Warsaw car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Warsaw
The best car rental companies in Warsaw are Sixt, Hertz, Europcar. Prices start from €20/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 11%.
✓ Free cancellation options✓ No booking fee✓ Full-to-full suppliers✓ You book direct
Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Warsaw
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€22/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€23/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Europcar
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€21/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€22/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#5
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€19/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€20/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€25/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Wars Rent a Car
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €180Min age 21Free cancellationDowntown
From€17/day
base rate
View Wars 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 Warsaw
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €20 | Škoda Fabia | 4 |
| Compact | €25 | VW Golf | 5 |
| SUV | €38 | Škoda Karoq | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €52 | VW Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €76 | Audi A6 | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Warsaw
Airport — Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW)
WAW is about 10km south of the city center, linked by train and bus. Rental desks are located in the arrivals terminal, with quick curbside handover.
Downtown — Warsaw city center
Downtown desks near Warszawa Centralna station suit visitors arriving by train who want a car mainly for day trips outside the city, avoiding central traffic and paid parking zones.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~11% of base rate | WAW 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 A2 or A4 toll motorways |
| City center paid-zone fine | €30–70 | Parking without payment in Śródmieście paid zones |
| Refundable deposit | €150–400 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Warsaw
- Warsaw's city center (Śródmieście) uses a paid parking zone enforced Monday–Friday, 8:00–20:00, and Saturdays with reduced hours.
- Poland's A2 toll motorway connects Warsaw west toward Poznań and the German border; most rental cars require electronic toll payment (via transponder) or cash at booths.
- The reconstructed Old Town (Stare Miasto), a UNESCO site, is fully pedestrian and best reached by parking at the edge and walking in.
- Warsaw's ring road system is still developing, so city-center traffic during rush hour (7:30–9:30, 16:00–18:30) can be heavy.
- Day trips to Łódź (1h 30m) and the Kampinos National Park (45 minutes) are popular reasons to rent a car beyond the city.
- Poland requires headlights on at all times while driving, and vehicles must carry a reflective safety vest and warning triangle — most rentals include both by law.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Warsaw
Do you need a car in Warsaw?
Not for the city center — the metro and trams cover most sightseeing well. A car becomes useful for day trips to Łódź or Kampinos National Park.
Should I rent at Warsaw Chopin Airport or downtown?
WAW offers quick terminal pickup right off your flight. Downtown desks near Warszawa Centralna suit train travelers planning specific day trips.
Do I need to pay tolls driving from Warsaw?
Yes, the A2 motorway toward Poznań is tolled. Most rental cars come with an electronic transponder, or you can pay manually at booths.
Is Warsaw's Old Town accessible by car?
No, the reconstructed Old Town is pedestrian-only. Park at the edge in a nearby garage and walk in.
Where can I park in central Warsaw?
The Śródmieście district uses a paid parking zone enforced weekdays 8:00–20:00. Garages near the center run €2–4/hour.
What safety equipment must a rental car carry in Poland?
By law, vehicles must carry a reflective safety vest and a warning triangle — rental agencies include both automatically.
What is the cheapest car type in Warsaw?
Economy cars like a Škoda Fabia start around €20/day. A 7-seat minivan starts around €52/day.
Nearby trips
