Language
Do people in Poland speak English?
Quick answer
Widely in cities, tourist areas and among younger people, including in hotels, restaurants and museums. It thins out in small towns and with older residents, where a translation app helps.
In the cities and tourist areas, yes. Younger Poles generally speak good English, and you can expect it in hotels, restaurants, museums and shops in Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk and Wroclaw. Getting by in English is straightforward on a normal city trip.
Where it thins out
In small towns, at rural stations and with older residents, English is less common. A translation app on your phone bridges the gap, and menus in tourist areas usually have an English version. Signs at stations and airports are bilingual.
A little Polish goes far
You do not need the language, but a few words are always welcome. Learn "dzien dobry" (hello) and "dziekuje" (thank you) to start; our note on useful Polish phrases has a short list worth memorising.
Sources
- English proficiency in Poland , EF English Proficiency Index
More on Language
Learn "dzien dobry" (hello), "dziekuje" (thank you), "prosze" (please / you're welcome), "przepraszam" (excuse me) and "ile to kosztuje?" (how much is it?). A little effort is always appreciated.
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