Car Rental in Gdansk

Why rent a car in Gdansk?

Gdansk, once a Free City bordering the German Empire, is today Poland’s most important seaport and, together with Gdynia and Sopot, the fourth largest metropolitan area in the country. After WWII, Gdansk was rebuilt to its former glory as one of Europe’s most beautiful places to visit, complete with striking architecture, historic cathedrals, and outstanding museums that honor its maritime past and role as the center for the Solidarity movement against the communist government. 

Its idyllic location along the Baltic Coast means Gdansk and the Tricity area boasts miles of picturesque sandy beaches. With a rental car, you can easily travel east or west along the coast and discover bustling towns and pristine shores you can have all to yourself. It’s the perfect location for a weekend getaway!

Top ways to enter Gdansk

• Gdansk Airport: Also called Lech Wałęsa Airport after the former Polish president and civil resistance leader, Gdansk Airport serves the city itself as well as the wider Tricity area (that also includes Gdynia and Sopot). The airport has flights by around 20 different airlines, although some of them are only active seasonally. Gdansk Airport is located about 16km (10 miles) west of the city center. 
• Bydgoszcz Airport: A small international airport serving the city of the same name, Bydgoszcz Airport hosts flights to and from such destinations as Germany, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and Turkey. Located 170km (105 miles) south of Gdansk, the airport can be reached in about two hours.
• Warsaw Chopin Airport: By far the busiest in Poland, Chopin Airport hosts flights to and from nearly all the other European countries as well as destinations in Asia, Africa, and North America. The airport is located 350km (217 miles) southeast of Gdansk, a distance that can be traveled in 3 hours and 30 minutes.
• Warsaw Modlin Airport: The other, much smaller, airport in Warsaw, Modlin has flights by only two airlines, Enter Air and Ryanair. The latter of them provides affordable connections to many European capitals like Barcelona, London, Rome, and Stockholm, so flying to Modlin can often be the cheapest way to reach Poland. Located about 300km (186 miles) from Gdansk, the airport can be reached in about three hours.
• By rail: If you arrive in Gdansk by train, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at the Gdansk Glowny railway station or the Gdansk Wrzeszcz railway station.

City facts

• Although located on the Baltic sea, Gdansk has a borderline oceanic-continental climate. The winters are dry and quite cold, while the summers are warm and experience quite a lot of precipitation. The average temperature is 17°C  (63°F) in July and August, the warmest months, and -1°C  (32°F) in December. Snowfall is quite frequent in wintertime, especially in January and February.
• Gdansk has a population of around 460,000 people, but another 600,000 live in its metropolitan area, making it one of the largest cities in Poland and the sixth-largest on the Baltic Sea. Gdansk is made up of six districts, or dzielnicas, of which Śródmieście is the central one and has the bulk of the city’s landmarks, cultural centers, and restaurants.

Top sights and activities

• Town Hall. One of the most notable buildings in Gdansk, the old town hall was built in the 14th Century. Damaged in city fires and during World War 2, it has always been renovated and rebuilt, becoming a symbol of the perseverance of Gdansk residents. Nowadays, the building hosts the Gdansk Museum. Visitors can also access the town hall’s tower which offers great views of the rest of the city.
• St. Mary’s Church. One of the largest and most beautiful Gothic churches in the world, St. Mary’s Church can accommodate more than 20,000 people. Part of the church complex is a large astronomical clock that was built in 1464 and is therefore older than the church itself.
• Mariacka Street. Without a doubt the most unique street in Gdansk and one of the most atmospheric cobbled lanes in Poland, Mariacka street runs from St. Mary’s Church down to the Mariacka Gate at the Motława River. The narrow street is lined by Burgher houses, all with characteristic stoops adorned by gargoyles, that today house charming shops, amber galleries, cafés and accommodations.
• Artus Court. A fine example of the Dutch Mannerism style of architecture, the Artus Court building was once a place where the merchants of Gdansk struck their deals and the city’s aristocrats came to socialize. The court is located on Długi Targ Street where many of Gdansk’s most beautiful buildings are located.
• Nowy Port Lighthouse. Don’t let the lighthouse’s name fool you - although it does mean ‘New Port’ in Polish, it is actually more than 125 years old. One of the most distinctive structures of Gdansk is located in the neighborhood of the same name and is open to visitors during the summer months; needless to say, the views of the city and the sea from up top are simply stunning.
• Prison Tower and Torture Chamber. This grim, but fascinating landmark located between Highland and Golden Gates, two of the city’s most recognizable structures, provides a glimpse into the medieval realities of life in Gdansk. No prisoners have been held here since the 19th century, and the site is nowadays also known for its beautiful viewing platform (open only during the summer months) and as the location of the Amber Museum.
• Sea Sculptures. The history of Gdansk is inextricably linked with the Baltic Sea – the city’s port is what gave it its original affluence, was crucial in the birth of the Solidarity movement, and has also been a source of inspiration for some highly original creativity. The latter point is emphasized by the Sea Sculptures or Rzeźby Morskie. Assembled from various disused industrial mechanisms by the students of the local Academy of Fine Arts, these ‘robots’ appear to be walking out of the sea at the city’s shipyard. 

Traffic and parking

• Poland drives on the right hand side of the road.
• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits in Poland are 140 km/h (87 mph) on motorways, 120 km/h (75 mph) on expressways with a dual carriageway, 100 km/h (62 mph) on expressways with a single carriageway, 90 km/h (56 mph) on all other urban roads, 60 km/h (37 mph) in urban and built-up areas at night, 50 km/h (31 mph) in urban and built-up areas during the day, and 20 km/h (12 mph) in residential areas.
• It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.02% for both experienced and novice drivers. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines and a licence ban. Exceeding the limit of 0.05% is a criminal offence and can lead to up to 2 years imprisonment. 
• Although not as big as Warsaw or Krakow, Gdansk is still a large, busy city with a lot of traffic. A lot of people who don’t live in Gdansk come to work from neighboring cities and towns every day. The evening rush hour generally last from 17.00 to 20.00 on working days.
• While the general quality of roads in Poland has improved immensely over the last two decades, some rural roads, especially in the northernmost, southernmost, and easternmost parts of the country, can still be in rather bad shape. It is a good idea to plan your route in advance and look up the roads you’ll be driving. 
• Proof of insurance and the documentation of the car needs to be in it whenever you’re driving.
• When you are driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The emergency number in Poland, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112. 

Toll roads

There are a number of toll roads in Poland. The nearest one to Gdansk is the toll road that connects Gdansk to the city of Torun. 

Some roads use an open toll system while others use a closed toll system. In an open toll system, the payment is made upon entering the toll road. In closed toll system, the driver will be given a printed ticket that will state the time and point of entry of the toll road; the toll fee will be calculated based on the distance driven and paid when exiting the road.

Payment can be made either in cash or by credit card. If you choose to pay in cash, you can pay in three currencies, Euros, Polish Zloty (PLN), or United States Dollars (USD), but keep in mind that even if you pay in one of the two foreign currencies, you might be given change in zloty. As of March 2023, 1 EUR = 4.68 PLN.

See the Polish toll road map here. Learn more about toll roads in Poland and the tolls for specific roads on the official Polish toll road website.

Ideas for day trips

• Stogi. Technically still part of the city, this northeastern suburb of Gdansk doubles as one of its nicest nature areas. In addition to the long and sandy Stogi beach that’s squeezed in between the Baltic Sea and a lovely pine forest, the area is also home to the Bird Paradise, a nature reserve where a large number of avian species can be observed in close proximity. The drive from the city center takes only about 15 minutes.
• Gdynia. The younger sister of Gdansk might not match its impressive history, but there’s still plenty to enjoy here, from the Open Air Museum of Marine Weapons to Osada Rybacka or Fishermen Village, an old settlement where historic fishing equipment and a funicular for transporting fish can be observed. Just 21km (13 miles) north of Gdansk and reachable in about 25 minutes, Gdynia is definitely worth a visit.
• Sopot. It might be the smallest of the three coastal cities that make the Tricity area, but Sopot also has a strong claim to being the fanciest. Here you’ll find excellent seafood restaurants, long and beautiful beaches, as well as some of the best spas in Europe which are surrounded by parks and forests. Sopot also has Molo, the longest wooden pier in Europe and an old lighthouse. Located just 12km (7 miles) north of Gdansk, it can be reached in 15 minutes by car.
• Rewa. Continue north from Gdynia for 30 minutes as you’ll soon reach Rewa, a charming little town set where two beaches come to a point creating a long sandbank called Cypel Rewski. Try kiting, windsurfing, enjoying the sun or going for a walk through the nature reserve.
• Hel Peninsula. Located along the Baltic coast, directly north of Gdansk, the Hel Peninsula is one of Poland’s premier beach resorts and a popular destination for watersports. Boasting miles and miles of picturesque white sand beaches and charming towns such as Jastarnia, Chałupy, and on the very end, Hel, it’s no surprise that locals and tourists alike flock here during the summer months. The Hel Peninsula can be reached in just over an hour and 15 minutes from Gdansk. 
• Slowinski National Park. Encompassing a portion of the Baltic Coast, as well as lakes, pine forests, and bogs, Slowinski is one of the most scenic national parks in Poland. The area’s chief attraction, though, is the shifting dunes, a reason why there are almost no permanent settlements in the area. The national park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, is home to a great variety of wildlife, including white-tailed eagles, wild pigs, and swans. Located 110km (68 miles) northwest of Gdansk, Slowinski National Park can be reached in about 90 minutes.
• Malbork. With most of the region’s attractions connected to the Baltic coast, few visitors make it to this small and cozy inland city. But that is a shame, since Malbork (or Marienburg, as it used to be known in German) is home to the absolutely stunning Gothic Teutonic Castle, one of the largest of its kind in Europe. Other attractions include the city’s town square and a dinosaur theme park and museum. Located just 60 km (37 mi) southeast of Gdansk, Malbork is definitely worth a visit.
• Olsztyn. Although not usually mentioned in the same breath as Gdansk, Krakow, or Warsaw, the historical city of Olsztyn is a great destination for those interested in getting off the beaten trail and exploring the inland parts of northwestern Poland. Home to many well-preserved churches, castles, and halls, many of them built in the distinct Brick Gothic style, Olsztyn is also known as the location of a planetarium and astronomical observatory which was opened in 1973, on the 500th birthday of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus who resided in the city for several years. The drive from Gdansk takes just about two hours.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Gdansk is the Seat Ibiza 5d, followed by the Chevrolet Spark and the Toyota Aygo. The most popular rental car types are mini, economy, and compact.

Further destinations

• Warsaw. An upbeat and youthful city and a hub for innovation, culture, and science, Warsaw is quickly and convincingly regaining its old splendour. Landmarks like the Royal Castle, St. John’s Cathedral, and the Warsaw Barbican attract thousands of visitors every year, but the city’s number one attraction is its unique atmosphere. Warsaw is 339km (210 miles) southeast of Gdansk and can be reached in about three and a half hours.
• Szczecin. Although not located on the coast - the city is some 30km (18 miles) south of the Baltic Sea on the Odra river - Szczecin is a unique place to visit. Its streets were designed by Baron Haussmann who also came up with the boulevards of Paris. The Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle is one of the most impressive ones in Poland. Last but not least, the city is located right on the border with Germany, and popping over it for a short visit to Berlin is definitely an option. Szczecin is 353km (219 miles) west of Gdansk and can be reached in four to five hours by car.
• Bydgoszcz. Pronouncing its name might be quite a challenge, but that’s about the only trouble this pretty historic city is going to give to a traveler. Known as Little Berlin between the world wars, its landmarks include the famous concert venue Filharmonia Pomorska, St. Vincent and Paul Basilica, and the statue of a man crossing the river on a rope. Just 165km (102 miles) south of Gdansk, Bydgoszcz can be reached in less than two hours and is definitely worth a visit.
• Lithuania. Poland’s northern neighbor and the largest of the three Baltic countries, Lithuania’s stature as a tourism destination has been steadily growing during the last decade. Home to unique culture and traditions, impressive castles, well-preserved historic cities, and beautiful nature, the country is a joy to discover and explore. Kaunas, Lithuania’s second city, is 500 km (310 mi) from Gdansk and can be reached in under six hours. To go from Poland to Lithuania, you’ll have to cross an international border, so ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it.

Car rental prices in Gdansk

• Small cars - from $5 per day
• Medium cars - from $6 per day
• SUVs - from $9 per day
• Large cars - from $14 per day
• Station wagons - from $6 per day
• Premium cars - from $44 per day
• Vans - from $46 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Try this advice and land a cheaper rental car in Gdansk:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Gdansk is the cheapest in February when renting a car is about 49% cheaper than the yearly average and an entire 65% cheaper than renting a car in November.