Tipping in Poland is optional but genuinely appreciated, and has become noticeably more common over the past decade as international tourism has grown. Workers earn a regular salary rather than depending on tips as a primary income source, so a tip is a welcome bonus rather than an expectation. That said, in tourist-heavy cities like Krakow and Warsaw, 10% at a sit-down restaurant has become the standard approach for visitors, and locals increasingly follow suit.
Restaurants and Cafes
At sit-down restaurants with table service, 10% is the standard tip for good service — 15% for something genuinely exceptional. Poland is considerably more affordable than Western Europe, which makes 10% both easy on your wallet and meaningful to the person receiving it.
Two important conventions worth knowing:
- Tip in cash. Polish card terminals often don’t have a tip prompt screen. If you want to tip by card, tell your server before they process the payment — otherwise leave cash directly on the table or hand it to your server.
- “Dziękuję” means keep the change. If you hand over cash and say “dziękuję” (thank you, pronounced jen-KOO-yeh), your server will take that as a signal to keep the change. If you want your change back, say “poproszę” (please) instead and wait for it before deciding on a tip amount.
At casual cafes and bars, rounding up is a normal gesture. Tipping bartenders isn’t strongly expected but leaving loose change is appreciated. Always check your bill first at tourist-area restaurants in Krakow and Warsaw since some add a service charge automatically.
Hotels
Hotel tipping isn’t strongly expected in Poland but is appreciated at higher-end properties:
- Porter/bellhop — 5–10 PLN per bag (porters are less common in Polish hotels than in Western Europe)
- Housekeeping — 10 PLN per night, left on the bed or nightstand
- Concierge — 20 PLN for meaningful assistance with tickets, reservations, or arrangements
Taxis
Rounding up the fare is the standard practice for taxis in Poland. For a longer ride or if the driver helps with luggage, 10% is a reasonable tip. For rideshare apps like Uber (which operates in major Polish cities), check whether in-app tipping is available — if not, cash is the simplest option. Always ensure the meter is running before your journey begins.
Tour Guides
Poland has a thriving tour guide scene, particularly in Krakow (Auschwitz-Birkenau tours, Jewish Quarter walks, Old Town tours) and Warsaw (Rising museum tours, Old Town). Tipping 10–15% of the tour cost is standard for a paid tour. For the many free walking tours operating in both cities, tips are the guide’s primary income — 20–50 PLN per person for a two-hour tour is a fair contribution, with more appropriate for longer or more in-depth experiences.
Spas and Salons
A 10% tip is appreciated at spas, hair salons, and barbershops. At local nail bars and beauty salons, a small tip of 5–10 PLN for good service is a thoughtful gesture.
Cultural Notes
Poland uses the Polish Zloty (PLN) — not the euro, despite being an EU member. Euros are only accepted at select shops near the German border and at poor exchange rates, so always tip in PLN. USD is not accepted.
Poland is more cash-friendly than most EU countries. While cards are accepted at most restaurants and hotels in major cities, smaller venues, market stalls, and local eateries often prefer cash. Keeping a supply of 10 and 20 PLN notes throughout your trip is the most practical approach for tipping.
| Situation | Typical Tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurant (table service) | 10% (state total or tip in cash; say “dziękuję” to keep the change) |
| Restaurant (service charge included) | Not necessary; small cash optional |
| Cafe/bar | Round up; loose change appreciated |
| Hotel porter/bellhop | 5–10 PLN per bag |
| Hotel housekeeping | 10 PLN per night |
| Hotel concierge | 20 PLN for meaningful help |
| Taxi | Round up or 10% for longer rides |
| Paid tour guide | 10–15% of tour cost |
| Free walking tour guide | 20–50 PLN per person |
| Spa/salon | 10% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is tipping expected in Poland?
Optional but common, particularly in Krakow and Warsaw where international tourism has normalized 10% at restaurants. Workers earn a regular salary, so tips are a genuine bonus rather than a required supplement to income.
What does “dziękuję” mean when tipping?
It means “thank you” in Polish, and saying it while handing over cash signals to your server that they should keep the change. If you want your change back first, say “poproszę” (please) and wait for it before deciding on a tip.
Can I tip by card in Poland?
Often not — Polish card terminals frequently lack a tip prompt. Tell your server before they process the payment if you want to add a tip by card, or simply leave cash on the table instead.
Does Poland use euros?
No. Poland uses the Polish Zloty (PLN). Euros are only accepted at select venues near the German border and at poor exchange rates. Always tip in PLN.
More Europe Tipping Guides
Traveling elsewhere in Europe? Check out our other tipping guides: