Bialowieza Forest
Bialowieza Forest
4.5
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4.5
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L’itinérant
Brussels, Belgium411 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Timeless, splendid, full of surprises!
We've been talking about it for 2 years and I'm delighted with these 3 hours in the forest.
From colors to subtle and varied scents, this visit is well worth the detour on the Belarusian border. The fauna and flora are extraordinarily rich provided you take the time to observe. Similarities with primary equatorial forests too
Finally, our guide, Lutsina, is a true passionate professional who we recommend (Polish and English).
PS: safe and quiet area where security forces seem discreet during tourist periods apparently.
We've been talking about it for 2 years and I'm delighted with these 3 hours in the forest.
From colors to subtle and varied scents, this visit is well worth the detour on the Belarusian border. The fauna and flora are extraordinarily rich provided you take the time to observe. Similarities with primary equatorial forests too
Finally, our guide, Lutsina, is a true passionate professional who we recommend (Polish and English).
PS: safe and quiet area where security forces seem discreet during tourist periods apparently.
Written 17 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nidriks
Dorset, UK168 contributions
Feb 2022
I visited Bialowieza forest and village many, many years ago in the mid 90s (I had to lie in the "when did you go" section). I remember it as a truly beautiful place. I was lucky enough to be able to roam the forest preserve because I was there as an educational connection. The forest is like something out of another world and whilst most people might not be as lucky as I was there are still tours that allow you to see the forest.
The whole areas is incredibly beautiful. Bialowieza village has a charm of its own and the surrounding villages too. In the 90s it was a bit of a challenge to get to. I'm sure that is very different now.
If you ever get the oppurtunity to visit Bialowieza then you should do it.
I plan to travel again and Bialowieza is on my list.
The whole areas is incredibly beautiful. Bialowieza village has a charm of its own and the surrounding villages too. In the 90s it was a bit of a challenge to get to. I'm sure that is very different now.
If you ever get the oppurtunity to visit Bialowieza then you should do it.
I plan to travel again and Bialowieza is on my list.
Written 6 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoranWembley
United Kingdom4,057 contributions
Oct 2015 • Solo
Doing the Bialowieza NP on public transport
Possible to get from Warsaw on train to Bialystock or Hajnowka (probably never direct but with one or even two changes) then bus to Bialowieza.
The train station in Hajnowka is 15 mins walk from the main bus stand on main road (opposite the building displaying a big 39 and diagonal to Hajnowka tourist info). The tourist info office will have the Voyager buses timetable only, but there are two more operators whose timetable is displayed at that bus stand. Btw, it's Polish or Russian only at the tourist info office when I was there.
Bialystock's train and bus stations are next to each other and they both have excellent facilities. I preferred this option of getting to and from Bialowieza than Hajnowka; in Hajnowka you're at mercy of elements: the train station is ready to be demolished and the bus stand offers little protection in cold or bad weather. One thing though, my Bialystock to Warsaw transportation was: Bialystock to Malkinia by train then bus from Malkinia to Warsaw Central. No idea if the bus is the temporary rail replacement bus service or this is how it's always done; well it worked. There's no need to book separate bus/train tickets for this route; the lovely English practicing ladies at Bialystock's train station do everything for you as long as they know that Warsaw is your final destination. I guess it'd be the same when getting the Warsaw to Bialystock ticket at one of Warsaw's stations.
There's better bus service between Bialystock/Hajnowka and Bialowieza on working days when kids are in school. There are no hostels as such in Bialowieza, but there's plenty of wonderful cheap and cheerful homestay bookable through the usual booking sites. Plenty of restaurants/eateries. Shops are very few but there's a decent supermarket behind the Orlen petrol station.
Mountain bike essential for proper fun in the forest; there are at least two bike rental places close to that fancy hotel in Bialowieza village. Two days in the forest including the bison show reserve are OK, three days for less rushing around.
Possible to get from Warsaw on train to Bialystock or Hajnowka (probably never direct but with one or even two changes) then bus to Bialowieza.
The train station in Hajnowka is 15 mins walk from the main bus stand on main road (opposite the building displaying a big 39 and diagonal to Hajnowka tourist info). The tourist info office will have the Voyager buses timetable only, but there are two more operators whose timetable is displayed at that bus stand. Btw, it's Polish or Russian only at the tourist info office when I was there.
Bialystock's train and bus stations are next to each other and they both have excellent facilities. I preferred this option of getting to and from Bialowieza than Hajnowka; in Hajnowka you're at mercy of elements: the train station is ready to be demolished and the bus stand offers little protection in cold or bad weather. One thing though, my Bialystock to Warsaw transportation was: Bialystock to Malkinia by train then bus from Malkinia to Warsaw Central. No idea if the bus is the temporary rail replacement bus service or this is how it's always done; well it worked. There's no need to book separate bus/train tickets for this route; the lovely English practicing ladies at Bialystock's train station do everything for you as long as they know that Warsaw is your final destination. I guess it'd be the same when getting the Warsaw to Bialystock ticket at one of Warsaw's stations.
There's better bus service between Bialystock/Hajnowka and Bialowieza on working days when kids are in school. There are no hostels as such in Bialowieza, but there's plenty of wonderful cheap and cheerful homestay bookable through the usual booking sites. Plenty of restaurants/eateries. Shops are very few but there's a decent supermarket behind the Orlen petrol station.
Mountain bike essential for proper fun in the forest; there are at least two bike rental places close to that fancy hotel in Bialowieza village. Two days in the forest including the bison show reserve are OK, three days for less rushing around.
Written 20 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria E
11 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
We travelled very far with plane and bus to get to the Bialowieza natural park.
We knew we would have to go in a group with a guide to be allowed in the strictly protected area, and was prepared to pay the price for that.
When we came to the tourist information office to book a tour we were told there was no open tours in English, only in German or Polish, and we would have to pay 340 ZL for our own guide.
We asked if we could join the German group since we have some basic understanding of German and only understanding a little would be way better than not entering at all. One of the people who worked there "tested" our German and said it was not good enough to enter. They said it would be a sirkus if people were allowed in groups they did not speak the language of. We felt we were being yelled at and the two people in the tourist info was very unfriendly.
As we tried to say please, and explain that for us as two young students it would be impossible to pay our own guide, they stopped talking to us and just talked between themselves in Polish. We were so sad to go all the way there and not get in...
We knew we would have to go in a group with a guide to be allowed in the strictly protected area, and was prepared to pay the price for that.
When we came to the tourist information office to book a tour we were told there was no open tours in English, only in German or Polish, and we would have to pay 340 ZL for our own guide.
We asked if we could join the German group since we have some basic understanding of German and only understanding a little would be way better than not entering at all. One of the people who worked there "tested" our German and said it was not good enough to enter. They said it would be a sirkus if people were allowed in groups they did not speak the language of. We felt we were being yelled at and the two people in the tourist info was very unfriendly.
As we tried to say please, and explain that for us as two young students it would be impossible to pay our own guide, they stopped talking to us and just talked between themselves in Polish. We were so sad to go all the way there and not get in...
Written 25 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
michele949
Palermo, Italy2 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
ATTENTION. I am Dr. Amenta an Italian doctor. I would like to tell you briefly about my misadventures in a beautiful journey that I made this year in Poland. I am passionate about wildlife photography and as on other trips, Finland, Norway, Mexico ... etc, I had organized a photographic excursion in the beautiful Bialowieza to see the European Bison. Unfortunately I relied PTTK whose office manager named Robert proved to be rude, greedy for money and certainly not respectful of international law. We were 2 families of 4 adults and 3 children, our elements as was done in the afternoon a carriage ride (€ 40 a buggy for 3 hours) and a night hike in the forest to see the bison (€ 90 the whole group). To book Robert wanted an advance (BEWARE!!!!) Not accepting payments with credit card or paypal but only by bank transfer. Finally after several emails we did the transfer of about 50 euro asking for confirmation of payment and instructions on how to get to the office. It has never received any confirmation email. The day of the trip it was raining very strong, we arrived with a 'time delay in receipt of an email from Robert saying that the carriage was waiting for us. We did not do any carriage ride because of our delay, Robert has held back the advance and make arrogant and violent forced us to pay the rest of the night walk even though the weather did not allow to go out and photograph. THERE HAS ALLOWED BY LAW HOW TO WITHDRAW FROM THE AGREEMENT THAT WAS NOT EVEN WRITTEN AND SIGNED. HAS ONLY WANTED THE MONEY. INCREDIBLE!!!! .
Because he knew where I was staying, to avoid strange situations, having children, I paid. At 3 am and came to my hotel the Italian guide Agata. Fortunately she was all 'height of his work and has been very critical of the doing of Robert SAYING "AS TOURISTS run away." On my return to Italy I prvveduto through my attorney to notify by certified mail the Polish Consulate in Italy for the non- compliance with the law of the withdrawal by this national tourist PTTK....
Because he knew where I was staying, to avoid strange situations, having children, I paid. At 3 am and came to my hotel the Italian guide Agata. Fortunately she was all 'height of his work and has been very critical of the doing of Robert SAYING "AS TOURISTS run away." On my return to Italy I prvveduto through my attorney to notify by certified mail the Polish Consulate in Italy for the non- compliance with the law of the withdrawal by this national tourist PTTK....
Written 1 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oso_and_Robiii
Warsaw, Poland15 contributions
Oct 2012 • Friends
All Bialowieza Region is magician. But Bialowieza city is an informal capitol of province.
If you have a 2-3 days to meet last natural forest at this part of Europe, visit this place. Do not worry about hotel booking, even skip it, since in the Internet you can find only the most expensive places. Just come and go to Main Street of Bialawieza. On almost each, build from wood old house you will find B&B sighs. Come in and ask for offer which usually contain bad in nice room (or very often entire house) very often with fireplace, and sauna! For breakfast you can expect sort of fresh regional products. Everything is in walking distance. You can dinning in plenty of nice restaurants.
Do not forget to visit interactive Museum of Bialowieza National Park located in main building of National Park Office. Enjoy your time!
If you have a 2-3 days to meet last natural forest at this part of Europe, visit this place. Do not worry about hotel booking, even skip it, since in the Internet you can find only the most expensive places. Just come and go to Main Street of Bialawieza. On almost each, build from wood old house you will find B&B sighs. Come in and ask for offer which usually contain bad in nice room (or very often entire house) very often with fireplace, and sauna! For breakfast you can expect sort of fresh regional products. Everything is in walking distance. You can dinning in plenty of nice restaurants.
Do not forget to visit interactive Museum of Bialowieza National Park located in main building of National Park Office. Enjoy your time!
Written 29 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands5,969 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
Bialowieza forest is more a conglomerate of forests in the surroundings of Bialowieza. The village serves are a touristic hot spot to enter the National Park which in fact is only a very small part of the forest.
There are many options for cycling and hiking in the area. Don't expect low prices for hiring a bike (from 5 to 7 Zloty per hour for an 'old' bike). To visit the Palace Park, the Forest Museum and reserve area where bisons can be observed are other options.
A visit to the National Park is only possible with a group at steep prices. In my case the only option was to pay 43 Zloty (10€) to participate in a group with a German speaking guide.
To visit the part of the forest that is in Belarus you need a permit and medical Insurance. Price is 85 Zloty (21€). You can only get it at the PTTK office (not at the border). The permit is not a visa, only valid for three days for people on foot or by bicycle (not by car).
Public transportation from Warsaw is best by train to Bialystok (two hours) and from there by bus (again two hours) to Bialowieza. There is a direct Arriva bus from Warsaw, but it operates only once a day (perhaps more often during the summer season). In my case -on a Thursday in July- there was only one bus from Bialowieza to Warsaw departing at 5AM.
An alternative option is to travel by bus to Bielsk Podlasi,Hajnowka and Bialowieza. I did this on my way back to Warsaw. It took me a whole day with stopovers in Hajnowka (one hour) and Bielsk (three hours). Not recommended unless you like to explore the Polish countryside (still untouched by tourists).
There are many options for cycling and hiking in the area. Don't expect low prices for hiring a bike (from 5 to 7 Zloty per hour for an 'old' bike). To visit the Palace Park, the Forest Museum and reserve area where bisons can be observed are other options.
A visit to the National Park is only possible with a group at steep prices. In my case the only option was to pay 43 Zloty (10€) to participate in a group with a German speaking guide.
To visit the part of the forest that is in Belarus you need a permit and medical Insurance. Price is 85 Zloty (21€). You can only get it at the PTTK office (not at the border). The permit is not a visa, only valid for three days for people on foot or by bicycle (not by car).
Public transportation from Warsaw is best by train to Bialystok (two hours) and from there by bus (again two hours) to Bialowieza. There is a direct Arriva bus from Warsaw, but it operates only once a day (perhaps more often during the summer season). In my case -on a Thursday in July- there was only one bus from Bialowieza to Warsaw departing at 5AM.
An alternative option is to travel by bus to Bielsk Podlasi,Hajnowka and Bialowieza. I did this on my way back to Warsaw. It took me a whole day with stopovers in Hajnowka (one hour) and Bielsk (three hours). Not recommended unless you like to explore the Polish countryside (still untouched by tourists).
Written 7 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael G
Folkestone, UK6 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
The Bialowieza forest is being decimated by state-sponsored indiscriminate logging for short-term profit. It is Europe's last piece of primal forest, and home to thousands of vulnerable species. Please do not reward Poland's far-right money-obsessed government and its environmentally catastrophic policies with tourist cash.
Written 23 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
n_olenka
barcelona43 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
We booked FAMILY tour with that office. We were given a guide ( older man, did not get his name) who had NO IDEA how to talk to kids. His talk was dry, historical fact-filled memorized text. Kids did not understand what was he taking about and got bored after 10 minutes. We returned to the office to request different guide ---- and the man (the owner) and woman(employee) at the office started yelling at me for complaining ... saying my kids are not normal for not caring what the guide says ... they completely mistreated me. REFUSED to provide other guide and refused to return our money for next day bike trip with us. They even mentioned they do not want us as clients for next day!!!
I am not sure how I can legally deal with it? Isn't there any laws that protect the customer in situations like that? They basically took our money but did not provide the service ...
I am not sure how I can legally deal with it? Isn't there any laws that protect the customer in situations like that? They basically took our money but did not provide the service ...
Written 18 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TMS44
London, UK84 contributions
Aug 2017
You cannot enter without a guide. The guides are really knowledgable. The trees and plants are stunning. They do not do anyhing to manage the forest or remove trees tha have fallen unless they block on of the designated paths. The horse cart ride is a real treat. Take a mosuito repellent. The air is so clean you fele healthier nd there are lichens ( bioindicators) you do not normally see as they are so sensitive to pollutants. Chance sof seeing animals very variable, xpect none so nay you do see are a bonus.Theanimlas move in and out of protected zone and in and out of Poland / Belorus
Written 9 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leroy
London, United Kingdom
What is the location for us to book a carriage ride? We will have a car so we can drive to wherever we need to go to get a carriage ride.
Can you tell us or show us where we need to go to arrange for the carriage ride?
Written 17 September 2019
We also had a car and stayed in Polish town of Bialowieza. The PTJK Tourist office in that town could help you. If you stay at the Zubrowka Hotel I’m sure that could book it for you. The border crossing into Belarus only allows hikers and bikers. You need to apply for a visa in advance.
Written 18 September 2019
Hola. Me gustaría saber como ir desde Varsovia hasta el parque en transporte público. Gracias.
Written 30 July 2019
Visiting Poland in December, are tours conducted during that time and can you access the restriction zone at that time of year please?
Written 28 May 2019
Hi, yes tours will be available, and you also can visit restricted areas. Obviously IT might be snowy and cold. I am not sure if the turist narrow rail train operates in winter.
Written 28 May 2019
Thanks for the information on this forest.
May I know where you hired your guide from?
Was it a 1-day tour?
Would love to experience this beautiful place too. And recommendations and contacts for guides?
Written 4 March 2019
Hi, I recommend João Ferro,. He is completely passionate by the forest and life in it and can help you with other details as traveling to there and where to stay, etc. you can schedule directly with him. Search Facebook. He is from Portugal.
Enjoy
Written 5 March 2019
ciao vorrei sapere come hai trovato il contatto della guida italiana e per quante ore si cammina inoltre so che c'è un tour apposito per vedere i bisonti all'alba ne sai qualcosa?
Written 19 January 2019
Hallo!
De foto's en de verhalen zien er veel belovend uit. Kan iemand mij vertellen op welk vliegveld je aan moet vliegen en hoever dit vliegveld van het bos is?
Alvast bedankt!
Gr. S.Stoffels
Written 5 April 2018
You have to fly to Warsaw and than catch a taxi to Bialowieza park. If you want a nature guide, the best one is João Ferro, a Portuguese guy who knows the place, the trees and the animals as his palm hands. Enjoy.
Written 31 December 2018
Hola,
Me gustaría saber cómo contactar con Joao u otro guía en español, ya que queremos visitar el parque en nuestro proximo viaje a Varsovia en noviembre.
Gracias,
Jose
Written 25 October 2017
Bonjour,
combien avez-vous payé la visite? Ou avez-vous trouvé le guide?
Belle journée,
Céline
Written 31 August 2017
Bonjour,
je me permets de vous déranger car j'ai quelques questions..si vous avez le temps et l'envie d'y répondre, cela me ferait vraiment plaisir :)
comment avez-vous visité la forêt? Seul? avec un guide? Aviez-vous une voiture de location? Y-a-t-il des logements à proximité? Vous avez atterri à Varsovie?
Merci par avance,
Belle journée,
Céline
Written 31 August 2017
What is the weather like today? We are coming to visit for 4 days on Friday and hear it is very cold. Is it snowing?
Written 25 April 2017
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