From finding an efficient hotel booking platform, curating a checklist of activities, determining operating hours, or planning an efficient connection, a lot goes into preparing for a vacation. When it involves a vacation in Europe, the challenges get more nuanced. The reason is the vivid tourist landscape and the language complexity. While ease of access and mobility are exceptional, getting accurate info is a real deal.
With free internet in nearly every public place like airports, cafes, main squares, libraries, buses and trains, public transport networks extending to every corner of the city, the centre packed with thrift and second-hand shops and a bunch of cheap local eateries, all you need to know is which direction to head.
Looking for the best Poland travel apps before your trip? This curated list of essential apps will save you time, money, and stress while exploring this underrated European gem.
Essential Poland travel apps for public transport
Public transport is the lifeline of Poland. From sustainable travelling to quick, cheap and effective commuting, public transport checks all the boxes in good books.
Jakdojade
For trams, buses, and Intercity Trains, Jakdojade is the one-stop solution for all the trams, buses, and regional and intercity trains in Poland. With its intuitive and clean interface, embedded map for easy navigation, and efficient search engine, Jakdojade is right on top of public transport essentials for travelling in Poland. A market leader in the Polish public transport segment, Jakdojade recently included the railway connection search engine.
Regional and PKP Intercity railway inclusion means that, with Jakdojade, travellers can efficiently plan domestic and foreign trips from Poland. Moreover, travellers can buy tickets for PKP Intercity connections inside the app. It also means, no need to download a ticket or even fear losing one.
For other leading train carriers in Poland, like POLREGIO, PKP SKM Trojmiescie, Koleje Dolnoslaski, Slaskie, Wielkopolskie, and Malopolskie, the app redirects to the service provider’s website.
From the departure location of public commutes to timings and stations on the route, Jakdojade is an all-in-one package for hassle-free travel in Poland.
Names of cities, streets, or bus stops can get confusing and stressful while travelling in Poland. It is where the Jakdojade app’s easy navigation offers the tourists much-needed relief.
The app enables users to buy every possible ticket option, from one-time to long-term passes.
Additionally, those on a trip to Warsaw can use one public transport pass to access all the city buses, trams, metro, and some regional railways (S). Be informed – the Warsaw Zone 1 ticket covers the entire Warsaw Centre region. I recommend going through the Jakdojade website to understand the app’s features and functionality. Switch to Google Chrome to translate the website content to English.
UrbanCard.pl (for Wrocław) is more like a cheat sheet and a tempting prospect for students in Wrocław. Tickets like short-term, long-term, weekend, or monthly passes are available inside the UrbanCard app.
Protip – A lifesaver for freeloaders busted by the ticket inspector. A couple of quick taps here could save you a few hundred zlotys. FYI, the public transport fine in Poland is quite hefty. Buy your tickets!
Alternate apps for trains, buses, and public transport
Koleo, Flixbus
Flixbus and Koleo apps combine a well-designed user interface with enhanced functionality for intercity travel in Poland. While the Koleo app shows search results exclusively for major train connections in Poland, Flixbus offers impossible discounts and has done a great job linking the smallest cities across Poland and Europe, making travelling cheap and convenient.
For weekend trippers in Poland: don’t forget to check exclusive deals from regional train operators (like Koleje Dolnoslaskie or Małopolska). Public holidays sandwiched between the weekend are no less than a lottery for travellers. Check the ticket deals at the train station counter before the long weekend strikes. Stay informed, travel smart.
Poland trips are often about medieval architecture and rich historical splendour, but the splendour of Polish mountains (like the Sudety) can not be undermined. Hiking in the Polish mountains works as a therapy for many (me included).
Must read: Eurail Pass: Your Ticket To Unlimited Adventures Across Europe
Bikes and Scooters
Bolt, Lime, NextBike
My favourite, Bikes & Scooters apps are easy to use, cheap, and cover the city’s main area. Bikers get the first 20-30 minutes free ride, leave a zero carbon impact on the environment, navigate through picturesque alleys, and trim those annoying love handles. So NextBike is the unmistakable winner.
Bolt and Lime are the top scooter-renting apps in Poland, while NextBike and Rower Miejski are the apps for renting bikes in Poland.
Taxi, car sharing and car rental in Poland
Bolt, Freenow, Uber, Ryba Taxi, BlaBla Car
I had clients complain about situations using a local taxi service in Poland. Overpricing and communication are the most frequently encountered issues. Not to promise anything, but such issues are rare in the case of the top taxi apps in Poland, like Bolt, Freenow, Uber, and Ryba Taxi. Install a couple of them from your app store, compare the prices and enjoy rides at an impossibly cheap price.
Protip: Don’t hail the cars with the yellow taxi sign parked outside the Warsaw airport exit or the Kraków Main Railway Station. It’s a rip-off.
Renting a car in Poland and driving at your own pace has its advantages. The freedom to plan your mobility without being on a clock to catch a flight or train brings unparalleled peace of mind. Bolt, combined with Traficar, Panek, and Freenow, has rental options at reasonable rates compared to several local rental shops.
While Google Maps is the most popular navigation app, Waze (also a Google subsidiary) does a better job than Google Maps in providing additional information submitted by other Waze users. Waze users can report real-time issues like heavy traffic and hazards such as cars stopped on the roadside, speed traps, road traffic, accidents, and more.
BlaBla Car app is another great app to have. A lifeline for last-minute travel planners, BlaBla is a fantastic car-sharing app in Poland & across Europe.
Useful apps in Poland for grocery shopping
Biedronka, Zabka
Knowing your way around online shopping websites and grocery stores in Poland is a blessing.
Strategically located across almost every city street in Poland, Zabka stores are ideal for quick purchases. They’re open 7 days a week and closed only on major holidays. Moreover, download the Zappka App and collect points on every purchase to redeem them for selected products from their online store. Do it before the calendar year ends!
For monthly groceries in Poland, head over to Biedronka. Unbelievable rates, a range of everyday products, essentials, and exclusive seasonal collections put Biedronka on top of the list of popular grocery stores in Poland. Get a Moja Biedronka(MJ) Card to unlock hundreds of discounts and deals.
The Biedronka app is ideal for those who know their way around the Polish language and want to browse the offers. If you subscribe to their message updates, be ready to receive non-stop offers on eggs, butter, milk, bananas, and whatnot!
Optionally, Auchan, Carrefour, Lidl, and Kaufland are other European supermarkets to look for while living in or travelling across Poland. They all have apps that update the customers with hot seasonal deals.
Are you too lazy to wade through the endless queues in Polish supermarkets? You’ll love the Glovo app for the ease of ordering online groceries.
Online food delivery apps in Poland
Pyszne, Bolt, Wolt, Glovo, Too Good To Go
Still figuring out your kitchen or apartment after moving to Poland? Install the Pyszne app to get acquainted with the online food delivery scene. With top recommended restaurants in Wrocław (or any major Polish city), Pyszne.pl will get you well-fed. Optionally, Bolt, Wolt, and Glovo all have the local food outlets on their list.
Too Good To Go is a great option, totally worth a try. The app connects customers to restaurants and stores that have surplus unsold food. Too Good To Go operates in major European cities and North America.
Europe tops the list of continents in the food waste segment. True! It’s not a random accusation. Check it out for yourself!
Apps aside, for those looking for an authentic local Polish food experience, Bar Mis (Milk Bar) is worth a try. Known for serving the most authentic local food in Poland straight from grandma’s home, Bar Mis offers the cheapest Polish food. Look up Bar Mis on Google and head straight to the nearest one. Check the hours if it’s late evening.
Moreover, Paczki (traditional Polish fried doughnuts), Zapiekanka, and Obwarzanek (Polish version of Bagels) are great options for a quick bite to go!
Online marketplace in Poland
Allegro, Temu, Aliexpress, Amazon, eBay
Let’s say that Allegro is the most reliable online marketplace in Poland. The Allegro app is one answer to most of your online ordering worries. Boasting crazy cheap offers and quick delivery from thousands of local vendors, Allegro is the household app across Poland and your go-to app for anything and everything.
Optionally, for those who don’t mind waiting a week or two, Temu delivery in Poland is a reliable alternative. A Chinese online retail giant, Temu, caters to audiences worldwide with every option in its catalogue, big or small, regular or rare; it doesn’t matter.
For everyone looking for hassle-free online shopping in Poland, Temu, Aliexpress, Amazon, and eBay are also great options. Orders shipped from outside Poland take almost a week or more to be delivered.
Vinted
Another must-have app for every fan of second-hand products, Vinted covers Poland, plus several European countries. The Vinted app/website is an online marketplace with a vivid selection of clothes, shoes, fashion accessories, and other home essentials. With its fully customised catalogue, Vinted allows you to deal in used or new products. Buy/sell at a price agreed upon with the buyer/seller; the Vinted app boasts a quick and user-friendly interface.
New or used, local or international, branded or unbranded, the Vinted app brings an extended selection of products. Make sure to double-check your corresponding size and the product expectations (material, colour, etc); Vinted will spoil you. To start, create a profile and set up payment and address. Establish the deal with the seller one-on-one, and you’re all set.
Scammers aside, Olx & Facebook Marketplace are well-established platforms for second-hand buying or selling in Poland.
Booking accommodations and renting apartments in Poland
Booking.com, Hotels.com, Airbnb, Hostelworld.com, Couchsurfing, Warmshowers, Trustroots, Workaway
Booking accommodations is another critical part of planning a trip to Poland, especially during the peak season. Whether on a quick trip, an extended vacation or travelling solo, finding accommodation in advance can save big bucks.
While major players like Booking.com, Airbnb, and Hotels.com offer an array of options, nomads and backpackers in Europe have the added advantage of finding budget options on Couchsurfing, Warmshowers (a non-profit hospitality exchange service for people engaging in bicycle touring), and Trustroots.
While Couchsurfing and Warmshowers require a paid membership to access the platform, Trustroots is free of charge. All you need to do is reach out to people open to hosting on Trustroots and hope they accept the proposal. Free accommodation becomes a reality once mutually agreed upon between the host and the guest.
It’s also an ideal way to travel slowly, meet like-minded people and explore Europe at a slow pace.
Otodom and Olx are other platforms to get started with apartment searches in Poland.
Are you looking for the best app for seasonal work in Europe?
Moreover, for those exploring the work and travel in Europe option, Workaway is worth signing up for. It’s frequently opted for by seasonal workers in Europe.
Workaway registered (paid) members can apply for seasonal work at arranged homestays in Europe. Volunteers or Workawayers contribute as per an agreed amount of work per day in exchange for lodging and food, whichever is agreed upon with the host.
From fruit-picking in the remote Italian Dolomites to living and working on a farm in Norwegian Fjords, choices are plenty. To obtain seasonal work, the Workaway has to find a suitable prospect for work and travel and get accepted by the host. A detailed resume, with some basic life skills, can tip the offer in your favour.
The deals mostly comprise living and working at a property in exchange for accommodation and food.
If the host is generous enough, they also offer some money as a wage. Register on their platform and unlock compelling seasonal job offers in Europe’s most exotic locations.
Best weather & hiking map app in Poland
Accuweather, Mapa-Turystyczna.pl, Mapy.cz, Komoot, Strava
From city walking tours to mountain hikes, weather accuracy influences every trip to Europe. Considering the unpredictable Polish weather, be ready for last-minute surprises.
Polish weather is not for beginners. Widely known for cold and gloomy conditions, the weather in Poland can take you by surprise in early spring and late autumn, while winter is mostly dark. In short, summer, late spring, and early autumn are the best times to visit Poland.
Maintain a daypack with a few layers handy, and you should be fine. It is one of my first advice to every tourist in Poland. Install the most accurate weather app for Poland forecast – Accuweather (a free weather app). From preparing for a city walking tour to a pleasant day in the mountains, onion layering is the way to go. Shuffle them as per your needs. Take a thermos with some warm tea when hiking in the Polish mountains. It’s nice!
Some of the must-have apps for hiking maps in the Polish mountains are Mapy.cz and Mapa Turystyczna.
For those who love an active lifestyle, Komoot is a tailor-made app for outdoor adventures and mountain biking in Poland. If you like to keep track of your fitness activities, install the Strava app. The app also suggests popular outdoor groups and people with similar interests to connect with.
Other essentials, services, and healthcare apps in Poland
Meetup, Booksy, Fixly, Wiener, Znanylekarz, NFZ
Meetup is a people platform where common interests lead to friendships. Whatever your interest, from hiking and reading to networking and skill sharing, thousands of people share it on Meetup. Events happen every day, sign up (free or paid) to join the fun.
Boosky helps with your grooming needs. Meant for all the tech-savvy people who enjoy a clean interface, digital planning and organising.
The Boosky app helps you connect with local beauticians, therapists, tattoo/piercing artists, or hairdressers in Poland.
Services in Poland or Europe, in general, aren’t cheap, but if you can afford it, go for the Fixly app. The Fixly platform comprises offers from hundreds of verified contractors like builders, painters, designers, electricians, drivers, renovation specialists, and so on.
For those looking for reliable health insurance for foreigners in Poland, Wiener is worth trying. Their packages are affordable and cover emergency healthcare in Poland. Moreover, they have a range of English-speaking doctors in Poland.
Optionally, if your insurance company can’t find you an immediate appointment with a medical specialist in Poland, Znanylekarz is worth checking out. The Polish Government National Healthcare – NFZ is quite okay with getting the job done. It is pretty basic, useful, and cheap compared to private health insurance companies in Poland. Heads up, finding an English-speaking doctor with NFZ insurance can be tricky.
Banking apps and currency exchange in Poland for international travel
Revolut, Wise, Kantor Cent, Grosz
Losing money at money exchange counters is every traveller’s worst nightmare.
While on a trip to Poland (or central Europe), remember that Euros and USD are widely accepted. You can keep some cash handy, and it’s okay. Just make sure that if you need to exchange them, avoid any random Kantors for money exchange, especially those at the airports or popular tourist spots in the city centre region (there are plenty).
When travelling in Poland, you can pay with a card almost everywhere. While doing so, make sure to choose payment in PLN(Polish Zloty). Try looking up shops named ‘Kantor Cent’ for currency exchange in Poland. There are a few, but mostly available in major Polish cities.
The most reliable places for currency exchange in Kraków are Grosz, Slawkowska 4, and Kantor Ellado in Stare Miasto. FYI, Kantor Cent in Rynek Wrocław offers the most competitive currency exchange rates.
Avoid withdrawing cash from the Euronet cash machines installed across malls, shopping centres, train stations, and airports in major Polish tourist destinations. Also, don’t bring Polish Zloty from your country; you might incur heavy charges to get it converted in your home city.
If you’re on a prolonged trip to Europe or moving to Poland for higher studies or work, Revolut and Wise apps are worth considering. With hassle-free ease of access and easy connection with your local bank account, these apps offer unbeatable exchange rates at par with international exchange prices. Most EU member countries use the euro as their primary currency, but not all.
Language learning app for Poland and European travels
Duolingo
The language diversity in Europe is not quite tourist-friendly. Among the toughest languages in the world, Polish is pretty harsh on foreigners. BELIEVE ME. Therefore, getting acquainted with basic Polish words/phrases is highly recommended for a significantly pleasant travel experience in Poland. And when it comes to that, Duolingo is the best language-learning app out there.
Job search in Poland
LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, Pracuj.pl, Rocket Jobs
If you just moved to Poland for work or are considering a job change while already here, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, Pracuj.pl, and Rocket Jobs are the go-to platforms for job seekers. Featuring lots of job offers in Poland, these platforms have plenty of opportunities, predominantly from the IT, finance, and logistics industries.
The Polish job market is heavily inclined towards the IT and finance sectors. It’s better to know which direction to steer. Optionally, international students in Wrocław can easily settle for part-time jobs in Wrocław in food delivery and restaurants. Fast food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, and kebab shops have mushroomed across Europe, which means ample job offers for youngsters.
Facebook Groups for Expats
Facebook Expat Groups are the one-stop solution with sufficisnt information on everything mentioned above. Nothing compares to the potential of an engaged local community willing to assist a new resident in the town.
Examples of the most engaged Facebook groups in Poland are Wrocław Expats, Warsaw Expats, Kraków Expats, and Expats in Poland. These groups have tons of crucial information available for foreigners in Poland.
From renting an apartment to taxation and legal matters, finding a particular store, local transport, legalisation of stay, finding hang-out spots, updates on big and small city events, and buying or selling products, Facebook Expats Group has relevant content for everything you might need.
Start by searching the group with the right keywords to access an entire directory. If you still don’t have the information you need, ask away! People are itching to help and answer your questions.
Caution all the job seekers and buyers
Heads-up people! With great online offers comes a greater risk of getting scammed. Refrain from entertaining anything and everything suspicious. Don’t ever make advance online payments!! Never.
Do you still need help planning a trip to Poland or Europe? Don’t hesitate to get in touch.
With my vast experience living and travelling in Poland, I’m sure that I can assist you adequately or at least point you in the right direction.
Ready to hit the road smarter? Bookmark this guide and download these Poland travel apps before your trip. Got questions? I’d love to help. Drop a message or check out the list of tours in Poland!
I work with leading Polish tour operators, tourism boards, and agencies to promote destinations, services, and attractions. Are you looking for marketing content collaborations? Send me a message to receive a quote on pricing and promotion packages!
Further read: Poland’s Bucketlist Experiences: Top Guided Tours Revealed
