Money in Gdańsk: Currency, Cards, ATMs, Tipping and What Things Cost in 2026

Money is one of the easier parts of a trip to Gdańsk. Poland uses its own currency, the złoty, cards work almost everywhere, and prices are still noticeably lower than in Western Europe, even on Long Market. The traps are small but real: an ATM screen that offers to "convert" your withdrawal at a poor rate, an exchange office with a headline rate that only applies to large sums, and the occasional menu priced in euros at a rate that suits the restaurant. This guide covers what to carry, which machines to use, how much to tip and what things actually cost in October 2026, with the official sources for every number we could check.

What currency does Gdańsk use?

The Polish złoty, code PLN, written zł after the number (25 zł). One złoty is divided into 100 groszy. Notes come in 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 zł, and coins from 1 grosz up to 5 zł. Poland joined the EU in 2004 but has not adopted the euro, and there is no date for doing so.

On 22 October 2026 the National Bank of Poland's reference rate was 4.3685 zł to the euro, 5.2133 zł to the pound and 3.8886 zł to the US dollar. A quick rule of thumb for euro travellers is to divide by four and knock off a little: a 40 zł lunch is a bit over €9.

Euros are not generally accepted. A few places on the tourist trail, some amber shops, boat-trip kiosks or souvenir stalls, will take euro notes, but at their own rate, with change in złoty. It almost always costs you more than paying by card. The same goes for menus that show euro prices alongside złoty: check the rate printed at the bottom before paying in euros.

Can you pay by card everywhere in Gdańsk?

Very nearly. Poland is one of Europe's most card-friendly countries, and in Gdańsk you can pay contactless in supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, museums, bakeries and the ZTM ticket machines at tram and bus stops. Visa and Mastercard are universal; American Express is accepted less widely. Apple Pay and Google Pay work wherever contactless does, and many places accept BLIK, a Polish phone payment system you will not need as a visitor.

For larger contactless payments the terminal will ask for your PIN, so know it before you travel. Card terminals sometimes offer to charge you in your home currency; as at the ATM, choose złoty.

Where cash still helps: market stalls and some Christmas market huts, church donation boxes and tower entries, public toilets, small quayside ticket kiosks and the odd milk bar. Keep 50 to 100 zł in small notes and coins. Our trip cost guide shows how far that goes.

Which ATMs should you use, and what is the Euronet trap?

Cash machines (bankomat in Polish) are everywhere in the centre, at the airport and at the main stations. Two things to know.

First, decline the conversion. Many machines, especially the blue-and-yellow Euronet ATMs that line Long Street and the station concourse, offer to charge your withdrawal "in your currency" with a guaranteed rate. This is dynamic currency conversion, and the rate the machine sets is worse than the one your card network would use. Choose the option labelled "without conversion", "decline" or "charge in PLN". EU rules require the machine to show the conversion mark-up on screen before you confirm, so read it once and you will see why.

Second, prefer bank ATMs. Machines that belong to Polish banks, usually in or beside a branch, generally do not add a fee of their own for foreign cards, while independent operators may. The screen will show any fee before you confirm; if it does, cancel and walk to the next bank machine. Your own bank may charge separately for foreign withdrawals. Take out a sensible amount once rather than small sums repeatedly.

Is it worth changing cash at a kantor?

If you arrive with euro or pound notes, a kantor (exchange office) is the usual way to swap them, and the better ones in the city centre offer rates close to the market. Compare the "we buy" (kupno) rate for your currency, not the bigger "we sell" figure, and ask how many złoty you will get before handing over notes; some boards show a headline rate that only applies above a minimum amount. Airport and hotel exchange desks give the worst rates; if you must, change only enough for the first day.

For most visitors it is simpler not to bring cash at all and to use a card with low foreign-transaction fees, withdrawing a little złoty from a bank ATM for the cash-only exceptions.

How much should you tip in Gdańsk?

• Restaurants with table service: about 10%, a little more for very good service. Check the bill first; some restaurants add a service charge (serwis), usually for larger groups, and then nothing more is expected.
• Paying by card: many terminals now prompt for a tip. You can choose an amount or skip it; it is not compulsory. To tip in cash, leave it on the table or say how much to charge in total.
• A word to watch: saying "dziękuję" (thank you) as you hand over cash is often taken to mean "keep the change".
• Cafés, bars, bakeries and counter service: no tip expected; there may be a jar.
• Taxis: round up to the next convenient amount. Agree on the fare or check the meter is on.
• Hotels and guides: a few złoty for luggage help; 10% or so for a private walking guide if you enjoyed it.

What do things cost in Gdańsk in 2026?

Here is a short reality check. Transport and museum prices are from the operators' own price lists; food and drink prices are our planning ranges for the Main Town in October 2026, with the waterfront at the top end and Wrzeszcz or Oliwa below it.

Our food guide and pierogi guide explain where the cheaper end of those ranges is, and the museums guide lists the free-entry days that save the most.

Getting in from the airport is the first spend for most visitors. Bus 210 and the trains cost the price of an ordinary ZTM or SKM ticket; our getting around guide has the details. If you would rather go door to door, a fixed-price airport transfer to the centre is €30 for a car (1 to 3 people) or €45 for a van (4 to 8), paid online by card in advance, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. (ShuttleHero is run by the same local team as Gdańsk Insider.) Sopot is €35 / €50 and Gdynia €40 / €50; the full list is on the pricing page.

Can you get a VAT refund in Poland?

Yes, if you live outside the EU. Poland's standard VAT rate is 23%, and travellers without permanent residence in the EU can claim it back on goods they take home. According to the Ministry of Finance, the rules are:

• The purchase must be worth at least 200 zł including VAT on the seller's document.
• The shop must issue an electronic TAX FREE document through the national TAX FREE system. Ask before you pay; not every shop takes part, though larger amber and jewellery shops usually do.
• You must take the goods out of the EU in your personal luggage, unused, by the last day of the third month after the month of purchase.
• Customs at the EU exit point confirms the export electronically. If you leave the EU from another member state, that country's customs confirms it.
• The refund is then paid by the shop or by the refund operator named on the document, which may deduct a handling fee.

EU residents, including visitors from Germany or Scandinavia, cannot claim. For amber in particular, our amber shopping guide explains how to tell the real thing and which shops issue certificates.

If your trip falls in late November or December, the Christmas market guide has 2026 stall prices for mulled wine and food, most of which can now be paid by card.

Frequently Asked Questions