Best way to exchange money in Poland

sue_mcgorrigan

I am taking a short trip to Krakow.  Is it best to take cash and change it at a Bureau or Polish Bank … or is it better value to use my debit card, either at ATMs to exchange money, or to pay for things directly.  I’ve tried to work out from Nationwide’s website, what charges they will make for me using my Nationwide Visa Debit card in Poland, but it’s confusing.  Thanks.

TadleyBaggie

You'd be better off getting one of the accounts that charge no fees for use abroad, such as Starling. Went recently to Portugal and exclusively used my Starling card to get cash from ATMs or directly in restaurants etc. Not a single fee paid and the exchange rate is always the officia Visa/Mastercard rate. When getting cash it's important to get the transaction charged in the local currency and not converted to pounds. Many ATMs will also have a fixed charge for use, but it's often possible to find ones (associated with banks) that don't charge.

themadvix

We went to Gdańsk in March for a weekend and we didn’t take any cash - and we didn’t need any either - just paid on our travel credit cards.

Doshwaster

Last time I was in Poland it was virtually cash free with contactless accepted everywhere.

tightauldgit

Went to Krakow a couple of years back - lovely place incidentally - and everywhere takes cards without problem (or at least I didn't find anywhere that didn't) so I wouldn't bother getting cash in advance. Not sure about taxis taking card but you can use Uber if needed. Obviously check your card doesn't lump on fees - or get one that doesn't.

sue_mcgorrigan

Thanks for all your replies which are very helpful and reassuring.  I’ve applied for a Starling card to take with us, and I’m going to be brave and not change money in advance.

TadleyBaggie

You are aware that Starling isn't a credit card but a current account with a debit card? So you would need to transfer the money you need to spend into the Starling account in advance. 

Voyager2002

I was in Krakow about a year ago... while most places accepted cards, I was caught out by one of the trams. All trams have on-board ticket machines, which sometimes accept cards and sometimes only cash.

I found that the vast majority of ATMs charged excessive fees, although eventually I found one (outside a Santander bank) that was free. Avoid the Euronet ATMs like the plague!

On a previous visit I found that Krakow money-changers seemed to give good rates for cash, so that option is probably preferable to using your Nationwide card.

CKhalvashi

Poland is largely cash free these days and has been for several years.

Voyager2002 said:

I was in Krakow about a year ago... while most places accepted cards, I was caught out by one of the trams. All trams have on-board ticket machines, which sometimes accept cards and sometimes only cash.

I found that the vast majority of ATMs charged excessive fees, although eventually I found one (outside a Santander bank) that was free. Avoid the Euronet ATMs like the plague!

On a previous visit I found that Krakow money-changers seemed to give good rates for cash, so that option is probably preferable to using your Nationwide card.

Jakdojade (translates as 'where to go' in Polish) app is a very good way around this. It's possible to purchase through the app tickets in most Polish cities.

NoodleDoodleMan

A Santander UK debit card is fee free for Santander ATMs in Poland.

I assumed their availabilty might be few and far between - would appear otherwise, as long as are not out in the boondocks.

https://www.santander.pl/przydatne-informacje/placowki-i-bankomaty

daveyjp

Just back from Krakow and it was cards (Applepay in our case) everywhere, but we did have some cash.  One restaurant was having IT problems and we had to pay cash, I used Starling to withdraw, there was a small charge from the ATM operator for doing so (it would be free at a bank but we didn't see many bank branches).

Commission free exchange rate was 5.1- 5.3 to the £ at most exchanges.  I checked UK rates before leaving and it was about 4.8, so worth waiting.

When you use a card it will give an option for Polish or Pounds. We found the staff always asked and they selected Zloty on the terminal.

Its an amazing city, you can walk miles and we did.  Lime and Bolt scooters are available everywhere.  Daughter had one one day and it was £10 for the hour (I think it was about £1 for 5 minutes and she had some free minutes.

Trams are really cheap.  A 24 hour ticket was just over £3 for zone 1 which covers all city centre and the buses. Tickets bought from machine at a tram stop, all in English, contactless payment, just validate on board for each trip.  Citymapper app is excellent for planning which trams to use.

Day to day costs are low.  Coffee £1.50, beer £3-£3.50 even at waiter served cafes in the main square.  Lots of small supermarkets and delis for snacks.  Main course meals £5-10.  Be aware service can be 'laid back', so be proactive and tell the staff you are ready to order, or pay.

One word if you want to visit Auschwitz.  Even if you have a booking before departure it could be cancelled at short notice.  Ours was cancelled the day before due to a shortage of guides.  We tried a few other outlets and the hotel, but agency bookings were all blocked.  The only option was a self tour, but this was for 6.30pm for 90 minutes (so only seeing part of the site) and the taxi there and back was £120.