Travel / Understanding travel within Gdansk/Gdynia [9]

website: skm.pkp.pl/dali.php?aa=cennik_biletow

My wife and I will be here for 3 days. We would like to travel freely between gdansk/sopot/gdynia while we are there.

Can someone explain how this rail line works?
Do you buy a number of kilometers and spend them as you travel?
Can you buy a pass that is good for 3 day travel between 2 stations?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Travel / Warsaw Public Transit for Newbs [8]

This is how I do public transit in Warsaw. I don't speak or understand polish.

1. Go to ztm.waw.pl/mapa/mapa_4.htm and print a full colour A3 sized copy on your works' over sized colour laser printer.

2. Go to ztm.waw.pl/mapa/mapa_5.htm and print a full colour A3 sized copy on your works' over sized colour laser printer.

3. Write this, "Prosze Bilet Dobowy miejski normalny" on a piece of paper. It means, "Normal priced all-day pass for city transit please.".

4. Find a Ruch Kiosk. They are green, found on sidewalks, the size of a bus shelter, have the words Ruch Kiosk on them, and have only 1 hole in 1 wall roughly the size of a cd-case.

5. Pass your note to the person in side along with some money.

6. You should receive a document identical to the one I have posted. It's okay if you don't get your piece of paper back because you now have a example of what you want. Tomorrow you can just hold up your little ticket and point at it as you hand the man money.

7. Use your maps to find your route and wait for a bus, tram or metro. The route number is clearly marked on them.

8. When you get on, there is a yellow box the size of a toaster at every entrance. Put your ticket it, the machine will suck it in, make a printing noise, beep, then return it. Put it in your wallet and leave it there for the next 24 hours. Ride the city transit to your heart's content.

• 
  tn_dobowynormalny.jp.jpg
  

Life / Polish Dinner Guest - should I bring vodka or wine? [15]

I'm fortunate enough to have been invited to my co-workers home for supper.

In Canada, I would bring a bottle of wine.
In Poland, should I bring a bottle of vodka?

Travel / PKS Bus trip for Newbs [4]

I'm writing this because I would have found it helpful to read before going so I'm going to do the same in case there is another one of me out there. I don't speak or understand polish.

1. Go to pks.warszawa.pl and find your bus trips schedule.

2. Write "Proszę bilet w jedną stronę do Przasnysz v 17:45." on a piece of paper. Go to the bus station and ask the lady behind the glass if she speaks english. When she says no, hold your paper against the glass. (Replace Przasnysz with the city of your choice and 17:45 with the time you chose from the bus schedule)

3. Keep giving her money until she gives you a bus ticket.

4. Flip your piece of paper over and write "Czy to jest autobus do Przasnysz?" (Replace Przasnysz with the city above). Approach a young person, when they reply 'no' to your english question, hold up your trusty ol' piece of paper and your bus ticket. They will give you concise instructions on where to go. But because you don't understand a lick of Polish, you only walk in the direction they looked first. Walk for a little while.

5. Repeat step 4 until your helpful aid says, "Tak."

6. If you have a big bag, throw it under the bus. (Not right under where it will get run over, but in the bottom storage area).

7. Get on the bus and show your ticket to the driver. This is the moment of truth. Now you must use your keen skills of reading body language and voice intonation to determine if he's welcoming you aboard or telling you to get off.

8. Ignore the seat number on the ticket, just plop yourself down in the first available seat.

9. Every bus station should have town's name written on it. When you see your town's name, wait for the bus to stop, get off the bus and retreive your bag.

• 
  PKS Bus Ticket
  

Travel / Going to Poland; Przasnysz [14]

Hi all,
I'm going to poland for work for 3 weeks. I will be in Przasnysz, 110km north of Warsaw. I did a search of the forums and only 1 post mentioned Przasnysz in passing. I understand there is only 1 hotel, which has no internet.

Hotel Garnizonowy Tel: +48 (0) 2232
I have a Polish co-worker who I will ask to call and ask for sure.

Does anyone happen to know if there an internet cafe?

I will need to research my meatless polish meals as I am a vegetarian. Eating out for every meal will be challenging as a vegetarian I have been told.

If anyone has any info to share on the town, I would be very grateful.

Blair