Backpacking Poland: Solo Female Travel Guide (2024)
Are you planning a backpacking Poland trip and wondering if Poland solo female travel is a good idea?
You came to the right place!
Poland was my first real solo female backpacking trip, and I didn’t know what to expect. I figured it was a relatively close European country where I could get by with English.
I did not expect to learn that Poland is one of the most underrated European destinations!
Poland impressed me with its intriguing history, impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites, delicious and affordable food, and incredible nightlife.
Let’s jump right into this Poland solo travel guide!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. I hope you find the information here helpful!
Is Poland A Good Backpacking Destination?
Yes, Poland is one of the best backpacking destinations in Europe!
It has everything you would expect to find in Western Europe, but you can spend much more time here for almost half the price.
Pros Of Backpacking Poland:
- Budget-friendly country with a great public transport network.
- Rich in culture and history, with several UNESCO sites.
- Poland has a lively nightlife and it is safe for solo female travelers!
Cons Of Backpacking Poland
- The currency is not euro, so it might be complicated to do the conversions.
Best Time To Visit Poland
Since most of the activities in Poland are not weather-specific, it is possible to visit any time of the year and still have a good time!
Summers are hot with long sunny days. It is also a high season for backpackers and travelers in Poland in general.
You can expect some crowds, as always when backpacking Europe in summer – especially in most tourist attractions.
For example, to visit the concentration camps you will have to book a ticket well in advance!
I find it much more enjoyable to visit from spring to early autumn.
Poland is also a great destination for backpacking Europe in winter. But keep in mind it gets freezing in the winter and you do not see the sun very often!
Krakow is a popular New years’ eve destination and the mountains region must be beautiful in the winter as well!
How To Get To Poland?
Poland is easy to reach from all over the world. Most of the big cities have airports and most of them are being served by budget airlines as well.
Flying
Warsaw has the biggest international airport, and it is also a great starting point for your Poland backpacking adventure.
However, there are many airports in Poland. Some are Ryanair hubs, like Krakow or Warsaw, making it easy to visit Poland on a budget.
Depending on the airline offers you can do a round trip starting from north and going south, or the other way around.
I started backpacking Poland by flying into Warsaw and then continued by bus to Prague.
I use this website to browse plane tickets for multiple destinations at the same time and see which one works better for me!
Bus Or Train
If you’re in neighboring countries, Poland is very well connected by bus and train with many European countries.
Depending on your budget, Flixbus can be a very cheap option that many backpackers use on their travels through Europe.
However, it is also the most uncomfortable and the longest option, since it is not uncommon for Flixbuses to drive for 10h.
Interrail is also an option to look into if you visit Poland within a longer backpacking Europe trip. I never went for that option because I found that Flixbus is cheaper for a short country-focused backpacking trip.
Getting Around Poland
Poland is a very easy country to get around, whichever form of public transport you choose.
And you will want to choose public transport in Poland because of its affordable train and bus networks.
Choosing one or the other will depend mostly on your budget and whether your destination is served by a train or not.
I use this website to compare the prices of different transportation options, so I know I’m getting the best deal.
Traveling By Train
Poland has a couple of different train operators so your price and comfort will depend on which one you choose.
Trains in Poland are generally more comfortable than buses, but you will be paying for that comfort.
Train tickets in Poland do not fluctuate too much depending on when you buy the ticket (western Europe railways I am looking at you!)
Make sure to check whether there will be some construction on your route because sometimes, even though you booked a train ticket, you might be transferred to a bus.
All in all, trains are pretty reliable, but they are not Swiss trains.
Traveling By Bus
Almost every city in Poland is connected by busses. If there is a destination you cannot reach by train, there will be a bus going there.
To travel around Poland I mainly used Flixbus. I found it to be way cheaper than other operators, and trips were all under 3 hours so I didn’t find it too uncomfortable.
The bus will take approximately the same time as the train, but they tend to be cheaper.
If you want to learn more about public transport in Poland, this is the most comprehensive guide that I found.
Traveling By Car
You don’t need to rent a car in Poland. The public transport system is very well thought off and you can reach virtually every destination in the country pretty effortlessly.
The only reason I would consider renting a car in Poland would be to do the hikes in the Zakopane region if you do not want to stay in the region but go back to Krakow since it will make it easier.
However, even for that, there is an efficient public transport system that you can easily use with some planning.
Getting Around In The Cities
I visited Warsaw, Krakow and Wroclaw. I found all of them to be pretty walkable cities.
The only place where I used public transport was Warsaw. It was straightforward to navigate it with Google Maps.
Best Places For Backpackers In Poland
Poland is a big country. It is the ninth biggest country in Europe extending across the grand 312,722 km2, with a coastal north and mountainous south.
However, most people backpacking in Poland only visit Warsaw and Krakow, missing out on so many hidden gems like Wroclaw or Gdansk.
I only had a week in Poland, but I wish I had more time to get off the beaten path.
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital of Poland and, in my opinion, one of the most underrated capitals in Europe.
I’ve been told that there is nothing to see in Warsaw, which I strongly disagree with!
Warsaw was a wonderful surprise since I was not expecting much, but it turned out to be an exceptional destination.
You might find it hard to believe that most of the city was destroyed during the Second World War, including the city center.
I joined nearly every free walking tour on all of the subjects they offered to learn more about the history of the city.
Walking along the lines of what used to be a Jewish ghetto, seeing photos before and after the war.
I highly suggest you do the same because learning about the history of that place was priceless.
Krakow
Krakow is probably the most famous city in Poland and one of the best places to backpack in Europe.
It is often described as a fairytale town with Wawel Royal Castle right in the middle of it.
You should spend at least 2 days in Krakow to see all the main tourist attractions in the city and around.
Krakow is a perfect base if you want to do day trips to Auschwitz Concentration Camp and Wieliczka Salt Mine.
As a backpacker hotspot, Krakow is a great place if you are looking for nightlife as well!
Wroclaw
Wroclaw is another spot in Poland that you should not miss.
The city has one of the most beautiful Market Squares, surrounded by numerous colorful heritage houses.
My favorite thing about Wroclaw was combining sightseeing with a dwarf hunt.
Wroclaw is home to hundreds of small dwarf statues scattered around the city.
Other Places To Visit In Poland
If you have more than a week to backpack Poland, I suggest adding Gdansk, Poznan, Lublin, and hiking to Morskie Oko in Zakopane to your itinerary.
Best Poland Hostels For Backpackers
As a solo female traveler, I always like to stay in the city center or nearby.
Most tourist attractions are in the city center and you’re close to everything. Also, you don’t have to worry about how to get home at night.
Warsaw Hostels
- Oki Doki Old Town Hostel is the best hostel for solo female travelers and backpackers in Warsaw. Right in the city center with plenty of organized events.
- Chillout Hostel is one of the most affordable hostels in Warsaw, and the hostel I stayed at. It was clean, safe, and comfortable with social events planned.
Krakow Hostels
- Greg & Tom Hostel is the oldest and the most popular hostel in Krakow. It is the best place to stay in Krakow as a backpacker. As it is a social hostel where they organize daily events, family dinners, and game nights, but the crowd is more chill than in a full-on party hostel.
- Greg & Tom Beer House Hostel is a party hostel. They organize daily events, nights out, and tours. It is a perfect place to stay if you want to enjoy Krakow nightlife with a group of like-minded backpackers.
Wroclaw Hostels
- Mleczarnia Hostel looks like the best hostel in Wroclaw. It is simple and comfortable, and close to the city center.
- Foka Hostel is a great budget-friendly hostel. You get clean rooms and beds with curtains and shared areas to meet other travelers.
Gdansk Hostels
- Hostel Mamas & Papas is the best social hostel in Gdansk. They also have free breakfast, tea, and coffee, perfect if you’re on a budget!
Backpacking Poland Top Tips
1. Join free walking tours
I love free walking tours! If there is a free walking tour in the city I am visiting, I will probably join them.
Poland offers some of the best free walking tours I have ever had! Every guide was very knowledgeable about the city and its history.
Free walking tours are also a great way to meet people and make friends as a solo female traveler!
2. Take your student card
If you are a student, you will want to take your student card with you.
Most of the attractions in Poland offer a generous student discount and you can even enter some places for free!
3. Try walking everywhere
Public transport is not expensive, but there is something about walking everywhere.
Not only will you be hitting your step goals, but you will also see so much more of the cities.
4. Admire the architecture
This one goes hand in hand with the previous suggestion.
Architecture in Poland is very special. All the colorful houses and cobblestone streets look like they came straight out of a fairytale. Especially UNESCO sites like Krakow city center!
5. Try pierogi
Pierogi is the most well-known Polish dish for a reason.
There are also so many vegan options as well. These little dumplings can be filled with all sorts of different vegetables and tofu. My favorite is mushroom and potato-filled pierogi.
6. Bring a water bottle
As I already mentioned, there are water fountains everywhere.
Refilling your water bottle will save you money and the environment by reducing plastic waste.
7. Understand the currency
The currency in Poland is the Polish złoty. 1 złoty is around 0,20€.
The easiest way for me to translate their currency was to take it as if 5 złoty was 1€.
Basically, I divided everything by 5 to know how much money am I actually spending.
Is Poland Vegan Friendly?
You might be as surprised as I was to learn that Poland is one of the most vegan-friendly countries in Europe.
How come?
Polish cuisine is, like most European cuisines, predominantly meat-based.
Therefore, it is relatively hard to find vegan options in traditional Polish restaurants that are not salads or side dishes.
However, Poland has an outstanding vegan food scene! There are fully vegan restaurants everywhere.
recently read that Warsaw was ranked as the number 1 vegan destination in the world by National Geographic.
I was considering extending my stay in Warsaw so I could try more vegan restaurants. The options were truly endless!
Do you want vegan Italian, vegan Asian, or vegan traditional Polish food? Maybe you are in the mood for vegan fast food? There is everything!
There is no reason to try to scramble up a meal in a non-vegan restaurant. Download the Happy Cow app and start bookmarking all the places that you want to visit.
As far as vegan options in the supermarkets, you will have no problem finding vegan alternates for pretty much anything. You will easily find vegan snacks for when you are running around.
Drinks To Try In Poland
You might have heard that Poles invented vodka, so visiting Poland can be a perfect opportunity to try some.
How about joining a 4-hour vodka-tasting tour?
I am not a vodka expert, but let’s learn from the best!
Another drink that seemed to be popular, at least in the summer, was beer with raspberry syrup.
Never heard of that combination before, but don’t judge it before you try it! It was not bad!
Can You Drink Tap Water In Poland?
Yes! Tap water is safe to drink in Poland, so pack your reusable water bottle.
Even better, there are water fountains with fresh, cold water everywhere, so you can easily refill your bottle and stay hydrated.
Backpacking Poland Budget
Poland is generally one of the more affordable countries in Europe, making it a great destination if you’re concerned about your backpacking Europe budget.
However, it is not as cheap as Eastern Europe, so you will need to be aware of your spending – especially with the conversion rates!
Assuming you want to stay in a decent hostel and not spend a lot of money on food and activities, I would budget something like this:
Accommodation: 15€ – 30€
Food: 5€ – 15€
Transportation: 5€ – 15€
Fun and activities: 5€ – 15€
That being said, I would budget anywhere between 30€ to 60€ per day, depending on your traveling style.
Keep in mind that this is based on my own traveling style, which is leaning towards budget travel with a couple of splurges.
My splurges are usually vegan restaurants and matcha lattes.
However, I managed to stay under 30€ per day most days!
It is easy to stay on the lower end of this if you do not go out drinking and stick to cheaper food.
On traveling days, your budget will be on the higher end, but then your activities budget might be on the lower end.
Is Poland Safe For Solo Female Travellers?
If you’re wondering if is Poland safe to travel alone, you shouldn’t worry! I felt very safe in Poland as a solo female traveler.
I did not run into any neighborhoods that were considered to be dangerous and I felt safe walking back to my hostel after a night out.
People were helpful and I did not experience anybody trying to scam me.
However, as with everywhere else in the world, you should stay cautious. Pickpocketing happens in big cities, keep an eye on your belongings.
Final Thoughts: Poland Solo Travel
Poland is a great country for solo travelers and backpackers. It is a safe destination for solo female travelers, with plenty of things to do!
This central European country offers Western European types of experiences for a fraction of the price!
Whether you’re into history, culture, nature, or nightlife, there is something for every type of traveler.
Poland was my first solo backpacking destination and it made me fall in love with solo travel, so I’m sure you’ll have so much fun backpacking through Poland too!
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