Convert CHF to PLN Swiss franc ↔ Polish zloty Free Online Secure
Type an amount in Swiss franc and read it in Polish zloty at once. The page uses the European Central Bank's reference rate, and tells you which day that rate is from.
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Common amounts — Convert CHF to PLN (Swiss franc ↔ Polish zloty)
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The last thirty days
Where these codes and rates come from
The three letters in EUR, USD or JPY are not an abbreviation someone invented for a website: they are ISO 4217, a standard in which the first two letters are the country's own code and the third is usually the initial of the currency. The figures on this page come from the European Central Bank, which publishes one set of reference rates each working day, around 16:00 Central European time, agreed between the central banks of the Eurosystem. They are a daily snapshot meant for statistics and accounting, not a live trading feed — which is exactly why they are the same number for everyone, rather than whatever one bank happened to quote at one moment.
Where you meet an exchange rate
You meet an exchange rate four or five times a year without thinking about it: booking a trip, paying an invoice issued abroad, buying from a foreign shop, reading a salary offer in another currency, or checking what a card charge really cost. In all of these the reference rate is the honest middle, and the price you actually pay sits a little to one side of it. Knowing the middle is what lets you see how wide that margin is.
Questions people ask
Is this the rate my bank will give me?
No, and no page can promise one. This is the European Central Bank's reference rate: the midpoint published once a day for statistics. A bank, a card scheme or an exchange office adds its own margin on top — usually between half a percent and three percent, sometimes more at an airport counter. Use this figure to judge the offer you are given, not to predict it.
How often does the figure change, and what happens at weekends?
The European Central Bank publishes once each working day, in the afternoon, Central European time. There is no publication on Saturdays, Sundays or TARGET holidays, so on those days the page shows the last working day's rate and says which day it belongs to. The chart alongside is one year of the same daily series.
Is the answer exact?
Where both units are defined in terms of one another by whole numbers, yes — the page says so above the figure, and the only rounding is in how many digits are shown. Where the ratio has no finite decimal, the page shows twelve significant digits and says the relation is approximate rather than pretending otherwise.
Does anything I type leave my device?
No. The arithmetic runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded and there is no server to upload it to. Load the page once and it keeps working with the network switched off.
Swiss precision meets Polish prices: a railway journey from Zurich to Kraków and beyond
Few railways are as admired as the Swiss one, with its clockwork timetable, its immaculate carriages and its famous reliability. Few trips are as rewarding to a Swiss traveller as one on which the franc goes a long way, and Poland is such a place. A train from Zurich to Kraków takes about a day, with a change or two in Austria or Czechia, and on arrival a meal that would cost forty francs at home costs a fraction of that in zloty. This page makes the comparison simple. It takes the European Central Bank's reference rates, in which the Swiss franc and the Polish zloty are each quoted against the euro, combines them into a franc-to-zloty rate, shows the result with the date and keeps your amount in your browser. The text below follows a rail journey stage by stage, and each stage is a reason to Convert CHF to PLN and to understand what the figure means.
Using the converter
Francs in, zloty out
A traveller on a tight schedule can Convert CHF to PLN in seconds and still have a figure with its date for the notebook.
Type an amount in francs and the page returns the value in Polish zloty, with the date of the rate beneath it. At weekends it uses Friday's figure and says so. A table of round amounts and a line chart of the last thirty days follow. For zloty into francs, use Convert PLN to CHF.
Why the figure is a benchmark
The rate is the middle of the market, published once on every working day, with no margin for any bank. The prices you meet at a cash machine or an exchange counter are somewhat worse, and the difference is the cost of the service. Each time you Convert CHF to PLN on this page, you get a measuring stick: under one per cent is excellent, two or three per cent is usual for banks, and four or more is a reason to look elsewhere.
Stage one: the ticket and the timetable
Booking the long way round
There is no direct train from Zurich to Kraków. The usual route runs through Munich or Vienna, then through Prague or Katowice, with two or three changes and a journey of eighteen to twenty-four hours. Night trains from Vienna to Poland offer couchettes and sleepers. Tickets are sold by Swiss, German, Austrian, Czech and Polish operators, each in its own currency, so a traveller assembling a trip from several tickets will find prices in francs, euros, crowns and zloty.
The cost of the whole trip
Rail fares come in several currencies, so Convert CHF to PLN for the Polish segments and add the rest to get a single total.
A second-class ticket from Zurich to Vienna costs 60 to 140 francs, depending on how early you book. A sleeper from Vienna to Kraków costs 60 to 150 euros, and the final stretch on Polish trains a few dozen zloty. Adding everything, a one-way journey comes to 200 to 350 francs, which is often more than a budget flight. The train is chosen for comfort, scenery and a clear conscience, not for price. Convert CHF to PLN for the Polish segments to compare them with Swiss fares.
Passes that might help
Interrail and Eurail passes cover most of the route, with prices in euros for several days of travel within a month. For a trip of three weeks across Central Europe, a pass can be economical. For a single journey with reservations, point-to-point tickets are cheaper. Reservations for night trains and high-speed services are extra.
Stage two: crossing Austria and the Czech Republic
Scenery from the window
The route from Vienna to Poland runs across the plains of Moravia, with a view of vineyards, castles and the first ridges of the Carpathians. Stops at Brno or Ostrava offer the chance to break the journey. In the Czech Republic, prices are low, and a beer at the station buffet costs less than a coffee in Zurich. Czech crowns are not accepted in Poland, so change only what you need.
Money on the way
Even a snack at a Czech station can be put in perspective: Convert CHF to PLN for the budget you carry across the border.
A card without foreign-transaction fees works on the entire route. Carry a few euros for Austria and small amounts of crowns and zloty for kiosks. If you can, buy snacks in supermarkets in Vienna or Brno before boarding. For the Czech leg, Convert CHF to CZK shows what the franc buys in crowns.
Stage three: arriving in Kraków
Old town and Kazimierz
Kraków's medieval centre is among the best preserved in Europe, with the huge main square, the Cloth Hall, the Gothic church of St Mary and Wawel Castle on its hill. The old Jewish quarter of Kazimierz has synagogues, cafés and vintage shops. Walking is free, entrance to the Wawel Cathedral and the castle exhibitions costs 20 to 60 zloty each, and a ride on a horse-drawn carriage costs about 200 for a short tour. A coffee costs 12 to 18 zloty and a main course in a restaurant 40 to 80.
Hotels and food
To feel the difference in prices, Convert CHF to PLN for a typical dinner and set it beside the same dinner at home.
A hotel room in the centre costs 300 to 600 zloty a night, a hostel bed 60 to 100, an apartment 250 to 450. Food in a traditional milk bar, bar mleczny, is cheap, about 20 to 30 zloty for a complete lunch. In upmarket restaurants, dinner for two with wine can reach 300 to 500. For a Swiss visitor, prices feel low. Convert CHF to PLN for a restaurant bill and the sum will be a surprise.
Wieliczka and Auschwitz
Two excursions are essential. The salt mine at Wieliczka, with underground chapels carved from salt, costs about 120 zloty, and a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, which is free of charge but requires a booked time slot, is an experience of great weight. Guided tours add a fee. Both can be done in a day with transport arranged from the city.
Stage four: on to Warsaw and Gdańsk
Polish express trains
Seat reservations and tickets are cheap, but it is still worth it to Convert CHF to PLN for the whole rail budget of a fortnight.
Poland's fast trains, operated by PKP Intercity, connect Kraków with Warsaw in about two hours and a quarter and Warsaw with Gdańsk in under three hours. Seat reservations are compulsory on most services, and prices are lower than in Western Europe: a Kraków to Warsaw ticket costs 100 to 190 zloty in second class, cheaper if booked early. Carriages are modern, with sockets and Wi-Fi. A Swiss traveller will find the punctuality acceptable, though not quite Swiss.
Warsaw, the rebuilt capital
For a weekend in the capital, Convert CHF to PLN for the hotel and the museum tickets and see how little it takes.
Warsaw was almost entirely destroyed in the Second World War and rebuilt, with the old town restored to its original look and recognised by UNESCO. The Warsaw Uprising Museum and the POLIN Museum are among the best in Europe. Entry costs 25 to 40 zloty. A hotel night in the centre costs 350 to 700 zloty. For a weekend in Warsaw, the Swiss visitor spends a quarter of what a weekend in Zurich would cost.
Gdańsk and the Baltic coast
Gdańsk's old town, rebuilt in the same careful way, is famous for amber, the shipyard where the Solidarity movement was born and the beaches nearby. A hotel costs 300 to 600 zloty, a plate of fish by the sea 50 to 90. Summers are mild, and the sea is cold. Temperatures are in Celsius, and Convert °C to °F helps readers who use Fahrenheit.
Stage five: Poles in Switzerland, Swiss in Poland
A growing community
Thousands of Poles live in Switzerland, working in construction, health care, hotels and technology, and sending money home. A smaller number of Swiss live in Poland, working for companies such as food, pharmaceutical and engineering groups. For both, the monthly sum in francs and zloty is a regular chore, and the best approach is a comparison of providers against the reference figure.
Franc loans in Poland
A borrower with a franc-linked contract should Convert CHF to PLN for each instalment to see the real burden in the currency of income.
Poland had one of the largest stocks of franc-denominated mortgages in Europe, taken out in the 2000s. When the franc rose, many households saw their repayments soar, and courts across the country have heard cases for years. In 2019, the European Court of Justice ruled in a case from Poland on the consequences of unfair terms in such contracts. The story is a reminder that borrowing in a currency in which you do not earn carries risk.
The franc and the zloty
Two currencies, two profiles
Anyone comparing the two currencies over time can Convert CHF to PLN once a month and write the result in a simple table.
The Swiss franc is a safe haven, with low interest rates and low inflation. The zloty is the currency of a fast-growing economy with higher inflation and interest rates. Over the long term, the franc has gained against the zloty, which makes Poland cheaper for Swiss visitors year by year. The pair responds to the euro-franc and euro-zloty rates, and can swing several per cent in a month.
Using the thirty-day line
The chart under the converter shows the last thirty days. A quiet line means little risk in converting on any day, while a restless one suggests spreading a large conversion. Check it before you pay a deposit or book a long stay.
Zakopane against Zermatt: skiing in the Tatras on a Swiss budget
The Polish mountain resort
Zakopane, at the foot of the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland, is the winter capital of the country. Its wooden Highlander architecture, its pedestrian street Krupówki and its cable car to Kasprowy Wierch give it a character of its own. Skiing there is more modest than in the Alps, with peaks around 2,000 metres and shorter runs, but it is a fraction of the price. A day lift pass costs 100 to 180 zloty, ski hire 70 to 120, a lesson 150 to 250 an hour, and a hearty lunch of sour soup in a bread bowl 35 to 55. To compare with a day in Zermatt, Convert CHF to PLN for the Swiss pass price and see how many Polish days it buys.
What a week costs
Self-catering and cheap passes make a big difference: Convert CHF to PLN for each scenario and compare the totals.
For a Swiss family of four, a week in Zakopane might include a self-catering apartment at 400 to 700 zloty a night, lift passes of 400 zloty a day for the family, hire of 300 a day, meals of 400 a day and local transport. The total comes to roughly 12,000 to 18,000 zloty, which is a small share of what the same week in the Alps costs. Convert CHF to PLN to confirm. The trade-off is slope length, snow reliability and crowds at peak times.
Thermal pools after skiing
The Podhale region has thermal baths, such as Termy Chochołowskie and Bania Termalna, with outdoor pools at 36 degrees under snow-covered mountains. Entry costs 80 to 150 zloty for a few hours. They are crowded at weekends, so go on weekday afternoons. Bring flip-flops and a towel, or hire them at the desk.
Getting there and around
Zakopane is a two-hour drive or bus ride from Kraków, with fares of about 30 to 50 zloty. Trains are slower. Local minibuses connect the villages. Driving in winter requires snow tyres and care. Fuel is sold by the litre, and prices are lower than in Switzerland. For distances in miles, Convert km to mi.
Ten days in Poland: a sample budget for two
The framework
Imagine a Swiss couple spending ten days in Poland: three nights in Kraków, two in Zakopane, two in Warsaw, two in Gdańsk and one on the road. Accommodation in comfortable hotels averages 400 zloty a night, 4,000 in all. Meals average 250 a day for two, 2,500. Internal transport, by train and bus, adds 800. Sightseeing and tickets, including Wieliczka, Wawel, the Warsaw museums and the amber museum in Gdańsk, 900. Miscellaneous 600. The total is 8,800 zloty.
Putting it into francs
At the end of a plan, Convert CHF to PLN for the grand total, then divide by days to see the daily cost.
The couple Convert CHF to PLN for the total and find it surprisingly small compared with a long weekend in Switzerland. They add the flights or train tickets from home, which can be larger than the rest of the trip. Travellers who combine low costs in Poland with expensive flights can save by using trains and buses, staying longer and travelling off-season.
What to leave out
Do not plan too many cities for a short stay. Poland's distances are significant, and time spent on trains is time not spent exploring. Three bases suffice for ten days. Leave a day free for the unexpected, such as a local festival or a spontaneous walk.
Keeping a record
Write down each day's spending in zloty and, next to it, the figure in francs from this page. After the first three days, you will know whether your plan is sensible. If you are over budget, drop an expensive dinner. If under, add a concert or a boat trip. A record also helps next time.
Polish traditions worth timing a visit for
Christmas markets and Wigilia
A festive supper is a small sum to plan for; Convert CHF to PLN for the menu price and add a gift for the hosts.
Polish Christmas markets in Kraków, Wrocław and Gdańsk open at the end of November and run until Christmas Eve. Stalls sell mulled wine, grilled sausages, gingerbread and wooden decorations at modest prices. The traditional Christmas Eve supper, Wigilia, with twelve meatless dishes, is a family occasion, and restaurants offer special menus for visitors at 100 to 200 zloty a head. A seat at the table for the stranger is a Polish custom.
Easter and the blessing of baskets
On Holy Saturday, families take baskets of eggs, bread, sausage and salt to church to be blessed. Easter Monday has a tradition of splashing water, called Śmigus-dyngus. Shops are closed on Easter Sunday and Monday. Plan ahead and buy provisions on Saturday.
Summer festivals
Poland hosts jazz, rock and classical festivals through the summer, from Open'er in Gdynia to the Chopin Festival in Warsaw. Tickets run from 50 zloty for a concert to several hundred for a multi-day pass. Swiss visitors can combine a festival with a city break. Book accommodation early, since prices rise during major events.
Practical money in Poland
Cards, cash and BLIK
For a week's spending by card, Convert CHF to PLN for the limit you need and check it with your bank before departure.
Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including contactless payments in small shops. Poland has a popular mobile system called BLIK, which requires a Polish bank account. Visitors rely on cards. Always pay in zloty, not francs, if the terminal asks. Cash machines of large banks give zloty at a rate close to the reference one.
Tipping and manners
A tip of about ten per cent is customary in restaurants. Say the total including tip as you pay, rather than leaving coins on the table. Polish hosts are hospitable and expect small gifts, such as flowers or chocolates, when you visit a home.
Related conversions
Other currencies on the route
For the euro, Convert CHF to EUR. For Hungary and Romania, Convert CHF to HUF and Convert CHF to RON. Poland is in the same time zone as Switzerland, so Convert CET to EET is useful only when you continue eastward. Distances in Poland are in kilometres; Convert km to mi turns them into miles.
Mistakes to avoid
Terminal conversion
If a card machine offers to charge you in francs, say no. Pay in zloty and let your bank do the conversion.
Street exchange
Do not exchange cash with strangers. Use banks, licensed exchange offices or cash machines.
Old rates
A rate noted last month may be a percentage point or more away from today's. The date beside the result protects you.
Journey's end
The page downloads only the table of daily reference rates. The amount you type never leaves your device, and no account is needed. From the platform in Zurich to the square in Kraków, the habit is the same: Convert CHF to PLN, read the date, compare any offer against the figure and keep a note.