Wroclaw Travel Tips
Since 2006 making a phone call from a Polish landline to another Polish landline has changed. You now have to dial a zero and the appropriate area code before the number. So in Wroclaw you now dial '0' then '71' and then the number. If you are making a call from abroad nothing has changed. You simply dial +48 and then the city code and then the number!
Exchanging currencies in Wroclaw is a breeze - just look for a sign that reads 'Kantor' or 'Exchange'. Remember, the closer you get to the centre or to highly touristy areas, the worse the exchange rates are likely to be.
Call for a taxi - it's free and the fare will be cheaper than hailing one from the ranks. Oh, and don't waste your energy trying to flag down a moving vehicle. It's forbidden for taxis to stop ad hoc.
Wanna call home? Your coins are useless! Most phoneboxes in Poland operate on calling cards ('karta telefoniczna', pronounced car-ta te-le-fo-neech-na). You can find them at any kiosk.
Like collecting antiques? FYI: It's illegal to export certain items, particularly old paintings, produced before 1945.
Tipping is not necessarily expected in Poland, although things are slowly changing. No matter how generous you are feeling however, keep one thing in mind: saying "thank you" when the waiter/waitress collects your money equals "keep the change" - no matter how big the difference! In other words keep quiet until your change is safely back in your pocket.
Poles are natural hagglers. When in Rome... If you haven't booked ahead, try your luck at negotiating your hotel fare, especially in the low season.
Poles love to party. As such bars, pubs and clubs frequently stay open until the last guest leaves. Trying to outdrink a Pole? Bring some medicine...
Even if you think it'll be warm, bring at least one heavier garment. Polish weather has a mind of its own. And in winter it goes without saying that thermals, hat and gloves and essential lifesavers.
Poles are passionate about their food. Throw away your preconceptions about miserable eastern bloc stews, and be prepared for a great surprise.
Where's the restroom? If you see a sign with two geometric shapes on it, you're headed in the right direction (boys have a triangle and girls have a circle). Also popular in Wroclaw are the phrases 'Dla Panow' meaning 'For Men' and 'Dla Pan' meaning 'For Women'.
Explore!!! Wroclaw, like most things in this world, hides its nearest and dearest off the beaten path...
Above: Let the cables sleep
Below: 'Match the shape' games twenty five metres that way...
Comments
ich möchte gerne ausführliche Info, weil ich gehbehindert bin, aber im auto sehr beweglich
ReplyHi, I’m wanting to go to Wroclaw but my flight gets in at 1am. what is the best travel options from the airport at this time? Thanks
ReplyIm arriving at Wroclaw airport on MOnday and need to get 2 adults (inc me) into city center, what's the best way please? Also, how safe is Wroclaw for couples to wander round the city, especially at night?
ReplySo, most of the Polish weddings last two days. The sencod day we call "poprawiny" and it happens that many guests don't come because they got so drunk the previous day and they are sick or too tired to be present.lolThose songs are very funny: "the the health of the young couple" I bet you know the meaning of this song. "On the secon leg" means that If you had one glass of vodka (that went to you one leg), it's time to drink one more to keep the balance (or to be able to stand straight)... lol"Bitter Vodka" we sing: "bitter vodka, bitter vodka, we won't drink... we are asking the young couple to kiss" and over over again... until the young couple kisses... It's like they kiss make that vodka taste better for the guests.After they kissed people always yell: "more, more, more"!!! it's really funny! I love Polish weddings!!!
Replywhat an awesome place this is! I cannot wait to get back so I can spend more time enjoying myself. Even now with the little time I have to spare, I'm having a blast. Guys are awesome and courteous here - and yes, I'm a girl, don't let the name fool you :-). Heck, I may even decide to relocate here for a while...
ReplyCharming. The city has soul, follow your nose. Keep smiling. The Wroclaw life will help you along your way .Made great companions. Czech film club best coffee. Have fun Smile :)
Replythe cheapest way to get from the airport to the city center is to buy two 2zl tickets for each passenger at a newspapper store at the airport and get a bus number 406 streight from the airport, after 7 stops (at Nowy Dwor Krzyzowka stop) change to either 142 or 132 bus and get off after 10 stops at "Rynek" stop. Then just ask anyone for your hotel, Vroclavians are pretty helpful. Your whole trip downtown should take about 30-40 minutes.
Replyhi could anybody tell me the cheapest and best way to get from the airport to the sofitel hotel in the city centre there are 15 of us travelling to wroclaw in february
ReplyMy friends and I are just back from a weekend in Wroclaw and we musy say that we had a great time. Our hotel was a little outside the city centre and we wandered everywhere with ease and didn't see a bit of trouble all weekend (though there were 11 of us). The bars and restuarants are cheap and people as friendly as anywhere else I've been - John, Glasgow, Scotland
Replyjust came back from wroclaw and what a place! the atmosphere was unlike any other place ive ever been the people are friendly and its unbelievably cheap in a bar out of town your looking to pay about 65p for a pint!!! going back in summer!!
ReplyI've been to Wroclaw several times and never seen or been in any trouble. And I tend to wander the streets at night going from bar to bar. There's the odd unfriendly face in the club, but generally i've felt safer than i would in most UK cities.
ReplyI was certainly robbed at gunpoint but not on the street, it was on a stairwell. I think the city is mostly safe though.
ReplyHere's my top travel tip - CARRY LOTS OF SMALL CHANGE - Poles seem to be allergic to changing money in shops, taxis etc. You'll get a frosty reception especially if you try to pay for small items with a 100 or 200 PLN note.
ReplyIt's a LOT safer than most cities in the UK - that's one of the reasons I moved here! You'll have a great time. Cheers, Keith.
ReplyhHi there i am going to poland wroclaw for 2 days with my mate.. and ive been hearing all sort off stuff abut being extreamly violent on the street at night . and being robbed at gun point. is this true? any info would be great
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