Car rental in Poland

While major Polish cities like Warsaw and Krakow have excellent public transport systems, they're not always ideal for exploring the provinces. Many castles, nature reserves, and authentic villages are located in areas inaccessible by bus or train. Renting a car in Poland lets you venture beyond standard tourist routes and independently discover lesser-known but charming corners of the country.

Why Choose Localrent for Your Rental

Online booking through Localrent eliminates traditional rental office searches, saving you time and effort:

1. Select your preferred vehicle class – from compact city models to spacious crossovers and minivans for families
2. Filter-based search helps you quickly find vehicles by make, year, engine power, and preferred payment methods
3. Extended insurance is already included in many offers with no additional fees
4. Most vehicles come with unlimited mileage
5. Keep your plans flexible – many vehicles offer free cancellation with notice more than 24 hours before rental starts

Localrent makes the rental process fast, simple, and transparent, allowing you to plan organizational details of your Polish trip in advance.

Requirements for Renting a Car in Poland

Required documents include a valid driver's license and passport. After booking confirmation, you'll receive a voucher by email, which must also be presented when collecting the vehicle.

Minimum driver requirements are age 23 and at least one year of driving experience. However, these conditions may vary depending on the specific vehicle. All details are always indicated in each offer description. To save time checking, simply enter your parameters in the search filters – you'll only see options available to you.

In Poland, a credit card in the main driver's name is typically required for the deposit.

Driving, Traffic Rules, and Road Signs in Poland

Driving in Poland is relatively easy even for less experienced drivers, with good road infrastructure and clear rules generally followed by both locals and tourists. Polish roads are well-maintained, and signs meet international standards.

Poland has right-hand traffic. One of the most important and strictly enforced rules, often forgotten by tourists, concerns lane usage. The left lane on roads with two or more lanes in one direction is exclusively for overtaking – after completing the maneuver, you must immediately return to the right lane.

Poland strictly enforces speed limits. For example, license suspension applies for exceeding limits by 50 km/h. Observe speed restrictions:

• In built-up areas: 50 km/h
• In residential and pedestrian zones: 20 km/h
• Outside built-up areas: 90 km/h, on dual carriageways: 100 km/h
• On expressways: 120 km/h
• On motorways: 140 km/h

In cities, especially historic centers, be attentive to pedestrians who may appear unexpectedly on the roadway.

Polish police may use both marked patrol vehicles and unmarked civilian cars. If stopped by such a vehicle, don't exit your car unless the officer requests it – pass documents through the window.

Parking in Poland

Parking in Poland is regulated by traffic law. Stopping a vehicle for more than 1 minute, unrelated to traffic conditions, is considered parking.

Parking is prohibited:

• On railway and tram crossings, in tunnels, on bridges and overpasses
• On pedestrian crossings, bike paths, and within 10 m of them or intersections
• At public transport stops and within 15 m of their edges
• Where vehicles obstruct traffic signs or lights

Free parking is available throughout the country where not prohibited by signs. It's typically located away from historic city centers. In many cities, paid parking operates only on weekdays during business hours, for example, Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, becoming free at night, on weekends, and public holidays.

Paid parking is common in city centers. Payment is usually required immediately after parking. Rates are often progressive: the first hour may have one rate, with subsequent hours charged differently.

Parking meters are the most common payment method, accepting cash or cards. Popular apps work in many Polish cities: AnyPark, moBILET, mPay, SkyCash – allowing you to pay for parking without leaving your vehicle.

Gas Stations in Poland

Gas stations in Poland primarily operate on a self-service basis. Most stations are modern complexes with shops, cafes, and restrooms, operating 24/7.

The refueling procedure depends on your chosen payment method. If paying cash at the cashier or by card through the station terminal, prepayment is standard practice. You tell the operator the pump number and desired amount or liters, pay, then refuel. If you pump less fuel than paid for, you'll receive change.

A more convenient method is paying by card directly at the pump. You insert or tap your card at the pump terminal, and the system reserves a certain amount on your account, usually 200-300 zloty. After refueling, the exact fuel cost is charged to your card, and the reserved amount is released within several days. At some stations like Shell or Orlen, you can refuel first then pay at the cashier, but this option isn't available everywhere.

Step-by-Step Guide to Booking a Car in Poland

Start your Poland car rental on Localrent by entering your desired travel dates. For more precise options, use the "Specify location" field – here you can select an airport, rental office, or vehicle delivery service to your chosen city location.

Then proceed to detailed search:

1. Use filters to select transmission type, vehicle class, engine size, and other technical specifications
2. Review offers, paying attention to included conditions – unlimited mileage, insurance coverage, and available payment methods
3. Add necessary options such as child seats or a second driver on the contract
4. Complete booking by entering personal details and contact information

After paying the deposit by bank card, you'll receive a confirmation voucher by email. When meeting the rental company representative, thoroughly inspect the vehicle together, documenting all damage in the inspection report. Before signing the contract, ensure you've received the complete documentation package, including insurance policy and emergency contact details.

Where to Travel in Poland with a Rental Car

Poland is a country with rich history and diverse landscapes, where medieval cities, mountain ranges, and Baltic Sea coast are located relatively close to each other.

The most interesting attractions are often located in different regions, or as they're called in Poland – voivodeships, and a rental car allows you to easily combine them into one comprehensive route. Here's what's worth seeing:

1. Malbork Castle. The world's largest medieval brick castle, a UNESCO monument and example of Gothic architecture. The castle served as the residence of Teutonic Order Grand Masters: inside is a museum with collections of antique weapons, armor, amber, and other artifacts. During summer season, historical reenactments and light shows are regularly held here. On the way to Malbork, plan a stop in the historic city of Toruń.
2. Wieliczka Salt Mine. An underground 13th-century salt mine complex, also on the UNESCO heritage list. The tourist route passes through decorated salt chambers, underground lakes, and chapels, including the famous Chapel of St. Kinga. At 135 meters depth, there's an underground restaurant and souvenir shops. The route to Wieliczka passes through Krakow, where you should see Wawel Castle and the historic Old Town.
3. Morskie Oko Lake in the Tatras. The largest and most famous lake in the Polish Tatras, surrounded by mountain peaks in Tatra National Park. The path to it runs through a picturesque valley, and the road approaches almost to the water itself. This glacial lake features crystal-clear water reflecting surrounding peaks. Heading to Morskie Oko, you'll pass through Zakopane – a popular mountain resort at the Tatras' foothills.
4. Gdańsk and the Baltic Coast. Gdańsk attracts tourists with its well-preserved Old Town featuring Hanseatic League-era architecture. Main attractions include Neptune's Fountain, St. Mary's Cathedral, and the historic port on the Motława River. From the city, it's convenient to make coastal trips to see sand dunes and resorts.
5. Wrocław. The capital of Lower Silesia is known for its islands and Gothic architecture. The city's main market square is considered one of Poland's most beautiful. Of particular interest is searching throughout the city for bronze figurines of Wrocław gnomes, which have become the city's unofficial symbol.

For trips to the Tatras and Morskie Oko, where you'll encounter serpentine roads and climbs, choose a vehicle with at least 1.4-liter engine displacement.

If you prefer nature and relaxed recreation, consider the Masurian Lake District with its numerous lakes, or head to Słowiński National Park on the Baltic coast to see shifting sand dunes. For history and culture enthusiasts, beyond the mentioned cities, we recommend a trip to Poznań with its imperial past and impressive Town Hall, or to Lublin, known for its Old Town and castle.

Where to Rent a Car in Poland

On Localrent you can rent a car in most popular Polish tourist cities, including Warsaw, Krakow, Wrocław, Gdańsk, Poznań, Lublin, Łódź, Katowice, Szczecin, Rzeszów, Bydgoszcz, and Goleniów.

In many of these cities, different pickup locations are available, including vehicle delivery to a specified address, airports, railway stations, or rental company offices.

Recommendations for First-Time Car Renters in Poland

Several tips to make your car rental experience in Poland positive and easy.

Adapt to the driving style

Polish drivers in cities generally follow rules but move quite dynamically in dense traffic. On expressways, especially dual carriageways, strictly observe the "keep right" rule – the left lane is for overtaking only. If you constantly occupy the left lane, other drivers may honk at you to clear it. Be prepared for this.

Learn roundabout rules

Roundabouts are very common in Poland. Remember this simple rule: priority always goes to vehicles already on the roundabout. When approaching an intersection, you must always yield to them.

Choose your vehicle considering the route

For city-only trips and motorways with quality surfaces, a compact car with small engine displacement is suitable. However, if your plans include exploring the Tatras or other mountainous regions with steep climbs and serpentine roads, choose a model with at least 1.4-liter engine displacement.

Be especially attentive to pedestrians

In cities, pedestrians at controlled crossings have unconditional priority, and drivers must yield to them. Be prepared that in residential zones and near pedestrian crossings, people may appear on the roadway quite unexpectedly, so always reduce speed in such road sections.

Plan trips considering traffic patterns

Peak congestion in Polish cities typically occurs during morning hours from 7:00 am to 9:00 am and evening time from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. During these periods, main city exits are usually significantly congested. If possible, plan long-distance travel for daytime or early morning.

Use correct light signals

In Poland, 24-hour use of low beam headlights or daytime running lights outside built-up areas is mandatory. In tunnels, regardless of time of day, low beam must also be activated. Fog lights are permitted only in poor visibility conditions.

Questions and Answers About Car Rental in Poland