Warsaw, Poland

• Warsaw's Old Town was completely destroyed in WWII and rebuilt using old paintings as reference - it's now the main tourist area but feels a bit artificial. The real character is in neighborhoods like Praga, which went from industrial to trendy over the last decade.
• Public transport is straightforward - metro, trams, and buses run late on weekends with a simple ticket system. Bolt and Uber work well. Polish people tend to be reserved initially. English is common with younger people and in tourist areas, less so in residential neighborhoods.
• The coffee shop scene has grown significantly. Central areas like Śródmieście feel safe at night with decent lighting. Parts of South Praga are still sketchy after dark.
• Prices are lower than Western Europe but higher than most of Eastern Europe.

Polish is the main language. English is common in tourist areas, hotels, and central district restaurants, and with younger people. The tourist emergency hotline (+48 22 278 77 77) has multilingual support 8am-6pm daily (8am-10pm June-September). Emergency services (112) have some English-speaking operators.

• Polish culture is more formal than Western Europe. Say 'dzień dobry' when entering shops and 'do widzenia' when leaving. Use 'Pan' (Mr.) or 'Pani' (Mrs./Ms.) with people you don't know. Firm handshake and eye contact when greeting.
• Keep your voice down on public transport and in restaurants. Loud behavior stands out. Give up your seat for elderly people and pregnant women.
• If bringing flowers, get an odd number - even numbers are for funerals. Red carnations and white lilies are for mourning. Take your shoes off when entering someone's home. Cover shoulders and knees in churches.
• WWII history is everywhere - be respectful at memorials and historical sites. Older people often don't speak English. Tip around 10% in restaurants for decent service.

• Public transport has 2 metro lines, about 30 tram routes, and over 200 bus routes. Metro runs 5am-midnight most days, until 3am Friday-Saturday. Main bus routes come every 10-15 minutes during the day. The system works well.
• Get tickets from machines at metro stations or some stops - they have English options. A 20-minute ticket is 3.40zł, 75-minute is 4.40zł, 24-hour pass is 15zł. Validate right when you board. Ticket inspectors are common and fines are expensive.
• Uber and Bolt both work well with English-speaking drivers. Yellow taxis are fine but make sure they use the meter or agree on price first. Central areas are walkable with decent sidewalks.
• 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 Warsaw with local guides and curated experiences.