The Tatra Mountains in Poland are a great destination for exploration. Located on the border between Poland and Slovakia, the Tatras offer breathtaking landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities. With their jagged peaks, deep valleys, and …
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Backpacking Poland in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in Poland with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit Poland
Discover the charm of Poland, where history, culture, and affordability create a unique backpacking experience. Pros? Immerse yourself in medieval towns, vibrant cities, and lush landscapes at a reasonable cost. Poland's efficient transportation and welcoming locals make it backpacker-friendly. However, English may not be widely spoken outside major cities. For those seeking a blend of rich heritage and budget-friendly exploration, Poland stands out as a European gem, where each cobblestone street tells a story, offering a distinctive and culturally enriching journey for the intrepid backpacker.
Why to go?Why backpacking in Poland
Mountains
Backpackers
The backpacker scene in Poland is vibrant and growing. The country offers a diverse range of attractions, from historical cities like Warsaw and Krakow to stunning natural landscapes like the Tatra Mountains and the Baltic Sea coast.
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People
Polish people are known for their warmth and hospitality. They take great pride in welcoming guests into their homes and making them feel like part of the family. Whether it’s a casual gathering or a special occasion, they go out of their way to …
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Cheap
The average cost for backpacking in Poland can vary depending on the traveler’s preferences and travel style. On average, budget travelers can expect to spend around $30-40 per day, which includes accommodation in hostels or budget hotels, meals …
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💡 HighlightsTop-5 things to do in Poland
- Explore the historic city of Krakow: Known for its stunning architecture and rich history, Krakow is a must-visit destination in Poland. Explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town, visit the Wawel Castle, and discover the haunting history of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
- Visit the beautiful city of Warsaw: Poland’s capital city offers a mix of history, culture, and vibrant nightlife. Stroll through the charming streets of the Old Town, visit the Royal Castle, and learn about the country’s past at the Warsaw Uprising Museum.
- Discover the natural beauty of the Tatra Mountains: Located in southern Poland, the Tatra Mountains offer breathtaking landscapes and excellent hiking opportunities. Explore the stunning valleys, climb Mount Rysy, and enjoy the picturesque views of the Tatras.
- Experience the charm of Gdansk: This coastal city is known for its beautiful architecture, charming streets, and maritime history. Visit the historic shipyard, explore the medieval old town, and relax on the sandy beaches of the Baltic Sea.
- Explore the magical Wieliczka Salt Mine: Located near Krakow, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a unique underground complex of tunnels, chambers, and chapels carved out of salt. Take a guided tour to discover the fascinating history and admire the stunning salt sculptures.
But Poland offers more...
🌤️ When to go?Best time to go backpacking Poland
The best time to visit Poland for backpacking would be during the summer months, from June to August. This is when the weather is the most pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from 20-25 °C (68-77 °F).
During this time, you can explore popular cities like Warsaw, Krakow, and Gdansk, as well as the stunning natural landscapes such as the Tatra Mountains and the Mazury Lake District. Additionally, summer offers the opportunity to participate in various outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and camping.
It's worth noting that summer is also the peak tourist season in Poland, so popular attractions and accommodations may be crowded. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting in May or September, when the weather is still pleasant but the crowds are thinner.
During this time, you can explore popular cities like Warsaw, Krakow, and Gdansk, as well as the stunning natural landscapes such as the Tatra Mountains and the Mazury Lake District. Additionally, summer offers the opportunity to participate in various outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and camping.
It's worth noting that summer is also the peak tourist season in Poland, so popular attractions and accommodations may be crowded. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting in May or September, when the weather is still pleasant but the crowds are thinner.
Risk level: low (0%)Safety advice for Poland
- Do not cross into Ukraine from Poland. Special conditions may apply when entering Poland by road from Ukraine.
- Be careful of drink spiking. Keep an eye on your food and drink.
- Be careful when crossing the road. Use pedestrian crossings only, and make sure cars have stopped before crossing.
- There have been reports of violence against LGBTQIA+ people. Avoid public displays of affection to avoid any possible confrontation or discrimination.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
PolandMy tips to get you on the way!Does Poland sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Poland. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Poland may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Poland. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Poland may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Poland, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Poland, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 29 September 2024