Basic safety rules

Kraków is a truly student city. With almost 210.000 students, over 765.000 inhabitants and over 10 million tourists every year it creates a dynamic mixture of cultures. If you are new in a place like that you can be especially exposed to some risks, therefore like in any big cities you should remember about some basic safety rules.

  • Avoid isolated, poorly lit areas, especially when walking in the evening or at night.
  • Try to find well-lit routes where there are people within sight. Plan your night out in advance. Try to let your roommates or friends know where you are going and what time you expect to be back.
  • Most Kraków trams and buses have CCTV coverage, but be careful when using public transport. It is easy to get robbed in a crowd.
  • Never leave any documents, money, mobile phones, laptop computers and other valuables in easily accessible and visible places.
  • Avoid carrying large amount of cash on you. Especially when you go to a party, take with you only the amount of money you are going to spend that night. Buy your tram/ bus ticket home in advance or do not forget your KKM card/ Student ID card (valid monthly ticket). Check the route home using MPK maps: http://www.mpk.krakow.pl/en/network-maps/ or jakdojade.pl service (https://krakow.jakdojade.pl/?locale=en).
  • Be aware of rules regarding smoking and drinking alcohol in certain areas. Breaking these rules and regulations can cost you trouble and may lead to fines.
  • Do not take New Psychoactive Substances (sometimes misleadingly known as ‘legal highs’, as they can contain toxic chemicals and drugs. You never know what you take and how it may affect you. Drugs (even so called ‘soft’) are prohibited in Poland. You can be charged with a criminal offence for drug possession. If your student’s mobility has ended and you are coming back home, you may be forced to come back to Poland to stand a trial.
  • Keep your family updated on your travel plans and your contact information (phone numbers, e-mail addresses). Leave them contact numbers to people who may know where you are. Prepare a fixed schedule of contacts and stick to it. Do not let your family and friends be worried about you.
  • Keep useful numbers in your mobile phone. Set an ICE contact (in case of emergency). Make sure you know how to contact your consulate in Kraków (http://www.krakow.pl/english/visit_krakow/41832,artykul,consulates.html). The Embassies have their headquarters in Warsaw.
  • Be aware of the risks of air pollution, especially during the winter semester. Reduce or avoid outdoor activity if the pollution alert is raised in Kraków.
  • Trust yourself and avoid situations and people who make you feel uncomfortable. Try to observe your surroundings. If something seems strange or dangerous, follow your instincts and avoid it. Do not be afraid to ask for help or make a scene if you feel threatened. Do not take any unnecessary risk that you would not take at home. 

 

Emergency services in Poland

112 – emergency number

997 – Police

999 – Ambulance service

998 – Fire Brigade

968 – City Guard (Municipal Police)

 

Flat rentals

  • It is vital to do deep research when renting a property. Ask someone to accompany you when viewing a flat. Think about the level of security (door locks, CCTV in the building, security where relevant, distance to public transport etc.). Consider to revisit the area in the evening or at night to check your potential route home from the party. Meet all the potential flatmates in advance to avoid any future quarrels.

  • Make sure your potential landlords have their tenure of property – ask them to show identity cards.

  • If you pay cash for rent or deposit, ask for a receipt. Always sign a rental agreement and ask for a copy. Ask for explanations, if you do not understand any of the provisions of the agreement. Consider legal advice especially if the agreement is not written in your mother tongue. 

 

Party Time

  • Plan your night out in advance including your way back home . Tell your roommates or friends where you are going and what time you expect to be back.

  • Make sure your phone is charged and you will be able to make a call when needed.

  • Buy your tram/ bus ticket home in advance/ do not forget your KMK card/ leave enough money to pay for your journey back home.

  • Go to parties and clubs with friends you can trust and agree to look after each other.

  • Watch your drink! If you decide to dance or to make a phone call or to chat with an interesting person or to leave your table ‘only for a moment’ – take your drink with you. Please, do not leave your drink unattended.

  • Do not drink to excess so you are not aware what is happening. Remember to hydrate yourself.

  • Help any student who appears to be dangerously intoxicated (drunk).

  • Keep in a group of people, stay with friends and do not leave alone if you feel drunk. Ask a trusted friend to see you home. Do not accept lifts from strangers and use only official taxi/ cabs.

  • Have your keys ready when approaching your accommodation. 

 

Trouble with law?

There are some misdemeanours (petty crimes, delinquencies) for which you may be fined by a municipal warden or a police officer. Foreigners pay the fine directly to the officer. You can refuse to accept and pay a fine, but then your case goes directly to court.

  • Drinking alcohol is prohibited in certain public places (streets, parks, squares, Vistula boulevards, Planty etc.):

- 100 PLN (approx. 25 EUR) penalty fine for drinking alcohol in certain public spaces

- the attempt is also subject to punishment– up to 500 PLN (approx.125 EUR).

  • Smoking cigarettes is also prohibited in certain places (like universities, halls of residence, workplaces, public transport - buses, trams, trains, cabs, bus/ tram stops, stations, restaurants, pubs, playgrounds). You are allowed to smoke in some of the above mentioned places if there is a smoking area.

  • 500 PLN (approx. 125 EUR) fine for smoking cigarettes in forbidden places.

  • Jaywalking or going through on the red light may cost you 100 PLN (approx. 25 EUR)

  • Disturbing peace, violating public order or disturbance during quiet hours with yelling or misbehaving in public (e.g. urinating, vomiting) are also subject to a penalty (500 PLN, which is approx. 125 EUR).

  • Look at the guidelines prepared by the City of Kraków for more details: http://krakow.pl/english/200980,artykul,the_most_important_regulations.html.

 

If you are a victim of crime

Go to the nearest police station ASAP!

in the city centre:

  • - 29 Main Square (Rynek Główny 29)
  • - 35 Szeroka Street (ul. Szeroka 35) – 1st Police Station in Kraków

AT THE UNIVERSITY: