11 th International Symposium on Electrochemical/Chemical Reactivity of Metastable Materials
Useful information
Time zone
The time in Poland is the same as in Germany and Spain, but 1 hour ahead of Portugal and UK.
Telephone
You can use public telephones with phone cards which can be obtained at the post offices, airport, railway stations, newsagents and in some hotels. From a Krakow local stationary phone - use (12) before the remaining part of the number.
All polish GSM operators use GSM 900/1800 network type. When calling from your mobile to a stationary phone in Krakow use the prefix "+4812".
Emergency telephone numbers
- Police 997; when calling from a mobile phone: 112
for foreigners: 0800200300; from mobile phone: +48608599999
- Ambulance service 999
Currency and credit cards
The currency unit in Poland is the Polish złoty (zł) which is subdivided into 100 grosze (gr). The current exchange rate to Euro and US dollar can be checked at http://www.oanda.com/converter/classic (choose PLN as the Polish currency code). In February 2012 it is about 4,10 PLN for Euro and 3,07 PLN for USD. Participants may change foreign currency and travellers cheques at several banks located in the centre of the city as well as in many exchange bureaus, known as Kantors, located at the at the railway station, at the airport or in many others places.Frequently the rates at the airport and the station are lower than those obtainable elsewhere in the city. International credit cards are accepted in all hotels, restaurants, and cash machines.
Public transport
The bus number 208 and 292 going from the airport to the center passes along the AGH main building. To reach the symposium site you exit at the bus stop "AGH"(for bus 292) or "Czarnowiejska"(for bus 208) (the table situated above the driver seat displays the names of the stops), 30 minutes from the airport. If you want to reach the center of the city from airport go to the main railway station ("Dworzec Glowny Wschod" stop).
From the city to the airport take the bus 208 or 292 either at the "Dworzec Glowny Wschod" stop and go the last stop.
Krakow Public Transportation Carrier
Tickets:
From the airport to the city - 3.20 PLN
Around the city - 2.80 PLN
an 1 hour ticket 3.60 PLN,
1 hour tickets are sold by bus driver only if there is no working properly ticket selling machine inside the bus.
There is also local train from the airport to the main railway station. A day time taxi fare from the Center to the airport is about 50 pln
Tickets must be punched in special machines inside buses and trams, immediately after entering. The ticket is valid from the moment of punching.
There are some places visited very often by tourists:
Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau
Electricity
Electricity supply is 230V.
Climate and clothing
The weather in September in Krakow is usually warm and pleasant, however the evenings might be sometimes quite cold. The daytime temperature varies from 15 degrees to 18 degress of Celsius. There is the possibility of rain, so an umbrella and light coat are advisable. The weather forecast can be checked at
Shopping
Most shops (except for food stores) are open from 11:00 until 19:00. Some department stores may open earlier or close later on weekdays as well as on Saturdays and Sundays.
Souvenirs
Shops with regional souvenirs, local handicrafts, contemporary and antique art are found especially in the Old Town. Polish craftwork is fascinating: wood craving and hand-woven rugs come mostly from the Zakopane region. Other souvenirs include glass, hand-woven baskets, paper cut-outs, articles made of natural color leather, crystal and graphic art. One of the most popular souvenirs is amber from the Baltic Sea. Most highly prized is amber with a prehistoric insect preserved inside, though it is a rare find. Poland is also known for its silver jewellery, which is sometimes combined with amber to create uniquely Polish pieces.
Food
Poles are known for their hospitality and love of food. Polish meals offer a wide selection ranging from fresh game in season to Baltic herring. Red beet soup or borsch, is well-known, as are Polish sausage (kiełbasa) and stuffed cabbage (golabki). Dumplings (pierogi) come stuffed with meat, potatoes, blueberries, or sauerkraut and mushrooms. Bigos is a stew of meat and sauerkraut, while roast duck comes stuffed with apples. For dessert, try pastries with poppy seeds, or perhaps a Polish donut filled with preserved fruit (paczek).