Paying by Card or Cash in Krakow: Euros or Polish Zloty?
If you’ve never been to Poland, you might be wondering: Can I pay by card everywhere in Krakow? Can I use Euros? Is it the same as at home?
All good questions – let’s break it down.
Can You Pay by Card Everywhere in Krakow?
The short answer: Yes, almost everywhere these days.
However, it’s still wise to carry some cash. Krakow is an old city full of historic buildings – the oldest dates back to the 11th century! Thick stone walls sometimes make it difficult for card terminals to connect to the network.
A few traditional restaurants, market stalls, and small shops therefore only accept cash.
Always Pay in Polish Zloty (PLN)
When you pay by card in Krakow, you’ll often be asked whether you want to pay in Euros or PLN (Polish Zloty).
Our tip: always choose PLN.
Why?
- Paying in the local currency usually means a better exchange rate.
- If you choose Euros, the amount is converted by the merchant’s bank at a much worse rate – sometimes up to 13% more expensive.
- Your own bank will usually charge only a very small fee (a few cents) for currency conversion.
So, even if your bank charges a small processing fee, choosing PLN is almost always cheaper.
Cash Payments in Krakow
The same rule applies to cash: always pay in PLN.
Some shops or restaurants might accept Euros, but they’ll almost always use a poor exchange rate. Why? Because they still have to change those Euros into Zloty themselves, and they pass that cost on to you.
You can pay with cash at:
- Small local restaurants and cafés
- Markets and souvenir stalls
- Public toilets and small attraction
Paying at MijnTours – Kraków
Joining one of our bike tours or other activities?
At Mijn Krakau Tours, you can pay:
- In cash – PLN or Euros (we’re Dutch-owned and have many Dutch clients, so we also pay some expenses in Euros; that’s why our Euro prices are the same as our PLN prices at the daily rate).
- By card – but note that there are small extra costs due to transaction fees on both sides.
Need Polish Zloty?
If you want to withdraw cash in Krakow, be careful where you do it and what you choose on the ATM screen. Some ATMs use Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) – which offers to charge you in Euros but at a bad rate. Always choose to withdraw in PLN and let your own bank handle the conversion.
📌 More tips:
