MONEY
Currency
zloty (zł, PLN) 1 zł = 100 groszy (gr)
- coin: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 gr – 1, 2, 5 zł
- banknote: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 zł
Currency Exchange:
- banks
- exchange offices – are called “kantor” or “Exchange” and are usually located in city centers, at the railway stations, airports, and in some hotels, they offer better exchange rates in comparison with banks
The current exchange rate according to NBP (National Bank of Poland)
ATM
They are popular and generally available except very small towns and villages, usually opened 24 hours a day.
Bank cards
They are popular means of payment and accepted are both types: embossed card (Visa, Mastercard) and electronic (Visa Electron, Maestro). You can use them in supermarkets, petrol stations (all), restaurants, hotels and many stores, in large cities also taxis. But it is not yet the rule and you should always be prepared to use cash for payments.
SHOPPING
Shops
In every big city there are stores and supermarkets of the well known international chains, like Tesco, Auchan, Carrefour, Lidl, E.Leclerc, Intermarché, Kaufland. There are also many nice, well arranged shopping centers. Since 2019 trade on Sundays is allowed only on the last Sunday of the chosen month but for COVID 19 crisis this restriction can be deleted soon
Silesia City Center, Katowice (a former coal mine site)
Shoppping is also possible in smaller stores and shops (normally opened to 17.00 or 18.00), but with no guarantee of payment by credit card, what’s more – prices may be higher. For less wealthy people popular shopping places are bazaars (called “targ”, “targowisko”). Some look there for freshier fruits and vegetables. Late evening or at night shopping can be done at gas stations, which are opened 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
Market
Prohibitions: Shops do not sell alcohol and cigarettes to persons less than 18 years old.
OTHER INFORMATION
Language abilities: weak. Generations 40 + rarely speak foreign languages (mostly English, in Upper Silesia area – also German). Younger people, students, should know other languages, because foreign language education began in 1990 in schools from primary level, but the practice is sometimes not satysfaying. It concerns unfortunately customer service points (transport, offices). In big cities and tourist centers foreign languages are used by waiters.
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS AND LINKS
Phones
Emergency calls (fixed line):
- 112: emergency
- 999: emergency medical rescue
- 998: fire department
- 997: police
- 981: roadside assistance
- 986: municipal police
Emergency phone numbers (mobile phones): area code + the emergency phone; example for Warsaw: (22) 999
Useful links:
- the distance between cities
- exchange rate
- map of roads (green colour indicates roads in use); red and orange – roads in construction)
- PKP (train) timetable
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foto: Wikimedia Commons, Renata Głuszek, ander