Kraków car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Kraków
The best car rental companies in Kraków are Sixt, Europcar, Local Rent. Prices start from €19/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 10%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Kraków
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€21/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Europcar
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€20/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#3
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€22/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#4
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€21/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#5
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€18/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€23/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€19/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Wawel Rent a Car
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €180Min age 21Free cancellationDowntown
From€16/day
base rate
View Wawel Rent a Car deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Kraków
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €19 | Škoda Fabia | 4 |
| Compact | €24 | VW Golf | 5 |
| SUV | €36 | Škoda Karoq | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €50 | VW Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €74 | Audi A4 | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Kraków
Airport — Kraków John Paul II Airport (KRK)
KRK is about 11km west of the city center, connected by train and bus. Rental desks operate in the arrivals hall or a short shuttle ride to a nearby rental center.
Downtown — Kraków city center
Downtown desks near the Main Market Square suit visitors who arrive by train and want a car only for day trips to Wieliczka Salt Mine or Auschwitz-Birkenau, avoiding the pedestrianized Old Town.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~10% of base rate | KRK airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €8–18/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €5–8/day | Per extra driver |
| Toll road transponder | €3–8/day | Driving the A4 or A1 toll motorways |
| Old Town restricted-zone fine | €40–90 | Driving into the pedestrian-only Rynek Główny area without a permit |
| Refundable deposit | €150–400 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Kraków
- Kraków's Main Market Square and Old Town are largely pedestrian-only, with fines of €40–90 for unauthorized vehicle entry.
- Poland's A4 and A1 toll motorways connect Kraków to Katowice and Warsaw; most rentals require an electronic toll transponder or manual payment at booths.
- The Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO site, is about a 30-minute drive southeast and has limited direct public transport from central Kraków.
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is roughly a 1h 15m drive west, making a rental car the most time-efficient way to visit and return the same day.
- Street parking in the center uses a paid zone system (Strefa Płatnego Parkowania), enforced Monday–Saturday, 10:00–20:00.
- Kraków is one of the most affordable major European cities for car rental, with economy rates from about €19/day, well below Western European norms.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Kraków
Do you need a car in Kraków?
Not for the Old Town — it's pedestrianized and best explored on foot or by tram. A car becomes useful for the Wieliczka Salt Mine or Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Should I rent at Kraków Airport or downtown?
KRK offers convenient arrivals-hall pickup. Downtown desks near the Main Square suit train travelers who only need a car for specific day trips.
Do I need to pay tolls driving from Kraków?
Yes, the A4 and A1 motorways are tolled. Most rental cars come with an electronic transponder, or you pay manually at booths.
How far is Auschwitz-Birkenau from Kraków by car?
About 1 hour 15 minutes west, making a rental car a practical way to visit and return the same day.
Is Kraków's Old Town closed to cars?
Yes, the Main Market Square and much of the Old Town are pedestrian-only, with fines for unauthorized entry — park at the edge and walk in.
Where can I park in central Kraków?
Central streets use a paid parking zone enforced 10:00–20:00 Monday–Saturday. Garages near the Old Town run €2–4/hour.
What is the cheapest car type in Kraków?
Economy cars like a Škoda Fabia start around €19/day — among the lowest rates in Europe. A 7-seat minivan starts around €50/day.
Nearby trips
