There’s no denying that travel in Europe can be expensive, with Scandinavia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom ranking as some of the most expensive in the world. If you don’t want to burn holes in your pocket too quickly, a visit to Eastern Europe is the key. Poland is one of the most affordable countries in the European Union and a visit to this surprisingly warm and vibrant nation will ensure that your budget remains firmly intact, meaning you can travel for longer. But how cheap is Poland exactly?
Although Poland is now firmly a part a part of the EU, the Polish government has postponed the adoption of the unstable Euro until 2019 at least, sticking with the Polish Złoty for now. Since December 2014, the Polish Złoty has appreciated significantly against the Euro, which means that your money stretches even further nowadays.
So how cheap is Poland exactly? Here’s a little look at what I paid for accommodation, food, drinks and attractions during my stay in Wrocław last month. Prices indicated are in both the local currency and Euros.
Prices in Wrocław
Accommodation
♥ One bedroom apartment in the centre of the Old Town: 134 zł per night (€32)
TIP: Friends Apartments
Food
Breakfast:
♥ Oatmeal with fresh berries, chopped nuts and honey: 10 zł (€2.40)
♥ Seeded bagel with turkey, cranberry jam and camembert cheese: 12 zł (€2.90)
♥ Americano coffee: 6 zł (€1.40)
TIP: Central Café
Lunch / dinner
♥ Pierogi with sauerkraut: 12 zł (€2.90)
♥ Beef goulash in bread bowl: 18 zł (€4.30)
♥ Pork loin with spinach, potatoes, carrot and beetroot: 21 zł (€5.10)
♥ Pork hock with mustard, horseradish, bread and sauerkraut: 25 zł (€6)
♥ Baked salmon with spinach, potatoes and carrot: 30 zł (€7.20)
TIP: Kurna Chata
Drinks
♥ Vodka shot: 4 zł (€1)
♥ Polish beer: 6 zł (€1.40)
♥ Glass of wine: 8 zł (€1.90)
♥ White Russians: 17 zł (€4.10)
TIP: Pzedwojenna
Attractions
♥ Wander around the Old Town and Europe’s second largest medieval market square: Free
♥ Wroclaw Town Hall: Free
♥ Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island): Free
♥ Bell tower view of Wroclaw from St. Elizabeth’s Church: 5 zł (€1.20)
♥ Wroclaw University: 10 zł (€2. 40)
♥ National Museum: 15 zł (€3.60)
♥ Racławice Panorama, 114 metres in length and one of the few panoramic paintings left in the world: 25 zł (€6)
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One of the cheapest country I have visited was probably Hungary! (If you don’t think about how much my bank charged for withdrawls outside the Euro zone…I should have check.) I’m currently in the UK, so your post is making my wallet ache… x
Oh I haven’t been to Hungary yet Anne-Laure, but I’m dying to visit Budapest! I have a friend who used to live there and she raves about it. I hear you — the UK is EXPENSIVE. I think that anywhere outside of Berlin or Eastern Europe is expensive, actually! You’ll have to plan some travel to some cheap countries soon if you can save up 🙂
Great post. The cheapest European Country so far is the Czech Republic otherwise anywhere in Asia is hands down the cheapest!
Mind you, everywhere in the EU is so expensive for Aussies and our dollar!
xx Leesa & Kate
Travel inspo? http://www.wanderlustchronicles.com.au
Thanks Leesa & Kate! Yes, the Czech Republic is also very cheap. I’ll be back there in a couple of months to explore Prague some more 🙂 South East Asia is so affordable. I remember eating plates of Pad Thai in northern Thailand for AUD $1! x
Wow that is absolutely insane, and I thought Spain was cheap! My boyfriend actually went to Poland a year ago and he told me getting into a disco over there was equivalent to 2 euros plus a drink! Insane…might have to book my flights soon!
-Natalia
http://glitterandpassport.blogspot.com
It’s so cheap Natalia! Poland is definitely the cheapest European country I’ve visited. You should definitely head on over that way to check it out - go with your boyfriend! I’d love to get back to Spain soon! Which part of Spain are you living in? x
Czech Republic is one of the most expensive country in the europe. I was there for a month in the summer. Defo expensive, romania and other eastern european countries are far cheaper but czech is kind of middle europe.
The Czech Republic is definitely more expensive than Poland but still cheap in comparison to Western Europe! Of course Prague is also more expensive than other cities and smaller towns around the country. Would love to visit Romania some day!
I visit Poland almost every year, and one of the best things about it, is that it’s so cheap. Here in Denmark even some people living in southern Jutland drive 600-700km just to shop in Szczecin.
I couldn’t believe how cheap it was to travel in Poland, Bartek. And Denmark is one of the most expensive countries I’ve ever visited!!!
You got really ripped off with the beer. 0,5 litres usually costs about 2zł but not 6zł.
Wow! So so cheap!
hi, i am going to Poland(Gdansk) on work visa I will be teaching there in a kindergarten school. Will 3500 zl before tax would be enough to live there for a month??
If somebody has any idea do share with me please!!
Hi Sheena, I’ve jsut seen your comment and thought I’d help if it’s not too late. You will get probably around 2500 PLN after taxes. It’s not an insane amount, but it’s enough to live for a month, especially if you rent a room. If you cook for yourself for most of the time instead of eating out every day, you will be fine 🙂
Thanks so much for jumping in on this one Karolina! 🙂
Hello i am traveling to Krakow for a city break, and would like to take in a trip to Auschwitz, and the Salt mines. Is it cheaper to buy the tickets in Kracow or online from Viador?
Sorry Brian, I’m not sure! I have only ever travelled to Wroclaw. I would probably say that it would be cheaper to get the tickets once you’re in the city, but can’t say for certain. Maybe someone else here can help out with answering this question?
I am going to Warsaw next week and I am so excited.
I can tell that I am from Portugal, I leave in Armenia and comparing the price here to Portugal Armenia is cheap, the food, the accommodation, the public transportation and souvenirs. But don’t buy higiene products, they are very expensive.
But the cheapst country I visited was Ukraine, Kiev is very beautiful and cheap. For 7 days, without accommodation, but making all my meals out I spent around 170€, with Souvenirs. It was a great experience…
Wow, that is crazy cheap! I hope you had a great time in Warsaw – I’d love to visit one day 🙂
Hi, how expensive is Wroclaw to live with a 3 year old in a single salary? What amount of money is enough a decent life there?
I wish I could answer that for you Priya! Unfortunately I only visited Poland while travelling and never spent an extended period of time there. Wishing you all the best with your journey ahead!
Hello Priya,
I think 5000zl gross (3500zl net) should be fine - 2000zl for a 45sq m apartment, 600zl for food and 900zl for either saving or entertainment. But you can earn much much more if you work in a bigger company (in my area people earn between 6500zl gross-16000zl gross, depending on your skills :))
Thanks for this info Kasia!
Hi, I’m writing a post on cheap traveling in Poland and that’s how I found your blog! The prices you gave here are very accurate. If you would like to visit Poland again one day, maybe you find some useful tips here https://lamaliss.blogspot.com/ 🙂
It’s nice to have you here, Katarzyna 🙂
hi my name is Samuel,pls how expensive is Poland to live?am planning to relocate,am in africa,what amount of money can be a decent life in poland
Hie guys lm planning on relocating to Poland with my family..Is it easy to get a teaching job in Poland with a Masters degree??
Is possible to apply for school in Poland with a tourist visa then change it to a school visa??
Hopefully another reader will be able to help you out with your questions, Rumbie. I just visited Poland as a traveller so unfortunately don’t have the answers. All the best with your new adventure!