How to Travel Around Poland on a Budget

Poland is a fascinating country with a rich culture and eventful history. These days it is a thriving European destination full of every stylish and modern convenience. At the same time it retains its hold on a noble yet sometimes tragic past. It is definitely worth a visit. Follow these steps to learn how to travel around Poland on a budget.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet connection

1. Shop around for airfare. Take a look at the online travel agencies then call the airlines directly to see if they can beat the price. Be flexible with your travel dates. It could save you hundreds of dollars by flying mid week. LOT, the Polish national airline, often has the best rates to Poland. Also try British Airways and Lufthansa. No U.S.-based airlines fly directly to Poland.

2. Use mass transit to get around. Poland has excellent train, tram and bus service. In Warsaw and other major cities you can buy a transit pass for a day, week or month. You can get from the airport to just about anywhere in town. Between cities buy train tickets. Second class is reasonably priced and quite comfortable.

3. Book your hotels on the Internet. There are many inexpensive hotels and beds and breakfast with web sites. They offer some great deals for foreign tourists. Just do a search for hotels in the cities you will visit. Most of these hotels will have English speaking staff to help you.

4. Eat at milk bars. In Polish they are called "Bar Mleczny." They don't just serve milk. These restaurants serve traditional Polish delicacies including pierogi, kielbasa and potato pancakes. The food is filling, delicious and cheap. Every town has several milk bars.

5. Take in the free sights. Just being in Poland is a cultural experience. Walk through Warsaw's Old Town, Krakow's town square or Gdansk's waterfront. Admission to the Auschwitz concentration camp grounds is also free. Save your money for "must see" sights like the Warsaw Uprising Museum, the Wieliczka Salt Mines and Our Lady of Czestochowa.

6. Take pictures for souvenirs. They preserve the best memories and they are cheap to take. If you start buying things you will be broke fast. Everyday things like a Polish beer can or Polish candy wrapper also make cool souvenirs. If you must buy something try amber or crystal. Poland is famous for both.

[sarie1320]

on 10/10/2008 Good article but you forgot one thing...enjoy the people. They are humble people who welcome culture. Thanks for the article :)