Traveling in Poland with a Dog

Three-year-old medium poodle, Monet, is on his fourth trip to Poland. Since Germany and Poland are connected by land and it is a dog-friendly country, he is taken along every time. Monet has experienced traveling by both train and car.
For a dog, it might seem like just a walk when they set out, but somehow it turns into a day-long walk. Traveling from a dog's perspective might feel like that, but Monet probably loves traveling. He seems very happy to spend the whole day out with us.

Recommended dog-friendly hotel in Poland

When traveling with a dog, I always recommend the Puro hotel chain. I have stayed at their locations in Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, and Wroclaw, and they are all very dog-friendly. The hotels promote themselves as "dog-friendly," and it shows in how comfortable they are for both dogs and their owners. Dogs are allowed in all shared spaces except for the spa area, and if you let them know at the time of booking, they will provide food and water bowls in your room.
The rooms are usually designed with large windows, which is great for dogs to be able to look outside and enjoy the view. The Wroclaw Puro hotel has only small twin rooms, unfortunately, but the other locations have much more spacious suites where dogs can relax comfortably. Compared to hotels in Germany, they are also quite affordable.
The only downside is that there are so many dogs staying at these hotels that sometimes you might run into other dogs in the lobby or elevator. Additionally, there may be a slight odor from the lobby sofas due to the number of dogs that stay there, although it is not overwhelming.
The Wroclaw Puro hotel is located next to a green space along the river, which is perfect for taking your dog on walks. Although you may think that your dog doesn't need additional walks since they spend the entire day with you, it is important to remember that walking on natural surfaces can be beneficial for dogs. It's a different experience from just traveling from place to place.

Places where dogs are allowed and not allowed

Restaurants & Cafes:

Before traveling to Poland with my dog for the first time, I searched the internet to see if dogs were allowed in restaurants and cafes. The only place where dogs were not allowed was McDonald's. Otherwise, most places offered water for dogs and some even had a dog menu. Of course, the condition for bringing a dog is that it can sleep quietly during the meal.

Shops:

Just like in Berlin, dogs are allowed in most shops except for those that handle food products, including convenience stores.

Tourist attractions:

This is the biggest issue when traveling with a dog. When we think of touring European cities, we often think of museums, and cathedrals, but dogs are not allowed in these places. It might be possible to take turns going in if it's a cathedral, but it's difficult with a museum. You could arrange for a pet sitter to watch your dog during your visit, but it's tough to leave your dog with someone you don't know when you're already in an unfamiliar place. Therefore, it's challenging to plan a trip where visiting tourist attractions is the main purpose.

Public transportation:

Trains and buses are generally fine with dogs, but we were turned down by some taxis we hailed on the street. However, one taxi driver who refused us was kind enough to arrange a ride with a dog-friendly driver via phone, so we were able to ride smoothly. Additionally, some taxi apps have a "dogs allowed" checkbox, so it's easy to find a ride that allows pets.

Items to bring

• Items to bring for a long walk

• Dry dog food in a lidded container is convenient. Open it up and let your dog eat on the spot, then put the lid back on if there's any left.

• Towels or blankets that your dog uses to sleep at home. Lay it down on the hotel floor and show them it's their "bed". Dogs tend to feel more comfortable when they smell familiar things.

• An extra leash

• Baby wipes and towels.

• A brush. Dogs can get dirty quickly when they're out all day, so it's good to have a brush on hand.

If you're missing something, it's easier to find a pet store in a shopping mall than in the middle of the city.
Daily travel time:
Whether it's by car or train, we try to limit the travel time to 4-5 hours per day. Our adult dog seems to handle it fine, but when we first started traveling with him, we took toilet breaks every 2-3 hours. He sleeps on the train or in the car for the most part.

According to a Polish tour guide I spoke with, owning dogs has become very popular in Poland recently. While dogs used to be working animals, they have now become human partners. As I walk with my dog Monet, he often spots other dogs, and I notice that many of them are well-cared for and loved. I have seen several beautiful poodles with stunning haircuts, and when I tell them that my dog is also a poodle, they give me a surprised look.
It seems that dog training in Poland is a little less strict than in Germany. I have seen several dogs that have been spoiled just like my Monet, but all of them behaved well in public spaces.

Is the dog enjoying the trip?

When walking in a foreign city, I often feel a sense of detachment, as if I don't belong there. However, when I walk with my dog, that feeling seems to subside.
While traveling, it's typical for humans to observe the local landmarks and people. But when you bring a dog, you become the observed one. People might approach you and say things like "your dog is so cute" in languages you don't understand, but you can feel the positive vibes through their smiles and gestures. It's nice to be on the receiving end of such warmth, especially when in an unfamiliar place.
Even in cafes and restaurants, the staff often brings water for the dog and a menu for the human without delay, so you don't have to wait for service endlessly.
As a person walking a dog, this type of trip can be very positive. But what about the dog being taken on the trip? Do they enjoy it as much as we do?
They might understand that a suitcase means you're going on a trip, or they might feel like they're being taken to a new place when they thought they were just going for a walk.
In my experience, my medium-sized dog (around 16kg) always seemed to enjoy the trips we took together. At home, Monet might pull on the leash and sniff around for a long time, but on our trips, he walked closely to me and my friend, seemingly sensing that we were in an unfamiliar environment. We walked about 15,000 steps every day, but he showed no signs of fatigue and always eagerly followed us when we suggested going for a walk.
Monet rarely barks unnecessarily, and during the trip, he was even better behaved than usual. It was heartwarming to see him try to stay in sync with us, learning new things and being part of our group dynamic.
He spends most of his time at home sleeping or playing, so I think traveling is a nice change of pace for him. Most importantly, he seems to enjoy being with us and traveling together more than staying at home with someone else. So I believe that he enjoys traveling as much as we do.

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