Is Poland expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Poland is good value: cheaper than Western Europe and similar to or slightly dearer than Czechia and Hungary, with low prices for food, public transport and museums. Averaged over a trip, a budget traveller needs about zł 300 a day, mid-range about zł 590 and comfort about zł 1,270 per person. Rooms in Kraków's Old Town and Warsaw's centre and intercity trains take most of the money.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | zł120 | zł250 | zł600 |
| Food & drink | zł90 | zł170 | zł350 |
| Sights & tickets | zł50 | zł100 | zł180 |
| Local transport | zł40 | zł70 | zł140 |
| Per person, per day | zł300 | zł590 | zł1,270 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Poland day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Coffee in a café | zł 12–18 |
| Pierogi in a milk bar (bar mleczny) | zł 25–40 |
| Zapiekanka at Plac Nowy, Kraków | zł 15–25 |
| Local beer (0.5 l) in a pub | zł 15–22 |
| City tram or bus single ticket | about zł 4–6 |
| Warsaw Rising Museum | about zł 35–40 |
| Express InterCity Premium Warsaw–Kraków | zł 60–200 |
| Mid-range double in Kraków's Old Town | zł 400–700 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the largest cost, with Old Town hotels in Kraków and Gdańsk at zł 400–700 a double and hostels and apartments from zł 200–350. Restaurants are moderate, with milk bars and zapiekanka stalls very cheap. Tickets to Wawel (per exhibition), Schindler's Factory, the Wieliczka Salt Mine and guided Auschwitz-Birkenau visits (about zł 100–150) add up, while intercity trains are cheap if booked early.
When it is cheaper
From November to March (except Christmas markets and New Year), hotel rates in Kraków and Warsaw are often a quarter or more lower than in July and August. Gdańsk and the Baltic coast are much cheaper outside summer.
How to spend less
- Book PKP Intercity tickets early in the English-language app for the lowest fares.
- Eat lunch at milk bars (bar mleczny) for pierogi, soup and cutlets at low prices.
- Buy 24-hour or 72-hour city transport tickets, or tap contactless on board.
- Look for free-entry days at museums, which many Polish museums offer one day a week.
- Book Auschwitz-Birkenau entry cards yourself on the official site; individual visits outside guided-only hours are free.
- Use Bolt or Uber for night rides (most city trips zł 20–40) rather than street taxis.
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Common questions
Is Poland expensive to visit?
No, it is good value. Expect about zł 300 a day on a budget and zł 590 mid-range, averaged over a trip including trains.
What is a milk bar in Poland?
A bar mleczny is a simple canteen serving traditional food such as pierogi, soups and cutlets at low prices; a meal costs about zł 25–40.
Should I pay in złoty or euros in Poland?
In złoty. Euros are rarely accepted, and when paying by card, always choose złoty rather than your home currency to avoid poor conversion rates.