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Car hire in Krakow – Exploring Poland Independently
The charming city of Krakow is one of the most glittering jewels in Poland's tourism crown. Blessed with a history stretching back to the 10th century, it is the country's second-largest metropolis (after the capital Warsaw) and one of the best-preserved places in central Europe. Brimming with atmosphere, much of the inner city's activity revolves around the narrow, cobblestone streets that run through to Krakow's splendid 13th-century Market Square, very much the beating heart of the centre.
Culture is a mainstay in Krakow with several attractions awaiting visitors looking to immerse themselves in the city's many first-class museums and galleries. Chief among these are the Royal Castle and Gothic cathedral which dominate the Old Town from their key locations on Wawel Hill. After that, many tourists head for the 16th-century synagogues in the Jewish Quarter, an area made famous in Steven Spielberg's Hollywood blockbuster, Schindler’s List.
There much to see and do with a car hire in Krakow, such as a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine about a half-hour drive south-east of the city. A great number of tourists are also drawn to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum (90 minutes away) for a stark reminder of the horrors that befell more than a million victims during World War II. Other popular places within easy reach of Krakow are the beautiful cities of Katowice, Wroclaw and Lodz.
Founded midway through the last century, Auto Europe is one of the world’s best-established car rental companies, with a reputation built on working closely with all the top car hire suppliers operating in Krakow and other ket destinations in Poland. You can book your car quickly and easily online in just a few seconds through our high-tech booking engine from a choice of the cheapest deals on the market.
If you'd prefer to speak to someone in person, just get in touch with our award-winning rental specialists and they will be more than happy to get you the best deal. For added peace of mind, why not check out the users ratings and comments posted by previous Auto Europe customers on our Krakow car hire reviews page.
For more information on renting a vehicle in Krakow, click on the car hire related topics listed below:
| Suppliers | Car Hire FAQs | Travel Guide |
Where to pick up a car hire in Krakow
The fact that Auto Europe works with all the world's top car hire suppliers means that we can offer you a wide choice of locations in and around Krakow, enabling drivers to collect their vehicle at the airport or in the heart of the city centre, whichever is most convenient. To help our customers make the right choice, we have invested greatly in our state-of-the-art booking engine which allows site users to do an extensive search to find the best vehicle at the most suitable pick-up point, and always at the lowest price.
Krakow Airport
Named after Pope John Paul II, Krakow Airport is the main international airport serving the city and its environs. It is located in the village of Balice just 11 km (7 miles) west of Krakow city centre and is the second-busiest airport in the country after Warsaw. You'll find all the desks for car rental at Krakow Airport on the 1st floor of the main passenger terminal.
Krakow Airport (KRK)
Website: krakowairport.pl
Address: John Paul II International Airport, Uleca Kpt. M Medweckiego 1, 32-083 Balice, Poland
Telephone: +48 12 295 5800
Krakow Train Station
Located in the Stare Miasto district, Krakow Train Station is the city's main railway and public transportation hub. Originally inaugurated in the middle of the 19th century but rebuilt in 2014, the station (known locally as Krakow Główny) is a modern facility with 28 ticket offices, several ticket machines, comfortable waiting rooms and a host of passenger services and amenities.
Krakow Train Station
Website: pkp.pl
Address: Plac Dworcowy 1, 31 358 Krakow, Poland
Telephone: +48 12 624 5439
Book with the best car hire suppliers in Krakow
Auto Europe is a leading international car hire company currently offering a vast selection of convenient pick-up and drop-off locations in 190 different destinations around the world. Thanks to our many years of experience dealing with all the global and local car rental companies, we can offer you the best standard of service and cheapest prices on the market.
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Should you require additional information about the car hire companies we work with or their policies, for example out of office pick up or questions regarding age restrictions, our car rental specialists are just a phone call or e-mail away and happy to assist you.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Krakow
This section features the most frequent questions asked by people booking a car hire in Krakow. Scroll down for important tips relating to a wide range of essential car hire topics, such as credit cards, coverage, tolls, traffic and much more. If you need any more information, please contact our reservations team and they will be happy to help you with your reservation and assist you with your travel itinerary.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Krakow?
Yes. To rent a car in Krakow and elsewhere in Poland, the main driver must present a major credit card (namely Visa, Mastercard, Diners and American Express) in their name with a sufficient amount of available credit in order to be able to pick up their vehicle. This is because most car hire companies operating in the country will need to place a hold on the value of the deductible for the vehicle they are renting you for the duration of your visit, the amount of which will be promptly refunded once the vehicle has been returned in the same condition it was collected.
Some people think that perhaps a debit or prepaid card will be enough to collect their car hire in Krakow, but it isn't. The fact is, every driver should make sure they have a credit card in their name with a sufficient credit limit prior to arriving at the pick-up point. Furthermore, any customers looking to rent a premium or luxury category car need to be aware that some suppliers will request an additional credit card also in the name of the main driver. More information about this and other related topics can be found on our credit card blog post. You can easily check which card and type of card is acceptable by making a quick search through our booking engine, followed by clicking on the blue and white info icon (i) to access the relevant pop-up details. For a greater overview of the main things to look out for when planning to drive in Krakow, just follow the link to see the six most important things to know about credit cards and deposits before your trip.
What insurance do I need for my car rental in Krakow?
All Auto Europe’s published car rental rates include liability insurance in accordance with the legally required amount of minimum coverage, most notably CDW (Collision Damage Waiver), either with or without excess depending on which car rental company you book with. Because CDW doesn't cover every part of the vehicle, we suggest paying a little extra for our Full Damage & Theft Protection product which covers damage to the roof, glass, wheels, undercarriage, towing costs, etc. The amount you pay for this extra cover may vary depending on the location, rental duration, car category and supplier. All the coverage info relating to your booking is clearly accessible when you make your initial search simply by selecting your dates, destination and preferred supplier and clicking on the blue and white info icon (i) where you’ll find the full amount of coverage included in the price, along with the CDW Deductible, Theft Insurance Deductible and Liability Insurance. Please note that this same information can be found in the Terms & Conditions whenever you make a search or confirm your reservation. You can find more details in our complete car hire coverage blog post.
Very often when you arrive to pick up your vehicle you’ll find that the local car rental company might try to sell you additional coverage on top of what you already have, such as PAI (Personal Accident Insurance), PEC (Personal Effects Coverage), Super CDW, Seguro Relax Insurance, Road Assistance, etc. We’d like you to always remember that Auto Europe does not refund any locally-purchased insurance charges/fees, even if they are deemed unnecessary after the rental car has been returned.
How is the traffic in Krakow?
Driving your car rental in Krakow is fairly straightforward for a large-ish European city. Poland has right-hand traffic and most road signs and rules are in accordance with the continental part of the European Union. It is mandatory to fasten your seatbelts and always keep the car's headlights switched on. The speed limit Krakow is generally 50kph between 5am and 11pm and 60kph at other times of the day (motorways allow for more speed). Drivers must keep in mind that, like any other major city, Krakow has denser traffic during the busier hours of the day. More information about driving in Krakow and other parts of Poland can be found in our Poland Driving Guide.
Where can I park my car hire in Krakow?
Car rental in Krakow makes it easy to move around the city, but pay attention to where and when you can leave your rental vehicle. Drivers wishing to park near Krakow's enchanting Old Town will find an underground car park at Groblach Square. Another option is another underground car park in front of the main hall of the National Museum in Krakow. This facility is a bit cheaper and is located on Aleja Mickiewicza. Both car parks fill up quite quickly, especially during the tourist season. While it can be difficult to find parking spaces in the centre of Krakow, drivers can park in the streets surrounding the Main Square. There is at least one ticket machine on each street or block operating between 10am and 8pm on weekdays. There are other options available, but be sure to use the exact amount of coins given that these machines don't give change.
Do I need to pay tolls when driving my car hire in Krakow?
There are only a few motorways in Poland, but you have to pay for all of them. The main toll roads are the A1, A2, A4 (which orbits Krakow) and the A8 and you pay directly at the gates. Payment is collected using two different systems, the open system with the amount depending on the type of vehicle and the closed system where payment is collected at toll booths situated on access roads, junctions and final motorway sections, with the amount depending on the type of vehicle and the distance covered. In Krakow and the rest of Poland, most motorways require payment of the toll, although this does not always apply to the entire length of the route. At the entrance to the toll section, there are toll booths where you first collect your ticket, and at the exit you pay the required toll.
Krakow Travel Guide
Located in southern Poland near the border with the Czech Republic, Krakow is famous for its well-preserved medieval core and ancient Jewish quarter. Surrounded by the remains of its medieval walls, the Old Town comprises a vast central square around which many of the city's top attractions exist. For more freedom and flexibility, why not share the driving with one of Auto Europe's regular Free Additional Driver promotiuons and/or pick your vehicle up in one place and drop it off in another with one of our one-way car hire offers.
Best day trips with my car rental in Krakow
Krakow is the capital is one of Poland’s most scenic areas and from there visitors can enjoy day-long excursions to a wide variety of interesting places, such as the high peaks of the Tatra Mountains. Krakow is also within striking distance of many lovely Polish towns and cities, including Katowice a short drive away.
Wieliczka Salt Mine
A visit to the obscure chambers of the 13th-century Wieliczka Salt Mine is a major highlight for the majority of visitors to Krakow. Situated approximately 30 minutes from the city centre, this fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site runs across nine levels more than 300 metres underground, comprising some 3,000 chambers, an assortment of sculptures and stairways created by the miners themselves. The journey down in the lift is an experience in itself to St Kinga’s Chapel also built by the miners over seventy years between 1896 and 1963. The chapel features Biblical scenes (including the Last Supper) and chandeliers composed of salt crystals hanging from the ceiling.
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum
Considered one of the most important things to do while in Krakow, the former concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau lies about 90 minutes away by car and guided tours are avaiable in English as well as several other languages. The camp was developed and run by Nazi Germany during its occupation of Poland in 1939–1945 and the tour includes a visit to the museum and memorial in memory of the 1.1 million people who died there.
Tatra Mountains
South of Krakow lie the majestic Tatra Mountains, which include Poland's highest peak - Rysy. Rising to 2,500 metres, it can be climbed without a park guide and offers breathtaking views from the top in good weather. The Tatra Mountains region is also home to over 600 caves, with the limestone cave system, Wielka Sniezna, being the longest (23 kilometres) and deepest (824 metres). Other amazing natural features to see include an abundance of waterfalls, running streams and pristine mountain lakes.
Katowice
One of the most vibrant cities in Poland, Katowice has no shortage of interesting attractions based on its rich industrial heritage. With architecture spanning several centuries, it is blessed with numerous parks and gardens, with all the beauty of the surrounding Silesian countryside a few minutes away with a car hire from Krakow. Many of Katowice's buildings reflect the architecture of the communist period, with several remnants of the city's 19th-century grandeur and several prime examples of modern architecture from the 1920s and 1930s.
What to do in Krakow
From shopping to sightseeing, Krakow offers a wide range of activities throughout the day, and night. However, the main attractions of this magnificent European city are its history and architecture, particularly in and around the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Old Town: With the air of a city within a city, Krakow's Old Town is normally top of the list for most first-time visitors. This very historic quarter is surrounded by a 3-kilometre (1.9 mile) defensive wall complete with 46 towers and seven main entrances. With its wealth of must-see sights, most of the tourist activity is centred around the magnificent Market Square (Rynek) which dates back to the 13th century and at 3.79 hectares (9.4 acres) is the largest medieval town square in Europe.
- Wawel Castle: Located at the southern end of the Old Town, Krakow's Royal Castle stands on a prominent hill overlooking the entire city. The view of the Vistula River is worth the climb alone, but most visitors want to explore the castle which was once the residence of Polish monarchs from the 11th century onwards. Since then, the castle has been built and rebuilt in Romanesque, Gothic and rich Renaissance styles featuring gilded walls, grand murals and expansive courtyards. Don't miss the ornate state rooms with their intricate tapestries and precious art collections.
- Royal Route: The seven-mile-long Royal Route was the coronation path of Polish kings and is the main sightseeing route for visitors en route to the Old Town. Beginning at the foot of Wawel Hill, it runs through many of Krakow's most interesting streets and thoroughfares, passing many of the city's top sights along the way, including Saints Peter and Paul’s Church, Jagiellonian University (where Copernicus studied in the 15th century and St Florian’s Church founded in 1216.
- St Mary's Basilica: This impressive church adjacent to the old Market Square in the centre of Krakow is one of the best examples of Polish Gothic architecture. Built in the 14th century (although its foundations date back to the early 13th century), the church attracts large crowds of tourists on the hour, every hour 365 days a year when a bugler plays the Hejnal (or bugle call) from its tallest tower in memory of the bugler shot by a Tatar arrow in 1241 whilst sounding the alarm from his post.
- Kazimierz: The historic Jewish district of Kazimierz (about twenty minutes from the main square on foot) featured prominently in Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning epic, Schindler’s List. Pre-World War II, the area was once a vibrant hub of Jewish life with around 65,000 local residents, six synagogues and several markets specialising in kosher food. Following the Nazi occupation of Krakow, Kazimierz became a ghost town but today ranks as one of the dymanic parts of the city on account of its Jewish heritage. Don't miss Oskar Schindler’s factory, which is now a museum devoted to Jewish experiences under Nazi occupation and detailing the life of its residents during the war.
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