Money at Kraków–John Paul II Balice (KRK)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Kraków, Poland.
Kraków uses the PLN (zł). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly PLN 17. Card widely accepted; cash still works.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Kraków–John Paul II Balice (KRK)?
Poland uses the PLN (zł). Airport ATMs dispense PLN directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from KRK to the city cost?
Expected fare on the KRK → Kraków Główny route is roughly PLN 17. Around PLN 150+ is already high, and PLN 250+ unlicensed is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at KRK?
Round up or ~10%. Drivers in Poland don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at KRK?
Card widely accepted; cash still works. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of PLN notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at KRK?
Only if you need $10–20 of PLN to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
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