Moving to Poland and need to get your smartphone ready? We’ve been there. To make your move as smooth as possible, we put all the apps you’ll need into one handy place. Open up your app store and get ready for change!
Ready to Scoot?
If you’re looking forward to using the infamous motorised scooters that can be found in every Polish city, get Lime and Bolt downloaded ASAP. These are the two main scooter companies operating in Poland, and you should find you’re never too far from your next scoot. Easy to use, you simply point your camera at the QR code on the scooter and you’re ready to go.
Now, Bolt is actually much more than just a scooter app, you can also book cars or order food through Bolt, sound familiar? It’s the Polish equivalent to Uber.
A Familiar Face
Talking of Uber, don’t worry, you’ll find that out there too. Just like at home, there are plenty of Ubers in the bigger cities; however, as a result of old-fashioned streets and good public transport, it can sometimes be better to grab a scooter, hop on a bus or even walk. The best place to use Uber is in Warsaw, where the streets are more modern and built for cars. Here, you’ll never be waiting for long and can get just about anywhere.
Perhaps even more importantly, UberEats operates in Poland too. With plenty of restaurants to choose from, including traditional Pierogi, Starbucks, and KFC, you won’t be going hungry anytime soon. Check out our blog on saving money in Poland, as UberEats definitely makes it more difficult.
“Sorry, can you repeat that?”
Ok, learning Polish is hard – we’re not going to sugarcoat it. Whilst we recommend trying to pick up a few phrases and maybe even investing in some lessons, you might also find a new best friend in Google Translate. Downloading the app gives you access to some invaluable features, such as scan and translate, so that you can actually read the menu. The app also lets you use voice to text translate, so you can use it anytime you’re in a pinch with a Polish speaker, whether that’s on the train, in a shop or on the street.
In the same vein, make sure to have Google Chrome on your phone, as this can automatically translate any Polish websites into English.
Time to Travel
Public transport in Poland is affordable and accessible, so we recommend making the most of it by visiting every city in Poland! The best way to check trains and book tickets online is through Intercity.pl (you caught us – this ones a website, but just as important as the apps). Buying tickets online is a great idea to avoid disappointment, as tickets can sometimes sell out during busier periods or if trains are operating at reduced capacity. Most of the trains you’ll catch will be Intercity Trains, and you can keep up to date with which train is going where through their very user-friendly website – make sure to use it on Chrome, though, so it’s all in English. If you’re looking for a shorter journey to just a neighbouring city, it can sometimes be best to check this at the station too, as they can be even more frequent.
For buses and trams, the best app to use is Jakdojade. Not only can you plan your route through this app, as it tells you the exact stop you need to be at, but you can also buy your tickets on it. Simply type in your destination, click buy ticket, and you’re ready to roll. This is a great option if you don’t like to carry cash, as you can top-up your Jakdojade account with Apple Pay, too.
Keep your Finances in Check
With so much going on to tempt your Złoty away, it’s important to keep an eye on your bank account, just as you would at home. Depending on which bank you opt for, they will most likely have an app – it is the 21st century, afterall. Bank Polski, a favourite amongst our teachers, has an app called PKO which can be used on phones with a Polish sim card. The app lets you check your bank account, keep tabs on any transactions, as well as access all the key information you’ll need to be paid.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a Polish sim card just yet, as this information is all accessible through their website too – just remember to use Chrome again.
How’s your Phone Looking?
The good news is that these apps are all easy to download and it will only take a couple of minutes – then you’ll be ready for your Poland adventure.
If you’ve downloaded these already, then what are you waiting for? Sign up to our Poland Teaching Placement and see how we can help you get started! We’d love to hear from you if you think we’ve missed any apps, let us know below and we’ll be sure to check them out.
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