If you remember the prices from last year’s trip to Turkey or Egypt, you may be in for quite a surprise this year. In the destinations most frequently chosen by Poles for their holidays, prices have certainly not fallen. On the contrary, in some popular locations they have risen very quickly. Turkey is the leader, with annual inflation at 32.1 percent, meaning prices have increased by almost one third over the past year. Egypt ranks second, with inflation at 14.3 percent. However, the final cost of a holiday is affected not only by local inflation, but also by the exchange rate of the Polish zloty. Since the beginning of the holiday season, the zloty has weakened against the euro from around PLN 4.25 to PLN 4.30, which further increases the cost of foreign travel when calculated in Polish currency.
Turkey remains the most popular destination for Polish tourists, and it is there that inflation over the past year has been the highest among popular holiday destinations. Annual inflation at the end of June stood at as much as 32.1 percent. This means that tourists who clearly remember last year’s prices in Antalya or Bodrum may this year feel a price increase of nearly one third.
The second country with clearly elevated inflation is Egypt, where prices at the end of June were rising by 14.3 percent year on year. This is still far below the level recorded in Turkey, but higher than in most popular European destinations. High inflation shows, however, that local costs are also rising quickly there. This may be particularly noticeable outside the hotel: during optional excursions, when using guide services, paying tips, arranging transport or shopping locally.
Among countries with elevated, though much more moderate, inflation are Bulgaria and Tunisia, where prices rose by 5.3 percent each. This is a level that tourists may notice in their wallets, but it does not necessarily have to change the entire calculation of the trip.
Many Poles choose individual trips to Croatia, which has long been considered a relatively expensive destination. This year it will be even more expensive, as inflation there reached 4.2 percent at the end of June. Prices increased at a similar pace in Cyprus, where inflation stood at 4.0 percent, in Greece at 3.9 percent and in Montenegro at 3.8 percent. In these countries, price growth is more moderate, but it still shows that holiday prices are not standing still anywhere.
Smaller price increases were recorded in Spain, where inflation stood at 3.6 percent, in Albania at 3.2 percent, and in Portugal and Italy at 3.1 percent each. In all of these countries, prices rose faster than in Poland, where the annual increase in prices in June was 2.5 percent. Among popular holiday destinations, lower readings were recorded only in France, where inflation stood at 2.0 percent, and in Malta, where it was 1.9 percent. This does not mean, however, that holidays there are cheap. It only means that prices have risen more slowly there over the past year.
This is an important distinction. Inflation does not tell us how much a trip costs. It tells us how quickly the price level has changed over the past year. A country with low inflation may still be expensive if the prices of tourist services were already high. Conversely, a country with high inflation may still remain attractive in price terms for Polish tourists if the initial price level was lower or if travel agencies have strong negotiating power with hotels. Annual inflation is therefore a useful thermometer of change, but it is not the full holiday bill.
The exchange rate of the zloty may have an even greater impact on how much we spend during holidays, and in recent weeks the Polish currency has weakened. One euro currently costs PLN 4.30, while before the holiday period it was around PLN 4.25. This may be the result of renewed tensions and another escalation in the Middle East. The same tensions may affect other elements of holiday costs: air ticket prices, fuel costs and the availability of seats on aircraft. Inflation is therefore one piece of the puzzle, but not the whole picture.
According to data from the Polish Chamber of Tourism, during the previous holiday season Poles most often chose Turkey, which accounted for 32.5 percent of trips. Greece ranked second with 17.4 percent, followed closely by Egypt with a share of 16.9 percent. Next came Tunisia, Spain, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Albania, Italy and Croatia.
Over the past year, the whole world has struggled with rising inflation. Against this backdrop, holiday inflation works a little like a temperature map. It shows where prices have heated up the most and where the situation is more stable. Turkey and Egypt are the hottest spots. Bulgaria, Tunisia, Croatia, Greece, Cyprus and Montenegro are moderately warm. The calmest situation can be found in western Europe and Malta. For Polish tourists, however, the key question is not only inflation, but the total cost of the trip. This is particularly important at a time of renewed tensions in the Middle East.
Annual Inflation at the End of June 2026 by Country
| Country | Annual inflation |
|---|---|
| Poland | 2.5% |
| Albania | 3.2% |
| Bulgaria | 5.3% |
| Croatia | 4.2% |
| Cyprus | 4.0% |
| Montenegro | 3.8% |
| Egypt | 14.3% |
| France | 2.0% |
| Greece | 3.9% |
| Spain | 3.6% |
| Malta | 1.9% |
| Portugal | 3.1% |
| Tunisia | 5.3% |
| Turkey | 32.1% |
| Italy | 3.1% |
Source: Eurostat, Statistics Poland, local statistical offices
