Money & Cards
Is Poland expensive?
Quick answer
No, it is one of the better-value countries in Europe. A restaurant main course runs about 40-70 PLN, museum tickets 20-40 PLN, and intercity trains are far cheaper than in Western Europe. Krakow and Warsaw cost more than smaller towns.
No. Poland is one of the better-value destinations in Europe, cheaper than the west and the Nordic countries for food, transport and museums. Prices have risen in recent years, but a trip here still costs noticeably less than the same days in Paris or Amsterdam.
What things cost
These are typical 2026 ranges, higher in Warsaw and central Krakow, lower in smaller towns.
| Item | Typical price (PLN) |
|---|---|
| Main course, mid-range restaurant | 40 to 70 |
| Meal at a milk bar (bar mleczny) | 15 to 30 |
| Coffee in a cafe | 12 to 20 |
| Half-litre of local beer | 10 to 18 |
| Museum or attraction ticket | 20 to 40 |
| Single city transport ticket | 4 to 6 |
A rough daily budget
A careful traveller using milk bars, public transport and free sights can manage on roughly 150 to 220 PLN a day. A comfortable mid-range day, with restaurant meals, paid attractions and the odd taxi, sits closer to 300 to 450 PLN. These figures exclude your hotel, which varies widely by city and season.
Where to save
Eat lunch at a milk bar, buy train tickets in advance, and use trams and buses rather than taxis. Many churches and parks are free, and several museums have one free day a week. For the detail on transport fares, see getting around Poland.
Sources
- Poland travel costs and prices , Poland.travel (official tourism board)
- Consumer prices in Poland (Eurostat) , Eurostat
More on Money & Cards
The currency is the Polish zloty (PLN, written "zl"), divided into 100 grosze. Poland does not use the euro. Notes come in 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 zl.
Read the full answerCard payments are accepted almost everywhere, including small shops, taxis, trams and market stalls, and contactless is the norm. Carry a little cash only for rural areas, some milk bars and tips.
Read the full answerYes. Both are supported wherever contactless cards work, which is nearly everywhere. Digital banks such as Revolut also work smoothly for spending and ATM withdrawals.
Read the full answerGenerally no. Most places accept only zloty. A handful of tourist spots near borders or airports may take euros, but at a poor rate, so it is best to pay in zloty.
Read the full answerUse a "kantor" (exchange office) in the city centre, not at the airport or in hotels, which give worse rates. Withdrawing zloty from a bank ATM with a low-fee card is usually the best value.
Read the full answer