You can pay 500 zlotys for a low-budget smartphone if you need a spare one after relocating to Poland. One 500-zloty banknote can cover up to ten months of a premium Netflix membership in Poland.
The average price of a beer in the market square is around 15 zł or 3,50 €, this is about 30% of the cost of a beer in London which averages at about 8.00 €. Check out this handy chart, Krakow scores as one of the cheapest cities in the world in which to buy a beer in.
Even at the higher end, the most expensive pints in Krakow typically hover around the £4-5 mark, still significantly cheaper than their London counterparts. This affordability extends to both local Polish beers and international brands, providing a wide range of choices for pub-goers.
What Can 100 Zloty ($24.04) Buy in Kraków, Poland? 🇵🇱
What alcohol is Krakow known for?
Vodka as Poland's Liquid Heritage
In Krakow, you'll find traditional vodka varieties infused with herbs, honey, or fruits. These flavors are designed to be sipped slowly, not rushed—and they reveal a more refined side of Polish drinking culture.
A three-course meal for two in a decent restaurant in Kraków should cost you the equivalent of about £21.00, whereas the same is likely to be about £45.00 in, say, Birmingham. Whenever you fancy a regular-size cappuccino, it'll probably come with a £1.70 price tag, compared to £3.50 back home.
There are products such as potatoes, sugar and certain meats which have always been cheap in Poland. Compared with prices in supermarkets in other EU countries, staple food items in Poland are very reasonably priced.
The 2 zloty coin looks deceptively like a 1 Euro coin but is worth a whole 40p…. but you can buy a whole lot for it! – 1 donut (or 2 in a shop/supermarket!) – 1 carnation at the flower market (yep, for £5 you can buy a gorgeous buquet of flowers in Poland!)
The 10 złoty banknote features a portrait of Prince Mieszko I. On the left-hand side of the portrait there are two rosettes inspired by the pattern found on the floor of Gniezno Cathedral, whereas on the right-hand side there is a floral motif found on Romanesque liturgical vessels.
The cost of living in Poland is noticeably more affordable than in the UK and in other European countries such as Portugal and Spain. The table below offers insights into the cost of living in Poland compared to UK, as it compares the average prices of various goods and services.
An employee in Poland earns around 91,520 PLN annually, ranging from the lowest average salary of about 22,420 PLN to the highest average salary of 404,600 PLN. The average gross wage reached a growth of 9.6 percent in December 2023.
Upon ordering, I learned that in Poland, they typically serve beer in half-liter sizes instead of pints, which is a bit different from what I'm used to. I grabbed two beers, and the total came to only 19 zloty — that's under £5! To put it into perspective, back in London, a pint can cost you at least £6.
When visiting Poland, DO validate public transport tickets, dress modestly in churches, learn basic Polish phrases, and be punctual; DON'T drink alcohol in public, call Poles "Eastern Europeans," smile at strangers, or discuss sensitive history casually, while always respecting cultural norms like removing shoes at home and being mindful of tipping customs.
Kraków's ban, in force since July 1, 2023, prohibits retail alcohol sales citywide from midnight to 5:30 a.m. Alcohol may still be purchased on-premise in bars and restaurants during those hours.
A general guideline is 50-100 PLN per day for guides and 20-50 PLN for drivers, depending on the quality of service. In beauty salons, spas, and massage parlors, tipping is not mandatory but welcomed. If you are satisfied with the service, rounding up or leaving 10% is appropriate.
Cash or Card? Krakow is Poland's most tourist-friendly city, and one of the largest and most international in the country. Athough it's always a good idea to have some cash to hand, you can also pay by card in the majority of establishments, bars, and restaurants, or even on public transport.
The "3-2-1" or often "0-0-1-3" drinking rule is a guideline for low-risk alcohol consumption, suggesting 0 underage, 0 DUIs, 1 standard drink per hour, and no more than 3 standard drinks per occasion or outing, helping people moderate intake to minimize health risks. It emphasizes pacing consumption and setting limits, with a standard drink being about 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of spirits, notes this Army.mil article.
For a regular bottle of beer, which is around half a pint, you will pay just £0.50! This jumps up greatly for the same size bottle in a standard bar however, which will likely cost £2.21. That makes the average for a bottle of beer in Krakow £1.33.
