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Cost of travel in Poland
Poland isn't one of the cheapest destinations in the world, but compared to some of the more expensive European cities, Poland feels very reasonably priced. On the whole, Eastern Europe is much kinder on the wallet than Western Europe, and Poland is no different. That said, many of Poland's major cities such as Krakow and Gdańsk have been developing continuously for years, which in turn increases the cost of travel.
So, how much does the average holiday to Poland cost? Well, that all depends on how you like to travel. Are you content spending most of your evenings cooking supermarket meals? Or do you prefer to indulge in blissful three-course dinners on rooftop hotels? Poland has it all and everything in between.
If you're travelling on a shoestring budget, you could get by on 150zł (38 USD) a day. This should cover a bed in a hostel, self-catering or meals in local milk bars, and public transport. If you want to throw in a few tasty snacks, upgrade to a mid-range hotel and add in a couple of activities, you will need around 200-300zł (50-75 USD) per day. And if you like to stay in luxury accommodation, dine at high-end restaurants and travel by private-hire taxi, you will need to budget of more than 350zł (88 USD) per day.
The currency used in Poland is the Polish Zloty.
Food & Drink
Sampling the local cuisine is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore a new culture, and you're in good hands in Poland. A traditional, local diner in Poland is called a milk bar, and these are your best bet for finding a decent, inexpensive meal for around 15zł (3.80 USD). A basic meal at a Western-style restaurant, such as a pizza, will cost around 30zł (7.34 USD). If you're looking for something more substantial, expect to pay at least 45zł (11 USD) for a main meal. A coffee will cost around 12zł (3 USD) with a 500ml beer costing about the same. However, a shot of Vodka in Poland can be found for as little as 3zł (0.75 USD).
Transport
Transport is usually one of the biggest expenses of a trip, but thankfully, the transportation in Poland is very reasonable, especially for a European country. Buses in Poland are of decent quality, easy to use, and very affordable. For example, a 7-hour journey from Krakow to Torun will cost around 50zł (12 USD). Trains are a little more expensive costing around 90zł (22 USD) for a one-hour journey. Trains are, however, much faster and far more luxurious.
All transport is included on all group tours to Poland.
Admission Fees
One of the best things about visiting Poland is that your budget for admission fees will be relatively low. The beauty of Poland is found in its winding streets, Medieval castles and natural countryside which are very affordable or even free. Entry into museums cost around 20zł (5 USD), and a tour of Auschwitz costs approximately 70zł (17 USD).
Entry into Auschwitz is included on all tours to Poland.
Tipping & costs in Poland
In Poland, it is common practice to tip for good service, but it's not obligatory. There is no official amount to tip, so it's entirely at your discretion. Here's our quick Poland Tipping Guide to help you decide when and how much to tip.
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Restaurants
If the service in a restaurant is good, it is common to leave a 10% tip. If the service wasn't good enough, by all means, reduce the amount. Tipping in cafes is less common, however, most people will round up their bill and leave the change. Always tip in cash so you are sure that the money reaches your waiter.
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Guides
Guides predominantly rely on tips as the bulk of their wage, so we always recommend to tip your guides in Poland. A customary tip is usually between 5-10% but is often increased to 15% if the tour/guide went above and beyond expectations.
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Transport
There is no obligation to tip for taxis in Poland, however, most people provide a tip if their driver was on time and they reached their destination safely and promptly. 10% is a perfectly reasonable tip. If the driver was late, slow or unsafe, then you need not leave a tip.
Top Tip!
Always keep a few coins in your wallet so that you are prepared for tipping.
Can you haggle in Poland?
Negotiating the price for an item in Poland is acceptable in certain situations, but not in others. In most cases such as paying for items in shops and restaurants, the price will always be fixed. However, you can haggle at flea markets and tourist markets.
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