DRIVING IN POLAND
 

How is it driving in Poland? Were the roads good and are there mostly 2 lane highways? Any unusual delays or problems we should be aware of? Also what about the border crossings - any unusual delays or unusual demands by the border patrol? Thanks in advance to all those who may answer.

The roads were in suprisingly good condition. I say suprisingly because Art & I were told to expect huge potholes and poor surfaces. Generally speaking, the closer to large cities you are, the better the roads and the faster the traffic. In the rural areas, you will get slowed down on 2 lane roads waiting to pass a large truck or horse drawn buggy. Be very careful going around blind curves as traffic can be at a standstill up ahead. Also, when trucks break down on a 2 lane road, there is often no shoulder for them to pull over on so they are stopped in the traffic lane with a reflector triangle to the left of their rear bumper. Nothing unusual at the border crossings except when we came into Slovakia and the our car was searched. The guard was fascinated with Art's travel binder he had with the Expedia.com maps. The internet has a ways to go over there I think!!

Jeff: I have asked this question on a number of sites and the consesus answers are pretty much along the lines of what Linda has described. We are going in July, landing in Warsaw and driving a big ragged circle through the country. Hard to get much first hand information beyond Krakow, Zakopane and Gdansk. Linda and Art have offered some. If you search on "Poland" in the find window on the Europe page, you will see what there is. Good luck.

<BR>Jeff, <BR>I've driven there twice. Good roads. No problem, except those horse drawn wagons mentioned by Linda. You'll see amazing stork nests along the eastern frontier.<BR>www.enjoy-europe.com

Hi Jeff, we found the Polish drivers to be very good drivers and very courteous. Observe how they drive and follow suit. Beware of traffic lights that have right turn arrows. They are comparable to right turn on red here. You have to watch traffic coming from the left. The main roads have wide paved shoulders and unless obstructed, drivers will pull over mostly onto the shoulder to let you pass and oncoming traffic will also pull over onto their shoulder to give you room to pass. While we were there, all cars drove with their headlights on and always used their turn signals when passing and pulling back in. It was very easy driving.<BR>

Thanks to all who answered. Based on your answers, we have decided to drive thru Poland instead of using the train.