Travelers to Europe are often recommended to keep some euros in their wallets, but these won’t get you far in Poland. That’s right—although Poland is a member of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA), the Poles have kept their traditional currency, the Polish zloty (lit. “golden”). No wonders foreign visitors often find local prices a bit confusing at first. How do you know on the spot if 16 PLN for an Americano at a Warsaw Starbucks is a standard price for coffee? Here is how. (Spoiler alert: it is).
Reading prices in Poland: how much is it in dollars?
US dollar and euro are fairly close in value, with the euro being slightly stronger (current rate here). That, however, does not apply to the zloty (PLN). In recent years, the USD to PLN exchange rate has fluctuated, but has typically averaged around 1:4. Therefore, if you have to make a snap decision while shopping, a good rule of thumb is to assume that one dollar equals approximately four zlotys. In other words, if you divide the price in zlotys by four, you will have a good estimate of the amount in dollars. For example, a restaurant bill of 100 PLN is roughly 25–27 USD. Of course, if math is not your thing, you can always use a mobile app to get quick and precise live-rate conversions.
Polish coins and bills
After a few days in Poland, you may find yourself carrying a handful of unfamiliar looking coins and banknotes. The smallest is one grosz (one cent of a zloty). Coins below one zloty are negligible, and you may keep them just in case you need change. To give you an idea, a Snickers bar usually costs between 3-5 zlotys. The smallest bill of 10 zlotys will get you a snack and a soda in a local convenience store, but if you are going to have a proper meal in a restaurant you will need between 50 to 100 zlotys.
Are euros useless in Poland?
Not necessarily. While the official currency is the zloty, some places do accept euros (or even US dollars)—typically at international airports, hotels, and stores or restaurants that cater to foreign travelers. If you have euros in cash, you can convert it at any exchange office. Some ATMs also allow euro withdrawals, but be aware of extra fees. Still, euro is considered a foreign currency and is not commonly used for everyday transactions.
Cash not a must in Poland
The good news is that Poland has widespread support for cashless payments, including debit and credit cards, as well as mobile options like Google Pay and Apple Pay, which you can use almost everywhere.
The bottom line is, in most situations you will not have to worry about finding an exchange office or ATM. If you use online banking apps or a debit/credit card, you may enjoy your stay in Poland without spending a single zloty.
