Car Hire at Gdańsk Orunia

EU/EEA licence holders can drive directly in Poland—no permit needed. If your licence is from outside the EU/EEA, you'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your national licence. An IDP costs around £15 and is available from the AA or RAC. Without both documents, rental companies will refuse to hand over the car and you won't be covered by insurance. Minimum driving age is 18, but most rental firms require drivers to be at least 21—and under-25s typically pay a young driver surcharge of roughly 100–150 zł (£20–30) per day.

Yes—Polish law mandates winter tyres from 1 November to 31 March when conditions are snowy or icy. Most rental cars come fitted with winter tyres, but always confirm at pickup. Budget around 200–400 zł (£40–80) if you need to pay for a full winter tyre set. Driving without them in winter conditions can result in a 500 zł (£100) fine, and if you're involved in an accident without proper tyres, your insurance claim may be rejected. Gdańsk's coastal climate means temperatures regularly drop to -5°C to -15°C in January, with snowfall expected.

Poland's toll roads (the A1, A2, and A4 motorways) use the e-Toll system. You can pay at toll booths with cash or card, or via the e-Toll mobile app which links to your credit card. If you're renting for more than a few days, the app is more convenient—download it before you set off. Tolls cost roughly 10–40 zł (£2–8) depending on distance. Note that some older toll booths only accept cash (zloty), so keep small denominations handy. The A1 is the most relevant for Gdańsk, connecting it southward toward Warsaw.

Petrol stations are plentiful across the Tricity area (Gdańsk, Sopot, Gdynia) and along major roads—expect a station every 10–20 km on the A1 and national roads. The two common fuel types are Pb 95 (unleaded 95) and diesel (ON). Check your rental agreement or the fuel cap label—most economy rentals run on Pb 95. Diesel is typically 5–10% cheaper per litre. Prices in 2025 average around 6.50–7.20 zł per litre (£1.30–1.45). Unleaded 98 is also available at larger stations but costs more. Many stations are unmanned on minor roads outside city hours, so fill up before long rural stretches.

Gdańsk operates a paid parking zone in the city centre (Stare Miasto/Old Town and surrounding streets). Rates are roughly 4–7 zł (£0.80–1.40) per hour, typically active Monday–Saturday 9:00–20:00. Look for blue parking meters—pay by mobile app (via skycash or other apps) or at the machine. A forgotten parking ticket can result in a 100–300 zł (£20–60) fine. If you see a white line instead of blue, that typically means free parking. Park & Ride zones on the outskirts (such as at Gdańsk Wrzeszcz station) offer cheaper or free parking with a public transport ticket.