Compare Krakow Airport car hire

Riverside Krakow is a gateway to southern Poland, where you'll find scenic drives in every direction. To visit castles, national parks and haunting Auschwitz, or to head into the Tatra Mountains on the Slovakian border, book car hire in Krakow and explore independently.

Language: Polish | Currency: Euros (€) | Avg. Flight time: 2hrs 25mins

Many of the major rental companies offer car hire at Krakow John Paul II Airport (KRK), including Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise, Sixt and Budget. The drive to Krakow city centre should take around half an hour, depending on traffic conditions.

Driving to Krakow from the airport is relatively simple. Head south towards DW774 and exit the roundabout at La Lotnisko/DW744. Turn right onto the A4 and continue until the Krakow/Centrum exit.

You'll find the car hire desks on the first floor of the passenger terminal at the airport.

Rental companies in Krakow Airport include:

• Avis and Budget: (Tel: +48 601 200 702)
• Enterprise: (Tel: +48 12 285 60 78)
• Europcar: (Tel: +48 12 257 79 00)
• Hertz: (Tel: +48 12 285 50 84)
• Panek: (Tel: +48 509 811 211)
• Sixt: (Tel: +48 661 999 175)

If you're spending time in Krakow before hitting the road into Poland, there are plenty of options for picking up cheap rental car deals in town. You’ll find a cluster of car hire companies near Krakow Glowny Train Station. Budget and Avis are located on Lubicz 23. Some companies, such as Sixt, offer a meet-and-greet service in the city centre for pre-booked reservations.

The A4 highway rings Krakow city centre from the north-west through to the south-east. It continues west to the German border and east to Ukraine, making journeys out of the city simple to plan.

Away from the major roads, it’s best to plan your route in advance and bring a map, sat-nav or GPS-enabled smartphone. Things to watch out for while driving include poorly maintained roads and unpredictable driver behaviour.

Due to one-way streets and restricted zones, it may be best to park your hire car outside the centre and then discover it on foot or by public transport. Zone A is pedestrianised, but you can take a car to hotels in Zones B and C. Look up and plan your parking options in advance. As in many cities, traffic congestion is hard to avoid during rush hours.

Parking spaces in Krakow are clearly marked with signs and you pay via ticket machines. Car parks around the city are convenient, including Guarded Parking north of the Old Town. Another option is to book a hotel deal with parking onsite.

Ojcow National Park

Driving time: 45 minutes

If you're looking for a quick hit of the beautiful Polish countryside, the short drive to Ojcow National Park should do the trick. Follow the road along the Pradnik River between Pieskowa Skala and Ojcow, stopping at medieval castles and walking trails. Wildlife spotting is a treat, with badgers, beavers and more than 500 species of butterfly, while caves, rock formations and gorges bring natural drama.

Auschwitz-Birkenau

Driving time: One hour 30 minutes

The A4 will lead you to the memorial and museum complex of Auschwitz-Birkenau, spread over two sections of the infamous concentration camp. It includes ruined buildings, photographs, furniture and even personal effects of prisoners, creating an all-too-human picture of what happened here. Admission to the grounds and parking are free.

The Trail of the Eagles’ Nests

Driving time: Two hours

Located between Krakow and Czestochowa, the Trail of the Eagles’ Nests is a castle lover’s dream. It leads you through forested hills to 25 medieval castles perched on tall rocks of the Polish Jura Chain. Stop to explore the scenic ruins of Rabsztyn Castle and the 14th-century fortress of Ogrodzieniec Castle.

1. When you’re driving in Krakow city centre, be wary of entering restricted zones to avoid fines. There is no car access to Zone A, and in Zone B pedestrians have right of way.
   
2. The speed limit in most built-up areas is 50kph (31mph) in Poland. You’re likely to see locals ignoring the limit, but don’t be tempted to join them.
   
3. Looking for a scenic route out of town? If you're headed west, take route 780, which enters Bielańsko-Tyniecki Landscape Park on the edge of the city.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.