If you’re planning a trip to south central Poland, Katowice International Airport, the 4th largest airport in Poland is the country’s main airport for leisure travellers. The airport serves the region around Katowice, the European City of Science for 2024 and the capital of the Silesian Voivodeship province. Katowice Airport is also one of the closest airports for visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.

Silesia is one of the most densely populated areas in central and eastern Europe and the airport is being expanded with a new terminal building to meet growing demand.

Katowice has a rich industrial heritage focused on the mining industry but today is a modern city rapidly developing a new identity. The city is a major commercial centre with several public companies headquartered locally and being close to the border with the Czech Republic and Slovakia, it’s a busy destination for both business and leisure travellers.

If you are visiting southern Poland, our friendly Avis team at Katowice International Airport is on hand to offer advice and provide the perfect rental car for your trip.

You’ll find our Avis counter in the arrivals area within the terminal buildings at Katowice International Airport. The Avis rental car park is easy to find just a short walk from the terminal entrance.

Katowice International Airport is located 34km to the north of Katowice city centre. From the Avis car park at Katowice Airport the drive south will take you around 35min. Head west out of the airport on the DW913 and after 14km join the S86 express way. Merge onto the DK79 and follow signs to Centrum Katowice.

Although it has an industrial past, Katowice is forging a new direction and has a vibrant modern culture, with art, architecture and green spaces at the heart of the city.

Much of Katowice’s industrial heritage is well preserved and a visit to the Nikiszowiec quarter gives a flavour of the lives of the city’s mining communities. The Silesian Museum also offers an insight into Silesian history and art and archaeology.

Although it looks centuries old, the city’s Christ the King Cathedral was completed between 1927 and 1955 and today is a popular cultural venue.

Classical music fans will want to catch a concert by the world famous Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra which is based in the city.

Katowice International Airport is close to several major national routes offering great access to the province of Silesia and beyond.

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum which attracts more than 1.5million visitors a year is a 44 min (39.0 km) drive to via the DK86 and DK44 from Katowice Airport.

Krakow, a 102km drive to the southeast of Katowice Airport, is often described as one of Europe’s best kept secrets – with its historic old town in the centre, exciting food culture and vibrant nightlife.

For some mountain air head just over an hour south of Katowice Airport to the Silesian Beskids renowned as one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in Poland. In spring and summer there are hiking and cycling trails and with the arrival of snow the area is popular for its ski resorts and winter sports.

If you want to reach Poland’s capital Warsaw from Katowice Airport, the journey is a 3hr drive north via Autostrada A1 and E67 and if you are planning a road trip across central Europe, destinations including the Czech capital Prague are within easy reach.

The centre of Katowice offers a good public transport system including buses, trams and trains and you can catch an airport shuttle bus from the airport to the centre of the city, but you will need a hire car to travel further afield and explore the wider area.

The Avis team at Katowice International Airport are experts on the region and ready to advise you on the best places to go and help make your trip a smooth one from the moment you touch down.

Hiring a car is a straightforward way to explore southern Poland. Be aware that as in the rest of mainland Europe, you’ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road as you leave the airport.

If you have not driven in this part of the world before, we’d advise checking the road rules for driving in Poland before you set off.