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Poland shall not be forgotten or official 13th June Chorzow/Katowice show thread

roubalroubal Posts: 82
edited April 2007 in Given To Fly (live)
Ok, to keep all the information on the Polish show in one place, let's start a new thread.

Bartek of pearljam.pl made a very good effort of putting some important information together at:
http://www.pearljam.pl/index.php/news/view/title/the_show_in_poland

TRAVEL

Additionally, if you intend to fly in to Poland for the show, use:

- Centralwings (http://www.centralwings.pl) for: Scotland and Ireland to Katowice; London, Ireland or Italy to Krakow; London, Ireland or Italy to Wroclaw; various European cities to Warsaw.

- Easyjet (http://www.easyjet.pl) for: UK to Krakow or Warsaw

- Wizzair (http://www.wizzair.com) for: various European cities to Katowice or Warsaw

- Skyeurope (http://www.skyeurope.pl) for: various European cities to Krakow

- Ryanair (http://www.ryanair.com) for: UK and Ireland to Krakow, Dublin to Warsaw.

Katowice airport is about 10-15 km from the Silesian Stadium. Krakow (rent a car and drive straight 80 km motorway, toll of about 3 euro; or take a train) is about 80 km, Warsaw is 300 km.

If you want to stay for a day or two or three and do some sightseeing, do NOT stay in Chorzow/Katowice. Choose Krakow or Warsaw instead.

The Silesian Stadium is about 5km from the Katowice train station, check out http://www.tagzania.com/item/13132 (scroll the map to the up left).

There is a 1am train from Katowice to Krakow (http://rozklad.pkp.pl/bin/query.exe/en?) if you want to go back there straight after the show. While in Krakow, there are plenty of hostels to choose from (http://www.hostelworld.com).

CURRENCIES

Euros are most of the time not accepted in Poland. You can without any problems exchange euros at the airports. It is just the simplest way for foreigners to do it..though the rate is not the best. The other way to exchange the money is to go to the KANTOR. There are many of such places in Poland. Just dont know how many and how they are located in Katowice/Chorzow area. They usually have better exchange rate. There are KANTORS at the bigest train stations in Poland as well.

You can pay also using credit cards. Just search for the VISA/MASTERCARD etc. logos at the shops/restaurants/pubs. Or just ask before paying.

If you're in a restaurant in Krakow, or at the airport, or in your hotel - ask, they might accept euros. Exchange euros for zlotys anyway, you will need them most of the time.

OTHER STUFF

One more important notice: it is illegal to drink alcohol on a street in Poland. If you get caught by the police while doing it, you'll get fined. Gotta hide your bottle or can.

If you have any questions, ASK.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

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    If I can't rent a car and I'm taking the train from Krakow, where can I stay after the show?
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    roubalroubal Posts: 82
    Satellite wrote:
    If I can't rent a car and I'm taking the train from Krakow, where can I stay after the show?

    There is a 1am train from Katowice to Krakow (http://rozklad.pkp.pl/bin/query.exe/en?). While in Krakow, there are plenty of hostels to choose from (http://www.hostelworld.com).
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    xnothingmanxxnothingmanx Suffolk UK Posts: 191
    Hi,

    Im coming from London. This thread is really helpful. Thanks!
    Wembley 00 (Night 1)Cardiff 00 Astoria 06 Jools Holland Recording 06 (I met Ed!)Reading 06 Katowice 07 Wembley 07 Shepherds Bush 09 O2 London 09 Hard Rock Calling 10 Manchester 12 Night 1 and 2
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    roubal wrote:
    There is an 1am train from Katowice to Krakow (http://rozklad.pkp.pl/bin/query.exe/en?). While in Krakow, there's a plenty of hostels to choose from (http://www.hostelworld.com).

    That's great! But I looked online and people are saying the Katowice train station is dangerous for females traveling alone.
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    mole1985mole1985 Posts: 1,119
    If i go i will be going alone. Is the station easy from the gig?
    Dublin 2006
    Katowice 2007
    London 2007
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    roubalroubal Posts: 82
    Satellite wrote:
    That's great! But I looked online and people are saying the Katowice train station is dangerous for females traveling alone.

    The station is full of music fans on concert nights, so you should not worry about anything. You can kill time at 24hrs open McDonald's in the neighbourhood, as everyone does while waiting for a night train. :)
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    roubalroubal Posts: 82
    mole1985 wrote:
    If i go i will be going alone. Is the station easy from the gig?

    It is 5km, check out http://www.tagzania.com/item/13132 (scroll the map to the up left).

    I'd say it's a walkable distance, 10-20k or even more people will be following the route after the show.
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    roubal wrote:
    The station is full of music fans on concert nights, so you should not worry about anything. You can kill time at 24hrs open McDonald's in the neighbourhood, as everyone does while waiting for a night train. :)

    Everything sounds great, and thanks for the help. Now we have to figure out how the hell to get from Munich to Katowice in less than 10 hours, and less than $500.
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    mole1985mole1985 Posts: 1,119
    Might have worked something out for Liverpool to Krackow but need a little more info. Is it easy to get to the station form the gig and is Krackow and easy place to navigate. When i arrive will it be easy to get to the hostel ect...
    Dublin 2006
    Katowice 2007
    London 2007
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    roubalroubal Posts: 82
    mole1985 wrote:
    Might have worked something out for Liverpool to Krackow but need a little more info. Is it easy to get to the station form the gig and is Krackow and easy place to navigate. When i arrive will it be easy to get to the hostel ect...

    As Googlemap shows, it is a straight 5 km route, can't really miss it.

    As for the Krakow hostels, sorry, I could only give you the link to the website, I don't know Krakow well.
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    mole1985mole1985 Posts: 1,119
    Thanks. You have done a lot for us thinking of travelling to Poland.
    Dublin 2006
    Katowice 2007
    London 2007
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    karolakarola Posts: 39
    good job, roubal! :D (I have finally remembered my password for this site, hehe)
    as for hostels in krakow - there's plenty of them here but there's also loads of tourists, especially in the warm months of the year so it would hurt making a reservation, especially if you wanna stay in the centre. it's really easy to get around, same with katowice.
    I would suggest trying to panic less - poland is not a third world country, people do speak english here and they're ready to help, there's loads of tourists coming to this country every year and they do survive it intact. ;)
    oh, and as far as the train station in katowice goes - it's not the nicest of places as it isn't the cleanest and the smell leaves a lot to be desired too... but I've spent loads of time there - also alone - and being a woman I can assure you you'll be fine.
    1996: warsaw; 1998: kansas city; 2000: katowice x 2
    2006: bologna, verona, torino, prague, vienna
    2007: chorzow
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    Thank you so much for this info guys, it's really helpful.

    Would it be possible to actually stay in Katowice? And would a taxi be particularly expensive from Krakow to Katowice?
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    pb21pb21 Posts: 12
    I am staying in Krakow on the 12th and katowice on the 13th. I didnt really like the idea of having to get from the stadium to krakow that late.
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    roubal wrote:
    If you want to stay for a day or two or three and do some sightseeing, do NOT stay in Chorzow/Katowice. Choose Krakow or Warsaw instead.

    Or choose Wroclaw. Out of this three Warsaw is the worst choice :P (expensive and far away from Chorzow, yet it has the biggest airport).
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    pb21 wrote:
    I am staying in Krakow on the 12th and katowice on the 13th. I didnt really like the idea of having to get from the stadium to krakow that late.

    Ooh where are you staying in Katowice? And how did you book?

    Thanks
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    xnothingmanxxnothingmanx Suffolk UK Posts: 191
    Thats exactly what Im doing!
    Wembley 00 (Night 1)Cardiff 00 Astoria 06 Jools Holland Recording 06 (I met Ed!)Reading 06 Katowice 07 Wembley 07 Shepherds Bush 09 O2 London 09 Hard Rock Calling 10 Manchester 12 Night 1 and 2
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    karolakarola Posts: 39
    sure, staying in katowice after the gig sounds like a reasonable idea. taking a taxi from krakow to katowice doesn't! :D expensive! trains to katowice go every hour or so.
    1996: warsaw; 1998: kansas city; 2000: katowice x 2
    2006: bologna, verona, torino, prague, vienna
    2007: chorzow
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    Haha thanks! I guess I'm just nervous about trying to negotiate public transport when it's all in a language I don't understand i.e. what ticket to buy, will I get on the right train going in the right direction etc!

    Also, if I want to be near the venue do I actually want to be staying in Chorzow??
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    pb21pb21 Posts: 12
    Ooh where are you staying in Katowice? And how did you book?

    Thanks

    On the 12th Hotel Wielopole booked through expedia.co.uk for 38 pounds.

    On the 13th a hotel called Diament in Katowice which I booked through booking.com for 61 euros.

    This way I get to look around krakow which is supposed to be a nice city and the ease of getting to a hotel after the show.
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    katjakatja Posts: 188
    Guys thanks a lot for this thread!
    This info was reeeeally needed!
    See you in Poland!!!
    :D
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    karolakarola Posts: 39
    Haha thanks! I guess I'm just nervous about trying to negotiate public transport when it's all in a language I don't understand i.e. what ticket to buy, will I get on the right train going in the right direction etc!

    Also, if I want to be near the venue do I actually want to be staying in Chorzow??

    you'll be just fine! ;)
    sure you can stay in chorzow if you wanna be really close to the stadium but katowice is fine too - because these 2 cities are actually connected so getting around is a piece of cake (worse case scenario: here taking a taxi shouldn't hurt your wallet ;) )

    one more thing about trains in poland:
    krakow-katowice: take the 'pospieszny' train - not 'osobowy' - the latter stops at every station and is really slow.
    warsaw-katowice (or any other long distance train journey in PL) - take 'intercity' or 'ekspres' - again do not take 'osobowy' - it will save you a lot of time, trust me...
    1996: warsaw; 1998: kansas city; 2000: katowice x 2
    2006: bologna, verona, torino, prague, vienna
    2007: chorzow
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    SatchellSatchell Posts: 149
    France delegation to Poland !! ... we'll be 8 to move from PARIS ... POLAND HERE WEEE COOOOOMMMME
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    cropdustresscropdustress Posts: 4,339
    Thanks for all the info on there, all of you.
    I made a thread with all the venues info and added the
    link to this thread so you might wanna check that
    thread from time to time in case someone's got a question ;)

    http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=231240
    "I surfaced and all of my being was enlightened"
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    roubalroubal Posts: 82
    There is also a good option for people who are coming just for the show - there is a *** hotel at the stadium, so you don't have to go anywhere.
    http://www.polishtravel.com.pl/pozycjonowanie/prezentacja.php?placeid=1036&languageID=2
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    ilockyerilockyer Posts: 2,254
    Thanks for all the information. I'd lost my login for the forums, so wasn't aware of all the buzz about Euro dates and didn't get my 10c membership updated in time... schoolboy erorrs. If no tickets for London available this will be my fallback option so all information greatly appreciated!
    The secret to a happy ending is knowing when to roll the credits
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    roubal wrote:
    There is also a good option for people who are coming just for the show - there is a *** hotel at the stadium, so you don't have to go anywhere.
    http://www.polishtravel.com.pl/pozycjonowanie/prezentacja.php?placeid=1036&languageID=2

    You rule!!! Thank you x
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    best.thread.ever.

    thank you! :D
    stood at the top of the hill over my town i was found. finding myself used to be hard but now i see the light. this is music.
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    roubal wrote:
    There is also a good option for people who are coming just for the show - there is a *** hotel at the stadium, so you don't have to go anywhere.
    http://www.polishtravel.com.pl/pozycjonowanie/prezentacja.php?placeid=1036&languageID=2

    If anyone from the UK books this hotel, please let me know who you did it through & how it went!

    Thanks :D
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    ilockyerilockyer Posts: 2,254
    You can book directly through the http://www.polishtravel.com website shown above by the look of things, provided you have a credit card.

    http://www.expedia.co.uk shows there is a Novotel there, which works out at £53 for a twin room, for anyone going and sharing that might feel more comfortable with the idea of staying at an internationally branded hotel.
    The secret to a happy ending is knowing when to roll the credits
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