Poland: Complete Guide to Driving – Tolls, Prices, Routes, Speed Limits, and Insurance

Poland is no longer just a country for cheap cross-border shopping. Our northern neighbor has transformed into a surprisingly popular tourist destination for some. You’ll find almost everything there – from the sandy beaches of the Baltic Sea to amazing cities like Krakow or Wrocław, and even the majestic Tatras.

And what’s the best way to explore this diverse country? Of course, behind the wheel of your own car. A car gives you the freedom to stop whenever something catches your eye, change plans according to your mood, and discover places that ordinary tourists don’t reach.

To make your trip truly carefree, we’ve prepared this complete guide “Poland: Complete Guide to Driving – Tolls, Prices, Routes, Speed Limits, and Insurance”. From border crossings and traffic rules to tips for interesting stops – everything you need to know before you turn the key in the ignition and head north.

TL;DR

• Why travel to Poland by car? You’ll enjoy freedom of movement, unlimited luggage, and access to even more remote places. If you don’t have your own car, we recommend RentalCars for car rental.
• Routes: From Prague to Krakow (538 km, 5 h), to Warsaw (683 km, 7 h), to the Baltic Sea in Gdańsk (738 km, 8 h 20 min)
• Tolls: Poland does not have motorway vignettes, but tolls are paid on selected sections (A1, A2, A4), approximately 176-638 CZK for passenger cars.
• Speed limits: In built-up areas 50 km/h, outside built-up areas 90 km/h, expressways 100-120 km/h, motorways 140 km/h
• Insurance: Don’t forget your green card, consider comprehensive insurance and roadside assistance. Also, don’t forget travel insurance; we use SafetyWing.
• Refueling: The network of petrol stations is sparser than in the Czech Republic, petrol costs about 38 CZK/liter.
• Driving specifics: The beginning of a municipality is marked by a built-up area sign, a green arrow at traffic lights for turning right, mandatory daytime running lights.
• Top holiday destinations: Baltic Coast (Gdańsk, Sopot, Kołobrzeg), historic cities (Krakow, Warsaw, Wrocław), natural beauties (Tatras, Masurian Lakes, Polish Maldives)
• Prices: Poland is slightly cheaper than the Czech Republic, a valid ID card is sufficient for travel, the currency is the zloty (1 PLN ≈ 5.9 CZK)

Why Travel to Poland by Car?

Having your own car when traveling to Poland provides you with freedom of movement and the opportunity to explore even less accessible places. Poland is a vast country with diverse attractions scattered throughout its territory. The main advantages of traveling by car include:

• You can stop wherever and whenever you want.
• You are not limited by public transport schedules.
• You have almost unlimited luggage.
• You don’t have to worry about renting a car at your destination.
• Many beautiful places in Poland are not easily accessible by public transport.

The distances from the Czech Republic are not great – for example, from Prague to Krakow it’s approximately a 4-hour drive, to Warsaw around 6 hours, and to the Baltic Sea in Gdańsk approximately 8 hours.

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Traveling to Poland by Car: Best Routes

The choice of route primarily depends on which part of the Czech Republic you are departing from and where exactly you are heading. The most popular routes for trips to Poland are:

From Prague towards Krakow and Southern Poland

If you are heading to southern Poland, for example to Krakow, the ideal route is via Ostrava. From Prague, take the D1 motorway towards Ostrava, then cross the border and continue to Katowice and Krakow. The total distance from Prague to Krakow is approximately 538 km with a driving time of around 5 hours and 21 minutes.

From Prague towards Warsaw and Central Poland

For a trip to Warsaw or central Poland, the route via Liberec and Wrocław is suitable. The total distance from Prague to Warsaw is approximately 683 km with a driving time of around 7 hours.

From the Czech Republic towards Gdańsk and the Baltic Sea

There are two main routes to the Baltic Sea:

• From Prague via Liberec and Bydgoszcz to Gdańsk (738 km, approx. 8 hours 22 minutes)
• Alternatively, from Prague via Dresden, Berlin and Szczecin to seaside resorts like Świnoujście or Międzyzdroje (586 km, approx. 6 hours)

From Brno, the advantageous route is via Ostrava, Katowice, Częstochowa, and Łódź to Gdańsk, which measures 764 km and takes approximately 7 hours and 23 minutes.

Tolls and Road Charges in Poland

Unlike the Czech Republic, Poland does not have a motorway vignette system. Instead, tolls are collected on certain sections of motorways. As of July 1, 2023, tolls are no longer paid on most Polish motorways, but the following sections remain tolled:

• A1 motorway (Rusocin-Nowa Wieś): 29.90 PLN for passenger cars (approx. 176 CZK)
• A2 motorway (Świecko-Konin): 108 PLN for passenger cars (approx. 638 CZK)
• A4 motorway (Mysłowice-Balice): 30 PLN for passenger cars (approx. 177 CZK)

You can pay tolls in cash (in Polish zlotys, euros, or dollars), by card, using an app, an on-board unit, or via the AmberGo service.

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Mandatory Equipment for Poland

The mandatory equipment for driving in Poland is similar to what you know from the Czech Republic. You must have:

• Warning triangle
• Reflective vest for every crew member moving on the road
• Fire extinguisher (mandatory for vehicles registered in Poland, but it is advisable for Czech drivers to have one too)

Unlike the Czech Republic, a first-aid kit is not mandatory in Poland, but its presence is recommended. Daytime running lights are also mandatory, and the blood alcohol tolerance is a maximum of 0.2 per mille.

Speed Limits in Poland

The following speed limits apply on Polish roads:

• In built-up areas: 50 km/h (previously, a rule of increasing to 60 km/h at night applied, but this is no longer valid)
• Outside built-up areas: 90 km/h
• Expressways with 2 lanes (marked with letter S + number): 100 km/h
• Expressways with 4 lanes (marked with letter S + number): 120 km/h
• Motorways (marked with letter A + number): 140 km/h

In Poland, there is also a rule about maintaining a safe distance, which is half the speed – so at a speed of 100 km/h, you should keep a distance of at least 50 meters from the vehicle in front of you.

Fines in Poland

If you decide to ignore traffic regulations, you can expect the following fines:

• Speeding: 50 to 2,500 PLN (depending on the extent of the violation)
• Wrong parking: up to 300 PLN (depending on the type of violation)
• Running a red light: minimum 300 PLN
• Alcohol in blood: up to 50,000 PLN

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Car Insurance for a Trip to Poland

The basic requirement is to have valid compulsory liability insurance. For trips to Poland, standard Czech compulsory liability insurance is sufficient, but it is advisable to have a green card as proof. Also consider arranging:

• Comprehensive insurance – especially if you plan a longer stay
• Roadside assistance – this will help you in case of a breakdown, accident, or flat tire
• Car holiday insurance – if you don’t want to pay for comprehensive insurance all year round

In case of heavy traffic, poor quality roads, or an accident, quality insurance is invaluable assistance.

Where to Refuel and how much Does Fuel Cost?

The network of petrol stations in Poland is approximately half as dense as in the Czech Republic. You will find a petrol station roughly every 30-40 kilometers, so it is not advisable to postpone refueling until the last minute.

Fuel prices in Poland are mostly lower than in the Czech Republic. The average price of petrol is around 6.5 PLN per liter (approximately 38 CZK), which is comparable to or slightly lower than in the Czech Republic.

Driving Specifics in Poland

Poland has several traffic specifics that are good to know:

• The beginning of a municipality is not only marked by a sign with the name of the municipality, but also by a traffic sign indicating a built-up area. Only after this sign is it necessary to reduce speed to 50 km/h.
• At traffic lights, in addition to green, a small green arrow pointing right often lights up. This allows turning right even on red, but with the obligation to give way to vehicles coming from the left.
• On motorways, after paying the toll, you are given cards with a schematic map showing the chronological order of exits, petrol stations, and rest areas, which can be very useful.
• Traffic on Polish motorways is not always smooth. You may encounter heavy traffic and queues at less frequented exits and entrances.

Rest Areas and Services on the Roads

On Polish motorways, you will find high-quality rest areas with good facilities. They are not graffiti-covered and neglected buildings, but decent facilities with running water, soap, and paper towels. Many rest areas even have chargers for electric vehicles.

Where to Go in Poland by Car

Thanks to good roads, Poland is really easy to explore. So where exactly should you head when you have a full tank and a desire to discover? Here are the most interesting destinations worth visiting that we’ve compiled for you:

To the Baltic Sea

More and more tourists are discovering the beauty of the Baltic coast. Popular destinations include:

• Świnoujście and Międzyzdroje – spa resorts with long beaches
• Kołobrzeg – the largest spa resort with healing mud and saline solutions
• Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia (the so-called Tri-City) – a combination of beautiful beaches and rich history
• Łeba – a popular resort with the Słowiński National Park nearby
• Hel Peninsula – a 35 km long sandy peninsula ideal for walking and cycling

Historic Cities

• Krakow – former capital with a beautiful historic center and Wawel Castle
• Warsaw – a modern metropolis with a restored historic core
• Wrocław – a city with a Gothic center and the oldest Christmas markets in Poland
• Gdańsk – a Hanseatic city with a rich history and port

Natural Beauties

• Tatras – the highest mountains in Poland, suitable for skiing and summer hikes
• Masurian Lakes – an area with thousands of lakes, ideal for relaxation and water sports
• Białowieża National Park – one of the last places in Europe with primeval forest

Prices in Poland

Poland is still slightly cheaper than the Czech Republic. Prices for basic groceries, restaurants, and accommodation are lower than in our country. For illustration:

• Coffee in a cafe: 11-15 PLN (approx. 65-88 CZK)
• Lunch for one in a regular restaurant: 30-50 PLN (approx. 177-295 CZK)
• Supermarket shopping: especially meat, fish, cheese, fruit, and vegetables are significantly cheaper
• Accommodation: from 150 PLN (approx. 885 CZK) per night in a double room

The official currency is the Polish Złoty (PLN). The current exchange rate is approximately 1 PLN = 5.9 CZK.

Frequently Asked Questions