If you are coming to Poland, you should be ready for various expenses. You can exchange cash in an exchange office, but debit cards will also come in handy. They enable you to withdraw money from one of many ATMs. Usually, a small charge is included for this service.
What currency is used in Poland?
Poland, despite being a member of EU, still uses zloty (zł. or PLN ‒ the name was introduced in 1919).
One zloty is divided into 100 grosz. There are 6 different grosz coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50. You will find 3 zloty coins: 1, 2 and 5 (it is also possible to come across some occasional and collector’s ones: 5, 10, 20, 25, 37, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 zlotys).
Basic banknotes in denominations of: 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 zlotys are used. They were designed by Andrzej Heidrich, a graphic artist. Following collector’s banknotes appear: 10, 20 and 50 zlotys.
Costs and expenses during a visit
The following register includes average prices of products and services. They may differ depending on region and season.
For a single fare ticket for the underground, tram and bus you have to pay about 4.4 zlotys. Bread costs half this price. If you want to go out to have breakfast, you will spend 10-35 zlotys (depending on the chosen place). The same goes with cinemas ‒ 27-35 zlotys. One beer costs 8-10 zlotys. When it comes to dinner, a meal costs around 30 zlotys in restaurants of lower category, in better ones it will be about 60 zlotys. A night in a 2-star hotel room for two costs approximately 120 zlotys.
You can pay in cash or by popular credit cards in restaurants, shops and hotels. Some places accept payment in euro. Usually, you can learn about payment methods from a sticker near an entrance of a given place.
Sometimes, a restaurant includes 10% of the so-called service to a bill. To enter a restroom in public places you will have to pay around 2 zlotys.