Normal Krakow business hours are from 08:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday, with most businesses being closed on Saturdays and Sundays. The larger department stores and shops typically stay open until 20:00, six days a week, with an increasing number of shops opening until 15:00 on Sundays. 

Banks: 08:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday and 09:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays.
Post Offices: 08:00 to 22:00, Monday to Saturday and 09:00 to 15:00 on Sundays.
Shops: 09:00 to 20:00, Monday to Saturday.
Museums: 09:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday.
Business Offices: 08:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday.

Although Krakow is generally a safe destination to visit, the change from communism to a full market economy has led to an increase in poverty and hence crime. Most visitors to Krakow will have no problems, but you should be aware of the potential risk of pickpockets, particularly when travelling on public transport.

Although the streets of the city are generally safe, it is advisable to avoid walking in poorly lit areas at night and to keep all valuables out of sight, as being an obvious tourist will increase the risks of you becoming a potential target.

Electricity: 220V, 50Hz

There are no compulsory vaccinations required for visiting Poland, but visitors planning to head into the countryside for camping or walking should consider getting vaccinated against tick borne encephalitis. Walkers should also ensure they wear long trousers when walking through forested areas or long grass to avoid tick bites. Rabies is also present in the country, although only visitors expecting close contact with animals need to be vaccinated, as the risk to travellers is minimal.

Healthcare in Poland is generally of a reasonably high standard, with low-cost treatment and consultation fees; however, visitors seeking treatment should be aware of potential communication problems, as English is not widely spoken.

Polish tap water is considered to be safe to drink; however, it is heavily chlorinated and the poor taste has led to most locals and visitors preferring to drink bottled water. 

Visitors in need of medical attention can visit one of these 24-hour hospitals:

Szpital im. Gabriela Narutowicza
5-37 Pradnica Street

Szpital im. Ludwika Rydygiera
1 os. Zlotej Jesieni

Szpital im. Stefana Zeromskiego
66 os. Na Skarpie

Ambulance: 999

The official language of Poland is Polish, although you will find English, German and French spoken to some degree in popular tourist areas. Outside these areas, it is advisable to carry a Polish phrasebook. During the years of Russian control, all Poles were required to learn the Russian language; however, many people refused to learn it as a matter of pride and to this day, it’s use is still considered offensive by some Poles.

The currency in Poland is the Zloty (PLN), with one Zloty divided into 100 groszy. Coins come in denominations of 1, 2 and 5 Zloty, and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 groszy. Notes come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Zloty.

Credit card use is gradually becoming more common in Poland, with most large shops, restaurants and tourist attractions now accepting them; however, it is advisable to carry cash when leaving the main tourist areas for smaller purchases.

Currency exchange offices, known as ‘kantor’, are spread throughout the city, while all major banks also offer a competitive exchange service. ATM machines generally accept all major credit cards and can be found across the city.

On arrival at Polish customs, you are required to fill in a currency declaration form outlining the amount of cash and travellers cheques you are bringing into the country. Those with in excess of US$5,000 who fail to do so run the risk of having their money confiscated by customs officials on departure. It is also advisable to declare any items such as jewellery or books that were produced before 1945 on arrival; the declaration form you receive will ensure you have no problems with these items on departure. 

The Polish government has very strict regulations regarding the export of artwork such as paintings or sculptures, in particular anything produced before 1945. If you are planning to bring back artwork as a souvenir of your visit, it is advisable to check with the relevant authorities before leaving the country.

As in many countries, the Polish people are very appreciative of visitors who make an effort to speak their language, with the use of basic words such witaj (hello), dziekuje (thank you) and prosze (please) likely to be rewarded with a smile, while also often ensuring faster and friendlier service in shops and offices.

When meeting or greeting Polish people, it is customary to do so with a simple handshake rather than by kissing or hugging; these more physical forms of greeting are strictly reserved for close family and friends. Also, when addressing people in Poland, it is essential to use the word Pan (Mr) or Pani (Mrs) followed by the family name to avoid embarrassment.

As the Polish people are traditionally very hospitable, it is important to avoid causing offence if you are invited into their home. If you see a line of shoes outside the front door, you should always remove yours before entering. Equally, it is important for men to be courteous towards women, with simple acts such as holding open a door enough to ensure a good impression.

When dining out in Poland, it is not customary to leave a tip, although as in most countries, you will find it is greatly appreciated. When paying for the bill in a Polish restaurant, the waiter will take a ‘dziekuje’ (thank you) as a sign that you do not expect the change; to avoid this potentially expensive cultural difference, you should use the polish word ‘prosze’ (please) instead.

Due to a recent overhaul of the country’s immigration laws, most visitors to Poland no longer require a visa for stays of up to three months. Visa exempt countries include all members of the European Union, Australia and New Zealand as well as the USA and Canada. Visitors from non-exempt countries must apply for a visa in advance from their nearest Polish embassy. Visa applicants from non-exempt countries should be aware that the issue of tourist visas can be slow, with some applications taking several weeks; therefore it is advisable to apply well in advance of your trip.

Krakow’s main Tourist Information Centre is located at Ulica Szpitalna 25, in the centre of the city. You can contact them by calling: +48 12432 0110, or +48 12432 0060. Alternatively, you can visit their website: www.krakow.pl.

There are two other tourist information centres in the city, with one situated on Ulica Jozefa 7 in the Kazimierz district and another on os.Centrum B in the Nowa Huta district. During the high season, you will also find a tourist information centre open in the Town Hall Tower on the main market square.