Renting a car in Krakow: Everything you need to know in

ARE YOU PLANNING TO RENT A CAR IN KRAKÓW?

Then you’ve come to the right place. I used to live in Krakow and spent every free minute road-tripping to surrounding cities and countries. And these days, I visit at least 4 times a year.

I’m passionate about showing everyone how beautiful Krakow and Poland are, not the grey post-communist country many still think of.

I have rented cars in several Polish cities, so I’m going to break everything down for you. By the end of this article, you’re going to feel confident about renting a car in Krakow and exploring this epic country.

🚨 This article represents my first-hand experience renting cars in Krakow numerous times, as well as several other Polish cities. Please always do your own research and make sure your needs are covered.

How to rent a car in Krakow

I always book rental cars through Discover Cars, a comparison site covering more than 10.000 destinations worldwide.

1. Book a car online with Discover Cars

Head to the Discover Cars website, and input your travel dates, time and preferred pick-up location.

Personally, I have only rented a car at Krakow Airport once because I used to live in Krakow and always spent time in the city first. You also have several options to pick up the car outside the city center. But airports generally offer the best prices because they have the largest fleet of cars.

Notice that different companies have different fuel policies. Some you pay a fee upfront for a full tank of gas, and some have a full-to-full policy where you have to deliver the car with the same amount of fuel as when you got it.

You can check out Discover Cars reviews on TrustPilot, where they have a 4.6 out of 5 Star rating and about 180,000 reviews.

⭐️ Only rent from top-rated places

3. Choose your insurance

I usually opt for the rental company’s full coverage to make the process as easy as possible. But you can also buy full coverage through Discover Cars for about €7-10 USD per day. This includes bodywork, mirrors, scratches, windows, tires, towing, lost keys, and more.

So what’s covered with Discover Cars Full Coverage?

When purchasing Full Coverage, you’ll still have to leave the security deposit with the supplier when you pick up the car. To find out what exactly is covered, check out this article.

Will the Rental companies accept this Policy?

I mean, they have to, although they often try to talk you around. When picking up the car, they will try to upsell you their own full coverage insurance, but you can just decline if you have already bought through Discover Cars.

But every company I have used has accepted it after going through all the reasons why buying their insurance is the best option. This is just one of the reasons I recommend renting from companies with high ratings.

However, when you decline, they will hold a minimum of €1000 on your credit card. When you bring the rental car back with no damage, they return your deposit in full.

If you bring the rental car back with damage, they will deduct it from your deposit. This is why I now always film and take photos of the car while it is still in the parking lot. I also film the mileage and fuel gauge because I was once charged for using the wrong fuel when I never even refueled.

From there, you’ll have to make a claim with Discover Cars, which, according to their site, is usually processed in 48 hours or less. Just log in to their laptop or app with the credentials in your confirmation email.

🌟 If you’d rather get full coverage insurance directly from the company, you can still rent with Discover Cars to take advantage of their low rates and no-fee cancellation policy.

3. Check driver’s license requirements

Poland recognizes valid foreign driver’s licenses issued in the EU or EFTA member states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) as long you’re staying in the country for less than 185 days per year. If you plan to stay longer, you need a Polish driving license. 

American, Australian, and New Zealand citizens are technically required to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) to both drive and rent a car in Poland. It is often easy to get for a small fee.

If the rental company asks for one and you can not provide it, they may not allow you to take the car and you may lose your prepayment. And even if you have an IDP, you also need to present your original driver’s license.

Some companies also charge a fee for drivers between the ages of 22 and 25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65, along with additional requirements, so be sure to check the details in the rental conditions before booking.

4. Crossing borders

Poland shares a border with Belarus, Ukraine, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Russia (Kaliningrad), and Lithuania.

Most of the companies Discover Cars works with allows you to cross the border into Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy – Mainland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia are not members of the Schengen Area. These countries have their own visa policies, so depending on your citizenship you may or may not need a visa to enter them. Meaning you can’t cross the borders into Ukraine, Belarus or Lithuania in a rental car.

If you plan to travel outside Poland, you must read the specific border crossing requirements for the company you choose. Most companies will charge a one-time fee between €60 and €90.

6. Pay for your Krakow rental car

When you have read through everything and made sure you meet the requirements, you can pay for your booking using your credit card. With some companies, you pay only a deposit while with others you pay the full rental fee in advance.

🚨 Attention >> Remember to bring the credit card you booked with when you pick it up. I forgot my credit card last time I was in Chania and lost the deposit I had already paid. However, the lady at the counter was nice enough to find us another car rental (though a lesser model) for the same price.

Is renting a car in Krakow worth it?

There’s no reason to rent a car if you’re coming to Krakow for a weekend. It is a very compact and walkable city with great public transport options.

However, if you have a little more time, there are so many easy road trips to castles, historic cities and villages. Krakow’s location in central Europe also makes it the perfect base for exploring the surrounding countries. I love renting a car and exploring here.

Road trip ideas from Krakow

One of my favorite road trips from Krakow was a Christmas trip to Moritzburg Castle (from the movie “Three Wishes for Cinderella”) and Dresden Christmas Market. As a lover of all things Christmas, it is one of my favorite trips ever.

I have also driven to the beautiful city of Görlitz in Germany, on my way to Devil’s Bridge and Schloss Muskau.

Another one of my favorite road trips was the Trail of the Eagle’s Nests, a scenic route between Krakow and Częstochowa, featuring a series of medieval castles perched on limestone cliffs. It a must for my fellow history and castle lovers.

We also rented a car and drove south to Zakopane to walk to Morkie Oko Lake early in the morning. It was incredibly beautiful in November, with a little snow on the ground and the sun shining.

Other incredible road trip destinations from Krakow:

• Zalipie – a charming village known for its beautifully painted cottages adorned with colorful floral patterns, making it a unique and picturesque destination.
• Wroclaw – a vibrant city in western Poland, popular for its stunning medieval architecture, picturesque market square, and a network of charming canals and bridges, earning it the nickname “Venice of the North.”
• Slovakian National Parks – the natural heart of Slovakia, including High Tatras National Park home to the tallest mountain in the Carpathian Range.

Things to know before you hire a car in Krakow

Here is a quick overview of the questions I get and see most often about renting a car and driving in Krakow.

Is it safe to rent a car in Krakow?

Yes, I have never had any problems renting a car in Krakow or Poland in general. Just make sure the company has good reviews as I mentioned above. Even if it’s a car rental company you have used before, some locations are better than others.

I use Discover Cars because they compare local and international companies so you know you get the best rates.

Is it safe to drive in Poland?

Driving in Poland can seem a bit intimidating at first. Polish drivers can sometimes be aggressive, especially in urban areas, so it’s crucial to stay alert. But once you get out on the highway, it isn’t too bad.

Road infrastructure has improved significantly in recent years, with modern highways and well-maintained roads connecting major cities. However, rural areas may still have narrower, bumpy roads.

The longest road trip I’ve taken was from Krakow to Dresden which took around 5 hours and 30 minutes. Once we got out of Krakow it was smooth sailing.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is strictly prohibited, with a very low legal limit of 0.02% blood alcohol concentration. Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers, and children must be seated in appropriate car seats.

Winter driving can be challenging due to snow and ice, especially in the mountainous regions, so make sure your car has winter tires.

How much does renting a car in Krakow cost?

The cost of renting a car in Krakow varies widely depending on factors such as the type of vehicle, rental duration, and the time of year. However, Poland is one of the most affordable countries in Europe for car hire.

On average, you can expect to pay between €20 to €30 per day for a standard economy car. Luxury or larger vehicles may cost more, ranging from €50 to €100 or more per day. I have never paid more than €350 for a week.

If you plan on driving longer distances, I recommend renting a larger car. I don’t think I would feel comfortable on the highway in a Fiat Panda or something like that.

Additionally, extra costs may apply for insurance, child seats, or additional drivers.

What side of the road do they drive on in Poland?

In Poland, they drive on the right side of the road. This is consistent with most European countries, so if you’re accustomed to driving on the right, you should find it relatively straightforward to navigate Polish roads.

If you have any questions like this, don’t be afraid to ask when you pick up your car, they are there to help.

Are gas stations in Poland self-serve?

Yes, most gas stations in Poland are self-serve. The process is straightforward: you pull up to the pump, pay with card or your phone (in a few newer stations), select the type of fuel you need, and fill your tank. If you don’t see a way to pay, you have to go inside afterward.

Some stations may have attendants available to assist if needed, but this is less common. It’s always a good idea to double-check the fuel type required for your vehicle to avoid any mistakes.

🌟 Ready to book? Click here to find your perfect rental car in Krakow

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