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

Hello! I will be travelling from Singapore to Chorzow for a business
demonstration. This trip would be for about 10 days.

As a first time visitor, would you guys be kind to advise if:

1. Am I able with withdraw Polish Zloty from ATMS (maybe at the
airport?) with my debit card which has a Cirrus and Maestro logo on
the back?

2.Am I able to withdraw cash without having to open a bank account (I
see some threads saying one has to open an account to withdraw cash).

3. What is a Kantor?

4. What is the cost of a typical meal in a restaurant and a
non-upsized meal in McDonald's there?

5. Where can I buy a tram ticket that will allow me to get to and from work in Chorzow? Can this ticket also take me to Katowice and maybe Cracow for leisure on the Sundays that I am there?

I may have a few more down the line but these are what I have in mind
at the moment. Thank you.

Yes, Cirrus and Maestro cards are both linked/owned by Mastercard I think, so you shouldn't have any problems.
Obviously your bank will charge you for using them abroad though.


From an ATM yes of course!
I am not sure which threads you have been looking at which state you have to have a bank account to withdraw cash, but I am guessing that those threads concern people who are moving to or are already resident in Poland, and therefore need to have an account with a bank in Poland.

I very much doubt that you will find a branch of your own bank in Poland from where you can withdraw cash.
Have a look at this thread which might help:-

https://polishforums.com/travel/poland-best-place-exchange-money-42506/


Kantors are currency exchange shops/kiosks which are widely found throughout Poland. Prices vary so check the rates first, and NEVER use one at the airport, the exchange rate will be criminal. I always use a Kantor when I travel to Poland as the exchange rates are always better than in the UK.


Have a look at this link:-

numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Poland


You don't mention how far away you will be staying from Chorzów? There is an extensive tram network in the area ( Silesia Interurbans ), so getting from e.g Chorzów to Katowice by tram is possible, but you would have to get a train or bus to Kraków.

Tram tickets can be bought in kiosks ( look for the yellow and green 'Ruch' logo ), shops, at automated machines at some tram stops and on some trams ( but not all ). Tram tickets are valid for certain periods of time e.g 20, 30, 45 minutes, so you need to know how long your journey will take you ( I think you can also buy tickets valid for 24 hours etc ).

What you must not forget is to VALIDATE your ticket in the yellow machine on the tram. If you get caught without a validated ticket, you will get an on the spot fine ( in addition make sure your ticket is valid for the length of time it will take to complete your trip. If your journey takes longer than you think, but you have only paid for a ticket valid for e.g 20 minutes and you have exceeded this time, you will also get a fine ).

Thank you for the quick response! I can't reveal my location for safety reasons but I will be staying close to Silesia Park (aleja Różana 2, 41-501 Chorzów, Poland) and my trip to work is about a 15 minute tram ride.

1. How do you calculate the time? Using Google Maps?

2. Do tram tickets have a pass like 7-day passes? If so, I would like to buy to save costs.

3. How do I validate my ticket on the tram? Have someone punch a hole on the ticket?

Am thinking of going to Katowice or Krakow just to explore the area for one day and buy some souvenirs, chocolates and alcohol to bring back home. Which place do you recommend for competitive prices and good stuff?

If the Google Maps can find public transport connections in Chorzów, it should work.
The website jakdojade.pl might be better, as they update the data more frequently, and you are less likely to get timetables which are not up to date.


They do.

Actualy in the Silesian metropoly the system of tram/bus tickets is that they are valid either for specific time, or for a single ride (without changes) within one, two or more cities/towns (covered by this public transport system).

You have the total price list here: kzkgop.com.pl/strony/p-1-cennik-oplat.html?lang=en


You put it to the validating machine, which stamps some number on it (including the current time and date and the number of the vehicle), probably also punches holes in it (but not necessarily).

It looks like that, or similarly (this one is quite an old model, I don't know if they still use it in Chorzów - but newer ones work in exactly the same way, they also have a single slot for the ticket):

Thank you for the information.

1. What kind of Vodka can I get from Poland that is not available anywhere else? My local store carries these already.
Link to image: i.imgur.com/nQc5uaJ.jpg

2. Is Wawel the best chocolates to get for my friends back home?

3. Play vs T-Mobile, which is best for coverage in Chorzow and with lots of data at a good rate?

I only got to see the airport at Katowice when my flight was diverted, so I'm not familiar with it, but by all accounts on this forum,Katowice is not exactly scenic. If you are pushed for time, then head for Kraków where there is plenty to see and do, it's a lovely city.

The Silesian interurban tram and bus network is divided up into 3 zones. If you do decide to go to Katowice you would need to buy a tram ticket for zone 2 which covers travel between 2 different cities. It's a very short trip, so possibly you could fit it in around work rather than give up your Sunday off.

If you decide to go to Kraków, then check the train times with this link. I already had a look, and depending on the train/s you catch, you could spend anywhere between 2.5 and almost 4.5 hours getting there. There are 3 options when selecting Chorzów as your starting point, I would select Chorzów miasto, as this appears to be the where the main train station is, rather than Chorzów batory or stary.

rozklad-pkp.pl/en


Having looked at kpc21's link, unless you are going to be using the tram for more than just getting to work and back again, there doesn't appear to be much of a saving to be made.


I think they read the magnetic strip on the back of the ticket, and the journey is timed from the point the card is read.


I didn't see any Polish vodka in your link!
Probably the most well known Polish vodka is Żubrówka. I think there are 2 or 3 different ones, but the bison grass vodka with a single blade of bison grass in is the most widely known. It is pale yellow and has a very distinctive taste.

Or you could try Żołądkowa Gorzka, a spiced amber colour vodka, which also comes in other flavours ( mint, honey, cherry etc )

If you just want traditional Polish vodka, then try Żubrówka Biała, Belvedere, or Chopin.
To be honest there are loads of different Polish vodkas, depends on what your budget is.
There are shops selling alcohol everywhere, and I would be more inclined to go to one of these rather than a supermarket, as there is a far wider choice, especially if you are looking for a bottle to take home as a present for someone.


In my opinion definitely!! Their Tiramisu chocolates are amazing!! There are 3 Wawel chocolate shops in Kraków, and one in Katowice. Sadly, there isn't one in Chorzów :( You will be able to find some Wawel chocolate without going to one of their specific shops, but you won't find the whole range in a supermarket for example.

Have a look at this link which lists their shops and products:-

wawel.com.pl/en/shops.html

Thank you for the insightful replies!

What is the safest time that I should be back in the hotel? Anyone?

It may depend on the city. In Łódź the tickets don't have any magnetic strips, in Warsaw, from what I know, they do. No idea how it's in the Silesian metropoly.

Wawel is a good chocolate, Goplana as well. Don't buy Wedel, it's probably the most known, but it used to be good in the past, until it was bought by one of the western corportations.


Belvedere.

Yes, Żubrówka is most known.


In a huge supermarket, like Auchan, a big Carrefour or a big Tesco, it shouldn't be so difficult. But the whole range can be found in their factory shops.


I would recommend Play, but someone else will probably recommend T-Mobile...

Play usually has the best prices.

From Chorzów/Katowice to Kraków it's better to take a bus. The train route is being renovated and it takes more time to go by train because of that. You must buy a separate ticket for the train or bus from Chorzów/Katowice to Kraków, and if you want to use the city public transport in Kraków, you also need separate public transport tickets there (although if you want to see just the old town and Wawel, the old Polish kings' castle, you will not need to use the city public transport).

You will probably have take the train or bus to Kraków from Katowice, there is no direct trains from Chorzów. There is a direct bus, but it's in the afternoon from Chorzów to Kraków, so it will not work for you as well.

A good and usually very cheap bus company is polskibus.com - for them you have to book the ticket online. You don't have to print it, the "ticket" is just a long code consisting of numbers and letters, which you can write down.

Remember that the bus station in Katowice is in a bit different place than the train station (although not far away, at 500 m distance). From Chorzów to Katowice you can take a tram, a bus or a train (especially if you will live close to a train station), the website gop.jakdojade.pl can find all the connections - but remember that the city public transport tickets aren't valid on the train, you must buy a train ticket for the train. It seems that a train ticket from Chorzów to Katowice costs around 5 zł. If you board the train at the Chorzów Batory station (or back from Katowice), you have to buy the ticket at the counter, otherwise - from the train staff (buy the ticket immediately once you board the train).

For the other bus companies you can usually either buy the ticket directly from the driver (although it seems it may not work on this route), or at the office at the station, some of them offer also online tickets on their websites.

You can find all the bus connections at e-podroznik.pl

The biggest bus companies on this route seem to be, apart for the PolskiBus, also Neobus, Inter and Uni-Bus. There are also some buses making longer routes and going through Katowice and Kraków. As a result, the bus connection is very frequent, every 15 minutes or even more frequently, so it seems you can go to the bus station in Katowice whenever you want, look at the timetable, buy the ticket for the next bus (unless it's PolskiBus) and take it.

I just checked the stop nearby "AKS Chorzow", a red tram passes by. I don't see any ticketing machine! Can I board and pay using 10zl note? My ride would only be about 4 stops (15-20mins).

I bought Play because it was the most ready available at Katowice Airport!

I visited Carrefour not too long ago and they carry all the alcohol you both mentioned! Is it any cheaper if I went into a liqour store in Katowice/Cracow?

Żubrówka is definitely not available in duty-free shops in Frankfurt Airport, Chopin too. Chopin seems to be more expensive though.

Looking at this stop at the Google Street View, I can see a kiosk there, which would most likely sell tickets as well, but on Sunday it's probably closed. There is a big shopping mall nearby, there is probably a newspaper shop inside as well, and most likely they are open on Sunday and they sell also public transport tickets.

Theoretically you should have an exact amount of money to buy the ticket for the driver, but maybe he will sell it anyway. It's always better to have a ticket bought before. Ticket is "bilet" in Polish.

Not quite sure what you mean by this.
All the places I've stayed at have had a 24 hour reception, so I've never had a problem with being locked out if that's what you're worried about, and usually you can take your room key/card with you if for any reason they do shut the door at a specific time.


Yes, i should have thought about that as last time I was in Poland it actually took an hour less to get to my destination by bus than it would have if I'd taken the train. Given the choice though, I presumed the OP would prefer to go by train as it's more comfortable.

Having checked your link, it's much quicker to go by bus for this particular trip.


You've arrived already!! You might be able to board and pay the driver, but I'm not sure as I've always found a kiosk or a machine and bought my ticket prior to getting on the tram. If you can pay the driver, my guess is that he will want exact change, but I'm not completely sure so maybe someone else reading can help.


Probably not, but you might get a more extensive choice in an alcohol shop, especially if you're looking for something specific.


It is more expensive, but if you are on a budget go for something else.

Yes hello to all the Polish people! I'm like the only Asian in this area now.

Chopin may be more expensive, but is it really worth the cost? Does it taste better?

Also, I would still want to go out and probably get some souvenirs for friends (Poland key chain? Plushie?) and some Wawel chocolates. Is Kato and Cracow both possible locations to get them?

I've tried it and I've bought bottles back as presents, but I'm really not much of a drinker, and to me one vodka tastes pretty much like another I'm afraid, unless it's really cheap and nasty stuff. Żubrówka does have a very distinctive taste. Go for something mid range, and you probably won't go too far wrong :)


You will have no problem finding key rings. Refer to my earlier post about Wawel chocs, the link there shows there are 3 shops in Kraków and one in Katowice. Supermarkets usually stock bars and bags of Wawel chocolates, but only limited selections. No idea what a plushie is?


You can always ask the receptionist for info on trams etc, they are usually pretty knowledgeable and keen to help.
Enjoy your time in Poland!!

You will get them in each supermarket, for example in the Carrefour you told already about. In a special store you will just have a bigger choice of also some maybe more unique specialities - but a supermarket should be enough.

You will definitely get some souveniers in Cracow. Chorzów/Katowice is not such a touristic site, so it might be more problematic. You can check the tourist information office, they will probably have some there.

Did I get it correctly that you live in a hotel next to the AKS shopping mall? If so, it seems that if you take any tram from there (in the proper direction, the other one is to the centre of Chorzów), you will get to Katowice. Get off at this stop: goo.gl/maps/wFS1Z5tdw762, turn right, walk and after a short distance you will reach the bus terminal, from where you can get to Cracow.

Very close to your place there is also a very big and known park, one of the biggest in Europe.

The receptionist told me about the park but not that it was something special. Cool! Thanks for the information, will look at it when I get the time.


Forgot to mention that I am not staying where you suggested, rather, close to Carrefour.

Both of you, do recommend you favourite alcohol for fun, would like to know please. :)

Good evening guys!

I took my first ever tram ride to work today! Had to buy the ticket directly from the driver. However, I was charged 4,80zl, was I cheated? I told the driver I only wanted to go 3 stops away and he acknowledged.

According to the information in this link that kpc21 gave you


You have been charged for 1 hours worth of travel, or travel between 3 or more cities.
It doesn't necessarily mean you have been cheated, it's possible the driver didn't understand exactly where you wanted to go.
Next time you make this trip, time how long it takes you. If it is 15 minutes or less, you need a 3.20 zł ticket, if it takes slightly longer, then buy a 3.80 zł ticket which is valid for 30 minutes.

Please take the time to actually read the information you have already been given!!
See if you can find a kiosk or shop to buy your ticket, there must be somewhere close to your tram stop selling tickets. You could also check on the tram next time to see if there is an automated machine that you can buy a ticket from.

Found a kiosk at "Rynek" (I think) on the way back to hotel from work ! The machine gives out regular and reduced fares.

When I bought tickets to work today, the driver gave me two tickets (2,40zl each). Guess one is for going and one for return (I walked back to place anyway)? I'm guessing the ticket has no expiry date unless it is "stamped" on the bus?

Also, Chopin seems to be the most expensive Polish Vodka, think it means it is really good too? Might get one and one Żubrówka Biała?

I also bought Wawel Milk Chocolate from Carrefour today! Is it me or does it taste normal? Would it taste different if bought from Wawel shop directly?

I honestly don't know about that one as i've only ever bought one ticket at a time, but your guess seems logical to me. Maybe someone else here will know.


I think if you are buying as a present for someone, and they are not a vodka connoisseur, then something mid range will be fine.

It is nice vodka but so is Żubrówka Biała. Just buy something in line with your budget.


I have never bought Wawel milk chocolate. I have always gone for the nice chocolate with different flavour fillings. Click on the Wawel link I gave you and search their products. Many of the chocolates with fillings are coated in plain chocolate.


I wouldn't have thought so.

Below the table it says:


So everything is ok, just the tickets bought from drivers are more expensive. It makes sense, otherwise people would massively buy them from the drivers (because it's simpler than to go to a newspaper kiosk and do it there) and cause delays.


No, 2,40 zł is a discount ticket, for example for students - it seems that the driver had no more 4,80 zł tickets, so he gave you two 2,40 zł instead You should stamp both one after another, since you should pay 4,80 zł (unless you buy a ticket in a newspaper kiosk or in a ticket machine). Then it's perfectly ok.


Milk chocolate is the standard, mild one. It will not be bitter, rather sweet.

If you were in Carrefour, there should be also a kiosk/shop selling newspapers, magazines etc. in the same building (I mean, there are usually such places in the buildings of big supermarkets), and they very likely sell also tickets. If you live close to this Carrefour, this might be the best place.


As it says on the website, the ticket bought from the driver expires after an hour from validating it, unless you don't change trams. If you don't leave the tram in which you validated the ticket, you can travel up to its end stop, even when it takes more than an hour. If you leave it and take another one, or a bus, then it's valid only for one hour.

But my ride is only 3 stops! How come I am charged for 1 hour?

If I buy at the shop/kiosk, which ticket do I buy then?

I mean, if I buy 3 tickets for 3 days, I can stamp 1 ticket each day right? Or must I use all 3 tickets on that day itself?

Paul, why don't you ask for some advice regarding your tickets in your place of work. It would be much quicker and easier for you to talk to one of your colleagues. Also, I don't wish to sound rude but you really are obsessing over a very trivial matter. You're worrying about one złoty which is approximately 25 cents, come on, you're on a working holiday. Enjoy your time in Poland and if you're on a tight budget and want to save money, don't eat MacDonalds! A good kebab from a street vendor will only cost you about 10 zł. Eat like the locals. Smacznego!

Please READ information that has already been given!!!! Both of us are trying to help you, but we keep repeating ourselves here !! In kpc21's previous post, number 21, he says that tickets bought from the driver are more expensive. The ticket you bought at a cost of 4.80 zł is what one bought from the driver will cost, and it is valid for 1 hour.


I already said to you to time your trip. If those 3 stops you make take 15 minutes or less, buy a ticket costing 3.20 zł. If they take slightly longer, buy a 30 minute ticket at a cost of 3.80 zł. As kpc21 said, try looking in Carrefour for a kiosk. Or ask your hotel, if your tram stop is near, they might know where best to buy one.


I don't think so, these are single trip short term tickets to be used on the day. Maybe you need to specifically buy a ticket which is valid for e.g 5 days. This actually might be a better option for you if you are having problems finding somewhere to buy a ticket, and it's costing more to buy one from the driver. You can buy tickets valid for 24 hrs, 48 hrs, 5 days, 7 days, monthly etc

Only poor ppl use bus in POLAND lol

Good day to you Atch. I have asked but most of them drive and I'm not obsessing over a few zloty, I just want to follow the rules and the law so that I don't cause any trouble.

Lucky for me, my budget is not so tight. Will definitely check out the street vendors and maybe just have one meal at McDonald's to see how different it tastes from back home.

Thank you for your comments.



My apologies, I missed out those posts above (bad internet?). Thank you for the information!

Not each country has this system with tickets stamped once entering the bus/tram (although most European countries have it), so I understand, that someone can be confused.


Good advice, a döner kebab is usually the chaepest food you can find. Also Chinese food places are often cheap and offer big portions for low prices, or small diners with Polish food (often marked as "obiady domowe").


Not necessarily. When you are in another city and you don't have your car with you, will you pay for a taxi each time? A rich person will probably do it, if you are in a group of a few people, it will also work, but if you are alone, bus/tram is much cheaper and it's pointless to use a taxi, unless you are in hurry.


It comes in such a way, that it's impossible to buy a ticket for a shorter ride from the driver. Buy the ticket in a shop, then you can adjust its duration to your needs.

There is also a possibility to get a public transport card, with which you can pay exactly for the needed number of stops, but it doesn't make sense to bother to get it, when you are there only for 10 days.


Exactly, the price list tells everything. This price list should be present also somewhere inside the tram, and probably also at the stop.


Exactly. At the hotel they should know everything, just ask there.


If you buy three separate single tickets, you can use them, of course, on different days. Or even after a few months, unless they change the prices in the meantime. It doesn't say anywhere on the ticket, when it was bought (on those from a ticket machine it may say, but it doesn't matter).

If you buy a ticket valid for a 3 days... I don't know how it is in KZK GOP. Let's see... It seems there is no 3-day tickets, there are 48-hour and 5-day ones, and both these types are also subject to validation in a machine on the board of the bus/tram, so you can start using them whenever you want, but then they are valid for exactly 48 hours or 5 days from the moment of validating (the 5-day one just for 5 days, including the day of validating).

Thank you for the clarification and your patience!

I had McDonald's Big Mac today JUST to compare the taste with my own country's McDonalds and boy was I disappointed! Going to hit the street foods next!

Try Zapiekanka: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zapiekanka

With Paul being from Singapore I don't know that he'd enjoy the Polish version of Chinese. I imagine he's accustomed to a more authentic cuisine but he'd certainly find it interesting!

Paul, the cheap 'Chinese' places are usually called Bar Azjatycki or something of that kind. You can eat in or take away. You generally get meat or fish with a choice of either a hot (spicy) or sweet sauce and a weird mish mash of veggies that don't bear any resemblance to the usual Chinese, they're often just a mix of frozen veggies just boiled, or it could be white cabbage and a sort of coleslaw. Then you have a choice of boiled rice or frytki (fries) and that's it. That's been my experience anyway. Others may know differently. There are more authentic places but they're proper restaurants and more expensive. It's worth trying the Asian bar type as it's a real local experience so it's a bit of fun.

Zapiekanka is really just a bread roll with a bit of cheese, a snack more than a meal and watch out because they'll usually drench it in ketchup without asking you if you want any, they just assume you do. The jedzenia domowa places are ok. You may find the cuisine everywhere more salty than you're accustomed to.

We'll see. Have only seen a Hamburger (Kebab too maybe) street store near Rynek.


I've tried Ha Long at AKS Carrefour and it was ok. Not very "Asian" tasting. Thanks for the tip about the ketchup, I am more of a chilli person so my stay here without chilli is quite depressing for me.



I did some research on getting to Krakow and I came across this page "blablacar.pl/search?fn=Chorz%C3%B3w&fc=50.2974884|18.9545728&fcc=&tn=Krak%C3%B3w&tc=50.0646501|19.9449799&tcc=&db=12%2F06%2F2016"

Is it trustworthy? It's a car ride that's less than 20zl!

When you buy a Kebab you can get either hot or mild. The hot sauce is quite firey so you might enjoy it. You will find that there's a lot more choice in Krakow. Also if you go the Stare Miasto there you will find plenty of suitable souvenirs to take back in quite a wide range of prices. If you want to bring someone a really special gift you should consider some amber jewellery which is a Polish speciality. Good shops will give you a certificate of authenticity to confirm that it's Baltic sea amber. There are some really beautiful pieces and also crucifixes, rosaries etc if you know anybody religious who might appreciate that kind of thing.

If you are buying vodka, I would go for Żubrówka, especially the Bison grass one or the oak. Another lovely Polish drink is Miód Pitny, a wine made from honey. It's produced in some attractive souvenir type bottles which make a nice present. Regardless of brand, there are different concentrations of honey available in the drink. The most popular one in Poland tends to be 'dwójniak'. The strongest concentration of honey is in 'półtorak' but it's extremely sweet and not very alcoholic. The 'dwójniak' has a superior flavour in my humble opinion!