Useful Information

Poland is one of the safest countries in Europe for tourists, and Kraków is a city where you can walk safely through the city centre, even in the evening. As in any large city, it is worth keeping an eye on your belongings in crowded places and using official services and transport. The most common risks include theft, excessive alcohol consumption, carelessness and situations related to nightlife.

In Kraków, many people speak English, so communication is usually not a problem.

Emergency Numbers

  • 112 – Emergency telephone number. Call this number in any situation where life or health is at risk, if you are unsure which emergency service to call.
  • 999 – Emergency Ambulance Service. The best choice for medical emergencies and life-threatening situations. Connects you directly to a medical dispatcher.
  • 998 – Fire Service. Select this option in the event of fires, road accidents, being trapped in a building or other local hazards (e.g. fallen trees).
  • 997 – Police. Use in situations requiring such intervention, such as: disturbances of the public order

Embassies and Consulates

If you lose your passport, have your travel documents stolen, or need consular assistance during your stay in Poland, contact your country’s embassy or consulate.

 

Kraków is home to several consulates general and honorary consulates, representing countries such as the United States, Germany, France, Austria, Ukraine, Hungary and Italy.

Please note that honorary consulates offer a more limited range of services than embassies or consulates general. Contact the relevant office before visiting to confirm its services, opening hours and whether an appointment is required.

For an up-to-date official list of diplomatic missions and consular offices in Poland, visit the website: https://www.gov.pl/web/dyplomacja/misje-dyplomatyczne-urzedy-konsularne-i-organizacje-miedzynarodowe-w-polsce

Public Transport

There are two types of tickets available in Kraków: paper and electronic. Tickets are available for various zones. We recommend choosing ‘Zone I’ if you only plan to travel within Kraków. It is generally easier to buy a ticket by card than with cash. Many ticket machines accept card payments only, so it is a good idea to have a payment card or a phone with contactless payment available.

Paper tickets:

  • These can be purchased from ticket machines (which are located at some stops and on almost every bus and tram) or at a ticket office.
  • Paper tickets must be validated at a ticket machine upon boarding the vehicle!

Electronic tickets:

  • These can be purchased via the app (https://jakdojade.pl/krakow)
  • Electronic tickets must be validated via the app through which they were purchased when boarding the vehicle.

Types of tickets: https://mpk.krakow.pl/en/kmk-tickets

Timetables and route planning: 

Plug sockets in Poland

Poland uses Type C and Type E electrical sockets. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz.

  • Type C – two round pins.
  • Type E – two round holes and a grounding pin.
  • Adapter: Visitors from most European countries usually do not need one. Travellers from countries such as the UK, the USA, or Switzerland may need a plug adapter.

Hospitals

Hospitals closest to ICE Kraków and Park Inn that have an Emergency Department or provide Night and Holiday Healthcare Services:

Hospital with an Emergency Department – For urgent medical assistance and life-threatening emergencies.

5 Wojskowy Szpital Kliniczny z Polikliniką SP ZOZ w Krakowie
(eng: 5th Military Clinical Hospital with Polyclinic in Kraków – Emergency Department)
Address: 1-3 Wrocławska Street, 30-901 Kraków, Poland
Tel.: +48 12 630 81 39
Opening hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Szpital Uniwersytecki w Krakowie
(eng: University Hospital in Kraków – Emergency Department)

Address: 2 Macieja Jakubowskiego Street, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
Tel.: +48 12 400 17 50 (Emergency Department registration)
Opening hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Night and Holiday Healthcare Services:
These medical facilities provide Night and Holiday Healthcare Services, which are intended for sudden illnesses that are not immediately life-threatening, such as a high fever, severe abdominal pain, or an infection:

Szpital Zakonu Bonifratrów w Krakowie
(eng. Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God Hospital)
Address: 11 Trynitarska Street, Kraków
Tel.: +48 12 379 71 00

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 6:00 PM – 8:00 AM the following day.
Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: 8:00 AM – 8:00 AM the following day.

Szpital św. Rafała w Krakowie
(eng: St. Raphael’s Hospital in Kraków)

Address: 12 Adama Bochenka Street, Kraków, Poland
Tel.: +48 12 385 58 05

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 6:00 PM – 8:00 AM the following day.
Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: 24 hours a day.

Insurance

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles people insured in another EU/EEA country or the United Kingdom to receive medically necessary healthcare during a temporary stay in Poland, under the same rules and at the same cost as people covered by Poland’s public healthcare system.

The EHIC is free of charge, but it does not guarantee that all medical services will be free. It does not cover treatment at private healthcare facilities outside the public system or planned medical treatment.

Visitors insured in their home country should apply for an EHIC in their country of insurance before travelling to Poland.

Further information:
https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/moving-working-europe/eu-social-security-coordination/european-health-insurance-card/how-use-card/poland-european-health-insurance-card_en

Information on the EHIC and how to apply:
https://www.nfz.gov.pl/dla-pacjenta/medical-treatment-abroad/

It is advisable to consider purchasing additional private travel medical insurance for your stay in Poland, even if you have an EHIC, as the card provides limited coverage and does not cover all medical expenses. Private insurance is particularly important for visitors who are not eligible for an EHIC, as it can provide financial protection in the event of a sudden illness or an accident.

Currency and Payment Methods in Poland

The official currency in Poland is the Polish złoty (PLN)

Payment cards and mobile payments are widely accepted.

It is worth having a small amount of cash, for example for small purchases or some vending machines.

Examples of Prices in Kraków (2026)

Here are some typical prices in Kraków to help you plan your budget and avoid overpaying. Prices may be higher in the Main Market Square and other busy tourist areas.

 

Product or service Approximate price
Kraków-style pretzel (obwarzanek) PLN 3.5-5
Meal at a milk bar (bar mleczny) PLN 15-30
Polish street food (zapiekanka) PLN 20-35
Coffee in a café PLN 12-25
Beer in a pub (500 ml) PLN 15-25
24-hour public transport ticket PLN 20
Single public transport ticket (30 min) PLN 6
Bottle of water (500 ml) PLN 2-4
Main course in an inexpensive restaurant PLN 35-55
Ice cream (one scoop) PLN 6-9
Short taxi or ride-hailing trip around the city PLN 18-30

Weather in December

December in Kraków is usually cold, with average daytime temperatures of around 2–4°C (36–39°F). At night, temperatures often drop to around 0°C (32°F) or below. Rain, snow, and sleet are all possible, and the days are short, with sunset at around 4:00 PM.

What to bring: A warm winter jacket, a scarf, gloves, and comfortable, preferably waterproof shoes.

Snow is not guaranteed, so it is best to check the weather forecast a few days before your arrival.

Museum Reservations

Advance booking is strongly recommended, as tickets may sell out well in advance during the peri-Christmas holiday period!

To check opening hours, ticket prices and availability, and to book tickets online, visit the official website of the museum you wish to visit. Whenever possible, purchase tickets directly from the museum’s official website to avoid additional booking fees from third-party providers.

Examples of official websites:

Christmas Market in Kraków

The Christmas Market on the Main Market Square in Kraków will take place from 27 November 2026 to 1 January 2027. Visitors can enjoy festive stalls offering regional specialities, traditional crafts, and live performances. The market is free to enter and is highly recommended for anyone wishing to experience Kraków’s magical Christmas atmosphere.

During this period, expect larger crowds and increased tourist traffic around the Main Market Square and the surrounding streets of the Old Town, especially in the afternoons and at weekends.

Night-Time Alcohol Sales Restrictions

In Kraków, the sale of alcohol in shops and at petrol stations is prohibited between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM. This restriction does not apply to alcohol served in bars, pubs, or restaurants.

Sunday Shopping Restrictions

Shop are not open every Sunday. In Poland, there are restrictions on Sunday trading. In December, shops are open on selected Sundays: 6 December 2026, 13 December 2026 and 20 December 2026

Tipping in Poland

Tipping in Poland is not mandatory, but it is appreciated when the service is good. In restaurants, a tip of around 10% is common, although there is no fixed standard. It is worth checking the bill to see whether a service charge has already been included.

Useful Links