I didn’t expect such deception: four dumplings dangled in the burgundy water - and that’s the whole dish. The galleon slowly sailed along the docks and shipyards of the port, the guide along the way told the history of Gdansk. The most beautiful views are right at the mouth of the sea.
After exploring Gdansk from the water, we went to the Royal Oliwa Park. This is a magnificent botanical park with the Abbey Palace and Oliwa Cathedral. On a hot day it was nice to walk in the shade of the trees and admire the well-groomed flower beds. The park has several small reservoirs connected by a cascade of waterfalls. In the summer, concerts are held - we caught one of these, the orchestra performed works by Chopin on an open stage. Many cozy and secluded corners of the park invite you to relax on the lawn or on a bench. Ducks and swans swim in the ponds, shady alleys invite you to take a walk, and if you have enough time, then it’s definitely worth spending half a day here.
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Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia are the famous Tricity on the Baltic. And we could not ignore the beautiful Sopot. It is not as lush as Gdansk, but on the contrary, it is somehow relaxed, resort-like, but no less interesting. We only had half a day to do it, so I’ll write what we managed to see while running. There are many cafes and bars on the main pedestrian street of Heroes of Monte Cassino, but the most interesting thing is seen when you walk towards the embankment. There is a Crooked House built there, incredible, seemingly dancing to a cheerful melody. You look and don’t believe that it’s possible to build something like this. Walls and corners do not want to obey strict geometry, and jump out beyond the boundaries of straight lines, it seems that you are looking at a reflection in a crooked mirror. Inside, nothing betrays its “crookedness,” but all the lines are smooth, in some ways even reminiscent of Gaudi’s architecture. Closer to the sea there is a lighthouse that adorns the city landscape. It is not operational, but colorful, also due to the fact that its base is square in shape, unlike conventional cylindrical beacons.