Welcome to Poland - Incoming exchange students guide | Gdańsk University of Technology

If you arrive in or depart from another Polish city (like Warsaw or Kraków), the best way to reach the Tricity is by train. When booking your ticket, choose Gdańsk Wrzeszcz as your destination - it is the closest major station to the campus and dormitories. Alternatively, you can travel to Gdańsk Główny (the main station), though it is located further away.

We highly recommend choosing PKP Intercity (IC) or the high-speed Express InterCity Premium (EIP - Pendolino) for a fast and comfortable journey. You might also see options for Polregio (Regio) or TLK trains, but we strongly advise against them, as they are usually much slower, older, and less comfortable.

How to buy tickets: You can easily check schedules and purchase tickets for long-distance trains using the official PKP Intercity app, PKP Intercity website, or the Jakdojade app.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON STUDENT DISCOUNTS: The rules for student discounts on national trains are exactly the same as for local transport. You are entitled to a large discount (51%), but only if you hold a valid Polish Student ID Card (Legitymacja Studencka) or an official ISIC Student Card. Standard foreign university student IDs are not accepted by conductors and will result in a heavy fine!

From Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (GDN), you can take the train (PKM line), take a public bus, or order a taxi (we recommend using Uber, Bolt, or Freenow).

Use the Jakdojade app or Google Maps to check real-time public transport.

Gdańsk has an extensive network of trams, buses, and trains. You can buy tickets through:

1. Mobile apps: The easiest way is using Jakdojade (available on iOS and Android), where you can check routes and buy tickets. It works in most Polish cities and will help you navigate when traveling outside the Tricity.
2. Ticket machines: Located at major tram/bus/train stops (accepting card and cash). Please note that occasionally they might be out of order.
3. Inside trams/buses: You can tap your credit/debit card at the ticket validators inside the vehicle. Note that ticket machines inside vehicles usually only sell standard single-journey tickets. Only select machines allow you to choose different ticket types. In the Tricity region, bus drivers do not sell tickets on board.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON STUDENT DISCOUNTS:

You are only entitled to buy 50% discounted student tickets if you hold a valid Polish Student ID Card (Legitymacja Studencka) or an official ISIC Student Card. Standard foreign university student IDs are not accepted by ticket inspectors and will result in a fine!

IMPORTANT NOTE ON TRAIN TICKETS:

Often, there is limited or no option to buy tickets on board the SKM or PKM trains. We highly recommend purchasing them beforehand via mobile apps or ticket machines.

If you must buy a ticket inside a train, the safest option is to board at the very front and immediately ask the conductor for a ticket.

Please note that even when this option is available, an extra service fee will be added to the ticket price.

The fastest way to move between them is the SKM train (Fast Urban Railway). The closest SKM station to the main campus is Gdańsk Politechnika. Alternatively, you can use the Gdańsk Wrzeszcz station, which is also very close and serves as a major transport hub. Schedules and tickets are available in the Jakdojade app.

Poland uses the Polish Złoty (PLN), not the Euro. If you have a standard bank account connected to the global SWIFT network (which handles international card payments), you can pay with your card almost everywhere just like you would at home. However, your bank will automatically convert the currency, which often results in less favorable exchange rates and potential extra fees. For better rates and easy daily payments, we highly recommend setting up a multi-currency account.

To make your travel easier, we recommend downloading these apps before you arrive:

No! All faculties, laboratories, administrative buildings, and most dormitories are located in one central area, all within easy walking distance.

If you are arriving at the Gdańsk Wrzeszcz PKP train station, there are multiple ways to reach your dormitory depending on which one you are assigned to.

Traugutta Student Housing (Dorms: DS 1, 2, 3, 4, 12, 13)

• Getting there: Take a tram from the “Klonowa 02” stop to the “Miszewskiego” stop, or a bus from the “Wrzeszcz PKP 04” stop to the “Siedlicka” stop.
• Nearest bus stop: “Siedlicka” (around a 1-3-minute walk).
• Nearest tram stop: “Miszewskiego” (around a 10-15-minute walk). You can also use the “Politechnika” or “Opera Bałtycka” stops, but the walk is a little longer.
• To the main university campus: Around a 7-minute walk to the main university buildings.

Wyspiańskiego Student Housing (Dorms: DS 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

• Getting there: You can easily walk directly from the Wrzeszcz PKP station in 10-15 minutes by going down Biała Street. Alternatively, you can take a tram from the “Klonowa 02” stop to the “Miszewskiego” stop.
• Nearest bus stop: “Uphagena” (around a 3-5-minute walk).
• Nearest tram stop: “Miszewskiego” (around a 5-7-minute walk). You can also use the “Reja” or “Wyspiańskiego” stops, but the walk is a little longer.
• To the main university campus: Around a 12-minute walk to the main university buildings.

Alternative option: Ordering a taxi (Uber, Bolt, FreeNow) directly from the train station is also a very quick and affordable option to reach either student housing complex.

The dormitory provides basic bedding, including a bed sheet and bed linen.

Please remember to bring your own:

• Cutlery
• Pots and pans
• Plates and other dishes
• Towels
• Shower gel, shampoo, and other personal hygiene products

Yes, student dormitories provide internet access, but the Wi-Fi connection may not always be the smoothest and may occasionally be unavailable. We recommend bringing an Ethernet cable with you as a backup option in case the Wi-Fi connection does not work properly.

Please note that dormitory networks are separate from Eduroam. However, Eduroam works seamlessly across all academic campus buildings.

You can pay for your dormitory using either payment cards (Visa/Mastercard) or cash in Polish Złoty (PLN).

Yes, absolutely! Tap water across the entire Tricity area and most of Poland is safe to drink.

Żabka stores are located on almost every corner and carry most essential goods. They are great for quick snacks or ready-to-go meals and are open on Sundays, though they can be slightly more expensive.

For weekly grocery shopping, we recommend visiting Lidl (location) and Biedronka (location).

During the academic semester (October – June), there are several restaurants and canteens open on the Gdańsk Tech campus (check their locations).

Near the campus and the dormitories, you can find budget-friendly Polish milk bars (bary mleczne) and buffets, such as:

• Bar Akademicki
• i-100 gram

Tip: English proficiency among staff in local traditional buffets might be limited. Don't hesitate to use a translator app!

Next to Dormitories No. 4 and 13, you can also find RosMarino 2.0 Pizzeria and OXBurger.

Please check your official student email inbox for login instructions to the eNauczanie platform. Once logged in, your timetable will be available there.