Is Krakow expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Krakow is one of the best-value city breaks in Europe, much cheaper than Western European cities for food, beer and transport. A budget day is about 290 PLN per person, mid-range about 635 PLN and comfort about 1,480 PLN; hotels on summer weekends, guided Auschwitz and Wieliczka tours and restaurants on the Main Market Square are where the money goes.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | PLN150 | PLN300 | PLN700 |
| Food & drink | PLN80 | PLN160 | PLN350 |
| Sights & tickets | PLN50 | PLN150 | PLN350 |
| Local transport | PLN10 | PLN25 | PLN80 |
| Per person, per day | PLN290 | PLN635 | PLN1,480 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Krakow day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Obwarzanek (bread ring) from a street cart | about 3–4 PLN |
| Plate of pierogi in a milk bar | roughly 15–25 PLN |
| Zapiekanka on Plac Nowy | roughly 15–30 PLN |
| Milk-bar meal | about 25–40 PLN |
| Rynek Underground museum | about 40–45 PLN |
| Schindler's Factory museum | about 40–50 PLN |
| Wieliczka Salt Mine, foreign-language tour | about 150–160 PLN |
| Mid-range double in the Old Town | about 450–750 PLN |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the largest cost, and prices rise in summer and at weekends. The big excursions come next: Auschwitz entry is free, but guided visits (compulsory at busy times) and transport cost money, and Wieliczka is one of the pricier tickets. Food is cheap in milk bars and Kazimierz, while terraces on the Main Market Square and Floriańska Street charge well above the rest of the city. Trams and buses cost only a few złoty.
When it is cheaper
January to March and November are the cheapest months for hotels; prices rise from May to September and on weekends, and the Christmas market period in December is busy.
How to spend less
- Eat lunch at a milk bar (bar mleczny) for 25–40 PLN.
- Eat a few streets away from the Main Market Square, where terrace prices are highest.
- Always pay in złoty when a card terminal offers euros or your home currency.
- Book Auschwitz directly on the official site rather than through resellers.
- Visit Wieliczka by train or bus and buy tickets directly instead of a combined tour.
- Join a tip-based free walking tour of the Old Town or Kazimierz.
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Common questions
Is Krakow expensive?
No, it is one of the best-value city breaks in Europe.
How much does a day in Krakow cost?
About 290 PLN per person on a budget, 635 PLN mid-range and 1,480 PLN in comfort.
Is Auschwitz free?
Entry is free with a booked time slot, but guided visits are compulsory at busy times and are paid.