Page 214 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Krakow

212  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Krakow attracts more tourists than any other sights are within walking distance from
Polish city, and visitor facilities are generally each other. The increased use of bicycles is
first class. Points of arrival such as the main a sign that Krakow is becoming much more
railway and bus stations have been eco-friendly. The communications system
thoroughly modernized in recent years, is good: postal services are easy to use, and
and the John Paul II Airport at Balice boasts the provision of Wi-Fi access is increasingly
a speedy rail link to the city centre. Tourist widespread. The tourist season lasts all year
signage makes it easy to find your way round in Krakow, but summer is particularly
around on foot and many of the city’s busy thanks to the warm weather.

When to Go
Krakow is a popular destination
for visitors throughout the year
and tourist facilities are open for
business during every season.
Spring and summer bring warm
weather, when the city is filled
with visitors and café tables
cover the pavements. Autumn
and winter, although cold, can
also be a magical time, with
Advent markets on city squares
and an atmosphere of celebra­
tion in restaurants and bars.
Hotel prices are at their
highest from Easter to August
and around Christmas and New A tourist office in Krakow
Year. Most theatres and classical­
music venues are closed from Customs Information Tourist Information
June to mid­September. If you are travelling to or from Krakow’s municipal tourist office
another EU country there are operates information centres at
few restrictions on items several locations around the city
Visas and Passports
brought in and out of Poland centre. Their locations are shown
Citizens of the European Union, for personal use. on the Street Finder maps
USA, Australia, Canada and Visitors from outside the towards the end of this book
New Zealand can enter Poland EU should check the customs (see pp234–9). The main office
without a visa, on production regulations of their home is in the Cloth Hall on Market
of a valid passport, for stays of country – there are likely to Square and there are branches
up to 90 days. Citizens of other be limits on the amount of on the Planty, at ul. Św Jana 2
countries should check the cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, just off Market Square, in the
latest visa regulations with their toiletries and gifts that can be Wyspiański Pavillion on pl.
local Polish embassy. Poland is taken home. The maximum value Wszystkich Świętych, and at
a member of the Schengen of currency that can be brought John Paul II Airport. All offices
group of European Union into or taken out of Poland is offer brochures with museum
countries, which means that €10,000 (or equivalent). Sums in and gallery opening times, and
there are unlikely to be any excess of this must be declared lists of accommodation.
border controls at immigration to the customs authority. A Electronic displays with
when entering Poland from licence is required to export information on the availability
another Schengen­zone country. any item more than 100 years of hotels can be found at the
old or any artwork over 50 years main railway station and John
old and exceeding more than Paul II Airport. The tourist office
Travel Safety Advice 16,000zł in value. For more on ul. Św. Jana, provides infor­
Visitors can get up­to­date travel information contact the Ministry mation on concerts and shows.
safety information from the UK of Culture and National Hotel and hostel reception
Foreign and Commonwealth Heritage. Value Added Tax (VAT) desks can be useful sources
Office, the US Department can be claimed back on goods of information, although they
of State and the Australian totalling 200zł or more and that sometimes only advertise tourist
Department of Foreign are taken out of the country companies with whom they
Affairs and Trade. within 30 days of purchase. have a commercial agreement.
Horse-drawn carriages in front of the Church of St Mary and the Cloth Hall