Mobility! The car is always available and you do not need to wait for the arrival of a bus or train, buy tickets, tie your schedule to the schedule public transport etc.
A traveler can independently build a route, change it, there is no connection to transfers and other inconveniences.
In general, a trip by car to Poland is 10-15% cheaper than a train or a bus. The savings compared to air travel are even more significant.
The main requirement for the car is technical serviceability. Customs officers pay special attention to the work of headlights (the low beam must be on around the clock!), so it is better to stock up on additional bulbs.
Problems may arise with an obvious violation of the integrity of the car - there were cases when travelers were turned around when crossing the Polish border due to impressive cracks on the windshield or damage to the body. Correcting these shortcomings should be taken care of before the trip.
When traveling in winter, you should know that studded tires are prohibited in Poland! The use of various "anti-radars" and similar equipment is not allowed either.
In addition to the requirements of the laws of Poland and the EU, there are also arguments of common sense: you have to drive more than one thousand kilometers, which means you need to carry out all the routine maintenance and full maintenance of your car.
What to prepare for a trip with your own transport?
Standard kit consisting of a first aid kit and fire extinguisher, emergency sign and spare wheel. It is very important to check the status of the expiration dates! Expired medicines or a fire extinguisher will be deemed unsuitable by customs officers and may not let the vehicle pass.
There are also requirements that drivers are not familiar with. Polish regulations prohibit leaving the car in the dark outside the city limits without a vest with reflective stripes. Therefore, the availability of such vests will be checked by customs.
There are two important points related to this:
- The number of vests should be equal to the number of passengers... These accessories must be present for both babies and people with reduced mobility.
- Vests must be placed in the car... Their presence in the trunk is not counted and raises the question: "How are you going to get to the trunk, if you cannot leave the car without a vest?"
One more moment about winter tires... Spikes are prohibited, but in cases of snowy roads it is allowed to use chains on the vehicle.
Car documents
The entire generally accepted package of documents, of course, is required:
- The rights. Moreover, if national documents are not recognized abroad, you should attend to obtaining an international certificate. Belarus, Poland, Russia and Ukraine are signatories to the 1968 Vienna Convention on the Recognition of National Rights, so replacement of certificates is not required.
- Vehicle registration certificate.
- If management is carried out by proxy - the relevant documents.
- International standard car insurance.
Documents for passengers
The list of required items may vary depending on the purpose of travel to Poland, but must always include:
- with a properly designed and valid this moment visa;
- if you go to work;
- for each of those entering.
Where can you cross the border with Poland by car?
From the territory of Ukraine, you can get to Poland through 5 road border crossings (in a pair the first n.p. of Ukraine, the second - Poland):
- Yagodin - Dorogusk;
- Smoker - Krosssenko;
- Shegini - Medyka;
- Rava-Russkaya - Grebenne;
- Krakovets - Korcheva;
- Ustilug - Zosin.
Light vehicles are allowed to enter Poland at all crossings, for heavy vehicles there is a restriction: Ustilug only allows cars up to 3.5 tons.
For Belarusians
From Belarus, vehicles leave through the following points:
- Domachevo - Slovatichi;
- Berestovitsa - Bobrovniki;
- Kozlovichi - Kukuryk;
- Brest - Terespol;
- Sand - Polovtsi;
- Bruzgi - Belostotskaya Forge.
Please note that crossing the Belarusian-Polish border through Kozlovichi is possible exclusively for trucks.
Russian
Russia has a border with Poland only through the exclave of the Kaliningrad region. If travelers live in this region, then it is not difficult to resolve the issue through car points:
- Bagrationovsk - Bezledy;
- Mamonovo - Gronovo (up to 6.5 tons);
- Mamonovo II - Grzechotki;
- Gusev (Ozersk) - Goldap.
From other territories, crossing the Russian-Polish border is possible through Belarus or Ukraine.
So, let's figure out how to cross the border.
The border crossing procedure begins with a trivial queue of cars.
It is necessary to wait for the approach of the customs officer from the departure side.
Issuance of a coupon, check of a car and documents
The customs officer will specify the number of passengers and will definitely issue a control card - a document that will indicate the parameters of the car, people, date and time. The coupon will be needed at all stages of the border crossing, so be sure to check the correctness of its filling.
All marks in the document are made by customs officers - neither the driver nor passengers fill out anything in it.
The next stage is Polish customs... In principle, the process is identical (checking the car, documents, marking on the coupon), however, the control can be more thorough and, therefore, take more time.
Baggage check
It is very important to know what is allowed for import into Poland and what is strictly prohibited. The presence of prohibited things (products) may become the basis for a ban on entry.
What to look for?
After passing all the checks, it is imperative to check the correctness of filling out the documents, personal data of passengers and the vehicle.
As practice shows, there are frequent cases when the customs forgets to put stamps on entry-exit. This needs to be checked.
It was already mentioned, but it is worth dwelling on this in more detail:
- Reflective vests are required.
- The movement must be accompanied by a lighted dipped beam, but running lights are allowed during daylight hours.
- The use of front fog lamps is only allowed in rain or fog.
- Rear fog lights are allowed to be switched on when visibility is up to 50 m (otherwise a fine of PLN 100).
- The speed limit within the city is limited to 50 km / h, but from 11 pm to 05 am the limit increases to 60 km / h.
- Outside residential areas, the permissible speed is most often up to 90 km / h, but there are also roads with restrictions up to 100-140 km / h.
- Fines for exceeding the speed limit are about PLN 115, for violations of more than 10 km / h. If exceeded by 50 km / h. and more threatens with deprivation of rights up to 3 months.
- On some tracks, the speed is limited to two limits. For example, no more than 140 km / h, but not less than 40 km / h.
- PLN 200 will have to pay for overtaking on a zebra crossing (pedestrian crossing). The same penalty is imposed for overtaking on the right, violation of the markings (two solid lines) and obstruction of public transport.
- PLN 300 there is an exit to an intersection where traffic is difficult.
- Incorrect parking will cost PLN 400, while it costs PLN 800 to occupy a place reserved for a disabled person.
- Not to miss a pedestrian is estimated at PLN 350.
- Unfastened seat belt - PLN 100
- Calling on the phone without hands free - PLN 200
- Carriage of children is only allowed in a special seat in the back seat - a fine of PLN 150.
It is believed that in Poland, a small amount of alcohol is allowed while driving... Indeed, the permissible rate is 0.2 prom.
However, even a small dose of alcohol can show great results!
Penalties for violations are serious:
- for the interval 0.21 - 0.5 prom., a fine of PLN 5,000 and deprivation of rights from three years;
- for high rates - 10,000 and deprivation for the same period.
Toll autobahns in Poland
High-speed autobahns are convenient, but paid opportunity to move in your car. Average prices are 20 grosz per 1 km... Payment is collected at the entrance to the highway (toll section) - in cash in zlotys, euros or dollars, as well as credit cards.
Another way to charge a fee is to pay at the exit from paid site... In this case, upon entry, the driver is obliged to receive a special check, keep it until the exit and, on its basis, pay at the end of the route.
Today there are three autobahns:
- A1 Gdansk-Torun (PLN 29.90 for the whole route);
- A2 Vashava-Swiecko (PLN 78.90 for the entire route);
- A4 Zgorzelec - Krakow (PLN 36.20 for the whole highway).
A car trip to Poland is convenient and easy. If you study all the details of crossing the border and the rules of behavior within the country, you will be able to have a good time without being distracted by problems.
We told you about all the nuances of this process. But if some details remain unclear - ask in the comments and leave your feedback.
In 2020, a considerable number of Russians were able to travel to Poland by car. Located in the very center of Europe, the republic has a land border with the Russian Federation. Namely - with the Kaliningrad region. It is not surprising that many of our compatriots prefer to travel on Polish territory by private transport. We will find out all the nuances of travel to Poland with your car.
In 2020, 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 neighboring Kaliningrad region, but also of regions remote from the border. IN european state guests from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and even Vladivostok come in their own cars.
Features of entering Poland "on their own"
To come to Poland by car, you need to obtain a visa in advance. In this sense, traveling to a European power is no different from arriving by plane, train, or bus. You cannot visit the country without an entry paper.
Usually, motorists and their fellow travelers 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 get 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 on the Kaliningrad region. Therefore, it is possible to enter the republic from Russia by personal transport only through this region. There are special checkpoints at the border. Driving a car is allowed only through these checkpoints.
The second option for starting a Polish auto-trip is to enter Poland through Belarus. Citizens of the Russian Federation are allowed to enter the fraternal republic russian passport... In this case, the route is constructed as follows:
- Leave Moscow or other russian city to the Belarusian Brest.
- The way 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 crossing Domachevo (50 km south of Brest).
Gift: 2100 rubles for housing!
- Entrants have the right to demand that cash as financial guarantees. The minimum amount for 1 day of stay is PLN 300. A foreign currency equivalent (about $ 100) is allowed. It is allowed to show both cash and credit cards.
- The import of foreign currency is not limited, but a declaration in excess of the permitted amount of 10,000 euros is required.
- If guests of Poland enter the territory of the country with pets, a certificate from the veterinary service is required. It must contain notes on all vaccinations given to animals, including vaccinations against rabies.
What can be asked at the border
- Purpose of the trip.
- Travel itinerary planned to visit the city.
- Scheduled tour dates.
- What is imported to Poland, whether 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 a visa.
- Medical insurance:
- For the whole trip.
- Valid throughout the Schengen area.
- Covered from 30 thousand euros.
- Sometimes they require to present:
- Financial guarantees.
- Reservation of a hotel room or campsite, or the presence of another residence address in Poland.
- An invitation from a local individual or legal entity.
For the driver
- International passport with a visa.
- Medical insurance.
- Sometimes they require the presentation of the same additional documents as for passengers.
- Driving license (no special requirements).
- Vehicle registration certificate (vehicle registration certificate). It is important that the document is issued for the driver. Handwritten powers of attorney will not be accepted.
- Valid green card.
What is a green card for a car
When traveling by car to Poland, a green card must be purchased without fail. In fact, this is an analogue of our OSAGO. The document is issued not for the driver, but for the vehicle. This means that any participant in the journey can drive the car. Of course, provided he has a driver's license.
A green card for a trip to Poland must be in an international format and be valid throughout Europe. It is not allowed to issue a document in any insurance company. A limited number of organizations are entitled to sell this type of insurance service. Among them:
- Rosgosstrakh.
- Alfa Insurance
- RESO-Garantia.
- "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 travel.
How much will you have to pay for a green card
The cost of a green card to Poland depends primarily 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 bulbs in order to change them at the border if necessary.
- A clean windshield without conspicuous cracks. Only cracks of 2-3 centimeters and small chips are allowed.
- The vehicle must contain:
- First aid kit.
- Spare wheel or repair kit.
- Fire extinguisher (it is recommended to check its expiration date before traveling).
- Warning triangle.
- Reflective vests for all trip participants.
- Baby car seats (when traveling with children under 12 years old).
- Foreign motorists traveling on Polish roads in their car must place a sign of the state where the car is registered on it. For Russians, this is the “RUS” sign in a white oval. Without a sticker, movement on a vehicle is unacceptable.
Main road rules in Poland
- Maximum permissible driving speed (in km / h):
- When driving, the dipped headlights are always switched on. Time of day and weather conditions do not matter.
- Studded tires are prohibited. The use of winter tires is voluntary.
- It is forbidden to equip vehicles with anti-radars and similar devices. Even an unused radar detector cannot be transported.
- The maximum possible alcohol content in the blood of a motorist is 0.2 ppm. For driving in a state of intoxication, the driver's license is withdrawn. In addition, the violator faces up to 8 years in prison.
Fines for traffic violations
Parking in Polish
Motorists are allowed to park their cars for Polish drivers and visitors from other countries only in specially designated areas. It is also forbidden to leave the car in parking lots intended for people with disabilities. A fine is provided for this - PLN 800.
There are not so few free parking lots in the centers of Polish cities 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 abundant. They are found on all main streets, near attractions and in places of greatest demand. Finding a parking space is easy. It is enough to be guided by the blue pointers with the letter "P".
Important! In large Polish cities, parking is paid only on certain days (usually on weekdays) and hours (usually from 9:00 to 17:00). The rest of the time they are allowed to stop for free.
The cost of parking depends on their proximity to the center, significant objects and crowds. For example, an hour of parking in the center of Gdansk will cost PLN 3.
Parking is paid through the parking meter. As a rule, these devices are located next to the parking lot. On the parking meter display, you need to select the parking time and pay for the service (in small change or in large bills).
The machine will issue a check - a parking ticket. It must be placed on dashboard vehicle - so that controllers can see the paper through the windshield.
If you run out of gasoline ...
Self-service is accepted at Polish gas stations. The driver fills up the tank and then pays for the fuel at the checkout. Drivers are allowed to carry up to 20 liters of fuel in cans. It is worth considering that there is no 92nd gasoline at local gas stations. And the 95th is of 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 (95th gasoline).
- 1.13 euros (98th petrol).
- € 1.05 (diesel).
- 0.5 euro (LPG).
At the same time, prices for gas stations located along highways can be 10-20 cents higher than at gas stations near large shopping malls.
Toll tracks
Polish motorways A1, A2 and A4 are toll roads. The fare depends on the distance traveled.
Payment calculation on specific road sections is done in different ways. Usually travel is paid both in cash and by bank transfer, in national currency, euros and US dollars. However, it is recommended that you pay with local money. Change is also always given in PLN.
By car through Poland: transit rules
People enter Poland via Kaliningrad or Brest by personal transport not only for the sake of a car trip across the Central European republic. Many of our fellow citizens only pass Polish lands, choosing other states as the main goal of their auto tour. The following documents are submitted for a Schengen transit visa to travel through Poland:
- :
- Filled out in full and certified with a personal signature.
- It is advisable to fill out the form on a computer, but it is allowed by hand.
- Information is entered legibly, with a pen with blue or black paste (if filled by hand).
- Information is written in Russian, Polish or English.
- Items No. 1-5 are filled in Latin letters, strictly as in the passport.
- For a minor child entered in the parent's passport, a separate form is filled out. It is signed by the parent.
- Visa of the state of destination (original and copy). In her absence, the following are submitted:
- Or a 100% paid hotel reservation.
- Or documents for the ownership of real estate (lease agreement, purchase agreement, etc.).
- International passport:
- Copies of the first page and Schengen visas for 3 years (if available).
- With 2 loose sheets.
- The expiration date of the document is from 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 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 in Poland. It is important to remember that if a foreigner already has a valid Schengen visa, it is not required to make a separate document for transit.
Polish tracks are considered one of the safest in Europe. The overwhelming 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 closely monitored by the police. Therefore, when traveling around the republic by car, you should strictly observe traffic rules.
In this part of the report, how we skipped the line crossed the Belarus-Poland border and practically passed the first European country in transit. How much is gasoline, where you can drink coffee and eat sandwiches. And a few sights of Lodz.
Day 2 continued. Border Belarus - Poland
We decided to break into Europe by car from Belarus. Namely - in Brest to cross one of the most "slow", in the opinion of many members of the forum, the "Warsaw Bridge" checkpoint, which connects Belarus and Poland. BUT! The devil is not so terrible as, it turns out, he is painted. The Belarus-Poland border is fastest on Sunday evening. But this "fastest" usually takes a couple of hours. They are scary, they deliberately drive them out of themselves, they take meat-cheese-nicotine-rifles-marijuana for themselves (and as luck would have it, this is what we carry when we drive to Europe in a car).
We were scared, and we drove up to Brest, this last city in Belarus, exactly on the evening of the last weekend - we wanted to get to Poland as soon as possible (the hotel was booked in advance). They did not have time to finish eating the meat, hid all the most forbidden and drove up to the "Warsaw Bridge" ...
The Belarusian border was unexpectedly passed in 10 minutes. A stern border guard of 25 years old peered into my face for a long time and looked for 10 differences with a photo in my passport. I had to apologize for some of the cosmetic procedures performed on my own face after making a passport. 10 differences were found, the stamp was put and we were released from the former USSR. Now this part of our road trip could be safely called a "trip to Poland" if this country had not been planned exclusively as a transit country.
On the Polish border, the tail of the cars pleased with the ultimate visibility. To be precise, there were three auto-tails. One is for EU cars, two for the rest. The European Union tail on the Belarus-Poland border (as on any other border) moved faster and disappeared after half an hour. And - a miracle of miracles! - the Polish border guard waved us and rebuilt us from the "Russian" queue to the one where the starry sun should be present on the license plate of the car. They took our passports, asked how many liters of gasoline were in the car, for decency they asked to open the trunk ... .. And that's it!
So we were afraid in vain. And drugs and weapons could be held. But those who were not standing in the Eurocorridor were clearly watching for longer than us. And tomorrow we have a whole day of traveling in Poland by car ... Preparing the fifth points and recalling the leisurely traffic on Polish roads in 2011.
Day 3. To Poland by car - impressions of the country
The third day of our summer road trip has come. Woke up in a hotel Hotel Mixbud (an ordinary hotel for a "night out", with good plumbing, the ability to buy breakfast, comfortable beds and excellent wi-fi). We woke up, packed up and drove off. The entire third day of the trip was planned to go and look at Poland from the car window.
Poland, with the exception of obvious tourist cities, is not very attractive. Carefully, there are many flowers in the courtyards of two-story houses. There are many storks. A lot of cars. A few people. The country is not distinguished by strong originality - we noticed this five years ago.
The roads in this part of the Polish land are good (we can safely recommend them to start traveling in Europe by car), but the abundance of settlements reduces the driving speed. It was a surprise that we were stopped by the border service to check documents, although we were already relatively far from the border.
We are driving along E30 (A2 or M1) to Warsaw. Although we do not need Warsaw, in fact. Petrol prices in this part of Poland are from 4.44 to 4.57 zlotys (about euro). At Cafepunkt we drink coffee (60 ml espresso for 4.5 zlotys, everything else is 5.99 zlotys for 300 ml). There are even more cars in front of Warsaw, and we trudge at a speed of 50 km / h. The houses on the sides of the track are neat, periodic churches, but the look, by and large, does not stop at anything.
We pass Warsaw quickly thanks to new interchanges, we never get out of the car and observe the outskirts of the city exclusively from the window. The Stalinists make Warsaw look like the Vyborg side of St. Petersburg, and modern glass, as expected, kill any rudiments of originality and completely depersonalize an already not very beautiful city.
Our fifth points were a little tired, and we decided to let them warm up in Lodz. First, we continue along the E30, which after Warsaw has become wide, high-speed and multinational. After driving about 40 km from Warsaw, we drink tea and sandwiches in a large parking lot. There is a toilet, three sheds with benches and a water pump. After another 10 km - gas station, parking and McDonald's. And then another. And further.
If your travel route to Poland by car will pass this route, you will enjoy it. We have never seen such roads anywhere else in Europe. This is a perfectly renovated new autobahn with a speed limit of 140 km / h. After turning to Lodz and up to Germany itself, the track becomes toll, but we slipped through the free section.
We turned onto A1 and stopped in Lodz. We did not have time to explore all the sights of Lodz, and we only managed to walk a couple of streets.
Attractions of Lodz
The sights of Lodz for us are Piotrkowska Street. We passed it completely, capturing only separate parts of the rest of the streets. Piotrkowska (also googled as Petrovskaya or Piotrowski) is one of the longest shopping alleys not only in Poland, but throughout Europe. Lots of funny sculptures, an area with personalized street tiles, many cafes and shops. If you take pictures everywhere, you can get stuck for a couple of hours. And if you get here during a festival, which are not uncommon here, you will be stuck for half a day.
Bench by Julian Tuwim at 104 Pyotrkovskaya str.:
Avenue of Stars:
On the stars are the names of directors and filmmakers. The stars stretched from the intersection of Monyushka Street to Rubinstein Passage (houses 78-80).
Arthur Rubinstein's grand piano at 78:
Monument to three manufacturers at house 32:
These are famous Polish manufacturers of the early 20th century, Israel Poznansky, Ludwik Grohmann and Karl Scheibler, who had a hand in the prosperity of Lodz.
Part of the pedestrian zone paved with name tiles:
Polish Lodz - a good city... A mixture of Kiev and the Petrograd side in St. Petersburg. We ran, got caught in a downpour and drove on. By the clock - 16 hours, we still need to have lunch, take E 67 (S 8) to get to Wroclawto find the sculptural composition that was missed in 2012 and come to Germany to camp overnight.
They looked in Wroclaw, found sculptures of people leaving and leaving the ground, and rushed to the non-tavern along E 40 (in Germany, route No. 4). We drove into it already after dark, on the way a couple of times again getting under local showers and once even under hail the size of a walnut.
We stayed for the night at a camping near Bautzen. But this is another part of the report - German.
All our posts about this European trip by car:
- almost "transit" part of the report, but after reading it, you will learn several important points about the trip to Belarus and what to see in Polotsk, where we spent the night.
Part two - Poland - you just read it now
(part of the 2016 autotrip report)
A country where there is nothing to do for more than a couple of hours. But maybe this is purely our opinion. Read this part of the report and decide for yourself!
8 days, 9 cities, mountains, gorges, villages and waterfalls. Quite a busy route. And prices in Switzerland in 2016.
Genoa, Pisa, Florence, Lucca, Citadella and even the center of Padua. And a couple of hours San Marino
Hoeschwangau, Neuschwanstein, Lindshof, Dachau, Munich, Nuremberg and Rothenburg on Tauber.
Part eight, final -. What is interesting to see in Belarus by car in summer
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The advantage of such a trip is savings. Traveling to Poland in your own car is delightfully cheap. A week's rest, 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 at 25. Here, there is no limit to perfection!
Not to mention the complete freedom to dispose of time and position in space is also a pleasant state, and it is worth a lot.
However, starting this venture, you need to think over and prepare in advance. We offer you a win-win algorithm of actions that should precede your trip. So that it will bring you only pleasant surprises, and not become a continuous “settling” of various kinds and degrees of severity of problems.
1. Route
First of all, we determine the route. Literally - from the threshold and ... where the soul calls. Decide, after consulting with friends and acquaintances, sitting in the evenings on the Web, leafing 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, and Gdynia.
And in winter you will be beckoned, and the most popular of them is Zakopane.
Poland literally breathes living history, all of it is the embodied chronicle of centuries - from the times of knights to the present day. very, very diverse and numerous, because no matter what city you take, there will definitely be historical monument, and not one. In order to get acquainted with the history and culture of Poland, you should definitely visit Warsaw. Then comes Krakow, again Gdansk, located in the very heart of the country Lodz, a living testimony of the Polish Renaissance Poznan and of course, the ancient capital - Gniezno.
Attention to the most curious and energetic! Don't even try to embrace this immense splendor in one trip. Poland is too big to discover in a week of vacation. Decide what you would like to see first. ...
For a complete acquaintance with the country, it's better all the same. For a complete acquaintance with the country, it is better to buy a sightseeing tour. Then the trip will be organized in an optimal way so that in the shortest time you get the maximum experience from this trip.
2. Book a hotel
Ideally, you need to book hotels in advance in all cities through which the route will run. It 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, it is necessary to book the hotel in advance, which you will arrive at first, once in Poland. Because confirmation of the reservation from the hotel will be required for visa processing.
3.Application of a visa
It is not difficult for Russians to get a visa to Poland. To do this, you need to contact the embassy or consulate of the Polish Republic. In order not to stand in lines and not waste time on weekdays before vacation, order a visa from a tour operator. It is not much more expensive, and if you are traveling with the whole family or a large company, discounts are possible on this service, and for very little money you will gain time and save energy, which will be useful both for preparation and for travel.
The best part is that Poland is part of the Schengen zone, which means that having received a visa to Poland, you can proceed to any European country of the Schengen agreement. Therefore, many seasoned car tourists have chosen Poland as an ideal start for big trip in Europe.
4. Documents required for travel
So, in addition to a 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 (bought at the border in Brest).
However, if you travel through Poland in transit, medical insurance is not required. In the absence of medical insurance, entering the territory of Poland, you need to have 300 zlotys per person per day (this is about 75 euros).
If a child is accompanying you and you are not a parent or the second parent is not with you, then a notarized permission to take the child abroad is required.
Driver's 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 tinting, especially on the front doors. Entry prohibited on studded tires. Don't forget your first aid kit. And be sure to remove radar detectors and other tricks. The Polish traffic police will not forgive you for this.
5. What else to take with you?
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 some types of food - meat, for example. So eat your sandwiches before crossing the border.
Money. If you have health insurance - PLN 100 per day (about 25 euros) - minimum. Take 1500 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 it in Poland.
6.How to go?
From Moscow it is easier to go along the M1 highway to Brest itself. Border crossing - Brest-Terespol. There are more border guards here, which means that the queue moves faster. The journey from Moscow to the border 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 is best to cross at 2-3 am - there are almost no people. South of Brest there is a passage to Domachevo. There are fewer queues, but there are also few border guards, so it takes longer than in Brest itself.
When asked about the purpose of the trip, you answer - tourism. Show your passport with a visa. Show the email printout as confirmation from the hotel.
And here you are in Poland. Be careful on narrow Polish roads, obey traffic rules and use common sense. We hope that these tips will make your trip easier and allow you to devote maximum attention and time to active rest, bright impressions and wonderful discoveries. Have a good trip!
Poland is one of our closest Schengen neighbors, although Russia does not border directly on it. Of course, Finland is in the first place in this matter, which is next to Leningrad region, and has direct border crossings with Russia. It is very convenient for St. Petersburg residents, many of whom have a Finnish visa and all their car routes to Europe start from here. But for the Moscow region and more southern regions, it is not very convenient to make such a northern detour. In addition, to get to other European countries from Finland by car, you need to take a ferry, and this is time and additional money. Therefore, for autotourists in the central part of Russia, it turns out to be more convenient and faster another route to Europe - through Belarus and Poland (of course, if you prefer an airplane, all of the above is completely unimportant to you).
M1 in Russian and Belarusian traditions
So, if you decide to choose this path, your route will run along the famous Smolensk road (M1 highway), which runs almost directly from Moscow to Brest, the distance to the Polish border is 1060 km. The Russian part of the road, 455 km long, is quite good by our standards: two lanes in each direction, the markings are more or less present, and in winter the road is again more or less cleaned. The only negative is the mass of settlements and stupid signs, forcing in some places to go 50-60 km / h. However, even where there are no signs, according to our rules, the maximum speed is still only 90 - it does not reach the status of the M1 motorway.
On its Belarusian part, the track is clearly getting better and almost reaches the European level. Signs permit movement on most of this 605-kilometer section at a speed of 120 km / h. But here, too, there is a minus: roadside service, which is far from being the best on Russian territory, on Belarusian soil, is practically dying out. Remember, in the immortal Soviet cartoon "The Mystery of the Third Planet" a certain planet "Zhelezyaka" was described as follows: "there are no people, no minerals, no water, inhabited by robots"? Well, the M1 highway in Belarus looks about the same.
In fact, there are only a few dozen gas stations where, however, you can refuel for Russian rubles. Roadside catering, and especially parking lot toilets, look like you might not want to use them. And even if you want to chew on something (toilets like "point" are free!) - then only for "bunnies" (this is the historical name of the Belarusian currency). And "bunnies" - only in the exchange office. And the exchange office, as in the famous TV series, is “somewhere nearby” ... In general, for the Belarusian section of the road it is much easier (and safer for health) to stock up on sandwiches and coffee in a thermos. Be patient to Poland - there you will have a great meal!
The serious things to remember are the following. Firstly, do not relax much from the fact that there are no stationary traffic police posts in Belarus. But there are mobile crews who, like ours, like to hide in the bushes, and the fines for speeding are much more serious - up to several hundred euros, and they will have to pay at the bank, which will take time. Secondly, you need to know that there is no need to make any additional insurance or payment "for transit" at the border now. International insurance is suitable (the same "Green Card ", Which, I hope, you have already received), and for the roads you will pay 4 times for 20-25 rubles (Russian) at four toll collection points with barriers - you will definitely not miss them. So you just pass the Russia-Belarus border without stopping. Practice shows that without particularly violating traffic rules, leaving Moscow at 5 am in order to bypass all traffic jams, by 16-17 hours you will arrive at the border in Brest.
Border
The border crossing Brest-Terespol is by no means the only one between Belarus and Poland, but the largest. There was a time when it was possible to stand in line for several days by car at this crossing, and skip-the-line, organized by local bandits, cost 100 dollars, and then 100 euros. But then between Poland and Belarus there was visa-free regime, and citizens actively earned on this, moving gasoline and cigarettes across the border. Now for Belarusians, as well as for everyone else, a Schengen visa is required, and the cost of obtaining it has brought this “business” to almost nothing.
So, depending on the day of the week and time of day, now you will stand at this border crossing from half an hour (lucky!) To 3-4 hours. It is best to cross the border on weekends or holidays, as well as around 2-3 a.m. - then the queues are minimal. If suddenly there is a congestion at this crossing, you can try another crossing - Domachevo, it is only 50 kilometers south of Brest. There are usually fewer queues, but there are fewer border guards, so there may not be a gain in time. In addition, buses and minibuses are not allowed in Domachevo.
Everything that can and cannot be transported across the border of Poland, you can easily find on special sites, for example, or.
Customs officers usually pay maximum attention to alcohol (maximum 1 liter of spirits or 2 liters of wine) and cigarettes (200 pieces, or 1 block). Gasoline or diesel fuel cannot be transported in cans - only what is in the tank. If you are carrying canisters, pour all their contents into the tank before the border. Notices hanging on the border say that you cannot bring meat and dairy products, so use your sandwiches, if possible, in Belarus - anyway, food in Poland is better and cheaper. To the question "What are you carrying?" the best answer is “only personal belongings”. Sometimes you may be asked to open a particular suitcase or bag.
But what you need to have at the border is a must: a passport with a visa for each passenger, a vehicle registration certificate ("technical standard") issued for the driver (powers of attorney will not be given here), rights, car insurance ("Green Card ").
Very often they ask about money (remember, you need 300 zlotys or 75 euros per day of stay?), So you will need to show the currency and / or credit cards. It is very rare, but it happens that they ask for an invitation or a copy of it. In this case, we answer that the original of the invitation, as expected, is at the embassy, \u200b\u200band it is advisable to take a copy with you (ask the company that will help you with the visa).
In the car, they can check for a first aid kit, an emergency stop sign and, (attention!), Reflective vests for all passengers, so stock up on them in advance, they are inexpensive. The car must have a sign “RUS "In a white oval. It happens that they check the operation of all lighting devices - replace the bulbs, if necessary, in advance. They may not miss the car if there are large cracks on the windshield that interfere with the view.
Studded tires and any anti-radar or radar detectors are strictly prohibited! Even for the simple presence of an unused anti-radar in the car, a very large fine is provided with its confiscation.
Driving in Polish
So, I hope you crossed (more precisely, moved) the border in a reasonable time, and ended up on the territory of Poland. The first thing you should do is turn on the low beam headlights and never turn it off here again while you are driving. This is a requirement of local traffic rules, for violation of which any policeman will immediately stop you. There are no stationary traffic police posts here, as in the entire civilized world, but there are many mobile patrols, and very often, quite in Russian traditions, they hide in secluded places and catch offenders.
A brief blinking of an oncoming car with a high beam here can tell you two things: firstly, like ours, there is a police ambush, and secondly, "your headlights are not on", so if all oncoming cars blink at you, check if the low beam is on.
The next important thing is the speed limit. On the border, you will see a poster something like this:
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This shows the permissible maximum speed in different situations, and we can see a lot of differences from the Russian rules. The speed limit in settlements (here it is called the "Development Zone") in Poland depends on the time of day: 50 km / h from 5 am to 11 pm, and 60 km / h at night. Outside settlements, like ours, the limit is 90 km / h, but if the road has two lanes in each direction outside the built-up area, or a special sign is installed, then 100 km / h. A four-lane road with a special sign outside the city gives you the opportunity to accelerate to 120 km / h, and the highway - up to 140 km / h. However, there are few highways in Poland andthey are all paid.
There is a very significant difference in where the speed limit zone begins and ends in populated areas. We are accustomed to signs such as "name on a white background", after which a restriction is set up to the same sign, but crossed out with a red line. In Poland, the signs of the names of settlements have a green background (see figure below), and in no wayaffect the speed limit.
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The speed limit, on the other hand, is affected only by the signs "building zone" (city silhouette on a white background) and "end of the building zone" (it is crossed out), and these signs are installed exactly where the signs of the names of settlements are on a green background, that is, these pairs of signs coexist completely separately from each other! And since in Poland one village follows one another, and most roads pass through the centers of settlements, you need to be very careful not to miss the start and end of the speed limit - the police are on the alert!
Generally, in Poland
tons of creative road signs that are different from ours, but most of them are understandable without explanation. The only sign that systematically drives foreigners into a stupor teachers, this one.
The resemblance to the skull and crossbones is justified. Translated, this means "black place", that is, a place where accidents constantly occur. And although formally the sign does not require anything from you, it informs that at this place so many people died (zabitych ) and so many injured (rannych ), Maybe it makes sense to slow down?
Well, this sign is as clear as possible. Apparently, so many cars overturned on this unfortunate house on the side of the road that the local authorities decided to come up with a new sign "Caution, overturning on the house."
Despite EU assistance and active construction of new highways, most roads in Poland remain narrow and two-lane. In fact, at the moment, the toll motorways Warsaw-Frankfurt an der Oder (to the border with Germany) and Warsaw-Krakow are almost completed. These roads already fully comply with European standards, but all the rest ... All the rest pass through cities and other settlements, and if there are wide enough asphalt roadsides on them, this is already good. In addition, these roads often need to be repaired, and then the oncoming streams travel in just one lane, separated by a temporary traffic light. Traffic jams are obtained, as in the photo below:
Ethics on the road
It is clear that you cannot build new roads all over the country at once, but you need to drive somehow already today, and therefore a certain code of conduct on the road has been formed among professional drivers. Although it works in almost all countries, its effect is especially pronounced on narrow Polish roads.
For example, you are trying to overtake a large truck on a two-lane road, in conditions of limited visibility. First, you must look closely at the signs and markings. In Poland, no one sets up signs to “cut the loot”, so they become your allies from enemies. If you see a dashed line from your side, it means that you will see an oncoming stream, but if you see a solid line from your side, do not try to overtake, unless, of course, you are not going to commit suicide right here and now. Although it's hard to believe after Russia, the markings really correspond to the road situation!
Secondly, you went to overtake, but for some reason the overtaken truck turned on the left turn signal. By this he shows you: “do not stick your head out, there are oncoming cars”, he can see everything very well with his high seating position. If, on the contrary, he turned on the right direction indicator, it means: "come on, the oncoming lane in front is clear." As a rule, in this case it will press to the right, as far as the width of the road will allow. Having overtaken this truck, do not forget to thank him by briefly switching on the "emergency light", in all countries this means "thank you".
You should do the same. If there is a car in your tail that is clearly trying to go faster than you, push as far to the right as possible and turn on the right turn signal, indicating that you are ready to give way. Even more complex actions will be required from you when overtaking on more or less wide two-lane roads, which have large shoulders on each side (picture below). In reality, on such a road, three cars can pass in width, and this is what Poles usually do. If they are trying to overtake you, take the maximum right and turn on the right turn signal. If you see someone trying to make such a maneuver in the oncoming lane, also take to the right, clearing the middle of the road for the overtaking vehicle. At the same time, one should not forget that there may be parked cars on the side of the road, into which you can crash with relish, performing all these actions in the spirit of "give way."
So attention, accuracy and politeness are the three pillars on which safe driving in Poland is based. Accept the fact that the average speed in the country will be 45-55 km / h. Faster in the conditions there, you can only get into the listszabitych in some regular czarny punkt.
And finally, about alcohol. As in Russia, in Poland the principle of "zero tolerance" to alcohol while driving is being implemented. Anything above 0.2 ppm refers to serious administrative offenses, and above 0.5 to criminal, that is, criminal. Therefore, completely abstaining from alcohol while driving will be the right decision.
P. S. And where does the photo of storks at the beginning of this article, you ask? Despite the fact that in Poland storks are almost as much a sacred symbol as cats in Egypt or cows in India. The coats of arms of many Polish settlements contain the image of a stork. If storks have built a nest near your home, this is a very good omen for Poles, and you will see many such stork nests as you pass through this small country, rightfully proud of its history and culture. But more about that next time.
