Poland
The Tatra Mountains, Krakow and thousands of lakes in Masuria.
Overview
In brief
- Travel time
- 12–14 days (our estimate)
- Best time to travel
- jun–sep (our estimate · Full table)
- Distance from London
- ± 1,600 km to Warsaw (approx., via route planner · plus the Channel crossing by Eurotunnel or ferry)
- Driving days
- 3 driving days (our estimate)
- Tolls and vignettes
- No vignette; toll on parts of the A1, A2 and A4 (Details and source)
- Paying
- złoty (PLN)
- EU member
- yes
Distances were calculated once with OpenStreetMap (OSRM) from London to the capital; your actual route may be longer or shorter. For London, the Channel crossing (Eurotunnel or ferry) is not included. Driving days assume at most about 750 km per day with children (our estimate).
Practical
Good to know
Money and payments
You pay with the złoty (PLN). Pick up at an ATM and, if the screen offers to settle in euros, select the local currency: then convert your own bank, which is usually cheaper (our tip). In cities and larger campsites, you can often pay by card; In the countryside, on small campsites and in markets, cash is practical (our experience).
Language and handy words
A few words work wonders, even with the campsite neighbour's kids:
- Dzień dobry: good day
- Dziękuję: thank you
- Proszę: please
- Do widzenia: goodbye
Documents and border
This is an EU country: you travel with a valid passport or ID card, and children also need their own valid travel document. Check the travel advice just before you leave.
Health and safety
Take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC, on the back of your health insurance card or available from your health insurer): it gives you necessary care in public healthcare under local conditions. Travel insurance is still wise, for example for repatriation. The European emergency number is 112.
Source: europa.eu (EHIC)
Traffic rules that matter
In Poland, the per mille limit is 0.2: so don’t drink anything when you drive. You drive throughout the year with dimming or daytime running lights. Winter tyres are not mandatory, but are recommended. Mandatory in the car: warning triangle, warning vest and fire extinguisher. Children under 150 cm drive in a suitable child seat.
Source: ANWB
Best time to travel
June to September. July and August are the warmest on the Baltic Sea and in Masuria; In June and September it is quieter in the mountains (our assessment).
Always check the current rules (tolls, vignette, entry requirements) just before you leave.
On the road by car
Tolls and vignettes
| What | Price passenger car | Where to arrange it | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| State sections A2 Konin–Stryków and A4 Wrocław–Sośnica | free for passenger cars | No action needed | GDDKiA price checked Oct 2026 |
| Concession sections A1, A2 and A4 | current price: see source | Toll gate or via the operator's app/system | GDDKiA price checked Oct 2026 |
Buy vignettes only through the official channels: other sites often charge extra. A caravan or camper van may fall into a different class; check this with the source.
Destinations
Most beautiful places in Poland
Tatra Mountains and Zakopane
High mountains on the border with Slovakia. You can not reach the See Morskie Oko with the car: The last piece you go on foot or drive with a horse car.
Where are you going?
Regions explained
Tatras and Zakopane
In the south lies the Tatra with Zakopane as base. The hike to the mountain lake Morskie Oko is well known: long, but flat enough for children. Suitable for migrating families.
Source: polen.travel
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Krakow and surroundings
A beautiful old town with a large market square and the Wawelburg. Nearby is the Wieliczka salt mine, World Heritage Site and an underground adventure.
Source: UNESCO: Wieliczka
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Masuria
The lake plate in the northeast, with forests and thousands of lakes. Ideal for canoeing, swimming and cycling; many quiet campsites on the waterfront.
Source: polen.travel
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Baltic coast
Long sandy beaches with dunes, for example near Łeba, and the city of Gdańsk. The water is fresh, but the beaches are wide and child friendly (our experience).
Source: polen.travel
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
On the road
Suggested route by car
A route of 12 to 14 days from south to north; Poland is big, so choose two regions rather than everything (our assessment). Check the travel times in your route planner.
- Days 1-3: Krakow and the Wieliczka salt mine.
- Days 4-6: Zakopane and the Tatras, with Morskie Oko.
- Days 7-10: Masuria: canoeing and swimming.
- Days 11-14: via Malbork to the Baltic Sea near Gdańsk.
Camping
Where do you camp?
Campsites at the Masurian lakes
Many campsites are located directly on a lake, with pier and canoe. Quiet and close to nature (our experience).
Source: polen.travel
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
Agroturystyka
Staying in the countryside at a farm or family; Sometimes with a tent or motorhome. A good, often favorable way to see the real Poland.
Source: polen.travel
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
Bivouac sites in state forests
The Polish State Forestry Administration has designated areas where you can stay in the tent under conditions. Read the rules before you go.
Source: lasy.gov.pl
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
Gear for this region → (tent, gas, mosquitoes, sleeping bag)
Outings
With kids
Wieliczka Salt Mine
Under the ground you walk past salt lakes and chapels carved entirely of salt. You visit the mine with guidance; Wear good shoes.
Source: wieliczka-saltmine.com
Malbork Castle
A huge brick castle of the German Order, UNESCO World Heritage site. Children can discover knights, towers and cellars there.
Source: zamek.malbork.pl
Białowieża
One of the last primeval forests in Europe, on the border with Belarus. In the National Park you can see Wisente. Read the travel advice for the border area beforehand.
Source: bpn.com.pl
Outings
Fun activities with kids
Water parks, karting, trampolines, bowling, zoos and outings for a rainy day: concrete addresses, chosen with children of about 7 and 9 in mind. We only mention places with their own website, which we checked on 14 October 2026. Opening times and prices change: always check the website.
Our favourites
Wieliczka Salt Mine
A world-famous salt mine with underground chapels and lakes of salt, with a guide.
Tickets/tour via Viator → Ad · affiliate link
Energylandia
A large theme park with roller coasters, a family area and a water park zone.
Tickets/tour via Viator → Ad · affiliate link
Centrum Nauki Kopernik
One of the largest hands-on science centres in Europe, with hundreds of experiments.
Rafting trip on the Dunajec
A trip on wooden rafts through the Dunajec gorge.
Tickets/tour via Viator → Ad · affiliate link
Local cuisine
Food to taste
A few dishes you can try with the whole family:
Show all dishes (4)
Pierogi
Filled bags of dough, for example with potato and curd (ruskie), meat or fruit. Uncomplicated for children.
Żurek
Sour rye soup with sausage and egg, sometimes served in a hollowed-out loaf.
Oscypek
Smoked sheep's cheese from the mountains near Zakopane, often grilled with cranberry jam.
Placki ziemniaczane
Potato pancakes, savoury with sour cream or sweet with sugar.
Look further
Discover more
Campsites by name, day trips, events and things you had better avoid, each with a source.
Show all tips (4)
Featured campsites
On the Baltic Sea, ACSI Eurocampings includes Camping Leśny No. 51 and Camp na Wydmie (Łeba, the Słowiński National Park with the hiking dunes), Camping Alexa (Chłapowo) and Camping Baltic (Kołobrzeg). Parking spaces are often not delimited, but there is almost always electricity. On the Baltic Sea and in the Carpathians it is full in summer.
Source: ACSI Eurocampings: Poland
Day trip: Wieliczka salt mine
At Krakow you walk underground through corridors and halls carved entirely of salt, with chapels and small lakes. There are guided routes, even for families; Tickets are available on the official page.
Source: wieliczka-saltmine.com
Malbork Castle
A huge medieval brick castle of the German Order, UNESCO World Heritage site. With audioguide children walk around there a good morning.
Source: zamek.malbork.pl
Avoid: small roads in the evening
ACSI advises against driving on narrow, poorly lit secondary roads after sunset. There is an environmental zone in Krakow; check beforehand if your car is allowed in.
Source: ACSI Eurocampings: Poland
Camping & on the road
Rules worth knowing
Motorway toll
On the State sections A2 Konin–Stryków and A4 Wrocław–Sośnica, passenger cars have not paid a toll since 1 July 2023. But you have to pay on the concession sections: A1 Rusocin–Nowa Wieś, A2 Konin–Świecko (except around Poznań) and A4 Kraków–Katowice. Source: GDDKiA (Polish road authority) and etoll.gov.pl
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping for beginners
Camping in the forest
The Polish forest law prohibits camping (biwakowanie) in the forest outside places designated by the owner or the forest administration. However, the state forests have special zones with the program “Zanocuj w lesie”. Source: Lasy Państwowe (Polish State Forests)
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping for beginners
Sources
Where does this information come from?
- GDDKiA (Polish road authority) and etoll.gov.pl
- Lasy Państwowe (Polish State Forests)
- polen.travel
- UNESCO: Wieliczka
- wieliczka-saltmine.com
- zamek.malbork.pl
- bpn.com.pl
- ANWB (traffic rules)
- ACSI Eurocampings: Poland
- zamek.malbork.pl
Checked on 14 October 2026. "Our estimate" is personal advice, not official information.
Affiliate disclaimer: Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you book or buy through one, we may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Our experiences and tips remain independent.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a vignette in Poland?
No vignettes; Toll on parts of A1, A2 and A4. Prices, points of sale and the official source are in the block 'Toll and Vignette' on this page. To tolls and vignettes
Can you wild camp in Poland?
Prohibited; on private land only with the owner's permission. (source: ACSI Eurocampings)
What is the best time to travel to Poland?
June to September. July and August are the warmest on the Baltic Sea and in Masuria; In June and September it is quieter in the mountains (our assessment).
How far is Poland from London?
From London to Warsaw it is about 1,600 km (calculated with OpenStreetMap; check your route planner). The Channel crossing is not included: with the Eurotunnel (LeShuttle) it takes 35 minutes according to the operator; a Dover–Calais ferry is the alternative. With children, expect about 3 driving days (our estimate).
What must you carry in the car in Poland?
Mandatory in the car: warning triangle, warning vest and fire extinguisher. Source: ANWB. All traffic rules are on our page Traffic rules & equipment. To traffic rules · ANWB
Which travel documents do I need for Poland?
This is an EU country: you travel with a valid passport or ID card, and children also need their own valid travel document. Check the travel advice just before you leave.