Poland travel money tips
Heading to Poland? Here's a quick rundown of how to handle money on the ground — tipping etiquette, when to use cards versus cash, the best ATMs to use, and the most common pitfalls travelers run into. The local currency is the Polish Zloty (PLN, zł).
Tipping
10% in restaurants — tell the server the total when paying (saying 'thank you' as you hand cash means 'keep the change').
Cards vs cash
Effectively cashless. Tap-to-pay and BLIK QR work everywhere, even in tiny shops.
Payment methods accepted
ATMs & cash tip
Use bank ATMs (PKO BP, Pekao, mBank, ING). Always decline DCC.
Heads-up
- Pickpockets target tram lines in Kraków and Warsaw's central station.
- Some 'private' currency exchange offices in tourist areas display a great 'sell' rate but use a poor 'buy' rate — read both columns.
About the Polish Zloty (PLN)
The Polish Zloty (PLN, symbol zł) is the official currency of Poland. Knowing the live PLN rate against your home currency helps you sanity-check menu prices, taxi fares, and souvenir markups while traveling.
More travel tips
See all country tips →Tips are general guidance for travelers, not legal or financial advice. Customs vary — confirm with local sources for important plans.