Travel tips · Warsaw · Poland
Warsaw 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: Emptywords, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
About 85% of Warsaw was destroyed during the Second World War, and the memory of the 1944 Uprising and the Ghetto Uprising of 1943 shapes the city's identity: plaques marking execution sites line many streets. Varsovians are proud of the rebuilding and of Chopin, who grew up here. The city is now Poland's business capital, with a young, international and increasingly English-speaking population.
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 people prefer filtered or…
- Emergency
- 112 (European emergency number)
Things to know
- Say 'Dzień dobry' when you enter shops, cafés and lifts.
- On 1 August at 5pm, sirens sound and the city stops for a minute to remember the Uprising; stand still with everyone else.
- Drinking alcohol in public places is prohibited and can lead to a fine.
- Wait for the green signal before crossing; jaywalking is fined.
- Offer your seat on public transport to older people, pregnant women and parents with small children.
- Be respectful at memorials and plaques, many of which mark places where people were killed.
- Book Copernicus Science Centre ahead: Timed tickets sell out at weekends and during school holidays; book online in advance.
- Book Fryderyk Chopin Museum ahead: Visitor numbers are limited per time slot; book ahead, especially at weekends.
- Several major museums have one free-admission day a week for their permanent exhibitions; check each museum's site before planning.
Tipping
About 10% in sit-down restaurants is usual for good service. Saying 'dziękuję' when you hand over payment may be understood as 'keep the change'.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dzień dobry | Good day / hello |
| Dobry wieczór | Good evening |
| Dziękuję | Thank you |
| Proszę | Please / here you are |
| Ile kosztuje? | How much does it cost? |
| Na zdrowie | Cheers |
| Do widzenia | Goodbye |
What to wear
Casual clothing is fine. Bring warm layers, a hat and waterproof footwear from November to March, and cover shoulders and knees in churches.
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 people prefer filtered or bottled water.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Phone and internet
- Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, food halls and hotels; EU roaming applies to European SIMs, and prepaid SIMs and eSIMs are inexpensive.
- Time zone
- Europe/Warsaw
Warsaw is generally safe for visitors. Pickpockets operate on crowded trams and around Warszawa Centralna station, and some nightclubs targeted by street promoters overcharge foreigners. Use ride-hailing apps or official taxis at night.
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 Warsaw?
About 10% in sit-down restaurants is usual for good service. Saying 'dziękuję' when you hand over payment may be understood as 'keep the change'.
+Can you drink the tap water in Warsaw?
Tap water is treated and safe to drink, though many people prefer filtered or bottled water.
+What plugs are used in Warsaw?
Type C and E sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Warsaw?
Polish.