Using the Car and Ferry in Gdansk

Similar Features

Poland has a poorly developed infrastructure of roads whose quality is a far cry from Western European standards. Fortunately, thanks to the inflow of European Union funds, the situation has been improving and by 2009 major Polish cities: Wroclaw, Lodz, Poznan, Cracow, Katowice and Warsaw will have an expressway built which will connect them with the expressway network of Western Europe. Polish expressways are distinguished by the letter a which precedes it.

Moreover, there is a bypass which allows moving around the Pomerania region with no need to get into the centres of the Tri- City towns.

The condition of the roads leaves a lot to be desired. Thus, beware of potholes !

Going by car

Getting around in a car within the Tri-City towns is quite convenient as there is a two-lane road connecting the cities. However, it is advisable NOT to drive in the city centre of Gdansk as most streets are only accessible to the inhabitants of the centre and to taxi drivers.

Parking regulations

Park your car in the car parks. Otherwise, your car may be towed away to a police car park or it can be wheel-clamped. You might also find a parking ticket under the windscreen wiper for parking with no valid parking pass.

Though, generally the parking spaces in the Tri-City centres and in the most frequently visited areas are NOT free (with the parking metres), it is usually hard to find a place to park. Thus, it is a good idea to leave a car at one of the numerous secure/guarded car parks further from the city centres.

The parking metres sell parking passes. Having purchased one, REMEMBER to display the parking receipt on the dashboard so that the ticket wardens can see it while inspecting the car park.

However, there are two types of parking meters in operation in Gdansk and Sopot. Both use coins and tokens which can be bought from kiosks. Though they differ in their designs, they both function in a similar way. After inserting a coin or a token, a permitted time of stay is displayed. The older type of parking meters prints a parking receipt which has to be displayed on the dashboard. This type of parking metre is situated every few metres, whereas the more modern parking metre type is placed next to each parking space. After inserting a coin, the parking time permitted is displayed.

Traffic regulations

Drive carefully and follow the traffic regulations. The speed limit in the built-up area is 50 km/h between 5 a.m. – 11 p.m. and 60 km/h between 11 p.m. – 5 a.m., whereas on the motorway you may drive at a maximum speed of 130 km/hour.

Going by bike

The Tri-City conurbation is biker-friendly as there is a wide variety of bike paths. One can choose from the coastal, off – the -cliff or municipal routes.There are also bike rentals.

Going by ferry

As it is situated by the Pucka Bay, the Tri-City offers ferry connections. One can travel by ferry from the Tri-City to the Hel peninsula etc.