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Poland Travel Help, first time visitor from Singapore - ways to cash withdrawal, cost of meal in McDonald ...


Dougpol1  29 | 2497  
9 Jun 2016 /  #31
Chorzow

Whereabouts in Chorzow Paul? If you are sensitive to air pollution, take a mask with you if it's going to be hot. I was used to the pollution, but it can get too much in the late evening when the industrial plants emit most pollutants, as its cheaper for them to do so in the night I believe.... Could be wrong:)

Take care at night - it can get wuff.

The City Park ( which was at one time the largest in Central Europe) is alright if you like hanging out and having a beer or ten:)

en.parkslaski.pl
Dougpol1  29 | 2497  
9 Jun 2016 /  #32
Katowice is not exactly scenic.

Nakklo Chekklo lake (20 kilometres from Chorzow), crystal clear water, cheap beer and sausages) and miles better than anything Krakow can offer of that ilk:)


  • 20130908_165820.jpg
kpc21  1 | 746  
9 Jun 2016 /  #33
Is it trustworthy? It's a car ride that's less than 20zl!

It's a place where just private people driving between cities announce that they have free seats and they can take others on these free seats for the proposed price. Like eBay, but for car rides :-). They have a rating system, so if you choose a driver with good rates (read also the opinions), everything should be good. I haven't heard about problems with this. You can see what kind of car the driver drives (also the color - might be important rather for women), you also can read some opinions, for example whether he drives calmly or aggresively etc.

Bus ticket price will be comparable or lower.

I am more of a chilli person so my stay here without chilli is quite depressing for me.

For most of us in Poland so spicy food is just too hot and difficult to eat. Some people like this, but many - not. I think if you say you want it very spicy, they will know what to do.

Whereabouts in Chorzow Paul?... Could be wrong:)

I think Kraków may have more polluted air. It's not only the matter of the industry, but also the cars in the city, and in winter - also lack of connection of many houses to the city heating network (so they must heat themselves locally and generate pollution in the city). And Kraków lays, basically, in a hole, which results in the pollution concentrating in the city.

Although I believe that in the countries like Singapore it's not much different.

A good advice with the lake, especially in a good weather!
OP paul02  
9 Jun 2016 /  #34
Atch

Thank you for the recommendation. I will see what I can do.

Dougpol1

Near AKS. It's nothing but COLD here! My nose keeps bleeding on the inside and it's annoying.

Took a walk around Silesia Park, nice scenery.

kpc21

Seems like a good option, but the site is not entirely in English and that's a bummer.
OP paul02  
10 Jun 2016 /  #35
Atch

Tried Zapiekanka. It was alright. Liked the taste of the bread though. Think it would make a perfect garlic bread with that one.
kpc21  1 | 746  
10 Jun 2016 /  #36
Seems like a good option, but the site is not entirely in English and that's a bummer.

It works internationally. As far as I know, it's actually French, so it's weird it's not available entirely in English... Maybe the thing is that the French don't really like the English language?

A bigger problem might be finding there an English speaking driver on a route within Poland - but it shouldn't be impossible. As far as I remember, the drivers announce also what languages they speak.

Near AKS. It's nothing but COLD here! My nose keeps bleeding on the inside and it's annoying.

I am not in Poland now so I cannot tell whether it's warm or cold. The forecast says it's up to 20 degrees (from 10 at night), so it's not really cold (although maybe colder than you are used to), but also not too warm, definitely too cold to have a bath in a lake.
OP paul02  
10 Jun 2016 /  #37
kpc21

Will give it a miss since it's not user friendly to me.

Ok so I've found connections to Cracow this Sunday, could you guys tell me what is the difference between EKS and Unibus? I know I can take both but do they both use the same tickets? Where can I buy their tickets from? Link below.

Link: en.e-podroznik.pl/public/searchingResultsVW.do?startCity=Chorz%C3%B3w&forward=url&tabToken=1f8e1b22a0cb65725590815d138c9301&toV=c|55156&endCity=Krak%C3%B3w&fromV=sg|18099&tseVw=regularP
kpc21  1 | 746  
10 Jun 2016 /  #38
Just different bus companies with different tickets. I don't know EKS, there is PKS, or rather many companies having PKS in their names, because it's the former state bus company which has been divided. For them you usually buy a ticket on a bus from the driver, although sometimes you can find discounted online tickets through the e-podroznik.pl website. They are usually on longer routes through Poland, so it might be better to take Uni-Bus or Inter since they are less susceptible to delay.

The Uni-Bus website says that their ticket from Kraków to Katowice are sold only in the ticket counters at the bus station, from Katowice to Kraków maybe it's possible to get them from the driver (I don't get that really), for sure it's possible at the ticket counter at the bus station next to the gate 6 (not in any other one).

There is also another big company with many connections on this route, Inter, and it seems that they work in a very similar way to Uni-Bus. Whichever of them you will take, it will be good - you just have to have a ticket for the specific bus you want to take and not for any other one.
Chemikiem  
10 Jun 2016 /  #39
Nakklo Chekklo lake

Looks very pretty and scenic, but as the OP is feeling the cold, I don't think it's very likely he'll be going for a dip!
Dougpol1  29 | 2497  
10 Jun 2016 /  #40
Unibus? I know I can take both but do they both use the same tickets? Where can I buy their tickets from?

Unibus. Outside Hotel Katowice on ul. Korfantego. Pay the driver.
OP paul02  
10 Jun 2016 /  #41
Dougpol1

Will try, do you know if I can do the same with other bus services?
jon357  73 | 23133  
10 Jun 2016 /  #42
Sort of, Paul.

It isn't a strict rule, but in most places if it's the town buses (the type you see most of) you should buy a ticket in advance from a kiosk or a machine (remember you can buy several and keep them until you use them - most people do that) and if it's a private or small-town bus (the buses are usually smaller, older and a different colour to the rest you see) you pay cash. There are however exceptions to this (sorry!).

The problem is (someone mentioned this) that yes, you can usually buy a ticket on the ordinary town buses but remember this is Poland and they don't always get things right - very often the driver just doesn't have any tickets (they only start the day with a few) and they don't like giving change; you should have the exact amount of coins.
kpc21  1 | 746  
11 Jun 2016 /  #43
Unibus. Outside Hotel Katowice on ul. Korfantego. Pay the driver.

The website doesn't confirm this.
Dougpol1  29 | 2497  
11 Jun 2016 /  #44
My daughter takes that bus to Krakow all the time. She pays the driver. It is first come, first served - or was, last year..............

No - my daughter says you must buy tickets for ini-bus and inter- bus at the kiosk /ticket office by the coach terminus outside hotel Katowice/ Korfantego. Rules changed last year. You cannot buy a ticket from the driver.
kpc21  1 | 746  
11 Jun 2016 /  #45
The coach terminal is at Skargi street.
OP paul02  
12 Jun 2016 /  #46
Got it guys, thanks for the information on the websites to find my way around.

Visited Krakow today and it was great! Temperature was nice today!
Dougpol1  29 | 2497  
12 Jun 2016 /  #47
The coach terminal is at Skargi street.

As ever, you are the transport king kpc21. Sorry for outdated info folks. Katowice is now a modern city:) Not like Cambridge UK - which I happen to know is a 'mare for coach travel:(
kpc21  1 | 746  
13 Jun 2016 /  #48
I was in Katowice a few years ago, and the coach terminal was, basically, an ugly and not pleasant place. It looked more or less like that:

Katowice bus terminal

Katowice bus terminal

Luckily, it seems, it has been renovated and now it's much better.
OP paul02  
24 Mar 2017 /  #49
Hi guys! It's been 10 months since I've last posted.

I am very sorry to have not left a thank you for your inputs here. Thank you!

I will be going again to Poland for work. Hoping I don't screw up this time.

P.S. I'm bringing a bottle of Chilli along this time! :)
paul02  - | 16  
1 Apr 2017 /  #50
@Atch

Hello again! The weather is getting warmer around here.

May I know which brand of Miód Pitny you recommend?
Sun0_0  
5 May 2017 /  #51
Hi to everyone,
I find your discussions extremely helpful.
I am going to Krakow for a few days in ten days. I have booked an apartment but the property staff gave me the impression that things do not work the same way as in Western Europe where I live for a long time.

I read a few things about its crime rate. I am a small East-Asian woman traveling on my own. What should I expect and how should I prepare myself?

Thanks
gumishu  15 | 6183  
5 May 2017 /  #52
Kraków is a tourist city so I doubt you would be subject to any kind of crime - only males who go to strip clubs and get drunk can be a target as far as I know
jon357  73 | 23133  
5 May 2017 /  #53
What should I expect and how should I prepare myself?

Crime rates are fairly low there. If you stick to the historic areas and avoid rough housing estates you should be fine. It always feels safe in Kraków.
Sun0_0  
5 May 2017 /  #54
Thank you, @gumishu.
I guess every city has its crime concerns and I just have to get prepped.

Can anyone please give me some insight as to where I can store my luggage between the time of my arrival (morning) to the check-in time (3 pm)?

My rented apartment is in the Old Town (southern part) and I was told to use the storage at the Main Station. I wonder if there are better and closer places.

Thank you all
Sun0_0  
5 May 2017 /  #55
Thank you @jon357
jon357  73 | 23133  
5 May 2017 /  #56
I was told to use the storage at the Main Station

This is probably the best option.
Sun0_0  
5 May 2017 /  #57
thans again @jon357
paul02  - | 16  
14 Jul 2017 /  #58
@Sun0_0

Asian here who travelled alone too! I felt very safe in Krakow so it shouldn't be a problem for you.

Update: Heading back again for work! I realised that the Auschwitz camp is nearby so I might plan a trip if time allows.

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