Road trip around Poland. Passing border control Ukraine - Poland. Nice prices in Poland

In 2019, a considerable number of Russians were able to travel to Poland by car. Located in the very center of Europe, the republic has land border from the Russian Federation. Namely - with Kaliningrad region. It is not surprising that many of our compatriots prefer to travel through Polish territory on personal transport. We will find out all the nuances of traveling to Poland in your car.

In 2019, the Central European country continues to be popular among tourists from Russia. Visitors from the Russian Federation enter Poland both by air and by land - including by personal vehicle. The latter option is preferred by residents not only of the Kaliningrad region neighboring the republic, but also of regions remote from the border. Guests from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and even Vladivostok come to the European state in their own cars.

To come to Poland by car, you will need to obtain a visa in advance. In this sense, traveling to a European country is no different from arriving by plane, train or bus. You cannot visit the country without an entry document.

Typically, motorists and their travel companions apply for tourist Schengen visas. Each visitor, including children, will need their own document. Polish Schengen allows you to stay in the country for a maximum of 3 months within a six-month period. You will learn how to obtain a tourist visa to Poland from the article on our website.

Where to enter Poland

Of all the regions of the Russian Federation, Poland borders only the Kaliningrad region. Therefore, entering the republic from Russia by personal transport is only possible through this region. There are special checkpoints at the border. You are only allowed to drive your car through these checkpoints.

The second option for starting a Polish road trip is to enter Poland through Belarus. Citizens of the Russian Federation are allowed into the fraternal republic with a Russian passport. In this case, the route is built like this:

Leave Moscow or another Russian city to Belarusian Brest.
The path to Brest lies along the M1 highway (Smolensk road).
Get to the border crossing. You can enter through the largest checkpoint Brest - Terespol or try the Domachevo crossing (50 km south of Brest).

Basic nuances of crossing the border

When planning a trip by car to Poland from Kaliningrad or Brest, drivers and passengers should consider several factors:

When crossing the border, you must present a passport with a Polish visa. The passport is valid for at least 3 months from the date of return home.

Entrants have the right to be required to present cash as financial guarantees. Minimum amount for 1 day of stay – 300 Polish zlotys. The equivalent in foreign currency is allowed (about 100 US dollars). It is allowed to present both cash and credit cards.
The import of foreign currency is not limited, but a declaration is required if the permitted amount exceeds the allowed amount of 10,000 euros.
If guests of Poland enter the territory of the country with pets, they will need a certificate from the veterinary service. It must contain notes on all vaccinations given to the animal, including vaccination against rabies.

What might they ask at the border?

Purpose of the trip.
Travel route planned to visit the city.
Scheduled tour dates.
What is being imported into Poland, do you have alcohol and cigarettes with you? The established norm for 1 person is 2 packs of cigarettes, 1 liter of strong alcohol or 2 liters of wine.

Documents for crossing the border by car

For passengers

International passport with visa.
Medical insurance:
- For the entire trip.
- Valid throughout Schengen.
- Coverage from 30 thousand euros.
Sometimes they require you to present:
- Financial guarantees.
- Reservation of a hotel room or place at a campsite, or availability of another residential address in Poland.
- Invitation from a local individual or legal entity.

For the driver

International passport with visa.
Medical insurance.
Sometimes they require the same additional documents as for passengers.
Driver's license (no special requirements).
Vehicle registration certificate (vehicle registration certificate). It is important that the document is issued to the driver. Handwritten powers of attorney are not accepted.
Current green map.

What is a green card for a car?

When traveling by car to Poland, a green card is required. In fact, this is an analogue of our OSAGO. The document is issued not for the driver, but for the vehicle. This means that anyone on the trip can drive the car. Of course, provided he has a driver's license.

A green card for traveling to Poland must be of an international format and valid throughout Europe. It is not possible to issue the document at any insurance company. A limited number of organizations have the right to sell this type of insurance service. Among them:

"Rosgosstrakh".
"Alpha Insurance"
"RESO-Garantiya"
"Alliance".
"ERGO Rus".

Important! You can buy an insurance policy no earlier than 30 days before the start of its validity and the date of the trip.

How much do you have to pay for a green card?

The cost of a green card to Poland depends, first of all, on the type of vehicle and the duration of the insurance contract. Approximate amounts:

Key requirements for the car

Full technical serviceability of the machine.
Serviceability and one hundred percent working condition of lighting devices. It is advisable to stock up on light bulbs so that you can change them at the border if necessary.
The windshield is clean and free of visible cracks. Only cracks of 2-3 centimeters and small chips are acceptable.
The vehicle must contain:
- First aid kit.
- Spare tire or repair kit.
- Fire extinguisher (it is recommended to check its expiration date before traveling).
- Warning triangle.
- Reflective vests for all participants of the trip.
Child car seats (when traveling with children under 12 years old).
Foreign motorists traveling on Polish roads in their car must place on it a sign of the state where the car is registered. For Russians, this is the “RUS” sign in a white oval. It is not permissible to drive a vehicle without a sticker.

Main road rules in Poland

Maximum permissible driving speed (in km/h):

When driving, the low beam headlights are always on. Time of day and weather do not play a role.
Studded tires are prohibited. The use of winter tires is voluntary.
It is prohibited to equip vehicles with radar detectors and similar devices. Even an unused radar detector cannot be carried.
The maximum possible alcohol content in a motorist's blood is 0.2 ppm. For driving while intoxicated, the driver's driver's license is confiscated. In addition, the violator faces imprisonment for up to 8 years.

Fines for traffic violations

Parking in Polish

Polish drivers and motorists visiting from other countries are allowed to park their cars only in specially designated areas. It is also prohibited to leave a car in parking lots intended for people with special needs. For this there is a fine of 800 zlotys.

Free parking in Polish city centers is not as scarce as in other Central European countries. They are focused:

At large retail outlets (Ikea, Auchan and others).
Near historical centers.
In courtyards and next to residential buildings.
Near restaurants, cafes and shops.

Paid parking is also available in large quantities. They are available on all main streets, near attractions and in areas that are most in demand. Finding a parking spot is easy. Just follow the blue signs with the letter “P”.

Important! In large Polish cities, parking is paid only on certain days (usually weekdays) and hours (usually from 9:00 to 17:00). The rest of the time you can stay on them for free.

The cost of parking depends on their proximity to the center, significant objects and crowds of people. For example, an hour of parking in the center of Gdansk will cost 3 zlotys.

Parking is paid through a parking meter. As a rule, these devices are located near the parking lot. On the parking meter display you need to select the parking time and pay for the service (in small change or large bills).

The machine will issue a receipt - a parking ticket. It must be placed on the car’s dashboard so that inspectors can see the paper through the windshield.

If you run out of gas...

Self-service is common at Polish gas stations. The driver fills the tank and then pays for the fuel at the ticket office. Drivers are allowed to carry up to 20 liters of fuel in cans. It is worth considering that 92nd gasoline is not available at local gas stations. And the 95th comes in 2 types - with and without lead.

At the beginning of 2017, the average cost of gasoline and diesel fuel in Poland was:

1.07 euros (95 petrol).
1.13 euros (98 petrol).
1.05 euros (diesel).
0.5 euro (LPG).

At the same time, prices at gas stations located along highways can be 10-20 eurocents higher than at gas stations near large shopping complexes.

Toll roads

Polish motorways A1, A2 and A4 are toll roads. The fare depends on the distance traveled.

Payments are calculated differently for specific road sections. Typically, travel is paid both in cash and by bank transfer, in national currency, euros and American dollars. However, it is recommended to pay with local money. Change is also always given in zlotys.

By car through Poland: transit rules

People enter Poland via Kaliningrad or Brest by personal transport not only for the sake of a road trip through the Central European republic. Many of our fellow citizens are only passing through Polish lands, choosing other countries as the main goal of their auto tour. The following documents are submitted for a Schengen transit visa to travel through Poland:

:
- It must be filled out completely and certified with a personal signature.
- It is advisable to fill out the form on a computer, but it is acceptable to fill out the form by hand.
- The information must be entered legibly, using a pen with blue or black ink (if filled out by hand).
- Information is written in Russian, Polish or English.
- Points No. 1-5 are filled in in Latin letters, strictly as in the international passport.
- A separate form is filled out for a minor child included in the parental passport. It is signed by the parent.

Visa of the state of destination (original and copy). In case of its absence, the following shall be submitted:
- Or a 100% paid hotel reservation.
- Or documents for ownership of real estate (lease agreement, purchase and sale agreement, etc.).
International passport:
- Copies of the first page and Schengen visas for 3 years (if available).
- With 2 free sheets.
- The document is valid for 3 months after returning home.
- The passport is valid for no more than 10 years.
Russian passport. Copies of pages:
- First.
- With registration.
- Pages 18-19 (about previous passports).
Photos:
- 2 pieces.
- 35 by 45 mm.
- The face occupies 70-80% of the field.
- Colored.
- On a white background.
- Printed on high quality paper.
Made no more than six months ago.
Medical insurance for the entire transit period.

When crossing the border, the same papers are presented as for car travel directly across Poland. It is important to remember that if a foreigner already has a valid Schengen visa, there is no need to make a separate document for transit.

Polish highways are considered one of the safest in Europe. The vast majority of drivers treat all road users with respect. Pedestrians and cyclists have priority on the road. Almost all highways are equipped with CCTV cameras and radars and are carefully monitored by the police. Therefore, when traveling around the republic by car, you should strictly follow traffic rules.

Travel to own car give tourists ample opportunities when choosing a vacation spot and route. During such trips you can visit several resorts and even countries. Therefore, every year lovers car routes is getting bigger. Our compatriots confidently travel not only around their home country, but also throughout Europe. Sometimes, during one vacation, motorists manage to travel around almost the entire European Union and they usually begin their journey from Poland.

This country is located closest to the border with Russia, and there is also something to see in the capital itself and in small provincial towns that have retained their authenticity. However, traveling to Poland by car, despite its simplicity and low costs, has a lot of pitfalls that a first-time tourist may not be aware of. We will reveal all the secrets of choosing a route, crossing the border, as well as specific requirements for a vehicle and many other important nuances for travelers. So, let's start preparing for a trip to Poland by car from the Russian Federation.

Selecting a route

Traveling in your own car gives you incredible freedom of movement. The tourist can afford to plan the route as he pleases, and, if desired, change it at any time. In addition, a couple of weeks of vacation by car gives you a unique opportunity to explore in detail the country you are going to, and not just one of its corners.

What to see in Poland by car? You need to take care of this while still at home and draw up a detailed itinerary for your future trip. This will make it easier for you to navigate using maps and a navigator in a foreign country. Naturally, every tourist who crosses the border with Poland for the first time strives to get to Warsaw and begin getting acquainted with the country from the capital. It is best to immediately drive to the territory of the old city. However, keep in mind that all parking there is paid and you will have to walk a little to some places.

In the old town there are two of the most beautiful squares in Warsaw: the Castle and the Market Square. On the first is the Royal Castle, which tourists are always recommended to visit. Most of its rooms are open to guests and are of great historical interest. The entrance fee ranges from seven dollars per person.

On Market Square There are numerous cafes, restaurants and taverns. By the way, Polish cuisine is very tasty, and the portions are large. The average bill per person is from three hundred to five hundred rubles. Here is located National Library Poland. Even if you are not interested in old books, we still advise you to look into this building. On its roof is the largest and most luxurious garden in Europe. In addition, the view of the city from here leaves an unforgettable impression.

If you came to Poland by car, then your next travel destination should be Krakow. This city is rightly called the ancient Polish capital. Here you can also visit the Old Square, where handmade amber products are sold. This stone is considered a symbol of Poland, and the dragon, depicted everywhere in the city, is the mascot of Krakow.

After the noisy, it’s time to walk in nature, and here the town of Zakopane will be on your route. It is surrounded by mountains and lakes; a tour of local attractions will cost twenty-two dollars. You can stop here for the night, that's all local hotels quite colorful and inexpensive.

The route we have described is designed for approximately a ten-day trip. For a first visit to Poland by car, this time and impressions are quite enough. But in the future the route can be changed, because there are still many interesting and unusual places.

Usually our compatriots go to the Polish borders from Moscow. Since from here it’s only a few hours by car to Poland. However, keep in mind that only Kaliningrad borders this country. In other cases, tourists will have to travel through Ukraine or Belarus.

By car, according to experienced travelers, it is simpler and easier through customs control points in Ukraine. However, due to the political situation, this path is still closed to Russians. Therefore, the only option is to travel through Belarus. If you don’t make unnecessary stops and are lucky that there are no queues at the border, then taking into account the departure from the Russian capital at seven in the morning or even earlier, by the evening of the same day you will already find yourself in Warsaw. We have given the route along which motorists will travel below.

Despite the desire to get to Europe as quickly as possible, which all travelers without exception have, such a forced march should only be undertaken if there is a person nearby who can replace you behind the wheel. Otherwise, the risk of getting into an accident is high.

Typically, during a car trip, it is recommended to stop every two and a half hours and get out of the vehicle to stretch your limbs. During these breaks you need to have a snack and drink hot coffee from a thermos. With this approach, you will not feel tired and will maintain a high concentration of attention.

Features of customs control: choosing a checkpoint

When choosing a route to Poland by car, you must take into account the checkpoint through which you plan to cross the border. The speed of completing all formalities will depend on this, because at some points there are traditionally queues of vehicles.

Usually our compatriots use six checkpoints in Belarus to cross the border (they are marked on the map). However, one of them (“Kozlovichi-Kukuryki”) does not work with passenger vehicles. If you end up here by mistake, the border guards will turn you around and send you to another point, since only trucks are accepted here.

The most crowded checkpoint is Brest-Terespol. The main flow of tourists from Russia goes here. Therefore, the wait sometimes takes several hours. But the neighboring ones - “Domachevo-Slavatyche” and “Peschatka-Polovtse” - are not so busy. Sometimes there are no queues at all. But if you want to cross the border quickly and surely, then arrive at the checkpoint at four in the morning or after midnight.

Requirements for the technical condition of the car

If you are planning to travel to Poland by car, then make a diagnosis of your vehicle before traveling. The Poles pay increased attention to this issue and, due to a minor malfunction, may well not allow you into the country.

Take care of the headlights first and take a set of spare bulbs with you. The fact is that you can only move around Poland with your low beams on. Therefore, its breakdown will always be of interest to local highway guards. Also, at the checkpoint they may be denied entry into the country due to cracks on the windshield and chips on the body. The integrity of the vehicle is an indispensable condition for the safe crossing of the border.

Don't forget to put a first aid kit, a spare tire or repair kit, a hazard sign and a fire extinguisher in the trunk. There must be vests with reflective stripes in the car interior. Moreover, their number must coincide with the number of travelers. Even if you have an infant traveling with you, he must have his own vest. At night outside the city, you can only travel along the highway wearing them.

By the way, winter travelers should know that in Poland you cannot drive on studded tires. In order to overcome ice, you need to put wheel chains in the trunk.

Keep in mind that the radar is best left at home. It is prohibited in Polish territories, so either do without it or hide it carefully.

Traveling to Poland by car: documents

Customs officers will check the package of documents at the border very carefully, but by and large it is considered standard. At checkpoints they know that many Russians travel by car through Poland to other European countries. But all responsibility for the documents falls on the shoulders of Polish customs officers. What will interest them when crossing the border?

Regardless of your age and make of car, at the checkpoint you will be asked for foreign passports with a Schengen stamp (whether you fly by plane or drive, you will still need a visa to Poland), medical insurance for each traveler and international-style insurance for the vehicle. Naturally, you must take with you on the road a full package of documents for the car, a Russian driver’s license and, if available, a driver’s license in the established international form. Usually in Poland they are not interested in their presence, but they will not be superfluous.

Experienced travelers are advised to take copies of all documents with them, including confirmation of hotel reservations and Russian passports. It would be a good idea to store copies in electronic form on a regular flash drive or a specialized Internet resource.

Goods prohibited for import into the country

On the Polish side, customs control is leisurely and thorough. However, some types of products may be confiscated from you. For example, the import of meat and dairy products and chocolate into Poland is prohibited. However, if necessary, customs officers can leave them in your car. Milk will definitely not be taken away if a child is traveling in the car (people also work at the border control).

As for alcoholic beverages and alcohol, there are clear restrictions for them. One person can carry a liter of spirits and two packs of cigarettes. But, as experienced tourists say, these points are not always thoroughly checked.

A few words about gas stations and gasoline prices

Our compatriots do not always imagine how much money they will have to spend on gasoline on a road trip. Therefore, it is difficult for them to calculate the travel budget. In fact, you can do this at home if you know that on average one liter of Polish gasoline will cost you just over one euro. Some people are scared by these prices, and they try to save money by refueling as much as possible on the territory of Belarus. In addition, the rules for entering the country allow the presence of a canister of gasoline with a volume of no more than ten liters in the trunk of a car. By the way, keep in mind that at Polish gas stations you can only fill up with gasoline grades 95 and 98. The 92 fuel, so beloved by many of our compatriots, simply does not exist on sale.

If we begin to describe gas stations, then we must say the main thing - they cause great delight among our tourists. The area around is clean and well-groomed, toilets are free, rest areas for drivers are equipped, and children's playgrounds are located everywhere. Usually at the gas station there is also good cafe. Moreover, such establishments are usually chains and offer food at the level of an expensive restaurant, but at quite reasonable prices.

Buying a car in Poland

Some of our compatriots cross the Polish border for one purpose - to drive a car. You can bring quite good vehicles from Poland to Russia, because the country borders Germany, from where used cars of different brands in good and excellent condition come to it.

Therefore, driving yourself a car looks like a very tempting offer. However, this can only be done by carefully weighing the pros and cons and finding a suitable vehicle in advance via the Internet. There are quite a lot of websites where sellers offer cars from Poland for sale. All the necessary information is indicated here and often even the VIN number. Therefore, it will not be difficult to check the car you like in various databases for theft and accidents.

To avoid scammers, do not leave a deposit with the seller. Discuss all questions with him over the phone (you may need a translator) and only then go to Poland. It is most reliable to purchase a car from large dealers who have been in this business for several years.

After completing the transaction, the seller must provide you with a purchase and sale agreement and a registration certificate. You must obtain insurance for your car and issue transit license plates. This will delay you somewhat in Poland. However, many Russians leave the country with existing license plates. They are not bothered by the fact that there is a fine for license plates belonging to another country (Germany, for example). However, it is low and only slightly exceeds the cost of purchasing transit license plates.

In a brand new car, the journey from Poland to Russia takes several hours. But at the border you may be delayed by issues of customs clearance of your vehicle. And it’s good if they don’t bring unexpected surprises.

Cost of a car in Poland

Enough low prices Russians are attracted to cars in Poland. However, few of them approach the transaction thoroughly and accurately understand how much money they should have on hand.

So how much does a car cost in Poland? If we take only the car itself, then the prices are really low. For example, a fresh “Beetle” at the age of four years will cost a little less than one hundred and fifty thousand rubles. And for three hundred thousand rubles you can become the owner of an almost new German luxury car. But don’t rush to rejoice ahead of time, because this is not all the costs of purchasing an iron friend.

A significant expense item is customs duties. For a car less than three years old, they will be about half the price of the car. Plus, a rate for engine power is added to this. On average, for each cubic centimeter of its volume you will need to pay from two and a half to twenty euros.

To all of the above items you need to add the costs of living in Poland, travel, food and visa processing. The final cost may even exceed the price of a similar car on the Russian market. Therefore, think several times before you go for a new one. vehicle abroad.

Report on a car trip from Ukraine to Poland. Roads, border crossing, shopping and sights of Lublin.

Poland is a country famous for its abundance of inexpensive but high-quality goods. Therefore, my parents and I decided to take a trip to three Polish cities - Chelm, Lublin and Grubeszow - in order to shop before the autumn season. In addition, we wanted to see the sights of these ancient Polish cities. We left on July 31 and returned home on August 2, 2017.

Start of the journey

Despite the fact that there are several checkpoints at the border, we chose to travel through the famous Yagodyn checkpoint. In our Seat Ibiza we left from regional center Lutsk at 10 pm with the expectation that in two hours we will arrive at the border, stand in line for a couple of hours, and then go shopping in the morning.

On the road from Lutsk to Yagodyn, everything went smoothly - there were no traffic police posts, the roads were mostly deserted. Along the way, we used the usual built-in navigator on a Nokia Lumia phone. The roads, by the way, are almost completely covered with holes and potholes (a normal highway is only in towns and large settlements). There are almost no lights anywhere, the route often runs through dense forest, so you should be extremely careful and attentive on the road.

Advice: it is better to refuel with gasoline in Ukraine - it is a little cheaper there. By the way, the closer you are to the border, the higher the cost of a liter of fuel at gas stations. We filled up once with a full tank (45 liters) in Vladimir-Volynsky, and this gasoline was enough for us all the way there and back. All this cost us approximately 2,500 thousand rubles (1,200 hryvnia).

We reached the checkpoint without incident. This is where the longest and most boring part of the journey began. The fact is that Yagodyn is the largest and most popular point, and, accordingly, there are a lot of cars there. Cars in front of the barrier are lined up in 4-5 rows, each of which can contain several dozen cars. In addition, he constantly passes across the border great amount buses and commercial trucks (which for some reason are allowed out of line).

Border zone

At customs in Poland

Another unpleasant moment is that some cunning citizens “wedge” themselves into the general queue from all sides, thereby pushing you further and further away. There were the fewest Russian cars at the border. There were approximately the same number of cars with Lithuanian license plates. The bulk of the people who arrived were Ukrainians and Poles.

Passing border control Ukraine - Poland

Standing at the border for a long time is the most boring and time-consuming activity. If you ever find yourself in Yagodyna (especially during the holidays), be prepared for the fact that going through security will take more than one hour. At this time, I strongly advise you to stock up on provisions, water and coffee in a thermos. The first store where you can buy food and drink is waiting for you behind the barrier, which you will cross in a few hours at best. And you need coffee in order to simply not fall asleep during downtime, because every 20 minutes you will have to drive a couple of meters ahead.

It just so happened that August 1 was my birthday, 13 hours of which I spent standing in line. Agree, it’s not very pleasant.

Important! Never take too much food with you. It is better to take supplies with the expectation that you will be able to eat them all during the stay. Some border guards are very categorical in this regard and can force you to either eat everything at once in one sitting, so as not to bring it into Poland, or simply throw it away. This is especially true for meat, lard and dairy products.

A separate conversation is such a delicate issue as going to the toilet. A few hundred meters away at the point there are several bio-cabins. Their condition is not the best, so I strongly recommend not to get carried away with fluid consumption.

So, we arrived in Yagodyn at 12 o’clock at night, and at 13 o’clock in the afternoon we just got to the customs office itself. Here you can already buy water and eat, drink coffee and visit a paid toilet for 2 zlotys. By the way, prices at the border are a bit steep. For those who are bored of standing in line, there is a duty-free shop where you can buy alcohol, cosmetics, food, etc.

To the territory of Poland by land transport You can import no more than 1 liter of strong alcohol, 2 packs of cigarettes or 50 grams of tobacco per person at a time. We had 6 packs of cigarettes and about 100 grams of tobacco, but there were no problems.

To cross the border you only need a foreign passport. My parents also had to show their Polish cards. By the way, document verification is very quick and simple; we did not encounter any difficulties. Customs control also did not take us much time. The customs officer examined the trunk and glove compartment, raised the seats and allowed us to go.

Beautiful Chelm

Literally 15 minutes later we were in Poland. It did not differ significantly from Ukraine in appearance, only the roads were smooth. I was also struck by the abundance of trash cans and bio-toilets, which, like mushrooms after rain, were located along the entire road. Very convenient for travelers, they take care of cleanliness here.

From the first minutes I was impressed by Polish roads - our car drove quickly and smoothly, without bouncing on every hole and bump. Along the highway, as usual, there are gas stations, car washes, fast food cafes and motels. Many Ukrainians live in Poland, so sometimes you can see banners, billboards, signs and announcements in two languages at once - Polish and Ukrainian.

Chelm is located just 35 kilometers from the Ukrainian town of Yagodyn. The city can be seen from afar because it is located on a high hill covered with trees (hence the name). In appearance it is normal provincial town. It was once founded by King Danylo Galitsky, but over time became part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Life in the town goes smoothly and measuredly. The old town is especially striking in its beauty with its beautiful low houses, flowers and trees. Tourists also come here, but not as en masse as in Warsaw, Lublin or Wroclaw.

Nice prices in Poland

Since after 13 hours of exhausting road everyone was tired and hungry, we decided to stop at the famous Biedronka supermarket chain, buy some groceries and go shopping. Fortunately, there are plenty of supermarkets in Chelm, and we were quickly able to find one of them.

The first thing that struck me in the supermarket was the huge abundance of products and extremely attractive prices. For example, two kilograms of wood-smoked meat cost us only 14 zlotys (about 220 rubles). We left the supermarket with bags full of meat, cheese, fresh rolls, yoghurt, sweets and the usual drinking water. In addition, soap and bath accessories were purchased for the trip for all family members. All this cost no more than 60 zlotys (900 rubles).

We did a little shopping for clothes and equipment. At the end of summer, Poles usually start their seasonal sales, so even branded outfits can be bought at a big discount. For example, Bershka trousers from the latest collections on sale cost only 30 zlotys instead of 120, which is equivalent to 450 Russian rubles. By the way, the same model in Russia costs about 2,000 rubles in stores.

Vintage Lyubli

After lunch and rest, we decided to continue our journey to Lublin. We had about 70 kilometers to go. The usual highway at the entrance to Lublin was replaced by a highway, on both sides of which there were special fences that prevent the spread of noise and dust into nearby houses, and also protect animals. There are special electronic boards above the highway with telephone numbers that you can call in case of problems.

The closer we got to Lublin, the more shops, supermarkets and restaurants there were. Right outside the city one could see such giants as “Dzhusk”, “Bedronka”, “Lidl”, “Auchan” and many others (we will visit one of them a little later).

Lublin greeted us with hot, dry weather and dust. The city is quite large, old, with excellent developed infrastructure. We were all pretty tired after such a long journey, so we decided to stop and rent a hostel or hotel to rest, and then go see the city in the evening.

Finding accommodation in Poland

Through an Internet search, we found hostel rooms with good reviews from guests. According to the first advertisement that came across, there were free places in the Lublin hostel - it was decided to stay there. The parents decided to rent a room in the Lublin hotel of the same name (link to Booking), which was located very close by.

The hostel is located in a very picturesque place- the heart of the old city. There are many shops and architectural monuments nearby. I was lucky, there were not many people at that time, and I was placed alone in a five-bed room. It was located on the third floor of an ancient beautiful building. Those who come by car can park it in the courtyard.

The man at the reception turned out to be Russian, so we resolved all pressing issues without any problems. The hostel has several well furnished rooms, free wifi, refrigerator, TV, all necessary utensils, as well as a shared shower and toilet. It was disappointing that there was no air conditioning in the rooms, and it was hot all night. The room cost 40 zlotys per day (about 600 rubles).

My parents booked themselves a hotel room about 300 meters from the hostel. They were completely satisfied with their room and service, they even left it on the website good review. A room for two people cost 130 zlotys per day (2000 rubles).

Beautiful night city

After sleeping for several hours, we met near the monument to the lancers of Prince Jozef. We walked the route from the new city to the old one. We stopped several times to have a bite to eat at restaurants and cafes. I was very pleased with the affordable prices and polite staff. Almost every establishment had Russian-speaking waiters, so I had no problems communicating. It cost us about 100 zlotys (about 1,500 rubles) for three people to visit the cafe.

After the walk, we returned to our sleeping quarters, and the next morning we visited shopping centers, clothing stores and even a large oriental market near the central bus station. After that, we checked out of the hostel and hotel and went shopping at Auchan. For the purchase of a huge cart of food, items of clothing, small computer and kitchen equipment, we paid 500 zlotys, which is about 8 thousand rubles.

Famous kebab

Night street in Lublin

Bicycle rent

Regular entrance

Patios

Tattoo studio announcement

Bus stop

Old town street

New Town Hall

Cozy Grubeshov

After shopping, we went to the local McDonald's and went to the city of Grubeshov, which is located in. We wanted to visit the large market there, which is famous for its affordable prices and variety of goods. However, it turned out that today it was closed, so we decided to return to Ukraine through the Ustylug customs point.

In terms of attractiveness, Grubeshov is much inferior to Chelm and especially Lublin. This is a small but quiet and clean provincial town. The population here is also small - no more than 20 thousand.

Ustylug is located 5 kilometers from Grubeshov. Compared to Yagodyn, this customs post is not as popular, so there are much fewer cars here. To my greatest joy, in just 40 minutes we completely passed customs control and entered the territory of Ukraine. By the way, we did not experience any difficulties due to the abundance of purchases; the check went very quickly.

It is better to refuel with gasoline in Ukraine, away from the border post. In Poland, gasoline is somewhat more expensive. The closer to customs, the more its price increases.
If you decide to travel through Yagodyn (especially in the hot season), it is better to leave at night. This will increase the likelihood that by morning you will have already passed customs control and will not have to stand in the sun all day.
Avoid the outermost corridors of cars waiting for entry. Other cars often “wedge” into the outer rows, so your line can be very long.
Personal observation: you need to stand in the row where there are the most cars. This will sound strange, but in such places so-called “green corridors” are formed, and the queue moves very quickly.
Take food, water and coffee in a thermos with you in advance (especially if you go at night). There will be nowhere to buy food and drink until the customs point. Toilets are especially problematic, so I don't recommend drinking too much water.
The import of meat, lard, dairy products and canned food into Poland is prohibited. If you take food with you, then in such quantity that you can actually eat it. By the way, you can absolutely safely import up to 5 kg of fresh vegetables and fruits at a time.
If you are bringing cigarettes and alcohol, remember that you can take no more than 2 packs or 50 grams of tobacco with you. There is a limit on alcohol - up to 1 liter of strong drinks from 40 degrees, 2 liters of drinks with a strength from 20 to 40 degrees. Persons under 18 years of age are prohibited from importing such products.
Try to travel through unpopular customs posts. The likelihood of standing in line for several hours there is very low, and you will soon end up in Poland.
After you enter the country, do not rush to stop at the first roadside cafes or gas stations you come across. Prices there are slightly higher, as usual in border areas. If you drive a few kilometers along the road, there will be a lot of budget restaurants and shops.
It is better to book hostels and hotels in advance. It may turn out that all the places are already taken. This is especially true for small towns where festivals or holidays are held. Take a closer look at all the available options, read customer reviews of the hostels. After this, you can make a reservation in advance for the room you like.
If you do not speak Polish, do not hesitate to address a passerby in Russian or Ukrainian. In Poland, a large population speaks these languages, so they will understand you perfectly and help you as much as possible.
If you want to shop at a bargain, come during seasonal sales. In stores they literally “cut” prices: things or equipment can lose a significant price.

This trip to Poland turned out to be very controversial, even contradictory. On the one hand, the impression was slightly spoiled by the huge queues and long standing at the customs post. On the other hand, we all received great pleasure from contemplating the magnificent old Lublin, as well as local cuisine, hospitality and, of course, shopping done.

In total, we spent approximately 1500 zlotys - about 25 thousand rubles. I recommend everyone to visit a city like Lublin - it captivates at first sight, you want to return to it.

The advantage of such a trip is savings. A trip to Poland in your own car is an incredibly cheap pleasure. A week's holiday, including gasoline (which is more expensive than ours), toll roads in Belarus and Poland, paid parking, hotels, restaurants and entertainment will cost 50 euros per person per day. And if you also spend the night in campsites and eat semi-finished products, you can even meet it in 25. Here, there is no limit to perfection!

Not to mention complete freedom to control time and position in space is also a pleasant state, and it’s worth a lot.

However, when embarking on this venture, it is necessary to think through and prepare in advance. We offer you a win-win algorithm of actions that should precede your trip. So that it brings you only pleasant surprises, and does not turn into a continuous “resolution” of various types and degrees of seriousness of problems.

1. Route

First of all, we determine the route. Literally - from the threshold and... wherever the soul calls. Decide, after consulting with friends and acquaintances, surfing the Internet in the evenings, looking through colorful guidebooks and albums... - where you want to visit. This is the first – and most serious – step.

We will tell you that northern Poland is good for beach holiday– mild Baltic coast with moderate temperatures and cool water, picturesque beaches. These are summer routes that run through the ancient coastal cities of Gdansk, Solot, Slupsk, Gdynia.
And in winter they will beckon you, and the most popular of them is Zakopane.

Poland literally breathes living history, all of it is the embodied chronicle of centuries - from knightly times to the present day. very, very diverse and numerous, because no matter what city you take, there will definitely be historical monument, and not alone. In order to get acquainted with the history and culture of Poland, you should definitely visit Warsaw. Then there is Krakow, again Gdansk, located in the heart of the country Lodz, a living testament to the Polish Renaissance Poznan and of course, ancient capital- Gniezno.

Attention to the most curious and energetic! Don't even try to take in this vast splendor in one trip. Poland is too big to discover in a week's vacation. Decide what you would like to see first. .

To fully get to know the country, it’s still better. To fully explore the country, it is better to buy a sightseeing tour. Then the trip will be structured in an optimal way so that in the minimum time you get the maximum impressions from this trip

2. Book a hotel

Ideally, you need to book hotels in advance in all cities through which the route will pass. This is not easy to do; there are too many factors to consider. If you entrust this part of the preparation to a travel agency, you will gain time and save energy.

In any case, you must book in advance the hotel where you will arrive first when you are in Poland. Because confirmation of your hotel reservation will be required to obtain a visa.

3. Visa application

It is not difficult for Russians to obtain a visa to Poland. To do this, you need to contact the embassy or consulate of the Polish Republic. To avoid standing in lines and wasting time on working days before your vacation, order a visa from a tour operator. It is not much more expensive, and if you are traveling with your whole family or big company, discounts on this service are possible, and for very little money you will gain time and save energy, which will be useful for both preparation and travel.

The best part is that Poland is part of the Schengen zone, which means that having received a visa to Poland, you can go to any European country Schengen Agreement. Therefore, many experienced motor tourists have chosen Poland as an ideal start for great trip in Europe.

4.Documents required for the trip

So, in addition to the visa, you need:

Green card and medical insurance for the Republic of Belarus (purchased at the Russia-Belarus border). Green card and health insurance for Poland (purchased at the border in Brest).

However, if you are transiting through Poland, medical insurance is not required. If you do not have health insurance, when entering Poland you must have 300 zlotys per person per day (that’s about 75 euros).

If a child is accompanying you, and you are not a parent or the other parent is not with you, then a notarized permission to take the child abroad is required.

Driver license. Not necessarily international. Enough Russian.

Technical passport. Attention! The owner of the car must be present. Even if he's not driving. But management by proxy in the absence of the owner will not work.

Car: no tint, especially on the front doors. Entry on studded tires is prohibited. Don't forget the first aid kit. And be sure to remove radar detectors and other tricks. Polish traffic police will not forgive you for this.

5. What else should I take with me?

Important: restrictions on the import of tobacco products and alcohol. To avoid problems, it is better not to take cigarettes with you in reserve. Gasoline too - only in the gas tank. You cannot import certain types of food - meat, for example. So finish your sandwiches before crossing the border.

Money. If you have health insurance - 100 zlotys per person per day (about 25 euros) - minimum. Take 1,500 euros with you for a week - you will probably have enough for a family or a small company.

Be sure to buy a road map of Europe in Moscow - it is difficult to find in Poland.

6.How to go?

From Moscow it is easier to take the M1 highway all the way to Brest. Border crossing - Brest-Terespol. There are more border guards here, which means the line moves faster. From Moscow to the border the journey takes 11-12 hours. The transition procedure takes from half an hour to four hours, depending on the time of day and day (weekends, holidays, weekdays). It’s best to go at 2-3 am – there are almost no people. South of Brest there is a transition to Domachevo. There are fewer queues there, but there are also few border guards, so the time is longer than in Brest itself.

When asked about the purpose of the trip, you answer – tourism. Present your passport with a visa. Show a printout of the email as confirmation from the hotel.

And now you are in Poland. Be careful on narrow Polish roads, respect the traffic rules and follow common sense. We hope that these tips will make your journey easier and allow you to devote maximum attention and time to active recreation, vivid impressions and wonderful discoveries. Bon Voyage!

Review of traveling with three children in your own car in Poland. Review of Old Towns, travel tips, interesting places and photographs.

Preface

Four of us went on the trip: me and my three children - two adults (17 and 15 years old) and one little one (2 years old). Everyone has different interests, so I wanted to take into account the wishes of each family member. The budget allocated for the trip was small - about 30,000 rubles for 5 days, including travel, accommodation, food and entertainment.

I planned a trip for mid-August 2017, but until the day of departure we were not sure that the trip would take place. For this reason, I booked hotels on the Booking website so that I could cancel the order at the last minute. The deciding factor when choosing a hotel was the price - we booked separate triple rooms in hostels.

Finally, on August 13, we finally got ready to set off. Our car is not the most economical 1995 Opel Vectra. We filled the tank full (60 liters) and took a 10-liter canister with us - that’s how much gasoline you can take with you across the border. We got ready for the trip to Poland.

We crossed the border at the Mamonovo-Grzechotki border crossing, and we had to stand there. You never know in advance how long you will have to wait, and you need to be prepared for this. After 3 hours we finally found ourselves in Poland.

On the road I used the Maps.me application. From time to time he built a strange path - some places could be bypassed, some shortcuts could be taken. However, I give him 5 stars because, even while paving a long road, he never took us into unknown territory. Thanks to this application, I saved some money because I was able to avoid toll roads.

First stops: Ostróda and Torun

Finally, we stop at the first Polish city Ostroda. There is a unique Elblag Canal, along which an unusual ship floats - it moves not only on water, but also on land. The embankment of the beautiful Lake Drwięckie, which is part of the Masurian Lake District, is cultural center city - there we refreshed ourselves and moved on.

The next stop was the city of Torun. My older children and I have been there several times already, and we couldn’t deny ourselves the pleasure of looking here for at least a couple of hours. This time there was no time for a cultural excursion, but I can recommend the Copernicus House Museum and the Gingerbread Museum. Prices: children's ticket - 12 zlotys, adult - 17 zlotys (200 and 270 rubles, respectively). IN the last museum You can make your own delicious and aromatic gingerbread according to an old Polish recipe.

This time we didn’t have time to get anywhere, but we walked along the streets of the old town located in Torun. We admired the street sculptures, of which there are a huge number, and had a picnic on the banks of the Vistula.

Torun. Old city

Let's move on. At about 22:00 we arrived at the booked Hotel Gosciniec in Wloclawek, a triple room cost us 1,700 rubles. The website indicated that registration was possible until 23:00, but when we arrived at 22:00, we found the administrator already leaving at the door. I don't know if anyone else would have registered us if she had left.

Quiet and cozy Wloclawek

We were given a triple room with comfortable beds, clean linen and a comfortable bathroom. The kitchen was small and dark, but we found everything we needed to prepare dinner. Having spent the night comfortably, we headed to the old town. It was Monday, so the museums were closed. We just walked along the narrow streets. The old town of Wlocławek lacks luster and can be said to be abandoned. There are practically no tourists here, which, in my opinion, is a plus.

Wloclawek - Old Town

Visited a beautiful Cathedral and let's move on.

Gothic architecture and amazing stained glass windows of the cathedral

Lodz - a city within a city

The next point of travel in Poland was the city of Lodz. Preparing for the trip, I looked for various information and reviews about the country. I learned that the main attractions of the city of Lodz are shopping mall Manufaktura and Piotrkowska street. We visited these two places. Manufaktura is really huge complex in a former textile factory with shops, cinemas, cafes, museums and even a beach.

Beach in the center of Lodz

Then we got to Piotrkowska Street, ran along it and rushed on. Lodz gives the impression of a large industrial city with rare but beautiful architectural islands.

Fragments of Old Lodz

We arrived in Krakow at 22:50. We were in a hurry to get to the hotel, since the website indicated check-in time until 23:00. We made it, but I think that even if we were late, we would still have been accommodated in Dom Studencki Atol. We had to spend three nights there, for which we paid 5,300 rubles. The hotel is a student residence, but we are not picky tourists who only need an overnight stay, so this option suited us.

A small drawback is the lack of dishes, but the watchmen took pity on us and let us use the pan. This was very useful, since my children love to eat, and let me remind you, the trip is on a budget, so we didn’t plan to constantly have a snack in a cafe. Lidl and Biedronka (Polish chain supermarkets) are a stone's throw from the hostel, as well as a small convenience store. There was no shortage of products.

History come to life - Krakow Old Town

On the first day in Krakow, we decided to go to the Old Town, about which we had read many admiring reviews on the Internet. On August 15, the Polish Army Festival takes place in Poland - keep this in mind if you are planning a trip in the summer. On this day everything is closed, as on any other public holiday. The city seemed to have died out, but historical center there are very, very many people.

Crowded tourist Krakow

The old town is very beautiful - there is a lot interesting buildings, both preserved and restored. Interesting facts about this place can be found at the information points. One of them is located right on main square Krakow. A tip for all travelers - find the tourist information office straight away. It is usually located in the city center. There they will give you tourist map, will help you build a route, give you discount coupons, tell you about promotions, etc. In all European cities I do exactly this, in Russia it’s a little more difficult. Souvenirs can be bought in the cloth hall building in the very center of the city; there is a very large selection to suit every taste and budget.

Model of cloth rows in Krakow

We walked around the very center, went into the church and looked at the festive service - it was a very beautiful event, there were flowers and bouquets everywhere.

Festive ceremony

Further along the narrow streets we headed to the pearl of Krakow - Royal castle Wawel. We had a snack on the way - even in the center of the Old Town you can eat relatively inexpensively. On average, a check in a cafe costs 200-250 rubles per person, and the portions are served very large - you won’t leave hungry.

The castle is located on Wawel Hill, so you have to climb the mountain. It's worth it, because the views at the top are amazing. beautiful view to the city.

View of Krakow and the Vistula from Wawel Hill

Entrance to the castle's courtyard is free, but to the chambers there is a fee, as there are exhibitions dedicated to Polish kings, and an exhibition of paintings.

Inner courtyard of Wawel Castle

We didn’t go inside, but decided to visit the legendary dragon cave. We stood in a short line, bought tickets from the machine (you need to have cash with you), paid three zlotys per person (about 45 rubles), went downstairs and headed to the car. Advice: in the evening and at holidays In the Old Town you can park for free in many places. I didn’t know this, so I parked the car a little far from the place.

We went to the largest amusement park in Poland called Energylandia. Tickets cost 109 zlotys (1,744 rubles) for adults and 59 zlotys (944 rubles) for children under 18 years old (height must be less than 140 centimeters). For children under three years old, entry will cost only one zloty (16 rubles). In total, this pleasure cost us 5,300 rubles.

There are many attractions here, but there are no less people. Extreme entertainment is popular, so the queues are long - you will have to wait at least half an hour, but it is worth it. There is a cafe on site, but it is expensive, so we took food and water with us. It was very hot, but the park has a large water area where you can cool off. In addition, there are water sprayers everywhere, which are also very refreshing.

Energylandia has a large area for children, where there are practically no queues. It’s still better to arrive before the opening to get plenty of rides. We didn't have time to visit everywhere.

Energylandia - a fairy tale for children and adults

Schindler's Factory Museum in Krakow

The next day was my last in Krakow. Near our hostel there is a small but clean lake with a large recreation area. We spent the whole morning there.

A good place to rest and relax before a long journey

Then we went to the Schindler Museum, which is located in the building of Oskar Schindler's enamel factory. Ticket prices are 24 (adult) and 18 (reduced) zlotys. The queue is long, but small children are allowed to go ahead. If possible, it is better to buy tickets online.

The exhibition is interesting - you unnoticeably dissolve in the atmosphere of historical Krakow from 1939 to 1945. The annotations are mostly in Polish, but even without knowing the language, everything can be understood. Another tip: watch the movie "Schindler's List" before visiting the museum.

Oskar Schindler Museum

Not far from the museum, there is a fragment of the wall that separated the ghetto from the main Krakow - that’s where we headed. This part of the city is not as colorful as the center.

Fragment of the wall of the Jewish ghetto

Wieliczka. Salt caves

The next point is the Wieliczka salt mines. Tickets cost us 46 zlotys per person, we paid a total of 2,200 rubles.

Descent into the caves is permitted only with a guide. We went with a Polish guide, but you can choose a Russian one, but the ticket will be more expensive. We waited for the guide for about half an hour, after which everyone was given headphones and told to go down the stairs. The path is quite long, and it is difficult to walk with a small child. The temperature in the caves is comfortable, you should wear comfortable shoes. Here we found beautiful halls in which everything is made of salt, as well as a salt river and a lake.

At the end there was a souvenir shop and restaurant waiting for us. The whole excursion took us about 2.5-3 hours.

The largest hall

Salt crystal chandelier

Warsaw. Relaxation in the botanical garden

From Wieliczka we went to Warsaw. We booked a room in advance at Hey Chang Hostel, which cost us 1,600 rubles. The hotel is a private house with separate rooms By the way, here we were provided with a free separate bed for a small child. In the morning we went to the Outlet, which is located nearby. There are many brand stores and a good choice goods - perfect place for shopping.

Warsaw was a transit city for us, which we had visited more than once before. It was 32 degrees outside, and we had almost no energy left, so we decided to visit only the university library, and we were not at all wrong with our choice. This place is perfect to end your trip to Poland. Entrance to the library is free.