Compare
Train or Car in Poland: How to Get Around?
Poland has a strong intercity rail network and a growing motorway system, and the two suit different trips. Trains connect the major cities quickly and cheaply, while a car earns its keep in the mountains, the lakes, and small towns off the rail lines. Poland drives on the right, and most visitors will not need to choose exclusively.
Train
Best for: City-to-city travel and travellers who would rather not drive.
- PKP Intercity and the Pendolino link Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Wroclaw, and Poznan at high speed; Warsaw to Krakow runs in about 2.5 hours.
- Fares are low, especially booked ahead, and you arrive in city centres rather than parking outside them.
- No tolls, no parking hassle, and you can work or rest en route.
- Frequent local SKM trains also cover the Tri-City coast between Gdansk, Sopot, and Gdynia.
Rental car
Best for: Mountains, lakes, and rural regions away from the main lines.
- Reaches trailheads in the Tatras and Bieszczady, and the scattered Masurian lakes, where trains do not go.
- Lets you set your own schedule for a countryside or castle-hopping loop.
- Motorways such as the A1, A2, and A4 are fast; a few private sections charge cars a toll at the barrier, while the state-run stretches are free.
- City-centre parking is limited and often paid, so a car is a liability inside Krakow or Warsaw.
The bottom line
For a trip built around cities, take the train; it is faster door to door, cheaper, and spares you parking. Rent a car only for the parts of your itinerary that leave the rail network, such as the mountains, the Masurian lakes, or rural castle routes. Many travellers combine both: trains between cities, a short car rental for one rural stretch.
Frequently asked questions
Explore both
More comparisons