Gdańsk Shore Excursions
Poland · 3 independent tours
What can catch you out in Gdańsk
Relayed from official sources — not our verdict. We pass on what the authorities say, word for word, and leave the judgement to you.
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Street theft
Be alert to street crime and petty theft — criminals view foreigners as easy targets. Keep valuables concealed, especially at main rail stations and on trains.
as reported by UK FCDO — travel advice for Poland · 23 Jun 2026
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Validate your transport ticket
Validate your public transport ticket at the start of the journey, or you’ll be fined if an inspector finds it unvalidated.
as reported by UK FCDO — travel advice for Poland · 23 Jun 2026
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Unofficial taxis
People have been attacked, including sexual assaults, in unofficial taxis and ride-share cars. Use taxis showing the company name and phone number on the door and a visible rate card.
as reported by UK FCDO — travel advice for Poland · 23 Jun 2026
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Drink-spiking & card overcharging
Victims of spiked drinks have been robbed in bars and clubs, and visitors have been overcharged when paying by card at the end of the night. Watch your drink and check your bill.
as reported by UK FCDO — travel advice for Poland · 23 Jun 2026
On a cruise? Your ship’s port talk is the authority on the day — check that too.
Across Poland — laws, safety & health
National rules and risks that apply anywhere in Poland — relayed from official sources, not our verdict. We pass on what the authority says and leave the judgement to you.
Laws that catch visitors out
- Illegal drugs carry severe penalties — expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling them.
- It is illegal to drink alcohol in public places; police can arrest you and issue a fine.
- If you are drunk in public, police may take you to a clinic to sober up — and you must pay for your stay.
- Always carry ID; a printed copy of your passport photo page is acceptable.
- Police can fine you for jaywalking — ignoring pedestrian crossings or signals.
- Validate your public-transport ticket or face a fine from inspectors.
Photography
Avoid photographing military or other security installations, national infrastructure or some border areas, and obey any signs prohibiting photography.
Drones
Follow the Polish Civil Aviation Authority’s rules to fly a personal drone, and obey signs prohibiting drone use near restricted areas (military, security installations and border areas).
Scams to watch
Unofficial taxis and some ride-share trips have overcharged passengers, with attacks including sexual assaults reported — use only official, licensed taxis. Victims of spiked drinks have been robbed in bars and clubs, and visitors have been overcharged for drinks when paying by card at night. Keep valuables hidden in crowded areas and tourist spots.
Health hazards
FCDO lists biting insects and ticks among Poland’s health risks — use tick-bite precautions (cover up, use repellent) in forest or long grass and check TravelHealthPro before you travel.
via UK FCDO travel advice — Poland (health) · 24 Jun 2026
Relayed from UK FCDO travel advice — Poland · checked 24 Jun 2026
Traffic drives on the right. Look left first when you cross the road.
Docking & terminals in Gdańsk
Ocean cruise ships calling at Gdansk berth alongside; depending on the ship they use the cruise berth in the Port of Gdansk (near Westerplatte) or the deep-water port of Gdynia about 20 km away, with transfers to the historic Main Town.
- Port of Gdansk (Westerplatte area) — Several km from the Main Town. (In the Port of Gdansk; reach the historic Main Town by shuttle or local transport. Confirm transfer arrangements on board.)
- Port of Gdynia — About 20 km from central Gdansk (Tri-City SKM train). (Deep-water port about 20 km from Gdansk; Gdynia, Sopot and Gdansk are linked by the SKM fast Tri-City train.)
Mobility & step-free access
Getting around between the pier and town:
- Walk — The historic Main Town around the Royal Way and Long Market is compact and best on foot.
- Tram — An extensive tram network covers Gdansk; a Tourist Card includes tram travel.
- SKM Tri-City train — Fast suburban train connecting Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia (over 20 km apart).
Step-free options vary by pier and by the day — confirm the specifics with your operator and the ship’s guest-services desk before booking.
Heading back at the end of the day: Some ships dock in the Port of Gdansk near Westerplatte and some in Gdynia about 20 km away; the transfer differs, so confirm your exact port and the return transfer before going ashore.
Cruise lines don’t always tell you which pier you’re on, and it’s easy to forget once you’re ashore. As you leave the ship, note or photograph your pier’s name — then give your taxi that exact pier (or your ship’s name) for the trip back.
The Tri-City (Gdansk, Sopot, Gdynia) shares cruise traffic - confirm which port and berth your ship uses, and the transfer to the Main Town, on the daily programme.
Getting around & must-sees in Gdańsk
Getting around
After the transfer from the port, the Main Town is walkable; an extensive tram system and the SKM Tri-City train connect the wider area, including Gdynia where some ships berth.
- Walk — The historic Main Town around the Royal Way and Long Market is compact and best on foot.
- Tram — An extensive tram network covers Gdansk; a Tourist Card includes tram travel.
- SKM Tri-City train — Fast suburban train connecting Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia (over 20 km apart).
Must-see sights
- Main Town & Long Market (Dlugi Targ) — The Royal Way runs from the Golden Gate along Long Street to the Long Market - the city’s most historic quarter.
- St. Mary’s Basilica — The largest brick Gothic church in the world, built 1343-1502.
- Amber galleries on Mariacka Street — St. Mary’s Street is lined with galleries and workshops; Gdansk has been the heart of the amber craft for centuries.
- Westerplatte — Site where the Second World War began, by the harbour entrance.
Taxis & ride-hailing — Bolt, Uber work here — Ride-hailing apps operate across the Tri-City. (confirm in the app — you’ll need mobile data).
Getting back to the pier
The Main Town is walkable once you are there; trams cover the city and the SKM Tri-City train links Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia (relevant when ships dock in Gdynia).
- Walk — Once in the Main Town, the historic core around the Long Market is compact and walkable.
- Tram — Gdansk has an extensive tram system; a Tourist Card covers tram travel and museum entry.
- SKM Tri-City train — The SKM fast train links Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia - useful if your ship berths in Gdynia.
Key facts only — confirm times, fares and seasonal openings locally.
Eating & shopping in Gdańsk
Dining concentrates in the historic Main Town around the Long Market and along the Motlawa riverfront, with traditional Polish restaurants and pubs among the restored Gothic and Hanseatic architecture.
Where to eat
- Main Town (Glowne Miasto) — Numerous restaurants and pubs among the historic architecture along and around Dluga (Long) Street and Long Market.
- Motlawa riverfront — Waterfront promenade by the river with restaurants and bars.
Local specialities
- Pierogi — Polish filled dumplings.
- Baltic fish — Local fish dishes from the Baltic coast.
Areas and specialities as described by the source — not our recommendations; confirm openings and prices locally.
Local know-hows in Gdańsk
Money
- Currency
- Polish zloty (PLN)
- Cards
- Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted virtually everywhere, including supermarkets and most shops.
- ATMs
- ATMs are widely available in cities.
Practicalities
- Language
- Polish
- Tap water
- Tap water passes sanitary tests; the tourism board suggests boiling it to avoid a slight chlorine taste, and bottled water is widely sold.
- Plugs
- Type C and Type E sockets; 230V, 50Hz
Key facts to know before you step off — confirm anything time-sensitive locally.
Port busyness in Gdańsk
Moderately busy
Gdansk’s restored Main Town is a popular, compact quarter that gets busy with tourists along the Royal Way, though cruise traffic is spread across the wider Tri-City and the historic core absorbs visitors among its many streets and squares.
Peak pattern: Busiest in the daytime during the summer season along the Long Market and Royal Way.
Quieter: Early morning and outside the summer peak; side streets off the Royal Way are quieter.
- The historic Main Town is a major draw and busy with tourists
- Cruise traffic is shared across the Tri-City (Gdansk and Gdynia)
- The compact Royal Way concentrates visitors along Long Street and the Long Market
This shows a typical day for the time of year — actual crowds vary on your date, and it isn’t a guarantee.
What we’ve checked in Gdańsk — and when
We last checked the facts on this page between 16 Jun 2026 and 23 Jun 2026. Live travel advisories refresh automatically from the official sources.
- Docking & getting ashore
- Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 16 Jun 2026
- Getting around
- Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 16 Jun 2026
- How busy it gets
- Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 16 Jun 2026
- What can catch you out
- Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 23 Jun 2026
- Travel advisories
- FCDO (GOV.UK) & US State Department · refreshed automatically
Gdańsk: Old Town & Royal Way Walking Tour
Gdańsk: Amber & Main Town Highlights
Gdańsk: Motława River Cruise to Westerplatte