About Poland
Poland (Polska), officially known as the Republic of Poland (Rzeczpospolita Polska), is in Central Europe. It shares borders with Germany to the west, the Czechia and Slovakia to the south, Ukraine and Belarus to the east, and Lithuania and Russia to the north. Poland also has a coastline along the Baltic Sea to the north.
Key Facts:
• Capital: Warsaw
• Official Language: Polish
• Population: Approximately 38 million - the 6th most populous EU member state.
• Currency: Polish Złoty (PLN)
ABOUT POLSKA - PROMOTIONAL MOVIE
Highlights:
• History: Poland has a rich (over 1000-year) and complex history, including periods of great power and influence, partitions, and resilience through World War II. Poland was the first country to herald the collapse and abandon communism in Central and Eastern Europe. It was also the first to carry out reforms to make a transition from a socialist-style planned into a market economy, with its architect, SGH graduate and professor, Leszek Balcerowicz. Poland has been a member of NATO since 1999 and the EU since 2004.
• Culture: Known for its vibrant cultural heritage, Poland boasts numerous historical sites, museums, and festivals. Notable landmarks include the Royal Castle and the Old Town in Warsaw, Wawel Castle and the Old Town in Kraków, the medieval Malbork Castle, the Hanseatic cities of Toruń (Nicolaus Copernicus' birthplace) and Gdańsk, the merchant city of Poznań or a "Polish Venice" - the city of Wrocław where German, Czech and Polish cultures melted over centuries. Despite its relative homogeneity, Poland is a mosaic of different ethnic groups preserving their local languages, dialects, and religious affiliations. Regardless, or due to that diversity, Poland is also known for its hospitality and curiosity about other cultures and people.
• Nature: Poland offers diverse landscapes, from the mountainous regions of the Sudetes, Carpathian Mts. (Tatras, Beskidy and Bieszczady) to the lakes of Masuria and the sandy beaches of the Baltic coast.
If you did not plan anything for the weekend after the meeting, we have prepared for you an offer of a one-day or two-day trip to Kraków. A one-day trip lets you see the city, while a two-day trip (overnight in the hotel) allows you to see more and visit additional attractions. The final format of the trip will be selected based on your optional trip preference form, which is part of the registration form.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Arrival and Transportation
Plane
There are three airports in Warsaw:
- Warsaw Chopin International Airport (WAW) - the main airport operated by regular airlines and selected low-cost airlines like Wizzair, Enter Air, and selected Ryanair flights
- Warsaw- Modlin Airport (WMI) is operated mostly by Ryanair
- Warsaw-Radom Airport (RDO) – for selected charter flights
Most probably, you will be arriving at Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW), which is located within the city limits and offers easy and swift access to downtown Warsaw by public transportation (bus, train) and taxi. Please follow the arrows on the floor that lead you to the stands/station.
You may buy public transportation tickets in the kiosks, vending machines or on board a bus or train, or using a dedicated app Jakdojade.pl (available in Google Play and App Store) that lets you plan your trip and get an online ticket.
If you decide to take a taxi, DO NOT accept any direct offers from drivers. Just go to the taxi stand (or the official kiosk) and take one of the licensed corporations: ELE TAXI or UBER.
The average travel time to Warsaw downtown or SGH is 15-30 minutes, depending on traffic and transportation means.
If you are arriving at Warsaw-Modlin Airport (WMI), please use train, bus or taxi services.
For more information, please visit the WTP - Warsaw Public Transport Authority website.
Train
If you travel by train, please set your destination at WARSZAWA-CENTRALNA (Warsaw Central Railway Station) located in the heart of the city, walking distance to the hotels and just a couple of stops by tram and two stops by Metro (subway) from SGH.
Bus
If you decide to travel by bus (e.g. Flixbus, which has a connection also from Budapest), a bus will arrive at the Warsaw Central Railway Station and Warsaw Chopin Airport.
Money
Polish currency is the Polish Zloty (PLN or zł), subdivided into 100 groszy (gr)
The current exchange rate (May 2025) is:
1 EUR = 4.25 PLN, 1 USD = 3.75 PLN, 1 GBP = 5.00 PLN
Exchange rate calculator
Unlike the payment for conference fees, you may easily pay by major credit cards (chip, contactless, mobile pass) at the vast majority of places, including ticket vending machines.
If you need cash (to buy products from small vendors), you may use the ATMs or change money in dedicated exchange booths called and marked KANTOR. Do not change money outside kantors and (if not necessary) use exchange booths located in the city rather than at the airport. Usually, there is no commission charged, but you may be asked to show your ID.
Safety
Warsaw is generally considered a safe destination for travellers, with low crime rates compared to other European capitals. Precautionary Measures: Be vigilant in crowded areas, especially tourist hotspots, buses to the airport or railway station, to avoid petty crimes such as pickpocketing.
Do not take taxis from a stand; always call or order using the app or ask the hotel concierge.
In an emergency, please use the following numbers:
112 – General Emergency
997 – Police
998 – Fire Brigade
999 – Ambulance
986 – Municipal Police
Weather
The beginning of October (which is also the beginning of Fall) is rather dry with low precipitation and temperatures ranging on average from 7°C to 15°C (44°F to 60°F). It is similar for both Warsaw and Kraków. In Kraków, due to the mountain area, the nights may be colder, and the probability of rain may be higher. During sunny days, the feel temperature might be higher.
Anyway, please bring a pullover, a raincoat (and an umbrella) and comfortable shoes.
The current weather forecast at the Polish Meteorological Service or AccuWeather.
Phones
Please use your mobile phones, since the phone booths have not been available since 2017.
Country code for Poland is: 0048 (+48)
City codes: 22 for Warsaw and 12 for Kraków
Health and Pharmacies
All participants are advised to have travel insurance (health, accident and third-party liability). EU citizens are advised to bring their EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), which gives them access to our public health services.
Pharmacies (labelled APTEKA) are easily available, and selected ones are open 24/7.
Voltage & Plugs
Voltage in Poland is 220-240 V at 50 Hz frequency. Plugs and sockets are type E, which are compatible with types C and F (with grounding), which are also used.
