Krakow Budget Guide
How to experience the best of Krakow on 150 zl per day — hostels, milk bars, free walking tours, tram tips, and money-saving secrets
Krakow is one of Europe's best-value destinations, and budget travel here is not only possible — it is genuinely enjoyable. With hostel dorms from 50-100 zl/night, legendary milk bar meals from 8-20 zl per dish, tram rides for 3.40-5.20 zl, and dozens of free attractions, you can explore Krakow on 150-250 zl per day without missing any of the highlights.
The secret? Krakow's best experiences are its cheapest. Walking through the medieval Old Town, exploring Kazimierz's atmospheric streets, watching sunset from Wawel Castle, and joining a free walking tour cost almost nothing — yet they are the moments you will remember most.
Budget Tiers
Budget
150-250 zl/day
Hostel dorms, milk bars, free walking tours, trams, free attractions. The backpacker experience.
Mid-Range
300-500 zl/day
Budget hotel or private room, restaurant meals, paid tours, museums, Bolt/Uber rides.
Luxury
600+ zl/day
Boutique or 5-star hotel, fine dining, private tours, spa treatments, premium experiences.
Daily Budget Breakdown (Backpacker)
Free Attractions in Krakow
Main Market Square
Europe's largest medieval market square is free to walk and absorb. Watch the trumpet call from St. Mary's tower every hour, admire the Cloth Hall, and soak in the atmosphere of street performers and horse carriages. The heart of Krakow and completely free.
Wawel Castle Grounds
While the castle interiors require tickets, the grounds, courtyard, and panoramic views from Wawel Hill are completely free. See the fire-breathing dragon statue, walk the ramparts, and enjoy some of Krakow's best views over the Vistula River.
Planty Park
This green belt encircling the Old Town was created on the site of the medieval city walls. The 4 km walking loop is beautiful year-round — cherry blossoms in spring, golden leaves in autumn, and snow-covered paths in winter. Free and always open.
Kazimierz District
Krakow's historic Jewish quarter and bohemian neighbourhood is free to explore. Walk along ul. Jozefa, discover street art, browse the Plac Nowy market, and absorb the artistic atmosphere. The architectural heritage and cafe culture make it a highlight of any Krakow visit.
Krakus Mound
This ancient earthwork in Podgorze offers the best free panoramic views in Krakow. A short climb rewards you with 360-degree views over the entire city, with Wawel Castle and the Old Town skyline stretching before you. Spectacular at sunset. Free and always accessible.
Churches
Many of Krakow's stunning churches offer free entry. St. Peter and Paul Church, the Franciscan Church with its Art Nouveau stained glass by Wyspianski, and St. Andrew's Church are all free. Even St. Mary's Basilica is free to enter the rear section (altar viewing requires a small ticket).
Food Prices
Krakow Budget Eats
- Obwarzanek (ring bread)2-3 zl
- Pierogi (milk bar)8-15 zl
- Zapiekanki (Plac Nowy)8-15 zl
- Zurek soup (milk bar)6-10 zl
- Full milk bar meal15-25 zl
- Restaurant meal (tourist area)30-60 zl
- Coffee (cafe)8-15 zl
- Beer (bar / pub)8-16 zl
Money-Saving Food Tips
- Eat at milk bars (bar mleczny). These communist-era canteens serve subsidised, home-cooked Polish food at incredibly low prices. Kuchnia Domowa and Bar Mleczny Pod Temida are popular choices. A full meal costs 15-25 zl.
- Zapiekanki at Plac Nowy. These long baguette-style pizzas topped with mushrooms, cheese, and other ingredients are Krakow's best street food at 8-15 zl. The Plac Nowy stalls in Kazimierz are the most famous.
- Avoid the Main Square restaurants. Restaurants directly on Rynek Glowny charge tourist premiums. Walk 2-3 minutes into side streets for the same food at half the price.
- Look for lunch specials. Many restaurants offer set lunch menus (zestaw obiadowy) from 12-3 PM for 20-35 zl including soup and a main course.
- Buy from supermarkets. Zabka convenience stores are everywhere and sell sandwiches, drinks, and snacks at local prices. Biedronka and Lidl offer even cheaper options.
Tipping & Cash Guide
Tipping Etiquette
- Restaurants: 10% or round up the bill. Some add a service charge — check first
- Free walking tours: 50-80 zl per person is standard
- Taxi/Bolt: Round up to the nearest 5 zl
- Hotel porters: 5-10 zl per bag
- Milk bars & fast food: No tip expected
Cash vs Card
- Cards widely accepted: Visa and Mastercard work almost everywhere including small shops
- Contactless payments: Very common — Apple Pay and Google Pay work widely
- Cash needed for: Some market stalls, obwarzanek carts, tips, and very small purchases
- ATMs: Use bank-owned ATMs (Euronet charges high fees). Always decline dynamic currency conversion
- Currency: Polish Zloty (PLN / zl). Do NOT exchange money at airport or Old Town exchange offices — terrible rates
Budget Accommodation
Hostels
50-100 zl/night
Greg & Tom, Mundo, Mosquito, and One World hostels offer clean dorm beds with lockers, Wi-Fi, and social common areas. Book on Hostelworld for best rates. Private rooms available at 150-250 zl. Krakow's hostels are among Europe's best-rated.
Budget Hotels & Apartments
100-250 zl/night
Private rooms with en-suite bathroom, Wi-Fi, and heating. Found throughout the Old Town, Kazimierz, and Podgorze. Booking.com and Airbnb have excellent options. Apartments with kitchens save on food costs. Book 2-3 weeks ahead for best prices.
10 Money-Saving Tips
Eat at milk bars. These subsidised canteens serve home-cooked Polish food for 15-25 zl per meal. Pierogi, zurek, and pancakes at a fraction of restaurant prices.
Join free walking tours. Krakow has excellent free (tips-based) walking tours covering the Old Town, Jewish Quarter, and more. Better than many paid alternatives.
Use free museum days. Many museums offer free entry on specific days. Schindler's Factory is free on Mondays. Rynek Underground is free on Tuesdays. Check schedules and plan accordingly.
Walk everywhere. The Old Town, Kazimierz, and Podgorze are all within walking distance of each other. Save tram fare for rainy days or trips to Nowa Huta.
Avoid Euronet ATMs. These tourist-targeting ATMs charge huge fees. Use bank-owned ATMs (PKO, mBank, Santander) instead. Always decline dynamic currency conversion.
Consider the Krakow Card. If visiting 3+ museums and using trams, the Krakow Card (130 zl for 2 days) offers good value with free museum entry and transport.
Get student discounts. If you have a valid student ID (ISIC card works internationally), many attractions offer 50% discounts. Poland is generous with student pricing.
Drink in Kazimierz, not the Main Square. Beer costs 8-12 zl in Kazimierz bars versus 16-25 zl in Main Square tourist spots. Better atmosphere too.
Visit during shoulder season. April-May and September-October offer good weather with lower accommodation prices than peak June-August.
Book Wieliczka and Auschwitz independently. Instead of pricey organised tours (200+ zl), take the train or bus independently (15-25 zl) and book entry tickets directly online.
Krakow Budget Travel FAQs
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