You know you’re somewhere special when the entire city is listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Fly into Krakow Balice International Airport, pick up your Avis hire car, and experience this extraordinary city and the region beyond.  

We make car rental easy, because we know you can’t wait to feel the freedom of the road and get the very most out of your stay. Wherever your travels take you, the keys are waiting for you to unlock the world.

Krakow city centre can be reached in 30 minutes from Krakow Balice International Airport by taking Królowej Jadwigi. It’s one of the few Polish cities to have escaped the devastation of the Second World War.

Some people say that Krakow, the former capital of Poland, has a special energy that comes from the chakra stone. This mystical stone is said to lie beneath a chapel on Wawel Hill, a limestone outcrop that dominates the city. Legend says the stone protects against evil. While the fragment of the wall that is said to contain the chakra is fenced off, visitors can still visit the splendid courtyard of the nearby Krakow Royal Castle.

The Rynek Glowny, Krakow’s medieval square, is the largest of its kind in Europe. Stop by one of the ancient synagogues in the Jewish Old Quarter, where you’ll also find Leonardo da Vinci’s portrait of Cecilia Gallerani. Artists have frequently made Krakow their home, including the likes of poet Czeslaw Milosz and the composer Krzysztof Penderecki. It’s no surprise then that there are plentiful concert halls, theatres and art galleries to visit here, notably the National Museum.

Krakow is also a thriving university town, with over 200,000 students. Take advantage of the many cafes, restaurants and entertainment venues that cater to all.

With an Avis hire car, your journey in and around Krakow will be an unforgettable experience.

Frequent renters get upgraded – and additional days for free – by signing up for Avis Preferred loyalty benefits. Simply choose a date and time and we’ll prepare your quality hire car.

It’ll be difficult to tear yourself away from Krakow, but there’s so much to see and do in Poland.

Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Memorial
It’s a sobering trip, but Auschwitz-Birkenau is a site worth visiting to learn about the scale and barbarity of the Holocaust. Take the A4 from Krakow and arrive in just over an hour. Auschwitz was the largest and most infamous concentration camp during the Second World War, and its history is depicted at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum.

Tatras Mountains
A two-hour drive from Krakow on the DK47 will lead to Zakopane. This town serves as a gateway to the Tatras Mountains. It’s also the winter sports capital of Poland. Take the funicular to the top of Mount Gubalowka and visit the old mountaineer cottages in Zakopane. Enjoy stunning views of the mountain peaks and explore Krupowki, the area of town lined with restaurants, cafes, and more.

Niedzica Castle
Leave Krakow and drive for two hours via the E77 to arrive at the Niedzica Castle, located in the beautiful Dunajec Valley. This fortress was built in the 14th century and overlooks Czorsztyn Lake, surrounded by limestone cliffs. For those who want to experience a stunning piece of remote Poland, this is the place to do it.

Rzeszów

With rental offices in Poland’s southern city of Rzeszow you can also take advantage of our one-way car hire​​​​​​​ to explore this pretty city and region of Poland with ease. With stunning Art Nouveau villas and one of the prettiest town squares in Poland, the town is well worth a visit.

Discover Poland with your Avis rental car. All you have to do is drive.
 

We’ve unlocked Poland’s driving rules and regulations for your journey to help keep you safe and avoid the unexpected. Familiarise yourself with our comprehensive guide.

Which Side of the Road?

In Poland, please drive on the right hand side of the road.

Unique Country Driving Laws

• Dipped headlights must be used at all times (all year round).
• There is a Toll Road (A4) between Katowice and Kraków.
• There is a Toll Road (A2) between Wrzesnia and Konin.
• Toll fee relative to road section.

Speed Limits

For a standard rental vehicle with no trailers:

• Urban areas: 31mph (50 km/h) from 05:00 – 23:00 and 37mph (60 km/h) from 23:00 to 05:00
• Express roads (2 x 1 lanes) 62mph (100 km/h) or (2 x 2 lanes) 74mph (120 km/h) 
• Rural areas: 55mph (90 km/h)
• Motorways: 86mph (140 km/h)

Unless indicated by road signs.

Child Safety / Seatbelt Laws

• It is compulsory for everyone inside the vehicle to wear a seatbelt
   
• Children under 12 and less than 150cm tall must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size.

Please note - It is the child’s parent / guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.
 

Compulsory Equipment in your Avis rental car

• Warning Triangle 
• High Visibility Jacket - it is mandatory that the driver and all passengers use a high visibility jacket when leaving the vehicle during an accident or breakdown.
• Car Fire Extinguisher
• First Aid Kit - required

Please ask your Avis representative whether snow tyres are compulsory at the time of your arrival

Emergency Services       

Police                                             997        

Fire Department                            998

Ambulance                                    999

European Emergency Number   112

Is it cheaper to get a rental car at the airport?

For the best rental experience, we recommend booking your hire car online via our fast booking service in advance of your trip.

What documents do I need to drive in Poland?

To rent a car in Poland you need to be a minimum of 21 years old and have held your license for 1 year. An International Driver’s License may be required for non-EU citizens as well as the payment card that was used to make your booking.

Is it safe to drive in Poland?

Yes, hiring a car and driving around in Poland is one of the safest ways to travel independently in the country.