Poland anyone? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

rachael9 · 10-12-2006, 08:31 AM

Hey guys!

I just found out about an opportunity to go to Poland during my spring break. I'm kinda poor right now but I'm really interested in going. Is it worth working real hard to save up to only spend a week there? Let me know your thoughts and cool things to see. (Also, what's the food and prices like?)

THANKS!

**beergal** · 10-12-2006, 12:35 PM

Poland is amazingly cheap. I struggled to spend £100 there in a week and i bought a new pair of trainers. Im sure you will have an excellent time

chelseafc05 · 10-12-2006, 04:54 PM

^yeah i agree poland is cool
food is cheap.. electronics and shit are cheap if ya wanna buy somethin electronicky theres lots of cool things to see in poland just depends wat ya in to?

**tumblezweedz** · 10-12-2006, 11:54 PM

Poland is a fantastic country, there's a ton to see and do, but it's pretty big and it takes a while to get around by train, so if you only have a week, you're probably best to pick one or two places to explore and give yourself a little time to check it out. Warsaw is not my favourite, though many people love it.

Personally, if I had a week, I would choose to spend it in Krakow and make day trips to Auschwitz and the salt mines. If you really wanted to see two different places, my choice would be Krakow for four days and three in Gdansk on the Baltic coast. The cities offer two different views of Poland, both rich and deep in history, art and fascination.

It might cost a bomb to get there, but once there it's possible to live pretty cheap.

In Krakow, we stayed at Nathan's Villa Hostel, which I found very good. I can't remember the name of the hostel I stayed in in Gdansk.

**DC_Jessica** · 10-17-2006, 11:26 AM

Poland is super cool! Do it. I agree with tumblezweedz - Krakow is a must do. With the side trips, of course. I only spent about three days there (maybe not even full days) and it was soooooo fantastic. Jagellonian University is a biggun, also the Dragon Cave. The Mariacki Tower is neat historically and kinda funny if you think about it.

Word of Caution:
WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT eat Italian food. It's like they put watery ketchup on chewy noodles. This vegetarian almost turned to sausage in a time of great need! I think I subsisted on crackers and beer. Oh, and if you're sick of beer, just get a soda. Don't try to order a cocktail. EVER. You will only get laughed at. Granted, my foible took place in a weathered, dingy local pub, so I should have known better.

Viva zloty!

**expatben** · 10-21-2006, 02:02 AM

Yeah Poland is OK. I like Wroclaw (pronounced Vrotswav). Stuffed cabbage is very good but a word to the wise stay away from Flaki!

**mowark** · 10-21-2006, 02:59 AM

I was just in Poland last week and it rocks. I didn't find it too cheap, but it is definitely far more affordable than Western Europe. Plan on at least 50 us/day if you want to go out and see the nightlife. The Polish are fun. Krakow is amazing. I would recommend Mama's Hostel for sure. Definitely worth saving for.

danny · 11-01-2006, 12:57 PM

I am in Poland right now and all i have to say is wow. An amazing place the backpackers you meet travelling through here are also very cool people.

You will really love this place as i think it is amazing

**bluepea** · 11-01-2006, 01:23 PM

The larger touristy cities are becoming more expensive, but still cheaper than Western Europe. I did love Krakow and want to return - my husband's family is from there, so it was really neat for him to visit. There's a lot to see and experience. I highly recommend a day trip to Auschwitz, which can be done very cheaply (I avoided the taxi's offering to take you for around 50 zl one way - the bus was like 7. We also didn't do a tour -- most everything has explanations and entrance to the camp is free).

If you like mountains, you may want to spend a few days in Zakopane.

danny · 11-13-2006, 08:49 AM

If you go to Zakopane don't stay at i think it was called Millas hostel it is run by a crazy old woman who likes younger men and i am not the only Australian guy to tell her to fuck off from what i gather there has been a few.

ekc11 · 12-07-2006, 04:40 AM

YES! Go to Poland! I'm living in Wroclaw now and LOVE it!! It's pretty cheap if you are coming here with US$ or GBP. 1US$=about 3 Polish zloty and 1GBP=about 6 Polish zloty. I have found that you can eat a good meal, with a beer or glass of wine for about $10US (30 zl)... and there are definitely cheaper (and more expensive) options. A beer at a pub/club ranges from about 3zl-6zl. I am vegetarian and have never had a bad experience with Polish food (it's delicious!!). I probably spend about $20US a week on groceries from the grocery store... Taking the bus/tram around the city here is about 2zl one way. Anyways, i really like Poland and Polish people and of course, making US$ and living here works out very nicely :D But, I'd also agree that if you're only here for a short time, pick 1 or 2 places as trains do take forever here!

FYI: For any vegetarians going to Wroclaw - in the city center there is an AWESOME vegetarian/vegan restaurant (1 level is vegan, 1 veggie) called VEGA, it is SUPER cheap and delicious!