- Kraków is the classic first visit, with Wieliczka and Auschwitz-Birkenau as day trips
- Flights run from most UK airports and take around 2h-2h30
- Poland uses the złoty, and eating out is still good value
- Fast trains link Kraków, Warsaw, Gdańsk and Wrocław
- Airports
- Warsaw Chopin (WAW), Kraków (KRK), Gdańsk (GDN), Wrocław (WRO), Katowice (KTW)
- Flight time
- about 2h20 from London to Kraków or Warsaw
- Best time to go
- May-September; late November-December for Christmas markets
- Currency
- Polish złoty (PLN)
Poland has become one of the best-value city break destinations in Europe, and it deserves longer than a weekend. Its old towns were rebuilt with extraordinary care after the Second World War, its food is hearty and cheap, and the history, from medieval royal capitals to the sites of the Holocaust, is told with honesty. Add Baltic beaches, lakes and the Tatra Mountains, and there is far more here than most visitors expect.
This Europe guide covers where to go, the best time to visit, flights from the UK, getting around by train and what things cost in 2026.
Where to go in Poland
Kraków
Kraków escaped major wartime destruction and is the obvious first stop. Its Main Market Square is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe, Wawel Castle overlooks the Vistula, and the former Jewish quarter of Kazimierz is full of cafés and bars. Two essential day trips leave from here: the underground chapels of the Wieliczka Salt Mine, and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, about 90 minutes away, where entry is by timed pass that should be booked well ahead.
Warsaw
The capital's Old Town was almost entirely destroyed in 1944 and rebuilt from paintings and photographs; it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Warsaw Rising Museum and POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews are outstanding, and Łazienki Park hosts free Chopin concerts on summer Sundays.
Gdańsk and the Baltic coast
Gdańsk's Long Market is lined with tall, colourful merchants' houses, and the European Solidarity Centre tells the story of the movement that began in its shipyards. Nearby Sopot has a long wooden pier and sandy beaches, and Malbork, an hour away, has a vast red-brick castle of the Teutonic Knights.
Zakopane and the Tatras
Poland's mountain resort sits at the foot of the Tatras, around two to three hours from Kraków. Summer brings hiking to lakes such as Morskie Oko, and winter brings inexpensive skiing.
Wrocław
A lively university city of islands and bridges with a beautiful market square, and hundreds of small bronze dwarf statues hidden around the streets for visitors to find.
Best time to visit Poland
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (April-May) | Fresh and green, mild days around 15-20 °C, fewer crowds |
| Summer (June-August) | Warm, often mid-20s °C, busiest in Kraków and on the coast |
| Autumn (September-October) | Golden colours in the mountains, crisp and good value |
| Winter (November-March) | Cold, often below freezing; Christmas markets and skiing in Zakopane |
Getting to Poland from the UK
Poland is one of the best-connected countries from regional UK airports. Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Jet2, British Airways and LOT between them fly direct to Kraków, Warsaw, Gdańsk, Wrocław, Katowice and other cities from London and many regional airports. Flights take around 2h20 from London to Kraków or Warsaw and about 2h to Gdańsk. Fares can be very low outside school holidays.
Entry requirements
Poland is in the Schengen area. British passport holders can usually visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your passport should have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least three months after you leave. The EU's Entry/Exit System records fingerprints and a photo at the border. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Getting around
Trains are the best way to travel between cities. PKP Intercity's fastest services take about 2h20 from Kraków to Warsaw and around 3h from Warsaw to Gdańsk; book online for the best fares and reserved seats. Buses and minibuses serve the mountains and smaller towns. In cities, trams are cheap and frequent, and ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Bolt are inexpensive. Driving is easy on the motorways but slower on rural roads.
Money and costs
Poland uses the Polish złoty (PLN), not the euro. Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere, but carry a little cash for markets and small cafés. Use cash machines attached to banks, and always choose to be charged in złoty rather than pounds. Poland remains good value: a hearty lunch of pierogi or soup often costs under £10, and you can have a comfortable mid-range trip for around PLN 400-600 (roughly £80-120) per person per day including accommodation. Tip around 10% in restaurants for good service.
Top attractions in Poland
Poland on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Kraków or Warsaw better for a city break?
Kraków is the prettier and more historic of the two and better for a first visit. Warsaw is more modern, with excellent museums and a growing food scene. A fast train links them in about two and a half hours.
Do I need to book Auschwitz in advance?
Yes. Entry to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is by timed pass, and in the busiest months visitors arriving in the middle of the day are required to join a guided tour. Book on the official website as early as you can.
Is Poland cheap to visit?
Generally yes. Food, drink and transport cost noticeably less than in the UK, though Kraków hotel prices rise sharply in summer and at weekends.
Does Poland use the euro?
No. The currency is the złoty (PLN). Some tourist businesses quote prices in euros, but you'll almost always get a better deal paying in złoty.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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