Paying by card is generally better and more convenient in Poland, as the country has one of the highest rates of card and contactless payment adoption in Europe. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including shops, restaurants, and public transport. However, carrying some cash (Polish Złoty - PLN) is recommended for small purchases, local markets, or tips.
While major cities and tourist areas in Poland typically accept debit cards, some smaller shops, local vendors, or remote locations may only accept cash. Carrying some Polish złotys for these situations is always a good idea.
Debit and credit cards are a primary payment method, with contactless payments being nearly universal for in-person transactions. Instant bank transfers are a very popular e-commerce payment method. Gateways like Przelewy24 facilitate these seamless, real-time payments.
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 official currency of Poland is the Polish Złoty (PLN), symbolised as zł. Banknotes range from zł10 to zł500, while coins start from 1 grosz. Cards are accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and shops in major cities; however, cash is preferred at market stalls and smaller towns.
Polish Money Guide: All You Need to Know about Payments in Poland
Is it better to pay in zloty or Euro by card?
Zloty of course, always use local currency! Pay in the currency of the country that you are visiting. Always the currency of the country u are in. Always local currency ,and with a fee free card.
For example, about 200 or 300 zlotys per person in a good amount to buy some souvenirs and to have some cash in case we want to do some activity that we did not have scheduled. RECOMMENDED TOTAL: 3.100 Zlotys for two people a week.
In Krakow, DO learn basic Polish phrases, try pierogi, validate public transport tickets, explore local markets, be respectful in churches, and use ride-sharing apps like Bolt for transport. DON'T drink alcohol in public, make insensitive jokes about Polish history, be loud in religious sites, touch historical monuments, or assume everyone accepts cash only; always validate transport tickets, and be cautious of jaywalking and late-night solo walks.
The 2/3/4 rule: According to this rule, applicants are limited to two new cards in 30 days, three new cards in 12 months and four new cards in 24 months. The six-month or one-year rule: Some credit card issuers may let borrowers open a new credit card account only once every six months or once a year.
You can use your debit card to spend or withdraw cash worldwide. Just use it in the same way you do at home, wherever you see the Visa symbol. We convert card transactions into pounds using the Visa exchange rate. When using your card abroad, you should select to pay in the local currency in order to get this rate.
Should I exchange money before I travel to Poland?
When travelling to Poland or anywhere abroad, it's best to have the destination country's official currency with you. This will help you avoid unnecessary exchange fees and any extra charges. The currency used in Poland is the Polish zloty and each zloty is subdivided into 100 grosz.
As a general rule of thumb, you should consider tipping around 10-20 PLN (approximately 2-5 USD) per day. If you stayed in a luxury hotel or received exceptional service, it may be appropriate to tip a bit more—around 20-30 PLN (5-7 USD) would be well-received.
While cards are a more convenient and quicker payment option, they are often safer than carrying lots of cash with you. You won't have to think about losing money or getting robbed. Also, Polish locals prefer them to cash, so they're widely used and accepted.
The 2/3/4 rule for credit cards is a guideline, notably used by Bank of America, that limits how many new cards you can get approved for: no more than two in 30 days, three in 12 months, and four in 24 months, helping manage hard inquiries and credit risk. It's a strategy to space out applications, preventing too many hard pulls on your credit report and helping maintain financial health by avoiding over-extending yourself.
Areas to avoid at night: Kraków is generally safe, but exercise usual caution in less busy streets after midnight, especially around train stations and poorly lit areas. Kazimierz and the Old Town are lively and safe at night, but small side streets may be quiet and empty — use common sense.
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.
