How expensive is Kraków?
prices & a daily budget
Kraków is still one of the cheaper city breaks in Europe, as long as you eat where locals eat. A milk bar lunch costs less than a cocktail on the Main Square. Here's what things typically cost, in złoty and in euro. Still deciding whether to go? See is Kraków worth visiting.
Typical prices at a glance
| What | Złoty | ≈ Euro |
|---|---|---|
| Food | ||
| Milk bar set lunch (soup + main) | 25–35 zł | €6–8 |
| Milk bar main dish | 17–35 zł | €4–8 |
| Milk bar side (potatoes, salad…) | 5–10 zł | €1–2 |
| Obwarzanek from a street cart | 3.5–5 zł | €0.8–1 |
| Zapiekanka at Plac Nowy guide | 20–35 zł | €5–8 |
| Pierogi in a pierogarnia guide | 20–40 zł | €5–9 |
| Restaurant main course, Old Town | 60–80 zł | €14–18 |
| Drinks | ||
| Beer in a pub (0.5 l) | 12–22 zł | €3–5 |
| Craft beer (0.5 l) | 15–25 zł | €3–6 |
| Cappuccino in a café | 12–18 zł | €3–4 |
| Getting around | ||
| Tram/bus ticket, 20 minutes | 4 zł | €0.9 |
| Tram/bus ticket, 60 minutes also covers the airport bus | 6 zł | €1 |
| 24-hour pass (Zone I) | 17 zł | €4 |
| 72-hour pass | 50 zł | €11 |
| Airport train to Kraków Główny approx. | 20 zł | €5 |
| Day trips | ||
| Auschwitz-Birkenau guided tour | 200–300 zł | €46–69 |
| Wieliczka Salt Mine approx., with guide | 250 zł | €57 |
Typical ranges, checked October 2026, at 1 € = 4.37 zł. Prices vary by place and season. Live exchange rate on the home page →
Daily budget per person
Dorm bed, milk bar lunches, street food, free sights and walking.
Private room, a restaurant dinner, a museum or one paid excursion.
Hotel in the Old Town, sit-down meals, guided tours and taxis.
How to spend less without missing out
Make lunch your big meal
Milk bars serve a full set lunch for about 25–35 zł. Eat big at midday, then snack in the evening. Find a milk bar →
Step off the Main Square
Terraces on the Rynek charge for the view. One street away, the same coffee or beer costs noticeably less.
Buy a day pass
If you'll take more than three rides, the 24-hour pass pays off. Buy in the Jakdojade app or at ticket machines, which take cards.
Pay in złoty
Cards work almost everywhere. If a terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, say no: the exchange rate is worse.
Use the free sights
The Main Square, Wawel Hill and courtyard, Kazimierz, the Planty park and Nowa Huta cost nothing to walk around.
Before you go the practical bits
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FAQ
Is Kraków cheap or expensive?
Cheap by Western European standards, especially if you eat in milk bars and walk. A shoestring day can cost around 130–215 zł per person; restaurants on the Main Square are the main budget trap.
How much is a beer in Kraków?
Typically 12 to 22 zł for half a litre in a pub, a little more for craft beer, and more on the Main Square.
How much money do I need per day in Kraków?
Roughly 130–215 zł on a shoestring, 350–500 zł mid-range and 665 zł or more for a comfortable trip, per person.
How much does a meal cost in Kraków?
About 25–35 zł for a milk bar set lunch, 17–35 zł for a single milk bar dish and around 60–80 zł for a main course in an Old Town restaurant.
Should I tip in Kraków?
In sit-down restaurants about 10% is customary for good service. In milk bars, where you order at the till, nobody tips.