Poland — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“The Kraków old town, deep history, and the best value in Europe”
Poland is a European destination full of history and great value — Kraków's medieval main square, Wawel Castle, the entirely rebuilt old town of Warsaw, the Wieliczka salt mine, the moving Auschwitz memorial, and the Tatra Mountains — all paired with hearty food and the lowest prices in the European Union.
Poland at a glance
Choose a city in Poland
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Poland right for you?
Why people love Poland, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Medieval cities
Kraków's main square is the largest in Europe, alongside Wawel Castle and the World Heritage old town.
History
The Auschwitz camp, the rebuilt old town of Warsaw, and the traces of war.
The Wieliczka salt mine
An underground mine with chapels and figures carved from salt — an astonishing World Heritage site.
Food and great prices
Pierogi, beetroot soup and beer at the lowest prices in the EU.
The Tatra Mountains
Zakopane, the mountain town, for hiking, skiing and lakes.
Culture
The birthplace of Chopin and Copernicus, and colorful riverside towns.
Poland vs its neighbors
| Poland | Czechia | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $45–85 | $50–90 | $45–85 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Schengen | Schengen | Schengen |
| Getting around cities | Tram-bus-train | Tram-metro | Metro-tram |
| English | Decent in tourist cities | Decent | Decent |
| Known for | Kraków · history · prices | Prague · beer | Budapest · thermal baths |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Kraków and history
Base yourself in Kraków — the main square, Wawel Castle, the salt mine, and a day trip to Auschwitz over 3–4 days.
See this plan → 🏛️Warsaw and Kraków
Take the train between the two main cities — the rebuilt capital of Warsaw plus medieval Kraków, covered in 5–6 days.
See this plan → 🏔️Mountains and nature
Zakopane for hiking and skiing in the Tatra Mountains, plus the lakes — for nature lovers.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
1 ranked reviews
No reviews match these filters — try removing some.
- 1🥟
Pierogi
Dumplings filled with potato-cheese, meat or fruit, boiled or fried — the national dish.
📍 Nationwide - 2🍲
Bigos
A stew of sauerkraut and several meats, the "hunter's stew" — warming and hearty.
📍 Nationwide - 3🥣
Barszcz
A bright-red beetroot soup, served hot or with little dumplings.
📍 Nationwide - 4🍖
Kotlet Schabowy
A breaded fried pork cutlet with potatoes and cabbage.
📍 Nationwide - 5🥨
Obwarzanek
A ring-shaped bread sprinkled with sesame — a Kraków street food.
📍 Kraków - 6🍺
Beer & vodka
Polish beer and many flavors of vodka — cheap and delicious.
📍 Nationwide
- 1🏛️
Main Square
The largest medieval square in Europe, with the Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Church — a World Heritage site.
📍 Kraków - 2🏰
Wawel Castle
A royal castle on a riverside hill, with a cathedral and the legend of the dragon.
📍 Kraków - 3⛏️
Wieliczka
An underground salt mine with chapels and chandeliers carved from salt — a World Heritage site.
📍 Near Kraków - 4🕯️
Auschwitz
A wartime concentration camp — a powerful and moving memorial.
📍 Near Kraków - 5🏙️
Old Town
An old town entirely rebuilt after the war, a World Heritage site of hope.
📍 Warsaw - 6🏔️
Tatra Mountains
High mountains, hiking, the Morskie Oko lake, and ski resorts.
📍 Zakopane
🚆 Getting around Poland
PKP trains
Connect the main cities (Warsaw–Kraków in ~2.5 hours); comfortable and cheap if you book ahead.
Tram and bus
The big cities have extensive tram and bus networks with cheap tickets.
Rental car
Good for the Tatra Mountains and countryside; roads are good and you drive on the right.
Day-trip tours
Tours from Kraków to Auschwitz and the salt mine — book in advance.
Domestic / inbound flights
Warsaw, Kraków and Gdańsk airports connect cheaply across Europe (LOT, Ryanair).
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Poland
Respect at Auschwitz
Dress modestly, stay quiet, and don't take selfies — it's a memorial to those who died.
A Catholic country
Dress modestly in churches, covering shoulders and knees.
Tip 10%
Tip around 10% at restaurants (check whether it's already on the bill).
The złoty is used
Despite being in the EU, Poland still uses the złoty (not the euro) — exchange or withdraw from ATMs.
Bitterly cold winters
Winters are below freezing with snow — pack heavy winter clothing.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Hostel / 2★ hotel $20–40
Eat at a milk bar (a cheap traditional cafeteria), use the trams, and walk the old town for free — the best value in Europe.
Comfortable
🛏️ 3–4★ hotel $45–80
Take the train between two cities, do the Auschwitz and salt-mine tours, and enjoy good restaurants.
Premium
🛏️ Luxury old-town hotel $100+
A boutique hotel on Kraków's main square, private tours, and fine dining.
🗓️ When to visit Poland
Spring
Apr – JunLovely weather, flowers in bloom, and not too crowded yet — the best time.
Summer
Jul – AugWarm with long daylight and lots of festivals, great for the Tatra Mountains, but the busiest time.
Autumn
Sep – OctAutumn colors, fewer crowds, good prices, and still decent weather.
Winter
Nov – FebCold and snowy, with the beautiful Kraków Christmas market and skiing in the Tatras (pack warm clothes).
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Poland — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.4💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.4👑 Great for your trip
★ 9.4💑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Poland?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Poland
How many days do I need in Poland?+
6–8 days — Kraków for 3 days (plus Auschwitz and the salt mine) and Warsaw for 2; add Zakopane or Gdańsk if you have more time.
Do I need to prepare for Auschwitz?+
Book a ticket/tour in advance (free but reservation required), dress modestly, and brace yourself — it's a heavy experience but one worth having once.
What currency does Poland use?+
The złoty (PLN), not the euro, despite being in the EU — withdraw from ATMs or exchange in the city.
Is Poland really cheap?+
It's the cheapest in the European Union — food, lodging and admission are great value compared to Western Europe.
Tips before you go to Poland
- Book the Auschwitz and salt-mine tours/tickets in advance.
- Use the złoty (PLN), not the euro.
- Take the Warsaw–Kraków train (~2.5 hours), cheap if booked ahead.
- Try a milk bar (bar mleczny) for cheap, traditional food.
- Pack heavy winter clothes for winter (below freezing and snow).
- Kraków's Christmas market (December) is gorgeous.