Quick answer: Krakow runs about EUR 75 per day mid-range - noticeably less if you eat local and walk. Cheapest window: May-June and September - mild weather, long evenings and fewer crowds than midsummer.
What things actually cost
| espresso at a cafe | 2.50 EUR |
| 0.5l local beer | 3 EUR |
| plate of pierogi | 7 EUR |
| 20-minute tram ticket | 1 EUR |
| zapiekanka at Plac Nowy | 3.50 EUR |
| Wawel Castle state rooms entry | 8 EUR |
Eat well for little
- Pierogi (mixed plate)6-8 EUR at a pierogarnia like Przystanek Pierogarnia
- Zapiekanka at Plac Nowy3-4 EUR, the classic half-baguette late-night snack
- Obwarzanek (street bagel)about 0.80 EUR from the blue carts, breakfast on the go
- Zurek (sour rye soup)4-5 EUR, often served in a bread bowl
- Milk bar (bar mleczny) full lunch5-7 EUR for a soup and main, a Polish institution
Money mistakes to avoid
- Using 'zero commission' exchange kantors near the Main Square - the spread is the commission, compare rates or use an ATM in PLN
- Not booking Auschwitz-Birkenau weeks aheadentry slots sell out, especially guided tours in English
- Paying in euros when offeredalways pay in zloty, card terminals' currency conversion rates are poor
- Staying only on the Main Squarerooms cost more and Kazimierz is better for evenings anyway
Transport without the tourist tax
The train from Krakow Airport to the main station takes about 20 minutes and costs around 4 EUR. The center is walkable; trams cover everything else with 20-minute tickets at about 1 EUR, and Bolt/Uber are cheap for late nights.
Planning the full trip? Start with the 4-day Krakow itinerary.