Planning your trip to Kraków? Get the facts on the Polish Złoty (PLN), current prices, and how to avoid unnecessary fees.

Currency Essentials

The Currency: Poland uses the Polish Złoty (PLN), denoted by the symbol zł.
Notes: 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 zł.
Coins: 1, 2, and 5 zł, plus smaller “groszy” (cents).
Pro Tip: Even though Poland is in the EU, we do not use the Euro. While some souvenir shops might accept it, the exchange rate will be very poor. Always pay in PLN.

The “Kraków Price Index”

Estimated prices to help you budget your daily spend.

Item	Price in PLN	Price in GBP (approx.)
Pint of local beer (Old Town)	16 – 24 zł	£3.20 – £4.80
Large Cappuccino	15 – 19 zł	£3.00 – £3.80
Traditional Zapiekanka (Street food)	18 – 26 zł	£3.60 – £5.20
Main course in a mid-range restaurant	45 – 85 zł	£9.00 – £17.00
3-course dinner for two (with wine)	180 – 300 zł	£36.00 – £60.00
Single tram/bus ticket (20 min)	4.00 zł	£0.80

Kraków is one of the most card-friendly cities in Europe.

Card Payments: You can pay with Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, and Google Pay almost everywhere – from restaurants and bars to local food stalls and even ticket machines on trams.
The “DCC” Trap: When paying by card, the terminal might ask if you want to pay in GBP or PLN. Always choose PLN. Your bank’s exchange rate is almost always better than the terminal’s rate.
When to have cash: Small change (1-5 zł coins) is useful for public toilets (though many now take cards) and for tipping street performers or tour guides.

If you bring cash (GBP), avoid exchanging it at the Airport or the Train Station – their rates are significantly lower.

Look for “Kantors”: These are private exchange offices.
Best Locations: Look for Kantors on Slawkowska, Grodzka, or Florianska streets.
Check the Spread: Compare the “Buy” and “Sell” rates. If the difference is huge, walk away.

Tipping is expected but not mandatory.

Restaurants: A standard tip is 10% for good service.
Waiters: Note that if you say “Thank you” (Dziękuję) while handing over cash, it is a signal to the waiter that they can keep the change. If you want change back, simply hand over the money and say “Thank you” only after you receive your change.
Bars: It’s common to leave the “small change” or round up to the nearest 5 or 10 zł.