Krakow in November - changing money

BethRobinson

Going to Krak!w in November and looking to take about £1500. Is there likely to be much difference in the rate buying it in advance before I go or just taking it out at a cashpoint over there? Any hidden gems to search out when I'm there? Thanks in advance x

photome

quite a few posts re Krakow if you do a search

as for money, do you have a clarity card? If not its a good idea to get one.
have a read of the travelmoneymaximiser

there is an ATM in the airport so no need to take any cash

are you going for a long time £1500 is a lot of cash in Krakow everything is very cheap

BethRobinson

Sorry, first time poster. Going from Wednesday to Saturday x

zagfles

Buying minor currencies in the UK is almost invariably a rip-off, there'll be a massive markup in the rate. Ideally get a good card eg the Clarity, see the guide on the main site. But if you insist on taking cash, change it there, the rate will be much better.

But as above, unless you're in a group or you're paying for expensive accomodation in cash don't see why you'd need anywhere near £1500 for a few days?

The free walking tours are very good, salt mines are also worth a visit. Obviously a lot of dark history from WW2, Schindler's factory where there is usually some exhibition on, locations from the film, Jewish ghetto, museum, Plaszow concentration camp. Auschwitz is about 2 hours away.

loskie

you will struggle to spend 1500.
Take train to salt mines far better than a guided tour but I do recommend a tour for Aushwitz as it a bit harder to get to and hopefully your guide will get you ahead of the ques.
I went last October and really liked the city. Felt really safe, clean, good food for not a lot and the same with drink

Hobsons_Choice

As others are saying, that's an awful lot of money for a short time in Krakow.
We found the money exchanges (and there are plenty of them) over there give a better exchange rate if you want to take cash.
When you exit the airport, turn right and follow the railings around to the
small train, takes you straight into Krakow central and is loads cheaper than a taxi. All the main sites in Krakow are walkable using the Royal Park that circumnavigates the city.

zagfles

loskie wrote: »

you will struggle to spend 1500.
Take train to salt mines far better than a guided tour but I do recommend a tour for Aushwitz as it a bit harder to get to and hopefully your guide will get you ahead of the ques.
I went last October and really liked the city. Felt really safe, clean, good food for not a lot and the same with drink

Auschwitz is easy to get to from Krakow, regular direct coaches from the main bus station drops you in the carpark. Look for buses to "Oswiecim Museum", pay the driver. Don't get the train as it takes longer and the train station is a couple of km from the site. You can buy a guided tour when you're there of both sites.

Friend of mine booked a tour that was well rated on tripadvisor, but found it wasn't a tour at all, it was just transport there, they dropped people off and let them look around themselves. It took longer than the bus because they spent over an hour driving round hotels in Krakow picking people up and waiting for late arrivals etc.

BethRobinson

Thanks for everyone's help so far x

eDicky

Avoid the hassle and expense of buying cash zloty, then again to change any unused back to pounds, or spending more than you otherwise would in order to get rid of it. Instead, use a suitable card for purchases and ATM withdrawals as needed. For three days (is there a mistyped extra zero in £1500?) it may not be worth getting a specialist credit card, but Revolut is quick and easy to sign up for if you use a smartphone:

https://revolut.com

Make sure all card payments/withdrawals are in zloty, avoiding the option with any mention of pounds.