The official currency in Poland is Polish zloty (Złoty). Although this country is a member of the EU, it decided not to switch to the euro and retained its national currency. For tourists, this is of course an additional headache. Instead of just arriving with euros, you need to think about where it is better to exchange currencies, what is the exchange rate of the zloty to the dollar and euro, how not to be deceived… Let’s try to figure out these problems.
What is the currency in Poland?
Polish zloty – current banknotes and coins.
The Polish zloty is the only official currency in Poland. Dollars and Euros will not be accepted in stores here.
Perhaps the euro will be taken in small shops in tourist places, but the exchange rate will not be favorable and this will be rather an exception to the rule.
As of 2019, the following paper banknotes were in use in Poland: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 zlotys. As well as coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 groschen (these are local pennies) and coins of 1, 2, 5 zlotys.
The international code for Polish zloty is PLN. Modern Polish banknotes were printed in 2012. In 2015-2016 some of them have undergone redesign.
Which currency is better to take to Poland and Krakow?
The ideal option is to come here immediately with Polish zlotys. But you can’t buy them freely everywhere, so most likely you will have to take US dollars or euros with you on the road and then exchange them for zlotys on the spot. Masha Pasha advise: buy a small amount of zlotys in your homeland, so that if something happens, you will have enough for transfer from the airport to the hotel or for any small purchases. If you arrive in Poland late in the evening, then most likely the normal exchange offices will already be closed, and changing currency at the train station or at the airport will be very unprofitable (the exchange rate there is simply extortionate; we have not seen such a scam of tourists in civilized countries for a long time).
Which currency is better to take with you to Poland, the dollar or the euro, in principle there is not much difference. Masha Pasha took euros with them, but they could also change dollars here without any problems.
Kantor (currency exchange) in the center of Krakow. Be careful, many of these exchangers deceive tourists.
Where to exchange currency in Krakow?
Since Masha Pasha was in Krakow, it’s hard for us to speak for other Polish cities. But in Krakow it is better to change currency at exchange offices, which are called Kantors here. Polish banks charge a commission for currency exchange, and not all banks generally engage in exchange operations (having visited two banks in the center of Krakow, which refused to engage in currency exchange, we realized that we had to go to an exchange office).
There are offices in the historical center of the city and on the approaches to it, in shopping centers, at train stations and at the airport. They usually work from 10 am until 6 or 10 pm. You do not need to show your passport when exchanging currencies. But many Polish exchangers deceive tourists and do it very brazenly, posting rates designed for inattentive tourists (for example, with the euro to zloty exchange rate of 4.250, the rate may be 4.025). Just as often, on stands and display boards, exchangers in Krakow can only display the dollar or euro purchase rate, and not the sale rate, thus also deceiving tourists.
Masha Pasha strongly recommends not to change money in the historical center of Krakow, as well as at train stations and the airport. Most likely, you will be deceived. You need to look for honest and correct exchangers near the center. You can specifically ask the seller how many zlotys you will receive in exchange for 100 euros, or even write this amount on a piece of paper.
We changed money at the Kantor Trzy Grosze office at Lubicz 3, 31-034 Kraków (it’s next to Gallery Krakowska shopping center< /a>), but you can look for another good exchanger.
Rate of the Polish currency in Poland to the euro and other currencies
The Polish zloty exchange rate is floating, i.e. it is not strictly tied to the euro (like, for example, Bulgarian lev), but is constantly changing. It can even change throughout the day. Try not to put off foreign exchange transactions until the weekend. On Sunday, most exchange offices will be closed and the rate may be less favorable.
In 2019, for 1 euro you could get 4.25 Polish zloty, for 1 dollar – 3.73 zlotys. But these courses are current for 2019. In general, the Polish zloty has tended to depreciate slightly in recent years.
