If you have your own car and have no fear of long trips, you are incredibly lucky.
The car is very worthy alternative train and plane. Traveling by car makes it possible to flexibly build a route, move freely between cities, countries and their sights, and generally see much more interesting and unusual things that are hidden from the eyes of an ordinary tourist.

How to go and what time to leave Moscow

Drive on the federal highway M1 "Belarus" to Brest (there is also the border of Belarus with Poland), the distance from Moscow is about 1100 km, on average it will be possible to get to the border in 11-13 hours, depending on the driving dynamics, the number and duration of stops and start time.

The optimal time of departure from Moscow is 3-4 am.
The later you leave, the less the "safety" margin of time, the more activity on the roads.
Then, taking into account stops at gas stations, waiting at the border and turning back the clock, you will calmly, without too much fuss, reach your destination in Poland (it can be Warsaw, Lublin or any other city) before midnight.

For example, on the Moscow-Warsaw route, the calculation is as follows: from Moscow to Brest, you can get there in 11-13 hours; border crossing Belarus-Poland, depending more on luck - from 30 minutes to 8 hours; road to Warsaw - 3 hours.

Where to refuel and in what currency to pay

On the way by car through the territory of Russia and Belarus, there are a great many gas stations - choose any one. However, the best improvisation is a well-prepared improvisation, so if you plan in advance where to stop and over what distances, you will save time and nerves.

By the combination of characteristics, preference can be given to Lukoil and Belorusneft (by the way, in Europe itself, the price of gasoline at Lukoil is usually lower than similar western gas stations). Given the location, about every 400 km, you will need to make 2-3 stops, which is quite consistent with comfortable values: not too often and not too rarely.

In view of the fact that gasoline in Europe costs two to three times more expensive, it is better to fill a full tank before Poland.

Map of gas stations along the M1 highway:

1. LUKOIL (in both directions) Yartsevo, 338th km M-1.
2. LUKOIL (in both directions) Olsha, 398-399th km. There is a cafe.
3. BELORUSNEFT (both directions) Minsk region, highway Brest-border of the Russian Federation 346 km. Cafe only in the direction of Moscow.
4. LUKOIL (from Moscow) Minsk region, Stolbtsovsky district, 286th km of the Brest-Moscow highway, there is a cafe.
5. LUKOIL (toward Moscow) Minsk region, Stolbtsy, 263rd km of the Brest-Minsk highway.
6. LUKOIL (both ways) Brest region, 18-km road Brest-Minsk. There is a cafe in the direction of Moscow.
7. BELORUSNEFT near the village of Dubitsa (near the Domachevo checkpoint) Brest district, 31st km, 5.

In Belarus, you can pay with bank cards and Belarusian rubles.
Attention! Starting March 1, 2015, all payments for fuel at filling stations in Belarus are made only in the national currency. Now you can pay for fuel at Belarusian filling stations in cash Belarusian rubles, a bank payment card (including non-residents of the Republic of Belarus) and fuel cards. Decree No. 47 is valid until January 1, 2017.

Poland (and the rest of Europe) accepts bank cards, local currency and the euro.

Where and when is it better to cross the Belarus-Poland border

There are several border crossings between Belarus and Poland (interactive map), here are the main ones:

Checkpoint "Brest" (Varshavsky bridge)
Navigator coordinates: 52.07433, 23.66122 (52°04’27.6″N, 23°39’40.4″E)

Checkpoint "Domachevo"
Navigator coordinates are 51.765562, 23.592871 (51°45’56.0″N 23°35’34.3″E).
Full information about the point + queues online

Checkpoint Berestovitsa (Bobrovniki)
Navigator coordinates are 53.122634, 23.898139 (53°07’21.5″N 23°53’53.3″E).
Full information about the point + queues online

Hundreds of pens and pencils have been written about the optimal time for crossing the border between Belarus and Poland, and in general it is a lottery. Someone manages to get through customs in 30 minutes, others spend 4 hours, and some manage to stand all 12-15 hours during peak hours.
But not everything is so sad.
There are some rules, guided by which, you can choose the best option for crossing the border.

1. There are more cars during the season.
2. Pre-holiday days are always a peak load. Accordingly: on the eve of the holidays - from Belarus, on the last days of the holidays - from Poland.
3. All the locals go shopping to Poland for the weekend and start coming back just after lunch on Saturday. Therefore, at all crossings, the peak load is from Friday evening to Saturday - towards Poland and from Saturday evening to Sunday - to Belarus.
4. Belarusians have a car pass with children under 3 years old without a queue. They will let you through to the barrier, if there is a queue, then on a general basis. With the Poles, most likely, it will not work, but you can always try.
5. The central Warsaw Bridge BCP is usually busier, although it has the highest throughput, and all because the local population goes straight, without making a detour and without spending extra gasoline. However, when there are no queues, this border crossing is more preferable.

How to be?
Firstly, watch the webcams of checkpoints in advance and choose the least busy one.
Secondly, choose a quiet time to cross the border.

From my own experience, I can say that the passage of customs at the Brest BCP on a typical Saturday after 18:00 took about 2.5 hours.

Where to sleep

There can be many different options and circumstances, but I think the most correct tactic is to spend the night in Poland, that is, to drive the maximum distance on the first day.

Firstly, in terms of comfort, cost and number of options, Poland is head and shoulders above its nearest neighbor. In Brest itself and in the vicinity of normal options for spending the night can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
Secondly, waking up in the morning after a grueling road, you will have a completely different feeling. Everyone, you are in Europe.
Third, it's time. Let's say that the way to Warsaw from Brest passes almost all the way through residential areas, which is quite tiring, and in combination with the morning crossing of the border, you will get to the city, God forbid, after a late lunch.

Choose a plan that is comfortable for you, after all, the journey should be a journey, and not participation in Iron Man. If you are traveling with a small child, then most likely there is a reason to stop at the border.

So, finally you are going to Europe in your car. Ahead of you is the border with all the joys of a non-Eurozone tourist. You have to cross the border of the Republic of Belarus with neighboring Poland. The Republic of Belarus is separated from the united Europe and at the same time united by five checkpoints, each of which has its own characteristics. They are important to consider for those who have planned a trip to Europe in their car. After all, as you know, a good start is half the success!

Of course, the direction of further movement in Poland will be decisive for the driver, namely, you are heading north, south or towards Warsaw.

So, if you are going to the border through Minsk, the closest ones are pp. "Bruzgi" (Grodno region) and p.p. Berestovitsa (Brest region). They are notable for the fact that they "serve" local residents, who are very willing to visit neighboring Poland for goods. Critical days are Friday evening and Saturday morning.

The Grodno highway is full of trucks and trucks. Traffic is mostly one lane in each direction, not counting the two-lane sections of the road 60 km beyond Minsk and 50 km to Grodno.

The Brest highway is more comfortable for the driver. First, two lanes in each direction. Secondly, the speed limit in some areas reaches 140 km/h. Thirdly, it has more gas stations, cafes and toilets. Only after Baranovichi you will have an exit to the regional road P99, one-lane and low-speed. The border is about 150 km.

Bruzgi and Berestovitsa are convenient crossings for further movement to central or northern Poland, through Bialystok, to Warsaw or Gdansk, respectively. The road from these checkpoints to Bialystok - one lane in each direction good quality, after Bialystok - a normal autobahn to Warsaw.

If the turn on p.p. "Berestovitsa" (at P99) slip, continue moving straight to Brest at the p.p. "Warsaw Bridge". It's the biggest and all famous point border control in Brest. It is also the most direct route to Warsaw. It should be noted that it is from the border crossing "Warsaw Bridge" that the best highway in Poland goes.

The calmest and fastest point is Domachevo. It is located south of Brest, approximately 30-40 km. Almost without queues. The best for travel to the south of the country, to Rzeszow and Lublin, and further to Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Italy and others beach countries. Here the tourist should expect relief, the border has been passed, Europe! But - a further 250 -300 km to the south of Poland are incessant settlements with a speed limit of 50 km / h. A long, winding path through numerous villages and towns. The road is good, of high quality, but for a calm person with strong nerves. Alternatively, you can go around this section of the route again through Warsaw - you win in time, you lose in distance.

The border crossing "Peschatka" is intended for the movement of only citizens of the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Poland.

Also, when choosing a border crossing, consider its capacity. The largest one is "Warsaw Bridge" (Brest) - Terespol. The smallest is Domachevo-Slavatych.

Do not cross the border on Monday. This is not tourist time. You are not expected there. Monday is the only day off for Belarusian individual entrepreneurs, in a simple way, sellers in the market.

Like any self-respecting entrepreneur, on his day off he goes "for purchases." Perhaps in the evening there will be fewer people who want to. But according to the observations and reviews of the checkpoint workers themselves, Monday is a hard day.

From Friday afternoon until Saturday morning - the beginning of the weekend for Belarusians with visas. At this time, the whole of Belarus leaves for the weekend in Poland.

Be sure to check the websites of the border or customs committees of the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Poland before the border (http://gpk.gov.by/border/ppr/ , http://granica.gov.pl/index_wait.php?p=b&c=t&v=ru&k= w), compare the data about the queues - the truth will be somewhere in the middle. Exact information provide cameras that work online at checkpoints. In Belarus, there are several platforms for Internet communication, where there is always fresh information right from the border (http://forum.onliner.by/viewtopic.php?t=241604&start=22360) . Read, ask questions. If you know how to use the radio channel, connect and ask the people live. Drive about 600 km across Belarus - you will have time to make the right decision.

There are shift changes in the morning. Belarusian time from 8 to 9 am. Due to the time difference in winter for 2 hours, in summer for 1 hour right after the Belarusian border guards, there is a chance for the Poles to get to the “shift change”. If you are the first to stand in front of the lowered barrier, there are no cars at the checkpoint, but they still don’t let you through, call the hotline. Telephone numbers of services are indicated on the pillars in front of the barrier.

The border, as we say, is a lottery. Therefore, even super experienced tourists will not give you a 100% guarantee. Therefore, I want to say:

Car brothers! No thorn, no wand! And from the Belarusian land - a good border guard!

In 2017, a considerable number of Russians were able to travel to Poland by car. Located in the very center of Europe, the republic has land border from RF. Namely, with the Kaliningrad region. It is not surprising that many of our compatriots prefer to travel around the Polish territory by private transport. We will find out all the nuances of traveling to Poland by car.

In 2017, the Central European country continues to be popular among tourists from Russia. Visitors from the Russian Federation enter Poland as by air, and land - including on a personal vehicle. The latter option is preferred by residents not only of the neighboring Kaliningrad region, but also of regions far from the border. IN European state guests from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and even Vladivostok come by their own car.

To come to Poland by car, you will need to obtain a visa in advance. In this sense, a trip to a European country is no different from arriving by plane, train or bus. It is impossible to visit the territory of the country without an entry paper.

Usually, motorists and their fellow travelers issue tourist Schengen visas. Each visitor, including children, will need their own document. Polish Schengen allows you to stay in the state for a maximum of 3 months within a six-month period. You will learn how to get a tourist visa to Poland from the article on our website.

Where to enter Poland

Of all the regions of the Russian Federation, Poland borders only on the Kaliningrad region. Therefore, it is possible to enter the republic from Russia by personal transport only through this region. There are special checkpoints at the border. Passing by car is allowed only through these checkpoints.

The second option for starting a Polish auto-trip is to enter Poland through Belarus. Citizens of the Russian Federation are allowed into the fraternal republic Russian passport. In this case, the route is built like this:

1. Leave Moscow or another Russian city in Belarusian Brest.
2. The path to Brest lies along the M1 highway (Smolensk road).
3. Get to the border crossing. You can enter through the largest checkpoint Brest - Terespol or try the Domachevo crossing (50 km south of Brest).

The main nuances of crossing the border

When planning a car trip to Poland from Kaliningrad or Brest, drivers and passengers should consider several factors:

• When crossing the border, a passport with a Polish visa is required. The validity of the passport is at least 3 months from the date of return home.

• Travelers have the right to be required to present cash as financial guarantees. The minimum amount for 1 day of stay is PLN 300. The equivalent in foreign currency (about 100 US dollars) is allowed. Both cash and credit cards are allowed.
• The import of foreign currency is not limited, but a declaration in excess of the allowed amount of 10,000 euros is required.
• If guests of Poland enter the country with pets, you will need a certificate from the veterinary service. It must contain marks on all vaccinations given to animals, including vaccination against rabies.

What can be asked at the border

• Purpose of the trip.
• Travel itinerary planned to visit the city.
• Scheduled tour dates.
• What is imported into Poland, do you have alcohol and cigarettes with you. The established norm for 1 person is 2 packs of cigarettes, 1 liter of strong alcohol or 2 liters of wine.

Documents for crossing the border by car

For passengers

• Passport with visa.
• Medical insurance:
  • For the whole trip.
  • Valid throughout the Schengen area.
  • Covered from 30 thousand euros.
• Sometimes they are required to present:
  • Financial guarantees.
  • Reservation of a hotel room or a place in a campsite or the presence of another address of residence in Poland.
  • An invitation from a local individual or legal entity.

For the driver

1. Passport with visa.
2. Medical insurance.
3. Sometimes they require to present the same additional documents as for passengers.
4. Driving license (no special requirements).
5. Vehicle registration certificate (certificate of registration vehicle). It is important that the document is issued to the driver. Handwritten powers of attorney are not accepted.
6. Current green map.

What is a green card for a car

When traveling by car to Poland, a green card is purchased without fail. In fact, this is an analogue of our OSAGO. The document is issued not for the driver, but for the vehicle. This means that any participant in the trip can drive the car. Of course, provided that he has a driver's license.

A green card for a trip to Poland must be of an international format and be valid throughout Europe. It is not allowed to issue a document in any insurance company. A limited number of organizations have the right to implement this type of insurance service. Among them:

• Rosgosstrakh.
• Alfa Insurance
• "RESO-Guarantee".
• "Alliance".
• ERGO Rus.

Important! You can buy an insurance policy no earlier than 30 days before the start of its validity and the date of travel.

How much to pay for a green card

The cost of a green card to Poland depends primarily on the type of vehicle and the duration of the insurance contract. Approximate amounts:

Key vehicle requirements

• Full technical serviceability of the machine.
• Serviceability and one hundred percent working condition of lighting devices. It is advisable to stock up on light bulbs in order to change them at the border if necessary.
• Clean and without conspicuous cracks windshield. Only cracks of 2-3 centimeters and small chips are allowed.
• The vehicle must contain:
  • First aid kit.
  • Spare wheel or repair kit.
  • Fire extinguisher (before the trip it is recommended to check its expiration date).
  • Warning triangle.
  • Reflective vests for all participants of the trip.
• Child car seats (when traveling with children under 12 years old).
• Foreign motorists traveling on Polish roads in their car must place on it a sign of the state where the car is registered. For Russians, this is the “RUS” sign in a white oval. Driving without a sticker is not allowed.

Main road rules in Poland

• Maximum allowable driving speed (in km/h):

• When driving, the low beam headlights always turn on. Time of day and weather conditions do not play a role.
• Studded tires are prohibited. The use of winter tires is voluntary.
• It is forbidden to equip vehicles with radar detectors and similar devices. Even an unused radar detector cannot be transported.
• The maximum possible alcohol content in the blood of a motorist is 0.2 ppm. Driving under the influence of alcohol will result in the driver's license being revoked. In addition, the violator faces imprisonment for up to 8 years.

Penalties for traffic violations

Parking in Polish

Polish drivers and motorists visiting from other countries are allowed to park cars only in specially designated places. It is also forbidden to leave the car in parking lots intended for people with special needs. For this, a fine of PLN 800 is provided.

There are not as few free parking lots in the centers of Polish cities as in other countries of Central Europe. They are focused:

• At large retail outlets (Ikea, Auchan and others).
• Close to historical centers.
• In courtyards and next to residential buildings.
• Close to restaurants, cafes and shops.

Paid parking lots are also present. They are on all main streets, near attractions and in places that are in the greatest demand. Finding a parking spot is easy. It is enough to focus on the blue signs with the letter "P".

Important! In large Polish cities parking is paid only on certain days (usually on weekdays) and hours (usually from 9:00 to 17:00). The rest of the time they are allowed to stop for free.

The cost of parking depends on their proximity to the center, significant objects and crowds of people. For example, an hour of parking in the center of Gdansk will cost 3 PLN.

Parking is paid through the parking meter. As a rule, these devices are located near the parking lot. On the display of the parking meter, you need to select the parking time and pay for the service (in small change or large bills).

The machine will issue a check - a parking ticket. It must be placed on the dashboard of the car - so that the controllers can see the paper through the windshield.

If you run out of gas...

Self-service is accepted at Polish gas stations. The driver fills the tank and then pays for the fuel at the cash register. Drivers are allowed to carry up to 20 liters of fuel in cans. It is worth considering that there is no 92nd gasoline at local gas stations. And the 95th comes in 2 types - with and without lead.

At the beginning of 2017, the average cost of gasoline and diesel fuel in Poland was:

• 1.07 euros (95th gasoline).
• 1.13 euros (98th gasoline).
• 1.05 euros (diesel).
• 0.5 euros (LPG).

At the same time, prices at gas stations located along highways can be 10-20 euro cents higher than at gas stations near large shopping malls.

Toll tracks

Polish motorways A1, A2 and A4 are paid. The fare depends on the distance travelled.

Calculation of payment on specific sections of roads is made in different ways. Usually, the fare is paid both in cash and by bank transfer, in the national currency, euros and US dollars. However, it is recommended to pay with local money. Change is also always given in złoty.

By car through Poland: rules of transit

People enter Poland via Kaliningrad or Brest by personal transport not only for the sake of car travel in the Central European Republic. Many of our fellow citizens only pass through the Polish lands, choosing other states as the main goal of the auto-tour. The following documents are submitted for a transit Schengen visa for a trip through Poland:

• :
  • It is filled in completely and certified by a personal signature.
  • It is advisable to fill out the form on a computer, but handwriting is allowed.
  • Information is entered legibly, with a pen with blue or black ink (when filled out by hand).
  • Information is written in Russian, Polish or English.
  • Items No. 1-5 are filled in Latin letters, strictly as in the passport.
  • For a minor child entered in the parental passport, a separate form is filled out. It is signed by the parent.

• Visa of the state of destination (original and copy). In case of its absence, the following shall be submitted:
  • Or a fully paid hotel reservation.
  • Or documents for the ownership of real estate (a contract of employment, a contract of sale, etc.).
• International passport:
  • Copies of the first page and Schengen visas for 3 years (if available).
  • With 2 free sheets.
  • The validity period of the document is from 3 months after returning home.
  • The validity of the passport is not more than 10 years.
• Russian passport. Page copies:
  • First.
  • With registration.
  • Pages 18-19 (about previous passports).
• Photographs:
  • 2 pieces.
  • 35 by 45 mm.
  • The face occupies 70-80% of the field.
  • Colored.
  • On a white background.
  • Printed on high quality paper.
• Made less than six months ago.
• Medical insurance for the entire period of transit.

When crossing the border, the same papers are presented as for road trips directly in Poland. It is important to remember that if a foreigner already has a valid Schengen visa, there is no need to make a separate document for transit.

Polish tracks are considered to be among the safest in Europe. The vast majority of drivers treat all road users with respect. Pedestrians and cyclists have priority on the road. Almost all highways are equipped with CCTV cameras and radars and are carefully monitored by the police. Therefore, when traveling around the republic by car, you should strictly observe traffic rules.

The holiday season will soon begin and many tourists prefer traveling to Europe by private car. Briefly about the pros and cons of border crossings Belarus-Poland.

In the Brest region, there are three international checkpoints through which you can get to Poland by car.

The first is the Warsaw bridge (Brest-Terespol). Status - International.

(+) is located on the western outskirts of Brest, any navigator will lead to this border crossing

(+) there is an electronic queue system. Registration is made no later than 3 hours before the expected entry into the territory of the border crossing. More details can be found on the website https://belarusborder.by/

(+) after crossing the border you get on a direct route towards Warsaw.

(-) very often there are long queues and you can get to the Polish side at best after 4-5 hours of tedious waiting.

(-) entry by electronic entry only allows you to bypass the line located outside the border crossing, traffic along the channels from the Belarusian and Polish sides occurs on a common basis.

(-) when returning from abroad, there are no electronic queues, and if there is a long queue from the Polish side, you will have to stand in it on a general basis.

The second is Domachevo-Slovatyche. Status - International.

(+) convenient for travelers who go to Polish Lublin, Krakow, as well as to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary

(-) located 50 km south of Brest

(-) Moving to the border crossing on a first-come, first-served basis. The queues at the border are also a constant phenomenon, although smaller than in Brest.

The third is Peschatka-Polovtsy. Status - International.

(+) convenient for travelers who go to the Polish Bialystok, as well as to the Kaliningrad region

(+) an ideal option for travelers who do not want to waste time and nerves in queues. There are no queues on Peschatka.

(+) the border crossing usually takes no more than 1 hour.

(-) located 55 km north of Brest

(-) the road to Warsaw runs through a large number of settlements.

Additional information can be found on the website of the State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus http://gpk.gov.by/maps/punkty-propuska/

Don't forget about customs regulations on the border with Poland. Permitted to import to Poland:

• Spirits containing more than 22% alcohol - 1 liter
• Alcoholic beverages not exceeding 22% of turnover, e.g. liqueurs - 2 liters
• Still wines - 4 liters
• Beer - 16 liters

From tobacco products you can bring:

• Cigarettes - 40 pieces (2 packs)
• Cigarillos - 20 pieces
• Cigars - 10 pieces
• Smoking tobacco - 50 grams

Alcoholic and tobacco products can only be imported by persons over the age of 18.

Dairy and meat products are prohibited from being imported into Poland. Therefore, give up sandwiches with meat and cheese "on the road" so that there are no problems at the border.

Recently our friends told us scary story about how acquaintances of their acquaintances were not allowed into Poland, deployed right at the border, since some requirements of Polish customs officers were not met. It sounded strange to us, since the requirements for cars and passengers are quite standard, nothing supernatural is included in the list.

One of the main requirements of all European countries- this is the serviceability of the car, and for some reason the Poles especially like to check the light. Dipped beam in Poland is mandatory 24 hours a day, in the daytime you can use running lights, but fog lights can only be used for their intended purpose: during rain or fog. The rear foglights are generally tough (praise the Poles!) - they can only be turned on if visibility is less than 50 meters. If you are still a fan of using fog lights on business and without business, then be prepared to prepare 100 PLN ($ 27.5) for each policeman who stops you. So make sure that all the bulbs are in place and working in advance. We always take spare parts with us, so that in case of failure we do not have to look for car dealerships in the dense Polish forests. In addition to the serviceability of lighting equipment, the Poles are very sensitive to the integrity of the car. They say that if you have serious damage to the windshield, then you will be turned around. It's hard to say whether this is true or not - we have never encountered this ourselves.

If you go by car to Poland in winter, then remember that the use of studded tires is prohibited here. The use of radar detectors is also prohibited, so it is better to leave it at home in advance so that there are no unnecessary problems. What to remove from the car is clear, and now, about what you need to remember to put. If almost everyone carries a spare tire, an emergency sign, a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit (be sure to check their expiration dates), then as a rule, they forget about reflective vests, or simply don’t know anything about them. According to the rules traffic, in Poland it is forbidden to leave the car without a reflective vest at night, if you are outside the settlement. Therefore, the Polish border guards will definitely check with you that there are vests available for all participants in the trip, even if one of them is only 2 months old, and he can’t even walk, but even crawl and sit down on his own. Vests must be in the car, not in the trunk, otherwise you will be asked how you plan to get them at night.

We will return to the documents for the car that you need to take with you a little later, but for now, a short list of what you need to check in the car and take with you before leaving:

• Check the serviceability of the lighting equipment in the car and take a set of spare bulbs with you;
• If the car body or glass has serious damage, it is better to refrain from traveling to Poland by car until they are repaired;
• Check the availability of a spare wheel or a repair kit if the spare wheel is not provided for by the vehicle design;
• Check the expiration date of the fire extinguisher and first aid kit and be sure to take them with you;
• Put a serviceable warning triangle and reflective vests (for each passenger!);
• Leave at home or hide the radar detector very securely;
• If you go by car to Poland in winter, make sure that the tires are not studded, and there are chains in the trunk.

Perhaps this is the most important thing, but if we forgot something or did not take into account, we will definitely add it. Periodically, when we pass the Belarus-Poland or Ukraine-Poland border, the Poles check this necessary minimum, and if you suddenly run into such a check, it’s better to be ready for it.

Documents for traveling to Poland by car

As for the documents that you need to have with you for a trip by car to Poland, everything is very standard here. First of all, all participants in the trip must have valid passports with valid visas. In addition, for each person in the car must be issued medical insurance. If earlier you had to go to an authorized insurance company for this, now everything is simple - there are special online aggregators that will select the most convenient insurance option for you. For example, for the last couple of years we have been using Cherehapa and Tripinsurance services for these purposes. There is information on how to use it in the corresponding article on.

In addition to insurance for all travelers, you must also have international vehicle insurance, the so-called green card. And of course, you should not leave documents for the car at home (certificate of vehicle registration and, if necessary, all powers of attorney for car export), as well as a driver's license. In most cases, a Russian license is enough, but we always take a valid international driving license with us (in the form of a booklet). We only had to show it once, but it is always with us. They say that there are precedents (though not in Europe) that due to the lack of an IDL, the insurance company refused to pay money to the victims on the Green card, and our tourists had to pay for repairs from their own money. But these are just rumors, we have not seen any documentary evidence of this, but we don’t want to check on our own experience whether this is true or not. Moreover, an international driver's license is done in half a day and no super-requirements need to be fulfilled.

In addition to all of the above, we recommend that you carry printed copies of hotel booking confirmations, a copy of your international passport (the first page and a valid visa), and copies of all documents in electronic form. Why is this needed? Hotel reservations, according to the rules, you may be asked at the border, and if you do not present them, they can open them with a clear conscience with the wording “they could not confirm the purpose of the visit.” In the last 7 years we have not heard of such cases, but in the early 2000s it was a common practice, especially if you enter Poland by car on a visa of another state, for example, a French one. By the way, many recommend that you also have an itinerary sheet with you if you are heading to several countries. We always take copies of documents with us, and in case the originals are stolen or lost - papers, as a rule, are lying around somewhere in the pocket of the seats - it’s calmer that way. Thank God, so far we have never needed it, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

So, a brief summary of the required documents for traveling to Poland by car:

• Foreign passport with a valid visa to the Schengen zone for each travel participant;
• Medical insurance for each tourist;
• International car insurance (Green Card);
• Driving license (international or Russian - here you decide, but you should be aware of the risks);
• Certificate of registration of the car and power of attorney for export, if necessary.

What else might be useful:

• Route sheet and copies of hotel reservations;
• Copies of documents in paper form;
• Copies of documents in electronic form (for paranoids and reinsurers like us).

That, in fact, is all that concerns documents and requirements for the car and passengers. Now let's proceed directly to the very process of passing the border and customs control.

Passing the Belarus-Poland border by car

Russia does not have common borders with Poland (except the Kaliningrad region), so those coming from the central part of Russia will have to enter it through Belarus or Ukraine. As a rule, our way to Poland by car follows the M1 highway (through Belarus), and then, depending on the situation at the border crossings, we choose the border crossing point. But once we went to Europe through Ukraine and passed the border in the Lviv region. In fairness, it should be said that this was one of our fastest crossings of the Polish border: both Ukrainians and Poles did not put up any obstacles and quickly let us through all the necessary formalities, and there were approximately no people on the border. But we had such an experience once and after the events of March 2013, most likely in the foreseeable few years we are unlikely to repeat such a route due to the political situation.

And now we will tell you in detail about the passage of the Belarus-Poland border. We know and have tried personal experience 6 border crossings on the border of Belarus and Poland, the process is not much different from each other, it is standard. So, all six checkpoints by car to Poland can be seen on the map below, please note that the border crossing Kozlovichi - Kukuryki does not accept cars, this crossing point is only for trucks, we arrived - looked and went to another. Don't repeat our mistakes.

As a rule, the longest queue at the border crossing is at the Brest-Terespol checkpoint. This is a direct road from Moscow to Warsaw and it is not at all surprising that most motorists go here. But it also happens that knowledgeable people decide to use the neighboring crossings and there are not so many people on this. We saw the least traffic jams at the Domachevo-Slavatyche checkpoints, we never met a queue here when returning from Poland, and on the way there it is also not very long. There are also few people at the Peschatka-Polovtsa border crossing. But here, again, one day the situation is one, and the next - completely different. We try to cross the border either in the early morning (4-5 am), or vice versa, late at night (after midnight) - we were so lucky that at this time there are not so many people and almost no pedestrians who go in their own queue and slow down the process very much .

First of all, you have to go through all the formalities on the part of Belarus - this is usually quick and easy, Belarusians are friendly and if there is no “traffic jam” when entering Poland, then everyone is processed very quickly. Before entering the border, a staff member will approach you border service, ask how many people are in the car, ask to show passports and issue a control ticket (you can’t lose it). This coupon marks all the stages of crossing the border by car. It is very important that the correct number of people, the brand of the car and the time of entry into the territory are indicated. In this coupon, neither the driver nor the passengers fill out anything, they only give it to the necessary services, and they themselves make all the marks.

After receiving the coupon, you go to the customs territory, after which you queue (if there is one) in the appropriate corridor (red or green). When your turn comes, you turn yourself in at passport control (first the driver, then the passengers), present the car for inspection (as a rule, just open the trunk and say that you are not carrying anything prohibited). You get all the necessary marks in the control coupon and, in fact, that's it - you left the territory of Belarus. We definitely check for the presence of an exit stamp (but this is because we came across the fact that they forgot to put it twice), although Belarusians were not noticed in this, but Lithuanians and Latvians have such a weakness. There is one more small nuance: if you pass the border at the Brest-Terespol checkpoint, the entrance to the border is carried out through the service platform, and sometimes a huge queue gathers on it, which is not visible from the highway.

Now that Belarus is behind, the final push remains - to pass Polish border. Polish border guards work much slower than Belarusian ones, and it is here that the traffic jam usually gathers. But the process itself is not much different from what you have already done by the time you enter Polish territory. Get in line in the desired corridor, go through passport control, show the car for inspection. Perhaps the delays on the Polish side are due to a more thorough inspection of cars when entering Poland by car. Here you should know a few important rules and be prepared for them.

The import of meat and dairy products, as well as chocolate, is prohibited on the territory of the EU countries (however, milk has never been taken away from us, because they understand that it is necessary for a small child, but according to the rules, they can do this and you need to be prepared for this). Serious restrictions also apply to tobacco products and alcohol: it is allowed to import into Poland up to one liter of spirits (more than 22%) per person and up to 40 cigarettes (2 packs), 20 cigarillos, 10 cigars or 50 grams of tobacco. In principle, the Poles do not do a total inspection, and 10-15 packs of cigarettes for 2 people can be easily carried in luggage, but if you are trying to bring in a box, then you should prepare for trouble. Another very important point for those who do not carry cigarettes themselves, but are ready to help everyone in need: never take strangers have nothing to take across the border - ordinary-looking cigarettes may contain narcotic substances, and if you are stopped at the border, then you risk getting into serious trouble, which will end either with an arrest or a huge bribe.

That, in fact, is all you need to know when crossing the Belarus-Poland border. In principle, when we passed the Ukraine-Poland border, the process was exactly the same, with the only difference that the Ukrainian customs officers looked at the car more carefully.

Basic rules of the road in Poland

Now that you are in the EU, it is important to follow the traffic rules of Poland in order not to pay fines. This is not Russia for you, and you may not be able to pay off five hundred rubles from a police officer. The rules are quite simple and differ little from Russian ones.

We have already written about one of the rules that our compatriots often violate - this is the dipped beam turned off and the fog lights turned on. Moreover, if you use both the rear and front PTFs, then you will have to pay 100 Polish zlotys ($27.5) for each. The second important difference between Polish traffic rules and Russian traffic rules is the speed limit. In populated areas in Poland, the speed limit is 50 km/h (unless otherwise stated), between 23:00 and 05:00 the maximum speed limit increases to 60 km/h. Outside built-up areas, the speed is 90 km/h, and on some roads these values ​​are higher - we met both 100 km/h and 120 km/h. The speed limit on the Polish autobahns works in two directions - not lower than 40 km/h and not higher than 140 km/h. The fine for exceeding 10 km / h in the city is already significant, about 115 PLN ($ 30), so it's better to go slower, but for free. If your excess is more than 50 km / h, then this is the deprivation of a driver's license for a period of 3 months. We do not know exactly how this process is organized for foreigners, but most likely, if their rights are not taken away, then the fine will be very large.

Also in Poland, overtaking at pedestrian crossings or directly in front of them is punishable by fines - this pleasure will cost you 200 PLN or $55. The same amount, by the way, will cost crossing a double solid line or overtaking from the wrong side, and also if you interfere public transport change lanes or enter the road from a stop (provided that this vehicle gives the appropriate signal). Polish policemen like to stop foreign cars very much because they go to an intersection where traffic is difficult. They can be understood - such a seemingly insignificant violation will cost 300 Polish zlotys, or almost $83.

You should also be very careful with parking - you will have to pay 800 PLN (or $ 210) for leaving the car at the supermarket in places for the disabled. Agree, it’s not a cheap pleasure to stand at the very entrance to the store. If you just left the car in the wrong place, for example, under the “no parking” sign, then it will be half the price - $105 or 400 PLN. If you do not give way to a pedestrian, you will also have to fork out, in this case 350 PLN or about $96. In general, violation of the most common traffic rules, which most people in Russia do not even think about, is very expensive in Poland.

A few more important points that we personally consider to be serious violations and under no circumstances violate these rules, no matter what country we are in. The first rule concerns alcohol - we are categorically against drunk driving and no matter how much he drank: a glass of wine or a bottle of vodka. If you drank, then there is nothing for you to do behind the wheel. In Poland, the legal blood alcohol level is 0.2‰. If this level is exceeded and is in the zone of 0.21-0.5‰, then you will have to pay a fine of 5,000 Polish zlotys ($1,350) and lose your license for at least three years. If this level is higher, then everything is much sadder there: a fine of at least 10,000 PLN ($2,700) and immediate arrest.

The second rule concerns the transportation of children. In Poland, it is forbidden to transport children under 150 cm in height in the front seat without special restraints, and it is also forbidden to transport children under 3 years old in cars where seat belts are not provided for by design features (except for taxis). Children over 135 cm tall are allowed to be transported in the back seat of the car without a special seat. In general, children should only be transported in special seats, it will be better both for their safety and for your wallet.

By the way, the use of seat belts in Poland is mandatory for all passengers, both front and rear, regardless of age, gender, religion, sexual preferences and political beliefs. Also, don't talk while driving. mobile phone unless it is equipped with means to enable this process to be carried out without the use of hands. For unbelted passengers, you will have to pay 100 PLN ($27.5) each, and for talking on a cell phone - 200 PLN or $55.

These are the basic rules that you need to know and follow, although, of course, there are many more of them, and we have given only those that are quite often violated in Russia, and there is no punishment for them or it is insignificant (or no one pays attention to them, as to roadside driving). So, a brief summary of fines and traffic rules in Poland.

Penalties for traffic violations in Poland

• For the use of fog lights on a normal day - a fine of 100 PLN;
• For the absence of low beam or DRL during the day - a fine of PLN 100;
• Exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 km/h - from PLN 115 and more;
• Overtaking at a pedestrian crossing - PLN 200;
• Overtaking on the wrong side - PLN 200;
• Crossing two solid lines - PLN 200;
• Interference with public transport - PLN 200;
• Departure to an intersection with difficult traffic - PLN 300;
• Do not let a pedestrian in the crossing - PLN 350;
• Parking in the wrong place - PLN 400;
• Parking on site for the disabled - PLN 800;
• Talking on a mobile phone - PLN 200;
• Unfastened seat belts - PLN 100 per person;
• Violation of the rules for transporting children - PLN 150.

The main thing is to follow the rules, be polite on the road, and then your money and peace of mind will be in place. In our more than 20 years of experience driving abroad, we have paid a fine only once - it happened in Berlin, where we were punished for improper parking. For some reason, we decided that nothing would happen in those 2 minutes while we ran to the store, but we were mistaken, for which we paid several tens of euros.

Gasoline in Poland

When planning a trip by car in Poland, one more important issue must be taken into account - gasoline. In Poland on petrol stations available 95 and 98 gasoline, as well as diesel fuel. You can bring up to 10 liters of gasoline in a canister into the country, plus what you have in the tank. We, as a rule, refuel to the eyeballs on the territory of Belarus, this allows us to save a little. The average cost of 95 gasoline over the past few years is around €1.1-1.2, rarely prices soar to €1.4 per liter, 98 gasoline is slightly more expensive, less than ten euro cents. Diesel fuel is slightly cheaper than the 95th.