What's it like to travel by motorhome in Poland? We have just returned home after three weeks on the road with our motorhome in Poland and the Czech Republic. This is far from the first time we've travelled in these countries and we've had a lot of experience. Today we write about what it's like to travel by motorhome in Poland. If you have more, similar or different experiences, please share them with us!
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Which ferries go to Poland?
There are several different shipping companies operating to Poland, and there are several different routes:
- Nynäshamn - Gdansk with Polferries
- Karlskrona - Gdynia with StenaLine
- Ystad - Swinoujscie with Polferries
- Ystad - Swinoujscie with UnityLine
- Trelleborg - Swinoujscie with TT-Line
How are the roads?
There are many fine new roads and motorways in Poland. Along the new motorways there are also large and beautiful rest areas, similar to those in Germany. But there are also old and bad roads.
All of a sudden, you can end up on a patched and repaired road that is so bumpy that there is no chance of reaching the speed limit. There is also a lot of road construction going on, which means that some roads are closed and you have to take detours.
Do you pay motorway tolls?
There are apparently some roads where you pay a toll, by card or cash at toll stations. We travelled all around Poland without encountering any such roads. If you have a heavier motorhome, you will have to pay, with electronic charging.
How is the traffic?
The only problem we have experienced in the traffic is that people want to overtake, even when it is on the hair that you have time to overtake. There is also plenty of wildlife such as deer, foxes and birds to look out for.
Which traffic rules apply?
Talking and texting on a handheld phone is forbidden (hands-free calls are allowed). Another good thing to know is that signs with the text "Koniec" mean "end" of previously indicated danger. So if "Koniec" is accompanied by a picture of a deer, it means that you no longer have to worry about jumping deer...
Can you drive a large motorhome in Poland?
You can definitely drive large motorhomes in Poland. It is not crowded and there are large lorries everywhere. However, if you have a motorhome weighing more than 3.5 tonnes, you will need to get an electronic charging box. You can read more at www.etoll.gov.pl, where you should also be able to register your car before departure. You can buy the box at a petrol station near one of the borders. Look out for petrol stations with the name "Orlen"!
How much does it cost to refuel?
It is cheap to fill up and costs about 10 kr/litre. Some pumps say "ON", which is a Polish abbreviation for diesel ...
Can you fricamp?
Free camping is only allowed with the permission of the landowner. You can, for example, ask if you can stay and sleep outside a hotel or similar, but otherwise, free camping should be done with caution.
Are there car parks?
There are car parks, but not nearly as much as in some other countries. The pitches we have seen have either been car parks outside an inn or some simple form of camping in a garden. Because there are lots of campsites, and because they are cheap, we tend to choose camping.
What are the campsites like?
Many Polish campsites are simple, but they can range from very spartan to extremely modern. Most campsites are on grass and if there are specific motorhome pitches (on harder ground) there are usually only a few. The reason for this, of course, is that most Poles camp in tents or cabins, or possibly with a small caravan.
Emptying of black water can sometimes be done in a pipe in the ground, grey water emptying is often lacking, and the electricity poles are usually connected with a standard plug (not a European glove). The service centres are usually quite good and most of them have WiFi. Have a look at our list of campsites we have visited (you can always find it under "Scaffolding" in the menu).
What is the cost of camping in Poland?
We have paid between 135 and 245 SEK per night including electricity, except for one night when we stayed at a free (!) campsite. If you do not want electricity, it will be cheaper. Where there has been WiFi or pool, it has been included in the price. Note that it is usually cash payment that applies!
Do you need anything special with you?
In addition to the obvious things like passports and driving licences, there is a law that requires you to have a fire extinguisher in your car. We also didn't manage to find a remedy for the toilet tank, so it's good to have it with you ...
Can you manage in English?
Young people often (but not always) speak English. Many, especially older people, are better at German. We don't know any German, but we don't usually experience any major difficulties. Sometimes you just have to gesticulate a bit and it works out.
What is the situation in rural areas?
What we reflect on when driving in the Polish countryside is that it is so incredibly green. The vegetation is lush and you often drive through a dense "jungle" of deciduous trees. In many places there is also an enormous amount of cultivation.
It's very possible that people don't have it so fat, but it's not that it looks poor. In the eastern part of the country, we were surprised by all the nice villas with fantastic gardens. I've never seen such neat rows of neatly trimmed shrubs and flower beds in my life.
What is available in shops and restaurants?
There are many different grocery chains and the selection is fairly similar to that of Sweden, except that there is wine, beer and more sausages... The restaurants always have meat, sausages, pierogi (steamed stuffed dumplings) and various soups. If you are on the coast, there is also plenty of fish. The prices? It's cheap of course!
What can you see and do in Poland?
Below you will find lots of reports with tips and inspiration for your trips in Poland. Have a nice trip!
With Unity Line from Poland to Ystad - and a visit to Szczecin!
After a nice visit to Poland, in Gdansk and Szczecin, we travelled back with Unity ...
Dziwnow in Poland - a little holiday gem
Dziwnow, in north-eastern Poland, offers a wonderful holiday feeling in the summer. We found our way here more or less...
What to do in Szczecin, Poland - 9 tips
What to see and do in Szczecin, Poland? Szczecin, which can also be called Szczecin,...
Torun, Poland - 12 things to see and do
Torun in Poland is a beautiful and historically interesting city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site....
Kozlowka Palace in Poland - and a homely campsite
Kozlowka is a twenty-year-old palace in Poland that is definitely worth a visit. The palace is a...
Polferries Ystad-Swinoujscie - our experience
What is it like travelling with Polferries Ystad-Swinoujscie? We have recently travelled with the ferry M/F Cracovia...
Things to do in Gdynia, Poland - our top 9 tips
What to see and do in Gdynia, Poland? Gdynia offers beautiful sandy beaches, nice...
Travelling from Sweden to Poland in times of coronavirus
What is it like travelling from Sweden to Poland in times of coronavirus? We have finally travelled...
With Polferries to Poland - and a visit to Gdansk
We have embarked on a small road trip, which started with Polferries to Poland, from...
Win a trip for 2 to Wroclaw in Poland!
Nu kan du vinna en resa för två till härliga Wroclaw i Polen! Denna underbara stad…
Łódź in Poland - 15 things to see and do
Łódź in Poland, is it a city you ever thought of visiting? If not, then...
Łeba - a mysg holiday favourite in Poland
Poles love Łeba (pronounced Weba), and no wonder. Here you will find long white...
Krakow in Poland - tips and guidance in Swedish
Have you visited Krakow in Poland yet? Whether you're a newcomer to the city or a...
Camping Stogi in Gdansk - on the Polish coastline
Now we have made it to the Stogi campsite in Gdansk. We have been here before, but...
Holidays in Zakopane - on the Tatra Mountains in Poland
Holidays in Zakopane! We have travelled to Zakopane, located in the Tatra Mountains in Poland, south...
Mierzecin - castles in Poland with magical scenery
Mierzecin - castle in Poland with magical nature in Dobiegniew in the countryside of western Poland. The castle...
Wieliczka salt mine, near Krakow, Poland
Today we went to the salt mine in Wieliczka in Poland. We were not the only ones,...
Lovely holiday in Swinoujscie, Poland
Time for a holiday in Swinoujscie, Poland! Swinoujscie is located on the Baltic Sea coast, near the border...
Krynica Morska on Vistula Island - a holiday resort in Poland
Krynica Morska is located in north-eastern Poland, on the Vistula Island, and is a popular holiday and seaside resort. We...
Visenter in Poland - Bialowieza Forest, Bialowieza National Park
Mink in Poland! We have long dreamed of seeing wild bison in Poland and to...
Christmas market in Warsaw with fabulous decoration
Yesterday we went to the Christmas market in Warsaw. We were not lucky with the weather so to speak....
Things to do in Sopot, Poland - our top 11 tips
What to see and do in Sopot, Poland? Sopot is a lovely holiday resort with...
Nicolaus Copernicus' house in Torun, Poland
The Nicolaus Copernicus House in Torun is a museum that tells the story of the life of the astronomer Copernicus,...
Camping Metropolis in Sopot, Poland
We are at Camping Metropolis in Sopot and have now been joined by Peter's brother ...
Unesco World Heritage Sites in Poland - 16 places of interest
Have you seen any of the Unesco World Heritage Sites in Poland? There are currently 16, and...
Wroclaw in Poland - 14 tips for things to see and do
Wroclaw in Poland is a city full of beautiful and colourful houses. Here you can stroll...
Things to do in Swinoujscie, Poland - 7 tips
What to see and do in Swinoujscie, Poland? This time we came here with...
Mechelinki - The charming little fishing village in Poland
Mechelinki used to be a small sleepy fishing village on the Polish Baltic Sea coast. Not far from here are holiday resorts...
Camping in Poland - how does it work?
We received some questions from a reader about camping in Poland, and were inspired to write...
Things to do in Krakow - 12 tips for Poland's historic centre
There is a lot to see and do in Krakow, and here are our personal tips. Krakow,...
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Lennart says:
Poland is high on the list.
18 July 2017 - 7:15
Steve says:
Poland seems to be a perfectly ok motorhome country.
18 July 2017 - 7:56
Helena says:
We think Poland is a great motorhome country! But of course, every country has something on the plus and minus side.
18 July 2017 - 15:20
Nils-Åke Hansson says:
Interesting good information
18 July 2017 - 8:02
Helena says:
Great if it comes in handy! 🙂
18 July 2017 - 15:21
Anne says:
Nice to see people sharing their experiences.
16 September 2018 - 14:35
Kattas Betraktelser says:
What a fantastic guide you have made, even though I have left motorhome ownership. You seem to have had a great time on your trip in Poland and I am really looking forward to going there in the future.
18 July 2017 - 8:03
Helena says:
Thank you very much! Yes, it was a fun and interesting trip! Can definitely recommend Poland as a travel destination! 🙂
18 July 2017 - 15:21
LinizTravel says:
Looks wonderful!!! We drove one night at
Camping last week! On
Sunday we are off to a My camping 😉 You have clearly inspired! Hugs
18 July 2017 - 8:21
LinizTravel says:
A new campsite, of course!
18 July 2017 - 8:21
Helena says:
Nice that you also camp! 🙂
18 July 2017 - 15:22
Kenneth Risberg says:
Thank you for the well written information about Poland.
Despite the traffic, roads and overtaking, I am even more keen to take the motorhome to Poland. Camping and everything else does not seem to be a big problem.
18 July 2017 - 8:33
Helena says:
Every country has pluses and minuses, but no, travelling with a motorhome in Poland is absolutely no problem! (Except maybe a bit of trouble with that box if you have a motorhome that weighs more than 3.5 tonnes.) Since Poles like to camp, there are campsites just about everywhere, so a pretty easy country to travel in we think.
18 July 2017 - 15:25
Geddfish says:
I have read through just for fun, because this is not relevant to me. But it could have been. You can dream too.
Poland looks lush :G
18 July 2017 - 9:49
Geddfish says:
😀 it should be, haha.
18 July 2017 - 9:50
Helena says:
Poland is really very green! 🙂
18 July 2017 - 17:02
Dianasdrömmar says:
Lovely and good guide hugs
18 July 2017 - 9:56
åsa i åsele says:
Interesting. Especially since Poland is a "non-country" 😉 = a country I know very little about, barely where it is located 😉.
Now it doesn't feel like Poland is a destination... but nice to read about your trip 🙂.
18 July 2017 - 11:15
Helena says:
Glad you enjoyed reading about our trip! 🙂
18 July 2017 - 17:02
Dessan says:
Now you have inspired us to go to Poland too?
18 July 2017 - 14:54
Helena says:
That's what I think you should do ???
18 July 2017 - 17:03
Ditte says:
Fun to read and very good info, but we don't camp, other than hotel camping and occasionally a camping cabin. But to fly, rent a car and get around we sometimes do and many campsites also have comfortable cabins for rent and that is a good alternative. Completely agree that the ferries to Poland are very boring and do not feel made for tourists directly.
18 July 2017 - 15:35
Helena says:
In Poland there are probably cottages on most campsites. The Poles themselves seem to like to stay in a cottage on a campsite 🙂 .
18 July 2017 - 17:04
Maria says:
Fun to read!
We were on a very fun trip in northern Poland in 2004 with a small caravan and intend to go there in August with a motorhome. Especially remember how they allowed campers and cars to stand on campsites, no safety distances there not!....
It will be interesting to see how the country develops...
18 July 2017 - 19:21
Helena says:
Interesting to hear! I think Poland has evolved in many ways, but it's still common that you can stand where you want and how you want in the campsites ...
18 July 2017 - 20:38
Matts Torebring says:
Thank you, please, for all your experiences and tips. They mean so much.
18 July 2017 - 19:36
Helena says:
Glad to hear that it is appreciated 🙂
18 July 2017 - 20:38
Bengt-Göran says:
Good evening! Many THANKS for the collected information about travelling by motorhome in Poland!
What is the current security situation and the risk of burglary?
I have never visited Poland but after your report it seems a bit more interesting.
18 July 2017 - 19:47
Helena says:
Glad to hear that our reports are appreciated! We haven't seen or heard anything about motorhome break-ins in Poland, so I don't think the risk is greater than elsewhere. I would guess that the risk is greater in Southern Europe. BUT you can of course never be completely safe. The best thing is to stand on campsites at night and be careful with valuables when you leave your motorhome somewhere.
18 July 2017 - 20:42
BP says:
Poland could hardly find better ambassadors! Great tips for anyone who wants to visit the country with a motorhome/caravan. I think there are many Swedes who will visit Poland in the future - thanks to your reportage.
18 July 2017 - 20:05
Helena says:
We really like Poland! At the same time, we've tried to bring out everything that might not always be optimal, like bad roads for example 😉.
18 July 2017 - 20:43
Anne says:
Nice to read about your trip! We are in Poland right now and for the 6th time with a motorhome. We have only good things to say about the country and think that we have been pleasantly treated all the time... Sometimes it is difficult with the language but what, everything is solved with a good mood and a smile! This year we have booked cottages at a campsite east of Gdynia on the coast because we want to show our children how nice the country is. But we are here before with the campervan for our own tour before they come down ? Hope for more stories from you!
18 July 2017 - 22:03
Helena says:
Hi Anne! How nice that you are in Poland and that you also like the country! I agree that it can be a bit tricky with the language sometimes, but we never let that stop us 😉 Often it's not such advanced conversations you're looking for 😉 We've come home to Sweden now, but if you want to find our previous Poland tips, you can look under "Travel tips" in the menu and choose Poland. All our latest stories about Poland can also be found here: http://www.freedomtravel.se/category/europa/polen/
18 July 2017 - 22:44
Anki says:
Perfect travel guide for anyone who wants to visit Poland ... with or without a motorhome, but on their own anyway 🙂 Thanks for the interesting information!
Answer to the comment about Poles and mushrooms: Your guide is quite right in what he says because most Swedes only pick chanterelles ... and funnel chanterelles, while e.g. Poles pick everything! Or at least many more species than we do 🙂 .
20 July 2017 - 6:35
Helena says:
Ah ok, maybe that's what he meant! Thanks for your explanation! Yes, it is probably true that Swedes mostly pick chanterelles. I have picked Karl Johan too, but nothing more. If you want to pick more varieties, you have to be a bit knowledgeable so you know that the mushrooms are edible. But maybe the Poles are better at that!?
20 July 2017 - 7:05
JoY says:
Now I have read through your entire journey. Very well told with nice pictures and films.
Got a problem, that now we want to travel there, too! How can we decide, north or south, the holiday is slowly approaching?
Hugs
22 July 2017 - 22:46
Helena says:
It's just that, always difficult to choose! 😉
23 May 2018 - 18:19
Anonymous says:
What a great blog post! We have been camping for four weeks in the Baltics and Poland and I have been blogging about the whole trip. You have angled your blog in a very informative way! Great!
16 September 2017 - 11:21
Helena says:
Thank you very much! The Baltics sound exciting too!
23 May 2018 - 18:20
Anonymous says:
What a great account of Poland ???
24 February 2018 - 14:22
Helena says:
Thank you 🙂
23 May 2018 - 18:20
Fredrik says:
Hello!
Do you need to book a campsite if you have a motorhome? We are going to the northern part of Poland in the middle of July.
Wondering
Frederick
23 May 2018 - 9:51
Helena says:
Hi Fredrik! You usually don't need to book. Especially not if you are a little flexible and can consider taking the campsite next door, if it would be full in any place (there are many campsites along the coast). The only place we have experienced that it can be really full is on the headland Hel. There it might be good to book a little in advance. We have always taken a chance and it has gone well, but it has sometimes been "on the hair" that we got a place 😉.
23 May 2018 - 18:24
sara says:
Very interesting to read, we're going to Poland in 2 weeks in a motorhome!
28 June 2018 - 11:13
mattias says:
looking for prices for the ferry. 4 people in 540 long, 330 height but gosh how expensive.
should you search from another site or how do you do it. we want to go 18, 19 July.
17 July 2019 - 12:28
Helena says:
Hi! I agree that ferrying a motorhome is often expensive! You can possibly look for offers or see if you have a discount via e.g. Motormännen or camping association, but we don't have much more advice. Then you have to calculate and compare with driving the distance and then buying petrol etc. Unfortunately quite expensive with ferries.
19 July 2019 - 21:45
mattias says:
Very nice blog!
We are leaving tonight or tomorrow, intending to stay a few days and then drive on to Austria. Children's campsites in Poland perhaps by the sea or similar?
17 July 2019 - 12:32
Helena says:
Thanks Mattias! There are lots of campsites in Poland! In general, most things are child-friendly in Poland, I would say, the Poles often holiday as a family! I do not know where in Poland you are going ... so difficult to suggest exact camping, There are many campsites in Sopot, on the headland Hel (but there can be some queues out there sometimes), in Leba and in all the smaller towns in between. Wishing you a nice trip!
19 July 2019 - 21:48