Car Hire in Poland

Why hire a car in Poland?

Poland is not just among the largest countries in Europe, it’s also one of the most diverse. From stunning cities to a long coastline and some of Europe’s most impressive mountains, there’s no shortage of options for having a memorable travel experience.

Top ways to enter Poland

• Warsaw airports. Serving over 18 million travellers annually, Warsaw Chopin Airport is by far the busiest in the country. It is located to the southwest of the city centre. Located to the northwest, and much smaller, Warsaw Modlin Airport is also a popular gateway to the capital as it is a hub for the low-cost carrier Ryanair.
• Krakow Airport. The second-busiest in the country, Krakow John Paul II Airport offers access to the famous city of the same name, as well as the country’s southeast. The airport offers plenty of European connections and even some flights to the Middle East and the United States.
• Katowice Airport. Serving the city of Katowice and the huge, surrounding metropolitan area of Upper Silesia, this airport provides access to the country’s south.
• Gdansk Airport. Also known as Gdansk-Lech Walesa after the influential former president, this airport has flights by a number of low-cost carriers and provides access to the country’s Baltic coastline, especially the northern part of it.
• Wroclaw and Poznan airports. Two other fairly busy airports with plenty of connections, they serve their respective cities, as well as much of Poland’s west.

Top cities and places to visit

• Warsaw. Located in the heart of the country, Warsaw combines well-preserved and reconstructed architectural heritage with innovative creative energy – for many, the result is one of the most interesting national capitals in Europe. Most travellers tend to stick around the city centre as that’s where most of the landmarks are located, but it’s also worth venturing out to increasingly developing outer parts to experience a different Warsaw.
• Gdansk. A proud seafaring city and the main hub of the Tricity Area, Gdansk is one of the finest destinations in Poland. Its classy city centre has plenty of landmarks such as the Ratusz (Town Hall), Artus Court, and St. Mary’s Church, one of the largest Gothic houses of prayer in Europe. During the summer months, Gdansk also becomes a busy gateway to Poland’s sandy Baltic beaches.
• Krakow. Known for its medieval architecture and religious significance, Krakow is, for many visitors, the greatest destination in Poland. The Old Town is where most of the city’s landmarks are, though the Kazimierz area, just walking distance away, can be just as interesting to explore. 

Most popular hire car

The most hired car in Poland is the Volkswagen Polo. Two other popular options are the Ford Fiesta and the Skoda Fabia. The most hired car types are economy, mini, and intermediate.

Driving licence requirements

• Poland recognizes valid foreign driver’s licenses that are written in the Latin alphabet and if you’re visiting for a period of shorter than six months. If you’re staying for longer or are living in Poland permanently, you need to acquire a local driver’s license.
• If your driver’s license is printed in a non-Latin alphabet (Cyrillic, Arabic, etc.), you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
• Similarly, if your driver’s license doesn’t show your photograph, you might be required to have an IDP.
• Even if you have an IDP, you must also carry your original driver’s license as you will be required to present both.
• You must carry your driver’s license, not a copy, with you at all times. 
• You need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years.
• Some rental car suppliers charge a young driver fee for drivers between the ages of 22 and 25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
• There may be additional requirements depending on the car supplier and category, so make sure to check the rental conditions before booking.

Crossing borders

Poland shares a border with Belarus, Ukraine, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Russia (the Kaliningrad exclave), and Lithuania. Poland is a member of the Schengen Area, and so are Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Poland. If you need a Schengen visa to visit Poland, you’ll also be able to visit these four other countries. 

Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia are not members of the Schengen Area. Each of these countries has its own visa policy, so you may or may not need a visa to enter them, depending on your citizenship. If you plan to visit one of these Poland’s neighbours during your rental period, we strongly advise you to get in touch with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance to find out about the visa requirements.

Some car rental suppliers allow you to cross international borders and even drop off your car in a different country, while others don’t. If you’d like to cross an international border during your rental period, make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking a car. Learn more about cross-border rentals in our FAQ section.

Top driving routes

• Eastern Poland. More traditional and less urbanized than the rest of the country, Eastern Poland can be a wonderful off-the-beaten-path destination. For many, the Masurian Lakelands and ancient forests of Białowieża are what the east is all about; others prefer the historical cities of Lublin and Zamość or the highland hikes of Podkarpackie).
• The Tatras. Speaking of mountains, there’s no better place in Poland to enjoy them than the Tatras, the Polish portion of the Carpathians. The highest peaks in the country can be easily reached if you travel south of Krakow — and the main place to be is Zakopane, a splendid winter sports resort in winter and a hiking and climbing mecca in summertime.

Car hire prices in Poland

• Medium cars - starting at US$17 per day
• Small cars - starting at US$15 per day
• Station wagons - starting at US$23 per day
• SUVs - starting at US$22 per day
• Premium cars - starting at US$62 per day
• Large cars - starting at US$26 per day
• People Carriers - starting at US$36 per day

How can I save money on my hire car?

There are several good methods to find a cheaper car for hire:

• Compare rates of different car hire suppliers
• Book your vehicle well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit in the month when the car hire prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Poland is the cheapest in January when hiring a car is about 37% cheaper than the yearly average.