Car & Van Hire - Warszawa

Warszawa, the capital city of Poland, is rich in history and culture. Once known as the “Paris of the East”, there’s no better place to immerse yourself in Warszawa’s sights and sounds than by heading down the Royal Route. Linking Warszawa’s Royal palaces, the Royal Route will take visitors past colourful shops and restaurants where they can sample traditional Polish food, visit the historic Church of the Holy Cross and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and relax under the statue of the Renaissance-era astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus in Copernicus Square.

From the Royal Route, it is easy to reach Warszawa’s Old Town, one of the most beautiful districts in the city. Although much of the area was destroyed during World War II, it has since been rebuilt to its former glory and is now a UNESCO-listed World Heritage site. Among the narrow streets and old market square, visitors can head to the historic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and St Anne’s Church. From there, they can climb the nearby observation tower for some truly breathtaking views of the city.

The Warsaw Royal Castle was rebuilt in the 1980s after its destruction in World War II. Today it serves as a museum dedicated to the history of the former Polish Royal Family who lived there until the 18th century. Another famous palace worth visiting is the towering Palace of Culture and Science. At 237 metres, it is the tallest building in the city and was built during Poland’s communist years as a gift from the Soviet Union. While a number of locals feel that the palace is too imposing, it is hard to deny that the architecture is incredible to see firsthand. The building itself has a museum, a theatre, a cinema and an observation deck on the 30th floor.

Warszawa was at the centre of significant events that occurred before and during World War II. One of the most important places to learn about this history is the Warsaw Uprising Museum. Modelled on the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC, this museum uses immersive multimedia presentations to show what occurred during the 1944 Warsaw Uprising and its aftermath. Another important museum to visit in Warszawa is the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. Standing on the site of what was the Warsaw Jewish Ghetto, the museum presents the thousand-year history of Jews in Poland, from times of religious tolerance to times of intolerance and oppression.

Visitors should take some time to explore the Copernicus Science Centre, named after the famed Polish astronomer, and the Chopin Museum, which houses interactive exhibits depicting the life and work of the celebrated 17th-century composer. There are even benches that play Chopin’s music throughout the city while visitors and locals sit and relax. Finally, take some time to unwind in Lazienki Park, one of the best places in Warszawa to enjoy nature.

A car rental in Warszawa is a great way to explore the city and the surrounding region. Warszawa has extensive road links with other Polish cities, and many leading to the city are dual carriageways. This makes entering the city easy no matter which direction you are coming from.

Street parking is available throughout Warszawa, although much of it is subject to standard charges. Be aware that “Płatny” means paid in Polish, and if you see this word anywhere, you will need to pay to park there to avoid a fine. Payment can be made at roadside ticket machines via cash or card, or via mobile phone apps such as MobiParking, moBILET and Flowbird. If staying at a central hotel, check to see if they offer exclusive parking for their guests.

When hiring a car or van in Warszawa, be aware of the rules for driving in the city. The speed limit when driving in the city is 50 km/h from 05:00-23:00 and 60 km/h at night. All rental cars must be equipped with a reflective jacket, warning triangle and fire extinguisher, so check you have these before hitting the road. Seat belts must be worn at all times while driving, and children under 12 or under 150 cm in height are not permitted to travel unless the car has been fitted with special child seats. It is also mandatory to keep your headlights on at all times, even during the day.

EU citizens may use their valid home driving licences for a car or van rental in Warszawa. However, some countries may need you to apply for an international driver’s license. Check to see if this applies to you before travelling, and make sure to keep your passport on you when driving.