The currency of Poland is the zloty (abbreviated zl). U.S. dollars are not accepted. Euros are only accepted at select shops near the German border, but it is not recommended to use Euros there as the stores themselves will set exchange rates that will not work in your favor. We recommend you just have zlotys on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for zlotys upon arrival. Debit and credit cards are accepted in Poland, primarily in the larger cities, but note that at many businesses, you will incur a small fee for the privilege. Currency exchange desks can be found at airports, hotels, banks, and bureaux de change (called kantor). ATMs are widespread throughout the country, even in middle-sized cities and larger towns.

A 23 percent sales tax (actually a VAT, value-added tax) is included in the price of almost anything you buy in Poland. Restaurant services incur a smaller VAT of 8%. Waiters at restaurants earn low wages (approximately 12 zl per hour, or $4), so tips are appreciated. In urban areas such as Warsaw and Krakow, which are used to serving tourists, tipping at restaurants is almost expected. Tip approximately 10% for good service and 15% for phenomenal service. Make a note to tip in cash because you may not get a chance to tip on your credit or debit card, and when you get such a chance, the tip may not go to your server at all. If you want change back, do not say `thank you` (in English or in Polish, dziekuje), because the server will assume no change is needed. If you want change, say `prosze` (please) instead.

It is not expected to tip baristas or bartenders, but the leftover change from your drink will be appreciated. Keep in mind that saying `thank you` or `dziekuje` means the same thing whether you`re in a bar, café or restaurant. Use `please` or `prosze` if you want your change back.

The practice of tipping is not very common in Polish hotels. Unlike in other countries, like Germany, you won`t see many porters or bellboys at hotels in Poland. When they are available and carrying your bags, a tip is not expected, but they will most likely appreciate a small token of 5 zl per bag. Tip a concierge up to 20 zl, particularly if he or she has been very helpful during your stay (arranging tickets for a show, for example). Chambermaids will be thankful for a tip of 10 zl per day, which can be left on a bedside table or a desk. Room service will not require a tip.

Tipping taxi drivers is a very unusual practice in Poland, and drivers even in major cities will not expect a cash gratuity unless they have gone above and beyond (helping you move luggage or packages up a flight of stairs, for example). In that case, tip your driver in cash 10% of the fare, and also tip that amount if he or she has taken you to your destination in a particularly prompt manner.

Like with many professions, it is only expected to tip tour guides or bus drivers if you particularly liked their service. A tip of 10 to 15 percent of the tour cost can go to the tour guide; it will go a long way, as will 10 zl to the driver. Tipping your tour guide Marlboro cigarettes, brandy or cognac is not as commonplace as it was in the 1990s, but feel free to give a gift if the tour was exemplary.

Other Services: Manicurists, hairdressers and spa workers will expect tips. Tip 10% to all three.

While Poles tip more than other Europeans, many professions that would expect tips in North America would not expect them here. Follow our hotel and restaurant rules and you will gain insight into tipping when it is most expected. Do not feel bad for not tipping if you did not enjoy a service rendered.

Driver`s License

Drivers from the United States will be allowed to drive in Poland as long as they carry their home driver`s license as well as an International Driving Permit, issued before you leave your home country. Keep in mind that both licenses must not have an expiration date within 180 days of your dates of travel. Tourists are allowed to drive for 180 days in Poland; you will have to apply for a Polish driver`s license if you plan to stay longer.

Additional Documents

You will need to carry your passport as your primary identification and you will need to keep the registration and all documents relating to the car in the glove box.

Insurance

Third-party personal insurance, at the very least, is mandatory for all drivers in Poland. Copies of the insurance policy must be carried in the car at all times.

Glasses

If you are required to wear glasses or contact lenses while driving in your home country, you must wear them in Poland as well. Extra pairs of glasses or contact lenses are not required but are recommended.

Warning Triangles and Visibility Vests

Warning triangles and reflective jackets are required in every car in Poland, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you fit your car with these materials. Ask the rental car company how to purchase these items, or if they are included in your order. If you are stopped by police, you can be issued large on-the-spot fines for not carrying these items. Warning triangles in particular are required in every vehicle with four wheels or more.

Headlamp Beam Deflectors

Ask your car rental company how you will apply headlamp beam deflectors. Some cars require stickers, others require for the beam to be adjusted manually.

Snow Chains

Snow chains are only required in winter, on specific roads that are known for seeing wintry conditions. You will most likely encounter wintry conditions in the south of the country, in the Tatra Mountains, as well as in and around Krakow.

Lights

It is compulsory for all motor vehicles to use dipped headlights or daytime running lights, day and night, all year round.

Other

– A fire extinguisher

-Crash helmets for all motorcycle and moped drivers and passengers. Children under 7 are exempted if the speed does not exceed 40 kph.

Emergency, police and fire services in Poland can be accessed by calling 112. Alternative numbers include 999 for ambulance, 998 for fire and 997 for police.

Drinking and Driving:

Poland has one of the strictest blood-alcohol laws in the world: a reading of 0.02% will trigger an arrest and revocation of driving privileges while in the country, at the very least. For most people, just one drink will register a reading of 0.02%. The rule for drinking and driving is simple: don`t do it. Take a taxi or some other form of transportation if you want to drink at bars or nightclubs.

Seat Belts:

Seat belts are mandatory for drivers as well as for front and back seat passengers.

Cell Phones:

Cell phones are only allowed to be used by drivers in Poland if the call can be conducted hands-free (like through Bluetooth and car speakers). You will be given a citation if you are caught using your cell phone without these hands-free devices.

Navigation Aids

Navigation aids such as GPS are legal to use in Poland, but must be mounted onto the dashboard or windshield and can only be accessed (as in to search for destinations, etc.) while not in motion.

Speed Trap Detectors:

Radar detectors and jammers are illegal to use in a moving vehicle in Poland and will result in a fine if police catch you using one.

Driving Age:

To drive in Poland, one must be 18 or over. If you are a legal driver at 16 or 17 in the United States, that does not mean you are allowed to do so in Poland. Cars can be rented in Poland by all drivers over age 21. Young driver surcharges may be levied for drivers under 25 depending on the car rental brand.

Using Indicators:

Indicators must be used when overtaking and any other time it is applicable. You will notice some locals not using indicators, but rest assured it is illegal and you will be fined on the spot if you are caught not properly using them.

Overtaking:

The rule in Poland is drive on the right and overtake on the left. An indicator must be used when overtaking. Overtaking is prohibited when facing oncoming traffic, at intersections, at bus stops or tram stops, at pedestrian and bicycle crossings that are uncontrolled, at railway crossings, and in places where overtaking cannot be safely executed. Trams have to be taken on the right with no exception. The tram lane can be used for this purpose but it must be quickly vacated and cannot disrupt the tram car as it goes about on its trip. Stop to allow tram riders to cross the street at tram stops where there are no pedestrian islands.

Roundabout:

Traffic from the right has priority over lanes on the left (or interior). When approaching a roundabout, note that the vehicles already in the roundabout have the right of way.

Lights:

It is compulsory for all motor vehicles to use dipped headlights or daytime running lights, day and night, all year round.

Losing Your License:

You must keep your International Driving Permit with you at all times. Your United States driver`s license is not sufficient for driving in Poland; it must be paired with the International Driving Permit.

Fines for Motoring Offenses in Poland:

Fines are allowed to be collected on the spot from foreign nationals who break the rules of the road. Failure to do so puts you in front of a magistrate and almost certainly guarantees a revocation of your driving privileges while in Poland. Fines can run into the hundreds of dollars, taking into account the exchange rate. Be sure you have such money on hand just in case you are pulled over for speeding or another infraction.

Children:

Children under the age of 12 and shorter than four feet eleven inches must be restrained either by a seat belt which is adapted to their smaller size, or in a special seat. Child seats are not allowed to be placed rear-facing on the front passenger seat if the front seats are equipped with airbags. Children under 7 are exempted from wearing helmets while riding on mopeds or motorbikes if the speed is kept under 40 kph (25 mph), otherwise they must be worn by everyone at all times.

Accidents:

If there is an accident, please stop your car and put on your reflective jacket before exiting. Remove the warning triangle from your car and place it approximately 100 feet from your car so it will warn travelers that you have stopped and you are in need of assistance. If you are in a more urban area, it is acceptable to place the triangle fewer than 100 feet away, but not immediately adjacent to the accident. If your accident involves another driver, exchange information. That includes car registration numbers, insurance information, name, and address. Write the license plate number down as well. Call 112 and make a formal statement, which the other driver will also do. Polish emergency services (the number 112) will have someone to take your call who speaks English; just kindly request to speak with someone who can take your request in English. Similar resources exist for French speakers. Request a copy of the statement from the police so you can file it with the insurance company.

Parking is at a premium in the major cities and anything close to the major attractions will be located in zones that are pay-for-parking only. These areas include, but are not limited to, Warsaw`s Old Town down to Lazienki Park, the Warsaw Zoological Gardens, a six-block radius just outside Krakow`s Old Town, and the Main Town and Old Town of Gdansk. Parking usually consists of paying at a kiosk, displaying a ticket on the dashboard, and is usually time-limited. All-day parking is usually found at underground or above-ground car parks. Parking violations are solved with either a wheel clamp or a tow; either way, you will have to pay a hefty amount to get your car back. Waiting and parking are prohibited in areas where the vehicle has a chance to obstruct traffic or endanger the safety and lives of other commuters.

Disabled drivers are allowed to park in clearly-marked disabled parking spots (similar color and signage as in the United States, with the blue wheelchair). Bring your disabled parking permit (the one you would hang on the rear view mirror) to Poland with you and hang it on the rear view mirror when you park. In addition, print out the following placard at www.disabledmotorists.eu/download/parking_cards/notice_poland.pdf and place it on your dashboard. It explains that under European Union civil code, Polish police must honor disabled parking permits from other countries, including countries outside the European Union such as the United States. This placard is also useful in the event that anyone tries to challenge you on parking in the disabled space.

In tourist areas, petty theft from rental cars can be high. Do not leave any valuables in plain sight in your car, and don`t spend much time with any sort of valuable unattended in the car. Your hotel may offer secure parking on-site for free or for a fee; inquire about parking when booking your trip with TripMasters. Rental cars or cars with foreign plates tend to stick out more and may be more susceptible to burglary. You should encounter no problems if you park in secure locations and take valuables with you.

Gas stations in Poland are similar to ones you would see in the United States. In many areas they also include a convenience store. The pumps are self-service, and you can pay by cash or credit card. The main national gas station brand is Orlen, and you will see international brands such as Shell, BP, Circle K, Esso and Neste as well. Gas stations are situated in large population centers and along major roadways. These are usually open 24 hours a day. In smaller towns and in rural areas, gas stations will be fewer and far between, and they tend to have a closing time, some as early as 6 p.m.

Typically, gas stations offer unleaded 95 and 98 octane fuel. Gasoline is denoted by the term benzyna. Diesel fuel is denoted by the term olej napedowy. Inquire before leaving the car rental office if your car takes either gasoline or diesel. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is denoted in Polish by either LPG or gazol.

Some useful phrases to remember while driving in Poland:

All Directions – we wszystkich kierunkach
Battery – akumulator
City centre – centrum, centrum miasta
Danger – niebezpieczenstwo
Detour – objazd
Drive with care – jechac ostroznie
Dual Carriageway – podzielone autostrady
Exit – zjazd
Gas Tank – zbiornik paliwa
Give Way – ustapic
Go straight on – idz prosto
Keep Left – trzymac sie lewej strony
Keep Right – trzymaj sie prawej
Lane – aleja
Street – ulica
License Plate – tablica rejestracyjna
Local Highway – lokalna autostrada
Motorway – autostrada
No parking – zakaz parkowania, parkowanie zabronione
Priority to left – priorytet do lewej
Priority to right – priorytet w prawo
One way street – ulica jednokierunkowa
Open – otwarty
Closed – zamkniety
Police Station – posterunek policji
Radiator – chlodnica samochodowa
Right of way – pierwszenstwo przejazdu
Road closed – droga zamknieta
Roadworks – roboty drogowe
Slow – powolny
Traffic lights – sygnalizacja swietlna, swiatla
Toll Road – platna autostrada
Turn right – skrec w prawo
Turn left – skrec w lewo

Where is the nearest gas station? – Gdzie jest najblizsza stacja benzynowa?
Excuse me, I`m lost – Przepraszam, jestem zagubiony.

These are the current speed limits nationwide:

Motorways – 140 km/h (87 mph)
Dual Carriageways – 120 km/h (75 mph)
Other standard roads – 90 km/h (55 mph)
Built-up areas – 50 km/h (32 mph) (day) / 60 km/h (37 mph) (night)
Rural areas – 90 km/h (55 mph)

A note on converting kilometers to miles:

Muliply the kilometers by 6 and move the decimal point 1 place to the left:
8 kilometers = 4.8 miles
12 kilometers = 7.2 miles
Speed limit 70 = 42 miles per hour

– There`s no right turn on red, unless there`s a separate right turn arrow and it`s green.

– Driving is not recommended after dark. Major motorways are of good quality but other roads may vary in quality, and especially in the summer months, these roads may be under construction. This is in addition to sharing the roads with pedestrians and bicyclists, and many roads are not well-lighted. Keep your driving to the daylight hours only.

– Be patient as you share the roadways with the many 18-wheel trucks you will encounter on your journey. It is a major east-west artery for goods and thousands of trucks pass through Poland daily.

– In rural areas, you will be sharing the roads with agricultural equipment and in some spots, even horses and buggies.

– If you want to travel to tourist destinations such as the Lake District, Gdansk, Sopot, and Zakopane in the summertime, expect heavy traffic delays as you enter these cities/regions.

– When differentiating between day and night hours when it comes to speed limits in built-up locales, night begins at 11 p.m. and day begins at 5 a.m. Note that in residential areas, the speed limit is 20 km/h (12 mph) always.

– Unless there is imminent danger for an accident, the use of the horn is prohibited and you will be ticketed if caught laying on it during a traffic jam.

– There have been incidents of thieves opening or breaking passenger-side doors and windows in slow or stopped traffic to take purses or briefcases left on the seat beside the driver. This is more common in Warsaw or Gdansk, where traffic levels are some of the most congested in the country.

If you plan to rent a car in Europe, it would be wise to familiarize yourself with the operation of the manual transmission. The vast majority of rental cars have manual transmissions. There are only a limited number of automatics available.
The very concept of ‘car’ is radically different between North America and Europe. Whereas in the US and Canada size really matters, Europeans look for fuel economy and have cramped parking conditions in mind. Here are some hints on choosing the right car when renting.

Transmission – Not Automatically Automatic

The very first thing to bear in mind is the transmission. Whereas most rental cars in North America will be equipped with automatic transmission, manual transmission is the norm in Europe. In addition the gearshift will be to the left of the driver. If you are not familiar with a manual transmission be sure to select an automatic. And remember that the ‘exotic’ automatic transmissions may sell out fast, so book early.

Interior Space

Most rental cars are standard European or Japanese vehicles, built for cramped road conditions and comparatively short journeys. Especially the lower categories (Sub-Compact and Compact) are typical ‘city cars’ for the occasional user. Even ‘mid-size’ in Europe would be rated Compact in the US. So expect tighter conditions and choose a larger vehicle if traveling long distances.

Seats and Legroom

Cars are smaller and Europeans are used to them, so this leads to different car ratings. In the US, a car rated for two adults and two children, would be rated for five adults in Ireland. If you are in any way larger than the average European (5 ft 7 in, 165 pounds) go for a larger vehicle.

The Trunk

Luggage space in European and Japanese cars can be tight. Sub-Compact and Compact vehicles will more than likely be of the hatchback type with no actual trunk and a somewhat cramped storage area in the back. Getting four adults and their luggage into a Sub-Compact is nearly impossible. If you are planning to take your full baggage allowance go for a Mid-Size at least. Do not plan on leaving your luggage in view while touring, this will attract undesirable attention.

Extras – You Don’t Need Them

When looking up European rental cars you might notice that air conditioning or cruise control are not necessarily included in the specifications. You will not really miss them. While air conditioning can occasionally be nice during the short Irish summer, cruise control would be of no practical use at all.