Bus & Rental Car
Long-Distance Buses
FlixBus is the king of long-distance buses to and within Poland. Extremely cheap connections:
| Route | Duration | Price (from) |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin → Warsaw | 6–7h | 15€ |
| Berlin → Krakow | 8–9h | 19€ |
| Berlin → Wrocław | 4–5h | 12€ |
| Munich → Krakow | 9–10h | 25€ |
| Warsaw → Krakow | 4–5h | 8€ |
| Krakow → Zakopane | 2–2.5h | 5€ |
PolskiBus/FlixBus Poland also connects smaller cities. Often the cheapest option within Poland.
Rental Car
For tours off the beaten path, a rental car is ideal — especially for the Masurian Lake District, the Baltic coast, and the Tatra region.
| Category | Price/Day |
|---|---|
| Small car | 15–30€ |
| Compact | 25–45€ |
| SUV | 40–70€ |
Driving Tips
- Speed limit: Urban 50 km/h, Country road 90 km/h, Expressway 120 km/h, Highway 140 km/h
- Toll: On some highway sections (A1, A2, A4). Payment at toll stations with card or cash (PLN!)
- Lights on: Dipped headlights are mandatory year-round — even during the day!
- Alcohol: 0.2 per mille limit — practically zero tolerance. Penalties are severe.
- Fuel: About 1.30–1.50€/liter — cheaper than in Germany
- Parking: Difficult and expensive in old towns. Use Park & Ride or book a hotel with parking.
- Winter tires: Not legally required, but highly recommended from November to March — it gets cold and slippery!
Achtung
Polish drivers are considered "sporty." On country roads, overtaking is often risky. Drive defensively, keep your distance, and expect impatient overtaking maneuvers on rural drives.
