Is Krakow Cheap to Visit? A Budget-Friendly Guide

This blog post is designed to explore the budget-friendly aspects of Krakow and determine if Krakow is cheap to visit.

By examining Krakow’s cost of living, attractions, and accommodation options we can determine if this city is a viable option for travellers looking for a cheap destination.

Krakow is a picturesque city in southern Poland and one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. With its cobbled streets, charming cafes and stunning architecture, it has hundreds of thousands of visitors every year travelling here for a short break. 

From the largest medieval market square in Europe to the Wawel Castle, there is no shortage of exciting things to do and see while exploring this vibrant city.

Is it cheap to eat and drink in Krakow?

Eating out is the best way to experience Krakow’s local cuisine. The city is full of fantastic restaurants and cafes to try out. With the right research and knowledge, eating out doesn’t have to break the bank. As with any tourist destination, the closer you get to the tourist attractions the more expensive things get.

The further away from the main square you go, the less you’ll pay. Restaurants overlooking the main square may have a fantastic view, but they don’t generally have amazing prices.

Milk Bars

Krakow’s bar mleczny (milk bars) used to be subsidised by the communist government to provide traditional Polish food to the workers. These Milk bars can be found all over the city and are a fantastic option for those looking to eat out on a budget.

Most Milk bars are open all day and serve breakfast alongside traditional Polish food like pierogis and potato pancakes. A hearty meal can cost as little as PLN 12-25 (£2.40-£5)! If you were really on a money-saving mission, you could eat out at them for all three meals!

Here are two of our favourites:

Milkbar Tomasza

Tradycyjne Polskie Smaki Kuchnia 

Restaurant prices

Restaurants serving cuisines from all over the world can be found in Krakow, and the majority of them are very reasonably priced.

So don’t go thinking the only food to be found in Poland is traditional. We found plenty of good, reasonably priced restaurants in the Kazimierz district, including Japanese, Mexican and Vietnamese. There really is something for everyone, there’s even a good vegan scene.

As long as you stay away from tourist restaurants, finding a well-priced meal isn’t a problem. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant will cost you around PLN 25-30 (£5-6) per person.

A meal with drinks at a midrange restaurant will be around PLN 60-80 (£12-16). A three-course meal at a high-end restaurant will most likely cost PLN 150-250 (£30-50) per person, which in comparison to most European cities is very cheap!

As with any city, there’s always good street food to try. Vendors selling obwarzanek (a bagel with sesame seeds or poppy seeds) can be found everywhere in the centre of Krakow. Make sure to try one, they’re about PLN 3 (£0.60) and really good to snack on whilst walking around the city.

A Zapiekank is a sliced baguette with toppings like cheese and vegetables, imagine a pizza on a baguette. They can be found everywhere in Krakow and are definitely worth trying. Especially on the way home after a few drinks! Around PLN 10-15 (£2-3) they’re a great cheap snack!

How much is an average meal in Krakow?

• Milk bar PLN 12-25 (£2.50-5) per person
• Budget restaurant PLN 25-35 (£5-7) per person
• Midrange restaurant PLN 60-80 (£12-16) per person
• High-end restaurant PLN 15-250 (£30-50) per person

How much is a steak dinner in Krakow?

The average price of a steak dinner in Krakow can range from PLN 100-200 (£20-40), depending on the restaurant’s location, type, and quality of the meat.

Alcohol prices

In Krakow, alcohol prices are generally lower than in other European cities. Beer, wine and spirits can be found at very reasonable prices in supermarkets or local shops. Bars and restaurants are more expensive, especially if it’s located in tourist areas.

How much is a pint of beer in Krakow?

Beer (0.5L): PLN 10-14  (£2-2.8) in a local pub, PLN 15-20 (£3-4) in a restaurant or tourist bar.

How much is a glass of wine in Krakow?

A glass of wine (150ml): PLN 10-20  (£2-4) in a restaurant or bar.

Accommodation prices

Being a popular tourist destination, Krakow offers a wide range of accommodations to meet every budget and taste. From luxury hotels to budget hostels and everything in between. Short-term rentals are a good option for those who prefer a bit more space.

Accommodation prices vary depending on factors such as location, amenities and type of room. Also, prices can vary depending on the time of the year. As a rule, accommodation gets more expensive the closer it is to Wawel Hill. You can find great deals by looking slightly outside of the old town, in areas like Kazimierz or Podgórze.

How much is a hotel room in Krakow?

The average price range for hotels in Krakow varies depending on the time of the year, location and amenities offered. Here are the average prices for low-end, mid-range, and high-end hotels:

• Low-end hotels: typically cost between 100-200 PLN per night (approximately £20-40)
• Mid-range hotels: usually range from 250-500 PLN per night (approximately £50-£100)
• High-end hotels: can cost anywhere from 500 PLN per night and above (approximately £100)

How much is a short-term rental in Krakow?

The prices for short-term rentals in Krakow can vary depending on the level of luxury and location. Our research shows that you can find a nice apartment in a central location for as little as PLN 200 (£40) per night. Additionally, many short-term rental sites offer private rooms for even cheaper rates.

How much is a hostel in Krakow?

If you don’t mind sharing a room with other people, or are travelling alone and want to meet some new people. A hostel may be a great option! Krakow offers a wide range of hostels that provide budget-friendly accommodation options. Also, don’t forget Krakow does attract stag and hen do’s, so maybe check the reviews before. Nobody wants to be kept up all night by a noisy group of drunkards!

We found a bed in a hostel with prices ranging from PLN 50-80 (£10-16) per person, per night.

There’s an abundance of accommodation available to suit all budgets. But, the most important thing is taking the time to research the best deal!

Transportation in Krakow

Krakow has many different modes of transportation available for visitors and locals alike. Public transport options such as buses and trams are reliable, affordable, and easy to use. Taxis are also readily available, along with Ubers.

How much are train tickets in Krakow?

The price of train tickets in Krakow can vary depending on the destination. It’s best to check with the specific train operator or ticket seller for the most up-to-date pricing information. However, as a general guide, a one-way ticket from Krakow to Warsaw can range from around 40-80 PLN (£8-£18).

How much is public transport in Krakow?

You can purchase single or double-fare tickets for buses and trams, as well as time-limited tickets that start from 20 minutes and go up to one week! Once you validate the ticket, the time starts. These tickets are available starting at just PLN 2.80 (£0.58)!

Ticket machines can be found on buses and trams making it quick and easy to buy tickets. The machines also work in multiple languages and take cash or card. But, don’t forget to validate the ticket in the machine once you’ve got it!

How much are taxis in Krakow?

You can find taxis all over Krakow, and they are relatively cheap. However, to be honest, we mostly used Ubers, which were readily available and very affordable. In fact, our Uber ride from the airport to the centre of Krakow only cost PLN 50 (£10), whereas I know someone who paid PLN 130 (£25) for a taxi found outside the airport.

Starting fare: PLN 7 (£1.30)

Cost per 1km PLN 3 (£0.50)

Is Krakow walkable?

Getting around the centre of Krakow on foot is very easy. In fact, it’s probably the best way to see the city! You can see and experience so much more on foot. Additionally, the majority of the old town is pedestrianised, so there’s no need to worry about getting run over!

Museums and tours

Krakow, a city steeped in history, offers plenty of reasonably priced attractions. Some attractions are free on certain days, so make sure you check before you go. Oskar Schindler’s factor is free on Mondays which we made the most of when visiting.

The pricing of most other museums and attractions in Krakow falls below the PLN 50 (£10) mark.

Visitors can also take advantage of numerous free walking tours in Krakow, where the tour guides work off tips. It’s important to ensure they are suitably rewarded for their services

Auschwitz ticket prices

Auschwitz actually offers free entry but visitors are only permitted to visit without a guide at certain times. A guided tour of Auschwitz directly from the Auschwitz website is PLN 90 (£18). The tour lasts about 3.5 hours and covers both Auschwitz 1 and Auschwitz-Birkenau. It starts at Auschwitz 1, then you take a shuttle bus to Auschwitz-Birkeanu.

 

Wieliczka Salt Mines

The salt mines are probably the best thing we saw whilst visiting Krakow, the tour was fascinating we highly recommend it. The tour lasts about 2 hours and covers a distance of around 3km. A guided tour costs PLN 96 (£19.2) and is worth every penny!

What is the cost of visiting Krakow?

So, Is Krakow cheap to visit? I think we’ve shown, that if you’re careful Krakow can be a great destination for the budget-conscious traveller! There are many free attractions to visit and plenty of budget-friendly restaurants.

How much does it cost per day in Krakow?

Extremely frugal travellers could budget as little as PLN 150 (£30) per day in Krakow, by making the most of hostels, milkbars and street food. If you want to travel in a little more comfort add an extra PLN 150 (£30) for a room in a hotel or short-term rental. So a total of PLN 300 (£60) per day would be fine.

Some travellers would maybe want to spend a bit more on attractions and restaurants. A budget of PLN 400-500 (£80-£100) would make for a very comfortable trip.

Overall, Krakow is definitely a budget-friendly travel destination. Travellers can enjoy the city’s beauty and culture without breaking the bank. There are plenty of affordable options for food, accommodation, and activities, making it a perfect destination for those on a tight budget.