Money isn’t the sexiest aspect of travel, but without it you don’t get very far. Get acquainted with Polish notes and coins, plus a few other crucial bits of information, and you’ll minimise the chances of awkwardness, theft or abuse. Here’s what you need to know.
Here are sample costs: A cup of coffee, zl 4-zl 7; a bottle of beer, zl 5-zl 9; a soft drink, zl 2-zl 5; a 1½ km (1 mi) taxi ride, zl 6; a 240 km (150 mi) train trip (first-class single), zl 40.
ATMs
The rule of thumb throughout the region is: ATMs are common in large and mid-size cities and more often than not are part of the Cirrus and Plus networks; outside of urban areas, machines are scarce and you should plan to carry enough cash to meet your needs.
Although fees charged for ATM transactions may be higher abroad than at home, Cirrus and Plus exchange rates are excellent, because they are based on wholesale rates offered only by major banks.
With a major credit card and a pin number, you can get money from cash machines, which you can find in most major cities.
Currency
The monetary unit in Poland is the zloty (zl), which is subdivided into 100 groszy (gr). Since the currency reform of 1995, there are notes of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 zlotys, and coins in values of 1, 2, and 5 zloty and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 groszys.
The bank exchange rate is about zl 4.1 to the U.S. dollar, zl 2.8 to the Canadian dollar, and zl 6.5 to the pound sterling. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks or at private exchange bureaus (Kantor Wymiany Walut), where rates are usually slightly higher than at banks and service is swifter.
Exchanging Money
To change money, head to the Kantor Wymiany Walut (Ul. Marszalkowska 66, at ulica Wilcza), which has swift, friendly service and usually offers slightly better rates than hotels and banks. It is open weekdays from 11 to 7 and Saturday from 9 to 2.
Another option is the Kantor (Ul. Swietokrzyska 31) in the main post office, open 24 hours a day.
Tebos (Al. Jerozolimskie 54), in Central Station at the foot of the staircase leading from the main hall to the access passage for platforms, is also open 24 hours a day. (Remember to watch out for pickpockets.)
Eurocheque holders can cash personal checks in all banks and in most hotels. Many banks now also cash American Express and Visa traveler's checks.
If you're going to rural areas and small towns, go with cash; traveler's checks are best used in cities.
