Kraków, Poland

• Kraków has one of Europe's better-preserved medieval centers. The Old Town is compact enough to walk everywhere, and street lighting is decent around the Main Market Square and Planty Park. The cafe culture here means you'll see plenty of people sitting alone with laptops or books - nobody thinks twice about it.
• Most people in tourist areas speak some English, though basic Polish phrases help in residential neighborhoods. The 112 emergency line has English operators, and there's a dedicated foreigner emergency number that operates in English, German, and Russian.
• Poland hasn't adopted the euro, so you'll need złoty (PLN). Things cost less than Western Europe - coffee runs about 8-12 złoty. The tram and bus system covers most areas from 5am to 11pm, with night trams Friday through Monday if you're out late.
• Kazimierz, the old Jewish Quarter, has become the nightlife area with bars staying open until 4am on weekends. It's where you'll find the vintage shops and street art. The city gets over 3 million visitors to Wawel Castle annually, so summer gets crowded in the main tourist spots.

Polish is the main language. English is common in tourist areas, hotels, restaurants, and among younger people. The emergency number (112) has English-speaking operators. Tourist Police and foreigner emergency lines (+48 608 599 999 or +48 22 278 77 77) operate in English, German, and Russian. Basic Polish phrases help in local neighborhoods.

• Poles lean formal and polite. Say 'Dzień dobry' (good day) when entering shops or greeting people. Use 'Pan' (Sir) or 'Pani' (Madam) with older people or in formal settings. Learning 'proszę' (please), 'dziękuję' (thank you), and 'przepraszam' (excuse me) helps - people appreciate the effort even if your pronunciation is rough.
• For tipping, 10% is standard in restaurants if service was decent. Hand cash directly to your server rather than leaving it on the table - when they bring the bill, state your total including tip. So if the bill is 90 PLN and you're giving them 100, just say 'sto' (one hundred). Smaller cafes often don't take cards, so keep złoty on you.
• Don't jaywalk, especially around kids - Poles will actually lecture you about this. No drinking in public spaces like parks or streets. People are generally quiet on public transport and in residential areas, so loud conversations stand out as rude. Most stores close Sundays due to local laws, though tourist shops and essentials stay open.
• Cover shoulders and knees in churches and synagogues. Men should take off hats inside religious buildings. WWII history is painful here - don't make any jokes about the Holocaust, Nazi occupation, or war events. This is especially important at places like Auschwitz.

• Trams and buses run 5am-11pm, with night trams Friday through Monday. You pay by duration (20, 40, 60, or 90 minutes) not distance, so you can transfer freely within your time window. Stamp your ticket right when you board - inspectors fine 240 PLN if you don't.
• Get the Jakdojade app for routes and real-time arrivals. You can buy tickets through it too, which saves fumbling with the machines. Buses and trams have cameras now, though you should still watch your stuff during rush hour when it's packed.
• Old Town, Kazimierz, and Stradom are 10-15 minutes from each other on foot. Planty Park circles the Old Town with a lit walking path if you want a scenic route. Uber works for late nights. There's bike-sharing if you're into that, plus free WiFi at various spots around the center.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.
• For peace of mind on arrival, book your airport pickup in advance.

Explore Kraków with local guides and curated experiences.