We were blind sided this year traveling in the UK with how little cash was taken. We're going to Poland this coming year and wondering whether cash or credit cards (e.g. Visa) is more accepted.
Posted by
Freedonia
18311 posts
I can only share my experience.
I've been to Poland twice in the last 18 months. I have yet to get any zloty. I was able to pay for everything with either my credit card or Google Pay.
I'm going back in the spring but will visit mostly smaller towns and cities so I might get some zloty just to have in case I can't use my cards.
Posted by
CA
2262 posts
I never used any cash in Poland. I was there last year.
Posted by
UK
1111 posts
The only thing I needed cash for in Poland was to pay a tour guide in Gdansk. It was one of those free-with-tips tours, and very good, but meant having to dash off to an ATM during the tour and it proved extremely difficult in the historic centre to find one without fairly substantial charges.
But no big deal.
I don’t know why we didn’t consider the need to give him cash beforehand but I think I maybe expected him to carry one of those little tap & go card machines like I’ve seen UK tour guides with.
Even public loos took cards for the small entry fee.
Posted by
Los Angeles
1799 posts
Keep in mind that change desks/currency exchanges are still a thing in Poland. I was able to buy PLN at a change desk near the Chopin B&B in Warsaw at a rate similar to what I was getting for credit card purchases.
Posted by
219 posts
I've been to Poland six times in the last ten years, most recently Sept 2025. If you stay ONLY in the big cities, you likely won't need cash. We used VISA at all restaurants, shops, trains, buses, etc. If you go out into the villages, you might need cash for restrooms, small shops, and stands, etc.
Here is the guideline: You don't need any zloty coins or cash until you do. Don't risk it. Get a small amount of cash from a bank ATM and buy something at a store to get coins. Take the extra cash home to save for next time. You will be back!