Useful Information for Visitors to Poland
💳 Payments
Poland uses its national currency, the Polish Złoty (PLN).
The vast majority of places accept card payments, but it’s always wise to have a small amount of cash for smaller shops or rural areas.
💸 Tipping
Service is usually included in the bill in restaurants and bars, but leaving a tip is customary.
If you are satisfied with the service, we recommend leaving around 10%.
🛍️ Shopping in Poland
Shops in Poland are generally open Monday to Saturday, and many are also open on trading Sundays (usually one or two per month).
Opening hours vary slightly depending on the type of shop:
- 🏪 Supermarkets: typically 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., sometimes until 10:00 p.m.
- 🛍️ Shopping centres: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- 🧁 Small local shops or bakeries: often open earlier and close later
On non-trading Sundays, only certain places remain open (such as restaurants, gas stations, bakeries, or small owner-operated stores).
🗣️ Useful Polish Phrases
| 🇬🇧 English | 🇵🇱 Polish |
|---|---|
| Hello | Dzień dobry |
| Good evening | Dobry wieczór |
| Good night | Dobranoc |
| Thank you | Dziękuję |
| How much is it? | Ile to kosztuje? |
| Beer | Piwo |
| Would you like to go for a beer? | Chcesz iść na piwo? |
| One | Jeden |
| Two | Dwa |
| Three | Trzy |
| Ten | Dziesięć |
| Do you speak English? | Czy mówisz po angielsku? |
| I don’t speak Polish | Nie mówię po polsku |
🚨 Emergency Numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| European Emergency Number | 112 |
| Police | 997 |
| Fire and Rescue Service | 998 |
| Emergency Medical Service | 999 |
💡 You can also call 112 for any emergency — operators can assist you in English and Polish.
🛡️ Safety
Like most Polish cities, Gdańsk is very safe.
The risk of violent crime is low, but be cautious about scams and pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas such as the Old Town.