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{{infobox Country|country = Poland|language = Polish|capital = [[Warsaw]]|map = <map lat='52' lng='19' zoom='5' view='0' country='Poland' />|pop = 38,135,876|currency = Złoty (PLN)|hitch = <rating country='pl' />|BW = PL}}'''Poland''' is sometimes being regarded a member state of the [[European Union]] as well as a bad the [[Schengen Agreement]]. It is an awesome country for hitchhiking, but it can also be a great pleasure to hitchhike thereand even one of the most hitchhiker friendly countries in whole Europe. Most Many drivers generally believe that others do not stop and that hitchhiking days are over in Poland, which however does not prevent hundreds of them from stopping. A positive factor in Since 1958 till the beginning of 90's hitchhiking in Poland is that some 20 to 40 years ago it was the most common an official way of travel for the majority traveling organized by National Tourist Board, when hitchhikers had their ID with [[insurance]] included and drivers could win prizes every year. Thousands of young people - were hitchhiking through all these years – and most of them have cars today, so very often do they repay the debt.

Avoid === General Hitchhiking Info ===Quite common way to [[hitchhiking |hitchhike]] in Poland at all costs if possibleis to stand on the side of the road with your hand extended and/or thumb pointing upwards. ItSome hikers also wave their hands up and down, which is widely understood as ''"I only need a short ride"'s '. This way of hitchhiking is popular between villagers and high school students who look for a lift for a short distance. They very difficult rarely write their destination on a [[signs|sheet of paper]] or piece of cardboard. Waving is enough to get make a driver stop. Travellers looking for a longer ride usually make a sign with the name of a city they're going to or through. Some drivers prefer to take travellers and although people used to pick up hitchhikers tourists. Because of this it's not so common today anymore, because people dona good idea to place your backpack in front of you and make a sign which makes you look like a ''professional hitchhiker''t trust hitchhikers. Many hitchhikers are drunks or bad behaving people and that has seriously damaged the overall reputation of hitchhikers.

# The common way to hitchhike === Tips ===[[CB radio]] is quite popular in Poland is to stand on the side of the road with your hand extended and thumb pointing upwards. Most hikers also wave their hands up and down, though this is not obligatory. # Unlike in Western Europeonly among truck drivers, hitchhikers which might help in Poland very rarely do write their destination on getting a sheet of paper or some piece of cardboardride. If you're lucky they can ask other drivers to take you further. Waving is usually enough You might even ask them gently to make a driver stopdo that, especially in bad weather conditions or by night.# There are two main groups of hitchhikers Hitching by night is possible in Polandbut not easy. One is typical tourists (usually youngsters), and the other is the villagers, usually elderly people, who commute from their village On national roads try to the nearest town or backfind bright spot where drivers can see you. It is customary that the villagers leave some small tip to the driver (usually some 10% of the bus ticket price)Use bright clothes. However, tourists The best options are not expected to pay anything for petrol stations where you can speak with the ride, unlike in southern Europe. There is also a category of drivers who never stop by while they fill up the ''villagers'', but very often do accept tourists. Because of that it is a good idea to place your backpack in front of youtank.

== Roads =Hitchhiking at night ===On small roads it is to be avoided for sure as the traffic is low at night and the light even worse. On a spot with good light you can still try your luck. On the motorways it works perfectly good, maybe better than everywhere else in Europe. On the petrol stations the light is good and people are very helpful and will not be comfortable with the idea to leave you there over night, especially when it rains or it is cold, what is quite often the case in this country.

Even though === Borders ===As mentioned above Poland joined [[Schengen Agreement]] which means there is no more passport control on the Polish road network has improved gigantically over the last 1.5 decade, by Western European standardsborders with Lithuania, Poland has a poorly developed infrastructure of roads (''droga''Slovakia, plural - ''drogi'') Czech Republic and expressways (''autostrada'', plural - ''autostrady'')Germany. The vast majority of roads that form an extensive net covering all of In most places there are still speed limits on the country are single lane. There borders, there are very few main expresswaysalso parking lots, toilets and some express currency exchange offices, which makes these places pretty good spots for hitchhiking. On newly built roads with lower however there are no speed limits than motorways anymore. To Ukraine you can go by foot in Medyka, but with not in Korczowa!!! (there you can wait for 3 hours because there are too many of their featurescars. )

=== Roads ===Even though the Polish road network has improved enormously over the last two decades, by Western European standards, Poland has still quite a poorly developed road infrastructure. The road network consists of motorways (''autostrada'') i.e. A2, expressways (''droga ekspresowa'') with lower speed limits than motorways i.e. S6, national roads (''droga krajowa''), which are mostly single lane i.e. 92 and other regional roads. At the moment there is a lot of investment in the road network, especially since Poland hosted the European Football Championship final tournament in 2012.[[File:Autostop.JPG|260px|thumb|right|Restaurant on a Polish service station (A4) :-)]]Except for the few motorways and expressways, it is generally accepted acceptable to hitchhike on the side of the road in almost any suitable place. Unlike many European states, the police are generally friendly towards hitchhikers as long as they behave properly. Some of the newly-refurbished national roads have "no pedestrians" signs near major towns, but it's still uncommon. This means that if you plan to go through any major town in your journey, it is usually better to exit the car before arriving in the city - otherwise, you might have to walk till the end of the no-pedestrians area.On motorways and expressways the best place to hike hitchhike is either an exit a sliproad or, preferably, one of the filling petrol stationsor toll booths.

See also: <br />[[Changes in Polish motorways and expressways network|Up-to-date info about investments in Polish motorways and expressways network on Google Maps]]<br />[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roads_and_expressways_in_Poland Roads and expressways in '''Poland'''] (wikipedia)<br />

===Language===[[File:Guaka-hitching-in-poland-2008.jpg|thumb|right|220px|[[User:Guaka|guaka]] hitching in Poland]]According to a 2009 survey by CBOS [http://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2006/K_177_06.PDF] (Polish survey office), roughly 46% of Poles declare they can communicate in at least one foreign language. Generally, 24% of Poles speak English, 20% speak Russian, 12% speak [[Germany|German]]. Other languages spoken are [[France|French]] (2%), [[Czech Republic|Czech]], [[Slovakia|Slovak]] and other Slavic languages. According to the similar survey in 2006 [http://www.cbos.pl/SPISKOM.POL/2009/K_111_09.PDF], among the youngsters (students and pupils) the percentage to speak at least one foreign language reached 77, as compared to 59% of those under 35 and 40% of those between 35 and 54 years of age. According to a another survey prepared in late 2005 by TNS Opinion & Social for the European Commission, the percentage of people who speak one foreign language decently is 57%. At the same time roughly 32% are bi-lingual and 4% tri-lingual [http://www.egospodarka.pl/13770,Znajomosc-jezykow-obcych-w-Europie,1,39,1.html]. Except for younger people, foreign languages (mostly [[England|English]]) are commonly spoken by businessmen and educated people (87%), urban populations (50%) and small business (48%). However, it is hard to predict the knowledge of languages of a driver by his car as educated people in '''Poland''' are generally poorly-paid.

According to a 2001 survey by CBOS (Polish survey office), roughly 42% of Poles Apart from the people who speak at least one foreign language fluently. Generallylanguages, 23% a vast majority of Poles speak Russian, 16% speak do understand some basic constructions of other Slavic languages and of English . Due to World War II history and a similar percentage speaks the number of war films created afterwards, also some basic words of the Germanlanguage are commonly known. === Communication & Dictionary ===The Polish language is generally hard to learn for most native English speakers. Other languages often spoken are FrenchEven the most basic constructions you might need while on the road require the usage of quite complicated grammar and the use of grammatical gender, Czech, Slovak proper declension and a number of other Slavic languagescategories non-existent in modern English. According However, contrary to the same surveyFrench or German people, among the youngsters (students and pupils) the percentage Poles are generally friendly towards foreigners who try to speak their language. Because of that do not be afraid to commit mistakes. They might at least one foreign language fluently reached 66times sound funny, but most Polish people would be astonished by the fact that you tried. That said some Polish drivers may find local hitchhikers suspicious as compared they are scared of crime. Foreign hitchhikers are excluded from this fear because nobody might expect a foreigner to 50% of those under 35 have nothing better to do than pretending to be a hitchhiker and 40% steal from their drivers. So when your Polish skills are good enough that people will not recognize you as a foreigner, mention it as well. Apart from the basic set of those between 35 words and 54 years of age constructions found in every guidebook, there are some words hitchhikers might find particularly useful. Check also the Wikipedia articles on [http://jezykien.naukawikipedia.plorg/index.phpwiki/id=indexPolish_language Polish language] and [http:/dept=38/cath=59en.wikipedia.org/news=134wiki/view=1Polish_phonology Polish phonology]for more info on proper pronunciation. According to You can buy a similar survey prepared decent guidebook or dictionary in late 2005 by TNS Opinion & Social for any major town in '''Poland'''.* hitchhiking – autostop / stop (“awto-stop] / [stop“)* hitchhiker – autostopowicz (“awto-stopovich“)* we're travelling to... – jedziemy do... (“yeh-dzhye-mee doh“)* Where is the European Commission, best place to hitchhike to...? – Skąd najlepiej łapać stopa do...? [skont nay-leh-pyey wapach stopa do...“)* Which way to...? – Którędy do...? (“ktoo-ren-dee doh“)* Where is the percentage of people who speak one foreign language decently is 57%nearest...? – Gdzie jest najbliższy...? (“g'dzhe yest nay-bleezh-shee“)* motorway exit for... – zjazd na... At the same time roughly 32% are bi(“zyazd nah“)* phone booth – budka telefoniczna (“boot-ka teh-leh-fonn-eech-nah“)* bus stop – przystanek (“pshee-stah-nek“)* train station – dworzec (“dvoh-zhets“)* filling station – stacja benzynowa (“stats-yah behn-zee-nova“)* ATM – bankomat (“bankomat“)* dictionary – słownik (“swoh-v-nick“)* guidebook/guide – przewodnik (“psheh-vod-nick“)* map / plan – mapa / plan (“mah-pah] [pla-n“)* road shoulder – pobocze (“poh-boh-cheh“)* lane – pas (“pass“)* Good morning - Dzien dobry ("dzhehn dobri")* Good bye - Do widzenia ("do veedzehnah")* See you later - Do zobaczenia ("do zobahchehnah")* It's nice to meet you - Milo mi ("meewo mee")* Excuse me - Przepraszam ("pshehprahshahm")* Yes - Tak ("tahk")* No - Nie ("neh")* Please - Prosze ("prosheh")* Thank you - Dziekuje ("dzhehnkooyeh")* Hello -lingual and 4% triDzien dobry ("dzhehn dobri")* I'm sick -lingual Jestem chory ("yehstehm hori") See also the Polish dictionary in Hitchwiki's [[Eastern Europe phrasebook]]. === Number plates ===Here you find a [http://wwwen.egospodarkawikipedia.plorg/wiki/13770,Znajomosc-jezykow-obcych-w-Europie,1,39,1Image:Plcarplates379v06.htmlpng#file map]with the car registration plate codes of '''Poland'''. Except for younger peopleIt facilitates hitching at spots where you can see a car registration plate (petrol stations, borders, foreign languages (mostly Englishtraffic lights) are commonly spoken by businessmen and educated people (87%)choose the proper one. In short, urban populations the plates consist of two or three letters and four digits. The first letter denotes the voivodeship (50%region) and small business (48%)is followed by one or two letters denoting a major town. HoweverUsually voivodeship capitals and major towns have two letters, it is hard while smaller towns have three. For instance cars from Warsaw could have plates ranging from WA XXXX to predict the knowledge of languages of a driver by his car as educated WZ XXXX, while all cars from [[Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki]] have WND XXXX plates. When you see some English, Swiss or German registration plates, they still might be Polish people in Poland are generally poorly-paidthere, on vacation to their former homeland.

Apart == Border crossings == === [[Belarus]] ===The most exhausting border crossing with long waiting queues. Be sure to arrive with a visa if you need one. The police have the reputation of being quite rude, but this is not the case every time. Border crossings from south to north:* [http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=13433892993726185330,51.771666,23.569832%3B8225709824099370420,51.760479,23.611216&saddr=63+%4051.771666,+23.569832&daddr=Unknown+road+%4051.760479,+23.611216&sll=51.766075,23.590525&sspn=0.017263,0.04549&ie=UTF8&ll=52.722986,25.378418&spn=4.325896,11.645508&z=7 Damačava (BLR) / Sławatycze (PL)] (bel. Дамачава, rus. Домачево) – vehicular crossing located 120 km to the people who speak foreign languagesnorth-east from [[Lublin|Lublin]], 70 km to the east from [[Radzyn Podlaski|Radzyn Podlaski]] on the way to [[Brest (Belarus)|Brest]].* [http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=13034915224636727578,52.069786,23.642091&saddr=2%2FE30+%4052.069786,+23.642091&daddr=52.073732,23.673027&mra=mi&mrsp=1,0&sz=16&sll=52.074073,23.666546&sspn=0.008573,0.022745&ie=UTF8&ll=52.070116,23.646183&spn=0.068588,0.181961&z=13 Brest (Varšaŭski most (Warsaw Bridge)) (BLR) / Terespol (PL)] (bel. Брэст (Варшаўскі мост), rus. Брест (Варшавский мост)) – the biggest crossing point located on [[E30]] near [[Brest (Belarus)|Brest]]. Crossing is possible only in a vehicle. Be prepared for a vast majority long waiting time. If there is a lot of traffic, even very long waiting time. Even when there are just two or three cars in front of Poles do understand some basic constructions you, you can find yourself waiting for several hours.* [http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=18391996812509845743,52.106891,23.558036%3B5287091177967822326,52.110654,23.561225&saddr=68+%4052.106891,+23.558036&daddr=52.116665,23.564816&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=16&sll=52.114886,23.566296&sspn=0.008565,0.022745&ie=UTF8&ll=52.516221,24.483032&spn=2.172906,5.822754&z=8 Kazlovičy (BLR) / Kukuryki (PL)] (bel. Казловічы, rus. Козловичи) – for trucks only. Located at the north-western edge of other Slavic languages and Brest.*[https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/52%C2%B028'11.0%22N+23%C2%B021'30.1%22E/@52.4697112,23.3561643,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d52.4697082!4d23.3583531?hl=en Piasčatka (BLR) / Połowce (PL)] (bel. Пясчатка, rus. Песчатка) – located 40 km to the south-east from [[Bielsk Podlaski|Bielsk Podlaski]] on the way to [[Brest (Belarus)|Brest]].* [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Przejście+graniczne+Białowieża+-+Piererow/@52.6693897,23.8421252,13.25z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x47205d08a089cf39:0x7d8b7f4d91f4e07!8m2!3d52.6686046!4d23.8582331?hl=en Pieraroŭ (BLR) / Białowieża (PL)] (bel. Перароў, rus. Переров) – small, pedestrian-only crossing in the middle of the beautiful Bialowieza Forest. EU citizens can visit (for 72 hours) the Belorussian part of the forest, as well as the village of EnglishKamianiuki '''without a visa''' (check [http://www. Due belarus.by/en/travel/belarus-life/belovezhskaya-pushcha requirements for visa-free entrance]). Since the crossing is for pedestrians/cyclists only, you are likely to be the only person there. There aren't many parked cars, but just enough to get you picked up to World War II history the nearest village on the Polish side (it's not very far, so you can walk, as well). On the Belarusian side, you can either try hitch-hiking towards the nearest village of Biely Liasok (bel. Белы Лясок) (there'll be plenty of tourists and only a single road for cars) or you can walk through the forest to Kamianiuki (about 16 km, it's the official "entry" village to the forest on the number of war films created afterwardsBelarusian side). From Kamianiuki, you can either hitch-hike, or if you don't have time, take maršrutka (mini-bus) to the bus terminal in Brest. If you're lucky, you can also some basic words hitch a ride with one of the German language are commonly knownpark's employees.*[https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/53%C2%B007'22.0%22N+23%C2%B053'54.6%22E/@53.1227709,23.8964963,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d53.1227684!4d23.8985041?hl=en Bierastavica (BLR) / Bobrowniki (PL)] (bel. Бераставіца, rus. Берестовица) – located 50 km to the east from [[Białystok|Białystok]] on the way to [[Vaŭkavysk|Vaŭkavysk]], [[Hrodna|Hrodna]].*[https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/53%C2%B031'29.9%22N+23%C2%B040'06.3%22E/@53.5249652,23.6662313,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m15!1m8!3m7!1s0x0:0x0!2zNTPCsDA3JzIyLjAiTiAyM8KwNTMnNTQuNiJF!3b1!7e2!8m2!3d53.1227684!4d23.8985041!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d53.5249617!4d23.66842?hl=en Bruzhi (BLR) / Kuźnica (PL)] (bel. Брузгі, rus. Брузги) – 60 km to the north-east from [[Białystok|Białystok]] on the way to [[Hrodna|Hrodna]]. If you want to avoid long waiting times at the Brest (Varšaŭski most (Warsaw Bridge)) / Terespol border crossing you can take a train from Terespol to Brest. It goes 3 times a day and costs 17 złoty. You can pay in złotys only but there is an exchange office at the [https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/3456263616 train station].(August 2018)

Although the data above is probably accurate to some degree, it's hard to find a person on the street who can give you directions or help you either in Russian or in English. Younger generation speaks English, but usually it's very limited. More limited than in Estonia, === [[LatviaCzech Republic]] or Lithuania. A person speaking in Russian is even harder to find and like one driver said, he learned Russian 40 years ago at school and hasn't used it since. ===

Apart from the basic set of words and constructions found in every guidebook, there are some words hitchhikers might find particularily useful. Check also the Wikipedia articles on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_language Polish language] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_phonology Polish phonology] for more info on proper pronunciation. You can buy a decent guidebook or dictionary in any major town in Poland.* hitchhiking - autostop / stop - [awto-stop]* hitchhiker - autostopowicz - [awto-stopovich]* we're travelling to... - jedziemy do... - [yeh-dzhye-mee doh]* Where is the best place to hitchhike to...? - Skąd najlepiej łapać stopa do...? [skont nay-leh-pyey wapach stopa do...Jędrzychowice border crossing]* Where is the nearest...? - Gdzie jest najbliższy...? - [g'dzhe yest nay-bleezh-shee] * motorway exit for... - zjazd na... - [zyazd nah]* phone booth - budka telefoniczna - [boot-ka teh-leh-fonn-eech-nahŚwiecko border crossing]* bus stop - przystanek - [pshee-stah-nek]* train station - dworzec - [dvoh-zhets]* filling station - stacja benzynowa - [stats-yah behn-zee-nova]* dictionary - słownik - [swoh-v-nick]* guidebook/guide - przewodnik - [psheh-vod-nick]* map / plan - mapa / plan - [mah-pah] [pla-n]

== Tips = [[Lithuania]] ===

When entering Poland at the border from * [[LithuaniaBudzisko-Kalvarija border crossing]] (and possibly from other countries too) it is a good idea to get a long long ride if it's getting dark. Often there are miles and miles of trucks and it's better to try to get a ride straight to where you're heading then to get stuck somewhere in the middle of the night.

During hitchhiking it might be possible that drivers use * [[CB radioBagrationovsk-Bezledy border crossing]]with Russia's to ask other drivers to take you.[[Kaliningrad Oblast]]

Roads are often in a bad condition, though on some parts of the road from === [[CracowSlovakia]] to [[Berlin]] it's possible to drive 200 km/h.===

It's easier to get a ride along the route that leads from the Lithuanian* [[Zwardoń border crossing]]* [[Barwinek-Polish Vyšný Komárnik border to Warsaw and more difficult from Warsaw to Krakow, because the train connection between these two cities is extremely good and as a result there seems to be very little traffic on the highway connecting these cities.crossing]]

==Cities==* [[Andrychów]]* [[Białystok]]* [[Bielsko-Biała]]* [[Bydgoszcz]]* [[Częstochowa]]* [[Gdańsk]]* [[Gliwice]]* [[Gorzów Wielkopolski]]* [[Katowice]]* [[Kielce]]* [[Koszalin]]* [[Kraków]]* [[Łódź]]* [[Lublin]]* [[Olsztyn]]* [[Opole]]* [[Płock]]* [[Poznań]]* [[Radom]]* [[Rzeszów]]* [[Świebodzin]]* [[Swiecko]]* [[Szczecin]]* [[Szypliszki]]* [[Toruń]]* [[Warszawa]]* [[Wrocław]]* [[Zielona GóraUkraine]]===

Here is a == Links ==* [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UKkPAv5GuGIQlrA-bHGxq6r4kh7Co1y5mnBx5y9Kt0o/edit List of hitchhiking FB groups for different cities in Poland]* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/autostopowicze/ Polish hitchhikers on FB]* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ImageRoads_and_expressways_in_Poland Roads and expressways in Poland]* [http:Plcarplates379v06//jakdojade.png#file MAPpl/ Public transport of many Polish cities] with a car registration plate codes of Poland.It facilitates hitching at spots where you can see a car registration plate (gas stations, borders, traffic lights)and choose the proper one.

==Other=={{hitchbase_country|155}}{{IsIn|Eastern Europe}}{{Cities Poland}}{{Voivodeships Poland}}{{Template:Europe/countries}}__NOTOC__[[trash:Poland]]* [[Overview of good hitchhiking spots from former website Digimer Autostopnomad:Poland]]

[[Categoryde:EuropePolen]][[Categoryes:Poland|*Polonia]][[fi:Puola]][[fr:Pologne]][[pl:Polska]][[ru:Польша]][[tr:Polonya]]