Top 10 Things to Know Before Visiting Krakow, Poland
#1 - Non-Alcoholic Drinks are Just as Expensive as Alcoholic Ones
This one surprised us. Usually, alcoholic drinks are 2-3 times more expensive than non-alcoholic or soda drinks. However, based on our observations, they were roughly the same. On average, a beer will cost about 15 zł, which is about $3.50. Sometimes, sodas can cost about $6 for the large. However, the large is more like a small by US standards. This might explain why more people were drinking alcohol than they normally would - it was simply the cheaper option. And, if you think tap water is free… it is not here in Poland. You will have to pay for a jug of tap water, which on average cost us about $3 for a small jug.
#2 - Krakow is a Relatively Cheap City to Visit
When people talk about their top cheapest cities to visit, it’s usually places like Budapest, Prague, and Zagreb - one of these is definetely NOT true, but that’s for another blog next month. You don’t often hear of Poland being a major destination in Europe, but we feel it is absolutely worth it to go. You will definetely be able to stretch your dollar or pound here. This is the first place we were able to visit where we had a solid $100 left over from our trip - and that was after doing everything (plus more) that we wanted to do in Krakow. We thought the food was cheaper, hotels were cheaper, souvenirs were extremely reasonable, transportation was easy, and museum costs were moderate. There are so many places that are free to visit as well.
#3 - …It is Also a Safe and Clean City to Visit
My goodness! Krakow seems spotless. Even in the non-touristy section of Krakow, it still seemed super clean to us. We were surprised with seeing all the stag parties happening throughout the city. Normally, you would assume shattered glass bottles and cigarettes would be tossed on the ground. Not here, though. They take cleanliness seriously on the public areas. Additionally, you will feel safer here than in other parts of Europe. The risk of criminal activity is very low in Krakow, with the most common crime being scammers. Many female solo travelers visit each year, often remarking about how safe they feel visiting Krakow.
#4 - Polish Time is Strict
Polish time is very strict… and I LOVE it! I am a very much on-the-dot sort of personality. If you’re not 5 minutes early, you’re late in my book. I appreciate that Krakow is also very much like that. However, it can really throw those off who do not have that same mindset. If a train says it will show up by 11:08, it will show up at 11:08. If your tour guide says be at a meeting point 10 minutes early, be there at least 10 minutes early. When we took our trip out to Auschwitz, the tour guide got us on the bus and left at the specified time. When it says they are leaving at 7:30 (for example), it means they are leaving at 7:30 and you should have been there earlier enough to get checked in and grab seats on the bus. One couple was 2 minutes late and they got left behind. Do not underestimate the strict time rules here.
#5 - You Will Have to Go to the Train Ticket Booth in the Main Station to Order Tickets
This one was a bit annoying, but you will need to go to the ticket office at the Krakow Main Station. There are no self-serve kiosks available and you’ll most likely have to wait in a long line. We only found this to be true at the main station. The other stations we used had kiosks, so we don’t know why this was the case. You can download the app, but we didn’t feel it was worth it for such a brief trip. Public transportation is very reasonable and clean, but the fact that you have to get in line to purchase a train ticket seemed extremely old-fashioned to us. Be mindful of that if you have a schedule that is time-sensitive. Remember, time is strict here… and if you’re late for an appointment, chances are you will miss it completely.
#6 - Cars Will Stop For You When Crossing the Street
We were surprised by how kind and polite the people of Krakow were. Their politeness also showed in how they drove in the city. Jaywalking is perfectly fine to do here, and many cars will slow down way before people attempt to walk on the streets. In other parts of Europe, it’s actually quite scary to walk across the street, even with the green light giving us the opportunity to do so. There are many places that aren’t designated crossings, but it seems like the drivers here are well educated and safe about potential walkers on the street. Even when we were near a street contemplating to walk across, 3 cars slowly stopped, gave us a smile, and signaled us that we could walk and it was safe. Who does that?!?! The etiquette here was incredible.
#7 - Perogies Really Are a Thing
So, we thought it was just a stereotype that Polish people loved their perogies. Well, actually… they really do love their perogies! We saw perogies everywhere! They also had their own portion on all the menus in restaurants and came in all different flavours. Flavours ranged from cottage cheese, onion and potato, meat, mushroom, herbed, and even sweet ones like chocolate or cherries and cream. Most of them were served with fresh sour cream, and it was delightful! With the 60+ miles we walked over 3 days, I was eating my way through all of the perogies. We saw so many local Poles enjoying perogies too like it’s just a way of life. Wow, what a way to live! All the food was incredible!
#8 - You Will Have to Pay For Each Attraction Separately at Wawel Castle
Wawel Castle is a gorgeous castle in the centre of Krakow that should not be missed on your travels here. It is full of rich history with a beautiful architectural display of varying eras. Unlike many castles in Europe, you will have to pay for each attraction in Wawel Castle, no matter how small the attractions are to visit. If you were to see all the rooms and attractions of the castle, it would literally take all day to see it. You might also break your budget, as it can cost about $50 per person. However, if you wanted to pick and choose what you wanted to see, the 3 main areas you will want to visit are the State Rooms, the Royal Private Apartments, and the Crown Treasury. We personally chose the 1st and 3rd options along with the Castle Gardens. I am the type of person who is willing to drive hours for any type of garden, so obviously we were going to see the gardens as well (disappointed to be honest).
#9 - Krakow is a Very English-Friendly City
Another surprise we had while visiting Krakow is how English language-friendly they are. Everywhere we went, there were signs in Polish next to translations in English. This included cafes, restaurants, hotels, museums, and stores. Even the people would often first speak in Polish and then again in English so everyone could communicate. Of course, however, it is always respectful to try and use a few words in Polish, such as “Dziękuję,” which means “Thank you.”
#10 - There Are Geese Everywhere!
Lastly, this is kind of a strange one. When you travel to Krakow, you may notice a lot of people carrying stuffed animals that look like geese. This is a funky trend that started over the past few years, and a lot of tourists are going mad for this in the city. But here’s the funny thing - nobody knows why this is a thing. The locals are frazzled as to why this is a trend in Krakow, as it has no significance with the city or history of any kind. You will see it everywhere in the main parts of Krakow, especially at souvenir kiosks. Remember that in Poland, they have their own currency (Polish Zloty) and usually only accept cash at these kiosks. So, make sure you have some on hand before attempting to make a purchase. Nobody understands it - not even the people buying it - but it’s a coveted item in Krakow!
