Cost of Vacation in Poland 2020 See Highlights and Top Places

Cost of Vacation in Poland 2020 See Highlights and Top Places.

Cost of Vacation in Poland: A vacation in Poland will be just so amazing because you have a lot to enjoy. Poland is a large country in Eastern Europe that borders the Baltic Sea.

It is known for its beautiful country-side and brutal history which culminates during World War II.

It is a wonderful place to visit for its culture, history, castles, and museums but it also has some surprisingly nice landscapes and wonderful rural areas.

In the countryside, you’ll find organic farms, unspoiled landscapes, and quaint villages that offer a glimpse back in time. The two most visited cities in the country are Krakow and Warsaw.

While Krakow is perhaps the more interesting, Warsaw has a lovely old town, some great parks, and nice architecture that are well worth the trip.

Poland remains a more affordable travel destination than many European countries, but even so, prices have been on the rise in recent years.

If you’re hoping to keep your costs down it is best to travel outside of the peak season, find discount hotel rates, and cater your own meals whenever possible. Business hotels and mid-range hotels can be reasonably priced.

Hostels are abundant in Poland’s main cities if you’re the type of traveler that would enjoy the experience. Hotels are often more affordable on weekends when business travelers are less frequent. Business-oriented hotels are often much nicer than many of the other comparable options in the city.

Traditional food options are generally reasonably priced but can be touristy in the old town areas. If you eat outside of the old town, you’ll miss some of the country’s wonderful atmosphere, but save yourself a few dollars. It’s up to you to determine what your priorities are, and exactly what your budget allows.

Transportation in Poland is relatively easy to navigate, buses are often cheaper than trains, but trains are more enjoyable and comfortable.

Usually, your best bet is to travel by train between major cities and by bus if you’re visiting a smaller town that is less popular with travelers.

Highlights of Poland

• If you happen to be in Poland on a religious holiday, particularly Catholic holidays, it will be difficult to find open places. These holidays are strongly observed and most shopping areas, restaurants, and stores will be closed or at a minimum, have significantly reduced hours.
• Like elsewhere in Europe, you will find some good, discount airlines that fly into the country. If you’re short on time or happen to find a particularly good deal, this can be a great way to reach the country.
• There are many affordable ways to make your way into Poland. It is well connected by bus and train lines to nearby countries.
• Many of the towns throughout the country hold weekly, traditional markets. These are similar to farmers’ markets that you will find in other parts of the world. You can pick up all kinds of local produce, meats, or cheeses. They’re also a great place to get a feel for the town and its general atmosphere.
• Check out a milk bar which is a very cheap dining option. They were created by the communist regime as a way to get cheap food to the masses but today they have become more difficult to find. If you do manage to find one you’ll have a very unique experience that will let you interact with all types of people.

Popular Foods in Poland

Traditional Polish cuisine is hearty and filling. It often includes a meat dish, heavy sauces, and pickled vegetables. If you’re at a more modern Polish restaurant then you’ll likely find a more diverse selection of foods, but the general trend will remain the same.

In larger cities, you’ll find a greater diversity of options, and vegetarians will have little trouble finding something to their liking on a menu. In smaller towns, the selection is usually a little less, but vegetarian dishes are still available.

Pierogi: This is probably the most recognizable Polish dish, and also the most popular all over Eastern Europe. Pierogis are small, semicircular dumplings that are usually stuffed with a cheese or meat mixture.

They are first boiled and then fried in a butter and onion mixture. They are often served with sour cream and are an affordable food option for travelers who are hoping to keep costs down.

Bigos: Also known as Hunter’s Stew, Bigos is considered to be the national dish of Poland. It’s a traditional stew dish that is made with meats and vegetables which are combined with a pickled cabbage base. Every family has its own recipe for Bigos, so the dish can be as diverse as the country itself is.

Gulasz: This traditional goulash dish can be prepared as an affordable and hearty meal. It’s made with large pieces of meat that are prepared in a rich broth that often includes meat stock, seasoning, vegetables, and a splash of beer. Polish Goulash is generally less spicy than the more common versions found elsewhere in Eastern Europe.

Climate in Poland

Poland’s climate can be described as a temperate climate with relatively cold winters and warm summers, which is greatly influenced by oceanic air currents from the west, cold polar air from Scandinavia, and Russia, as well as warmer, sub-tropical air from the south.

Accommodation Cost

Twelve-bed hostel dorms can be found for as little as 25 PLN per night, while 4-6 bed dorms will cost closer to 45 PLN. Private rooms generally cost 100-150 PLN, although this price varies by city.

Free WiFi is pretty much standard, though only a few hostels include free breakfast. Most hostels will have a kitchen so you can cook your own food.

For those traveling with a tent, there are plenty of campgrounds all around the country. You can expect to pay 25-60 PLN per night for a basic plot.

Budget hotels range from 110-250 PLN for a room with either single or double occupancy. Airbnb is an option in the larger cities (though the selection is usually limited). For shared accommodation, you can expect prices to average around 95 PLN per night. An entire apartment will cost around 150 PLN per night.

Food Cost

While almost everything in Poland is incredibly affordable, eat with the locals at a milk bar (bar mleczny) for the best value. These restaurants were popular during communism as an affordable way to push nutrition on residents.

They serve up a cheap traditional fare in a cafeteria-style atmosphere for around 25 PLN per meal. In my opinion, they are the best place to get a good meal in the country.

If you’re looking for fast food, pizza calzones, or burgers, expect to pay under 20 PLN. A more mid-range meal in a sit-down restaurant with table service will cost about 60 PLN for a meal with a drink.

For a week’s worth of groceries, expect to pay 80-100 PLN for basic foodstuffs (i.e. chicken, pasta, rice, veggies, bread, etc).

Transportation Cost

Poland is serviced by an incredibly affordable (if not old) train system. A three-hour ride from Krakow to Warsaw will cost around 45 PLN, while a five-hour train from Warsaw to Gdansk can be found for as little as 65 PLN. For local buses, a single-fare ticket in the central zone will average 4 PLN.

Major cities offer one-day tickets for 20 PLN. In general, taxis start at around 6-8 PLN and are incredibly affordable to get around town quickly. However, expect to pay double during the night or during trips out to the suburbs.

Activity Cost

Sights and activities vary in price, but you can expect to pay 10-40 PLN for most sites and museums. Auschwitz is free to enter, but if you’re coming in a group, you’ll need to hire a guide (and will also have a much better experience).

For individual visitors, a guide costs around 30-40 PLN. Poland also has over 20 national parks, most of which cost under 10 PLN per person to visit.

Travel Cost

zł273 ($71) is the average daily price for traveling in Poland. The average price of meals in Poland for one day is zł61 ($16). The average price of a hotel in Poland for a couple is zł338 ($88).

Additional pricing is in the table below. These average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

Top Places to Visit in Poland:

1. Malbork

The medieval town of Malbork, perhaps better known by the German name of Marienburg, is most well-known for its castle, which was ordered built in the 13th century by the Knights of the Teutonic Order as their headquarters, Europe’s largest Gothic fortress is named after the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of the city and castle.

The castle is actually three castles, making it the world’s largest brick castle. It took 230 years to build the castle, a majority of which was destroyed during World War II. Much of the castle has been restored since then.

2. Torun

Torun, located on the Vistula River, is best known, perhaps, as the birthplace of Copernicus, but it’s just as well known for its old market place and Gothic town hall that the National Geographic Polska put on its list of the 30 most beautiful places in the world.

As Torun escaped bombing during World War II, the city still boasts numerous buildings that date back to the Middle Ages. Construction on the town hall started in the 13th century, with many churches, including the Cathedral of SS.

John the Evangelist and John the Baptist, dating back to the 14th century. This church is a must-see for travelers interested in Gothic paintings and sculptures, and Baroque altars.

3. Poznan

Student travelers wanting to meet their Polish peers might want to visit Poznan, long known as an academic center and home to Poland’s third-largest university.

The city hosts many international events, including the Malta International Theater Festival that takes place every summer.

Major sites are easily accessible by strolling the Royal-Imperial Route, a walk set up especially for tourists. Athletes may enjoy a visit to the artificial lake of Malta, home to a ski slope, ice rink, and swimming pools.

4. Gdansk

Also known as Danzig, Gdansk is the largest city in northern Poland and its main seaport since it lies on the Baltic Sea. Founded around the 10th century, it has a mixed political history;

at different times it belonged to Germany and Poland and was a free state before permanently becoming a part of Poland after World War II.

The city rebuilt itself after the war, restoring its Old Town, which is famous for the Royal Road that Polish kings traveled on when visiting this historical city. The city also is home to St. Mary church, the largest brick Church in the world.

5. Warsaw

The capital of Poland might aptly be compared to a Phoenix rising from the ashes. Founded around the 12th century, Warsaw was pretty much destroyed during World War II but has rebuilt itself into a thriving historical and cultural center, complete with a restored Old Town.

Once known as the “Paris of the North,” it also is famous as the home of classical composer Fryderyk Chopin. Travelers of all ages will enjoy a visit to the Copernicus Science Center where hands-on activities abound.

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CSN Team.