Travel tips · Kraków · Poland
Kraków travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andrzej Otrębski, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Kraków was Poland's royal capital until the late 16th century and remains its cultural and academic heart, home to the Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364. The city is strongly Catholic and closely associated with Pope John Paul II, who was archbishop here. Jewish heritage in Kazimierz and the memory of the Holocaust are central to understanding the city.
Key facts
- Language
- Polish
- Currency
- PLN
- Plugs
- Type C and E sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is treated and safe to drink, though many locals prefer bottled or…
- Emergency
- 112 (European emergency number)
Things to know
- Greet with 'Dzień dobry' when entering shops and small restaurants.
- Be respectful at Holocaust memorial sites and in synagogues; follow dress and photography rules.
- Dress modestly in churches and avoid walking around during Mass.
- Drinking alcohol in public streets and parks is prohibited and can result in a fine.
- Cross at pedestrian crossings and wait for the green signal; police do fine jaywalkers.
- Saying 'dziękuję' as you hand over money can be taken to mean 'keep the change'.
- Book Wawel Castle ahead: Each exhibition has its own timed ticket and daily limits; buy online or early in the day, especially in summer.
- Book Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory ahead: Timed tickets sell out, especially from spring to autumn; book online several days ahead.
- Book Rynek Underground ahead: Entry is by timed ticket in limited numbers; reserve online at busy times.
- Eat lunch at milk bars, where soups and pierogi cost a fraction of restaurant prices.
Tipping
About 10% is usual in sit-down restaurants for good service; check whether a service charge has already been added. Rounding up in cafés and taxis is common.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dzień dobry | Good day / hello |
| Dziękuję | Thank you |
| Proszę | Please / here you are |
| Przepraszam | Excuse me / sorry |
| Na zdrowie | Cheers |
| Smacznego | Enjoy your meal |
| Do widzenia | Goodbye |
What to wear
Casual clothing is fine; bring warm layers and waterproof shoes in winter. Cover shoulders and knees for churches and memorial sites.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and E sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is treated and safe to drink, though many locals prefer bottled or filtered water.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Phone and internet
- Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, hotels and parts of the Old Town; EU roaming applies to European SIMs, and local prepaid SIMs and eSIMs are inexpensive.
- Time zone
- Europe/Warsaw
Kraków is generally safe, but pickpockets work the Main Square, trams and the station area. Use ride-hailing apps or official taxis rather than unmarked cars, and ignore street promoters for bars and clubs. On still winter days, air quality can be poor; check local smog alerts if you have respiratory conditions.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Poland's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Kraków?
About 10% is usual in sit-down restaurants for good service; check whether a service charge has already been added. Rounding up in cafés and taxis is common.
+Can you drink the tap water in Kraków?
Tap water is treated and safe to drink, though many locals prefer bottled or filtered water.
+What plugs are used in Kraków?
Type C and E sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Kraków?
Polish.