Poland is a unique country packed to the brim with history. In recent years, some of Poland’s cities have become known as hot spots with thriving nightlife, too. Your trip to Poland is sure to be fascinating, and don’t forget to experience the culture by interacting with the locals!
We’ve put together this comprehensive packing list to make preparing for your trip much easier. We have detailed sections on what to wear in Poland, what NOT to bring, and answers to the most common Poland FAQs.
If you’re visiting from another country, chances are you’ll need a Poland power adapter in order to plug in your electronics during your trip. This universal adapter is awesome because it works in over 100 countries, so you’ll be able to use it again and again! It even comes with a lifetime replacement guarantee so you can trust the quality.
The last thing you want to happen during your trip to Poland is for your phone or camera to run out of battery when you’re relying on it for communication, photos, navigation, and more. Toss this lipstick-size portable charger in your daypack and charge your devices on-the-go!
According to the International Trade Administration, Poland has been named the most attacked country in the world due to its growing number of malicious cyberattacks, rising to more than 1,000 attempts per week. You’ll be glad you have a VPN when traveling in Poland to prevent any creepy eyes from monitoring your online activity (or in my case, stealing your banking information. Or hacking something worse, your identity!)
It’s hard to encompass the immense value, but a VPN is a useful travel tool for many reasons. It’ll help keep your personal information safe and secure when you connect to Wi-Fi in public places, get you around paywalls on popular news sites, block unwanted pop-up ads, mitigate any regional price-targeting that makes things cost more (since you can access 6K+ servers in 100+ countries), AND allow you access to content from your home country that may be blocked or censored in Poland.
A neck wallet is a great travel item to bring with you on any vacation. You can use it to hold your smartphone, credit cards, cash, passport, and more. You’ll stay completely organized and your valuables will stay safely tucked away beneath your clothing.
If you’re visiting from far away, you’ll be glad you brought homeopathic jet lag relief pills with you. These will help prevent and treat your jet lag symptoms, keeping you on your feet and able to enjoy the first days of your Poland vacation!
You’ll definitely want to have some peace of mind before traveling to Poland, so be sure to check out the affordable and comprehensive travel insurance plans. It will cover you in case of emergencies like lost luggage, flight cancellations, delays, trip cancellations, and medical emergencies that could get expensive if you’re paying out of pocket. My friend learned this when she had to be airlifted from the mountains of Iceland after a hiking incident. Luckily, she was smart enough to obtain travel insurance, so she didn’t pay the $40K+ in hospital bills and medivac helicopter transit costs.
Faye is the best provider we’ve found because they make claims a breeze through their mobile app and modernized approach to insurance. We were wired the funds quickly without the hassle of paperwork, and their 24/7 support is invaluable. We’ll never use another travel insurance company again!
Packing cubes are a packing list item that great travelers bring with them on every trip. They’ll help keep you organized and will stop you from overpacking, which makes for an overall easier and smoother trip! We can’t recommend them more.
Poland is full of fascinating cities and towns to discover, and you’ll want a stylish, comfortable pair of flats to explore them in. Poles tend to dress up a bit while out in public, so a chic pair of shoes like these will help you to blend in well with the locals.
It’s often customary to remove your shoes before entering Polish homes, Airbnbs, or guesthouses (locals may even offer you house slippers!) I definitely recommend bringing these water-resistant shoe bags to stash your shoes away whenever you need and mainly to protect your clean suitcase items from dirt. Between the cobblestones, snowy winters, or muddy countryside trails – there’s plenty of muck that you’ll want to keep out of your bags. These are perfect since they confine the mess and you can shake out the dirt later.
Getting acclimated to the cold can be a journey. Since Poland can reach below-zero temperatures, especially in January and February, you’ll want these hand and foot warmers to create internal insulation. These little gems can be added to your gloves, socks, or jacket pockets to give you a burst of heat when you need it most. They are easily activated by shaking them (and stay warm for nearly 10 hours!)
A windproof travel umbrella will certainly come in handy during your trip to Poland. You won’t want to get stuck in the rain without one! This umbrella is awesome because it packs down small to easily be tossed in your daypack.
Avid travelers are familiar with using physical SIM cards to maintain mobile data while abroad, but this is a thing of the past. Physical SIMs are expensive, fragile, and can easily get lost or stolen. You also would have to get a new SIM card for every country you visit, which can leave you vulnerable to hackers.
Make the switch to eSIM, a digital service that can be easily activated before your trip for a low cost. You only pay for the amount of data you need and Saily is a revolutionary brand that covers you in 200+ destinations to avoid interruptions in your data. We are in love with this convenient service and will never go back to outrageous roaming rates, international fees, or physical SIMs.
Take advantage of code ‘ASHER5’ for a 5% off discount, automatically applied at checkout.
It’s best to stick to bottled or filtered water while in Poland, so save yourself some money and protect the environment by packing a handy reusable water bottle that comes with a built-in filter. This will keep you hydrated and give you better-tasting water, without all the unnecessary and expensive plastic waste.
If you’re in Poland with an upset stomach caused by something you ate or drank, you’ll be glad you brought these activated charcoal tablets! Take them at the first sign of illness, and they’ll quickly expel the toxins in your system.
We never travel without a quick-dry towel. This one is 10x more absorbent than cotton so you can use it many times throughout the day. It’s a very versatile item and my wife innovates uses for it like: seat cover, packing cushion, modesty shawl for sacred areas that require covered shoulders, etc. Get creative!
For those chilly Polish nights, bring your thermals to layer up. These are full-coverage long johns – not the most sexy premise, but when you’re freezing your butt off – you’ll be thankful to have full coverage. They’re warm but not so thick that you can’t add more clothes on top.
It’s important to stay hydrated while traveling, especially when you’re spending long days out and about. These electrolytes will help your body absorb the water you’re drinking to keep you feeling good and strong. They’ll even help you fend off a nasty hangover!
A daypack is an absolute must-have for your trip to Poland. You’ll want to have a reliable pack that’ll allow you to carry with you everything you’ll need for day trips and excursions, like a water bottle, snacks, change of clothes, and more.
Poland is generally safe, but pickpockets are everywhere. We use these luggage locks to check our bags for international travel. They’re TSA-approved and won’t slow you down at security checkpoints. I also recommend using them on your backpack in crowded tourist areas or for public lockers.
When you’re spending long days out exploring all that Poland has to offer, there’s no doubt you’ll find yourself in need of a quick refresh. Toss a pack of these handy deodorant wipes in your purse or daypack and freshen up when you’re on the go!
Take an evening cruise down the Vistula River, visit the local salt mines, and soak in a relaxing thermal spring as you overlook the Tatra Mountains. We use Get Your Guide to book the best and most authentic tours in the world. By booking early, you’ll receive discounts, and all excursions have flexible cancelation. Poland is also known for its rich WWII history and profoundly moving tours like visiting Auschwitz or Schindler's Factory.
A pashmina shawl will come in handy at countless times throughout your trip. Use it to spice up an outfit during the day, throw it over your shoulders to keep warm on a chilly evening, use it to cover up when entering a church or holy site, as a curtain in your shared accommodation, and so much more.
Among Poland’s cities, Kraków in particular has become known for its exciting nightlife. If you’re visiting Kraków or any of the country’s other major cities, you’ll definitely want to have at least one gorgeous outfit with you to enjoy a night out on the town.
European bathrooms are hilariously small. In most hotels, homes, bars, restaurants, and boutique accommodations, you’ll find limited countertop space and not a ton of storage to work with. That’s why the Brits call it a ‘water closet’ because it’s only for business.
In Poland, you’ll be thankful for this hanging toiletry bag to create a shelf-like system on any door or hook. It has 4 giant pockets that organize all of your skincare, haircare, and makeup items so you can maintain your sanity while traveling!
These straps are your best friend for Polish cobblestones, trains, buses, and the rough transit ahead! Bags are more likely to get damaged on international flights as well, so these will reinforce your bags to ensure everything arrives in one piece.
The bright colors and patterns are wonderful for spotting your bag quickly – I could immediately distinguish my set in a crowd (one of those simple luxuries you crave on a busy travel day when you just want to get OUT of the airport and on to your grand adventure!).
When an umbrella is not enough on a moody weather day, use your stylish raincoat to look like an authentic European. This one is very warm and lightweight with a beautiful inside lining that reminds me of Burberry.
Save space and weight in your luggage by packing this biodegradable solid shampoo instead of a bulky bottle of traditional shampoo. Not only does it work great and is perfect for travel, but it’s also good for the environment!
You know you never have enough bags while traveling. Since you’ll inevitably do a bit of shopping while in Poland, use this “just in case” bag to take home some local goods like lace items, tablecloths, Babushka Dolls, ceramics, salt lamps, gingerbread, chocolate, and other treats that your loved ones will adore. This bag counts as your personal item bag so you can skip the carry-on fees, woop woop!
When you plan to visit will determine what you should wear in Poland. Winter in Poland is freezing cold, so you’ll want a heavy coat and warm gloves.
In general, Poles tend to dress up a bit more when going out in public, so you’ll see a lot of fitted blouses, skirts, and high heels when you’re out and about. Feel free to wear jeans and western clothing and you’ll blend in just fine.
Women traveling to Poland should be sure to dress for the weather, which can get quite cold in the winter, but is warm in the summer. Women should look put together while out in public in Poland, and don’t forget to bring a nice outfit or two for evenings out on the town!
Men visiting Poland should look nice and put together while out in public, as is the local custom. However, be sure to dress for the weather and prepare accordingly before your trip. Don’t forget to pack a couple of nicer outfits, too, for nights out on the town!
Fall in Poland experiences mild to cool temperatures, and people are typically still wearing warm weather clothing. Nights tend to be chilly, though, so be prepared with a light jacket. You’re also likely to experience some rain during this period, so don’t forget to pack an umbrella!
Winter in Poland gets very, very cold, so be sure to prepare accordingly if you plan to travel during this time. Bring a heavy winter coat, gloves, a warm hat, thick wool socks, and winter boots. An umbrella isn’t a bad idea either, as you may experience some rain.
Spring will start to warm up but temperatures typically remain mild to cool. Expect a lot of rain during this time, and prepare for cooler evenings. Pack plenty of layers during this season to be ready for changing temperatures.
Summer is the best time of year to visit Poland, as the weather is nice and warm, averaging around 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Pack your warm weather clothing, including shorts, t-shirts, and summer dresses to make the most of the beautiful weather.
Exploring Cities - Poles tend to dress up in the country’s big cities, so be sure to look put together when you’re exploring the cities. Wear comfortable but stylish shoes to ensure a pleasant experience.
Concentration Camp Sites - Typically there isn’t a specific dress code when visiting these sites, but it’s best to err on the side of modesty by covering your shoulders and knees during your visit, simply out of respect.
You won’t want to lug around a suitcase full of heavy full-size toiletries for a week-long trip. Instead, bring travel-size toiletries which are easy to replace or refill.
A regular towel is bulky and takes a long time to dry. Instead, consider bringing a lightweight, compact, quick-dry towel that can easily be tossed in your daypack.
You won’t want to make your way through Poland with a heavy, overstuffed suitcase. Be sure to pack only what you need and leave plenty of room for souvenirs!
Don’t risk your expensive electronics getting lost, stolen, or broken during your trip to Poland. Only bring what’s absolutely necessary and leave the rest at home!
If you plan to do some reading during your downtime in Poland, opt for a Kindle instead of bringing a ton of heavy books. This will give you more options for reading material while keeping your load light.
Things like fanny packs, Hawaiian shirts, American flag print, and other obviously touristy items will make you an easy target for pickpockets and petty theft.
Some of the most popular places to go in Poland are Warsaw and Krakow, which are two of the country’s biggest cities. Visit the Holocaust concentration camps, which are now memorial sites and museums, to remember the country’s dark history.
Yes, it is safe to travel to Poland. As in any place, there is some level of petty theft and you’ll be wise to watch for pickpockets and avoid walking alone at night.
Bigos, a traditional meat stew, is considered the national dish of Poland. Smoked and pickled fish, cabbage soups and stews, pierogies, which are Polish dumplings, and paczki, which are traditional Polish donuts, are all traditional Polish dishes.
The Polish Zloty is the currency used in Poland, and it is currently worth about USD $0.25.
Asher has been traveling the world since he left Australia to study in the USA in 2004. He received a Master’s in Business Administration degree in 2013. He has lived all over the globe including India, Europe, Hawaii, and mainland US. He enjoys researching the travel industry, loves being a dad, cooking & eating delicious food, photography (took many of our photos), surfing big waves on Maui, camping trips and walking barefoot on the earth.
