Krakow Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Krakow, Malopolskie, Poland)

Today, life in Krakow is almost unrecognisable to the life just a few decades ago and the city is enjoying a thriving tourism trade. Visitors should look out for the free magazines - 'The Visitors - Krakow and Zakoplane', and also 'Welcome to Craków', both of which can be picked up at tourist offices and also at a number of local travel agencies, and provide an overview of the city and its main sights.

Other find that also purchasing the inexpensive booklet 'Krakow in your Pocket' from tourist offices proves invaluable during your stay and becomes a handy source of much practical information. These offices are good places to purchase a Krakow Card, which provides free travel on all public transport and also free entry to many attractions, although the savings will really only be worthwhile if you intend to sightsee all day long.

Useful Contact Details

Tourism is truly booming in Krakow, with the city actively promoting itself as one of the 'European Cities of Culture'. Tourist information comes in the form of offices operated by the Krakow 2000 Festival Bureau, which was formed in 1997 and provides a range of leaflets and free city maps.

Krakow 2000 (City Tourist Information Centre and Festival Bureau)
Address: Ulica Sw. Krzyza, Krakow, PL-31028, Poland, PL
Tel: +48 012 421 8693
Fax: +48 012 421 1381
Website: www.krakow2000.pl/pk2001/en/index.html
Email: biuro@krakow2000.pl
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 18:00

Krakow 2000 (Culture Information Centre - CIK)
Address: Ulica Sw. Jana 2, Krakow, PL-31018, Poland, PL
Tel: +48 012 421 7787
Fax: +48 012 421 7731
Website: www.karnet.krakow2000.pl
Email: karnet@krakow2000.pl
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 18:00

Language and Dialect

The official language of Krakow and throughout Poland is of course Polish, although a small number of Poles do also speak a level of English, especially the younger generation who are a part of the city's business and tourist industry.

Polish is termed a West Slavic language and many basic phrases are generally quite to pick up and make your stay in Krakow all the more enjoyable. Some useful Polish phrases include:

• Where can I find a hotel? - Gdzie moge znalezc hotel?
• Do you have any rooms available? - Czy sa wolne pokoje?
• What is the address? - Jaki jest adres?
• Hello - Dzien dobry
• Goodbye - Do widzenia
• Yes / No - Tak / Nie
• I would like to hire a car - Chce wypozyczyc htse vi-po-zhi-chich samochód
• Do you have a menu for children? - Czy sa jakies dania dla dzieci?

Dos and Don'ts / Tourist Traps

• Accommodation - when arriving at the train station, you may be approached by locals offering to find you cheap accommodation. Always firmly say no and quickly move on, since it will not be what you are led to believe
• Currency Exchange - if obtaining large quantities of Polish Zloty, check that you have received the correct amount by counting it carefully before you leave
• Drinking Wine - if you order a glass of wine, be aware that it is likely to be served in a much smaller glass than your would expect, often just 100 ml, almost half the size than a UK measure of 175 ml
• Photography - many attractions in Krakow do not permit videoing or photography, where if you continue to offend you may be asked to leave
• Pickpockets - Krakow is generally an extremely safe place to holiday, although taking precautions to safeguard your belongings is always sensible. Consider wearing a money belt and be extra vigilant in large crowds, such as those at Balice Airport as you arrive and depart
• Taxis - always use reputable taxis in Krakow, which can be contacted by telephone and display their phone numbers and company name on their actual signs
• Using Public Toilets - you will need to pay to use the majority of public toilets in Krakow, often having to hand your money to an official toilet attendant. Therefore consider using those toilets inside local bars or eateries, which are always free, although sometimes restricted to customers only. Female toilets are usually denoted by a circle, while men's feature a triangle