Discover Warsaw on Your Own Terms: Car Rental Guide and Tips
Warsaw is a city of contrasts, with sumptuous baroque palaces and a historic center carefully restored after destruction. Warsaw, a great European capital and a major cultural center, the starting point for traveling to Poland, the city has made a show in history to be strong and resilient: it was almost completely razed to the ground during the Second World War. But where there used to be piles of rubble, its inhabitants have managed to put buildings on their feet, compared to the original form of architectural styles. Today Warsaw is one of the cities resurrected after the war, which, despite the presence of buildings, retains its ancient appearance no older than 70 years: its preserved architecture in the style of the Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque.
Warsaw is a world unto itself, with a flavor that mixes east and west. Memories of a rich Jewish heritage linked to the Nazis lie in the western part of the city. All the main attractions are located on the western bank of the Vistula River, which flows through the city from south to north, where everyone can enjoy a variety of perspectives that cover various architectural styles. Warsaw is also home to two of the most beautiful city parks in central Europe, and the true green light capitals of Poland.
Renting a car will help you get to know the city better, see the beautiful historical center, Royal Way, National Museum, some magnificent palaces. Delicious restaurants, excellent nightclubs are waiting for their visitors. The great city has become at the crossroads of European culture, finance and music.
Sights
There are many sights in Warsaw, in particular from a historical point of view. The terrible past does not stop the inhabitants, but on the contrary, pushes them to new achievements.
The Old Town of Warsaw has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Paved streets, courtyards, squares, gardens, statues, and renaissance buildings will accompany travelers on the tour. Reaching Marketplace, they will be greeted by a quiet and cozy atmosphere, the Royal Palace, a majestic red brick building completely rebuilt after the war, the path along the Royal Road to Wilanów Castle. The summer royal residence attracts with luxury and elegance, which depends on many architectural styles, primarily Italian baroque.
It is worth visiting the palace complex and Lazienki park, a real green oasis in the very center of the city with a magnificent palace on the water, and the National Museum, where during the Second World War some treasures of the Royal Castle were secretly kept, the Palace of Culture and Science, built by Stalin for the city of Warsaw, the Science Center, opened in 2010, and the Modern Art Centre.
The magnificent Saxon Gardens, inspired by the French gardens of Versailles, became the first public park in the early 18th century of the city, and a wide offer of museums in tribute to the most famous son of the city, Chopin.
Where to go near Warsaw?
Local navigation allows you to discover unknown places. Warsaw is a good base for spontaneous excursions. You can go directly to them from Warsaw Chopin Airport.
Modlin Fortress
Modlin Fortress is located at the crossroads of the Vistula and Narew rivers. This is one of the mouths of major rivers in Poland. The initiator of the construction of the defense object in this place was Napoleon himself. It was later expanded by the Russians. Modlin Fortress belongs to the inhabited part of the New Mazowiecki Manor. Wear comfortable shoes and go for a walk. The climate of this place is amazing and a one day tour from Warsaw to Modlin is a very good plan.
Castle in Czersk
You can take a break from the rush and frantic pace of Warsaw in Czersk, located less than forty kilometers to the south. Walks and picturesque views of the scenery from the high escarpment will calm travelers.
Chersk is favorable for tourists of all ages. Finding a travel companion is not a problem. Even a four-legged friend can be accompanied on the tour, especially in winter, when there are not so many local people on the tour.
The origins of the Nibor Palace, located in 83 kilometers west of Warsaw, can be traced back to the 12th century, when a wooden mansion settled on this very spot. A chapel was added shortly after. A major reconstruction was carried out by one of the heirs of Michal Piotr Edmund Radziwiłł in 1922-1929.
The Nyborov and Arkady Museum was established in 1945. It includes the Radziwill Palace and its gardens, as well as the romantic Arcadia Garden. By agreement with the Radziwill family, shortly before they were deported to Russia by the German army, the complex became part of the National Museum in Warsaw.
Currently, you can see furniture, collections of sculptures, paintings, bronzes, porcelain and books, as well as see the furnishings as they were between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries.
Local Cuisine
The cuisine of Warsaw is like the city itself: diverse, multicultural, juicy and full of energy. Booking a table at a Michelin restaurant or immersing yourself in the socialist era in a traditional bar will be the best solution. Restaurants in Warsaw offer a gourmet feast. The gastronomic offer of places in the capital is very wide and allows you to taste dishes from all over the world. Plenty of restaurants are ready to provide their masterpieces.
The most famous restaurant in Poland, owned by Wojciech Modest Amaro, has been welcoming customers since 2013. At Atelier, an international team of chefs creates experimental Polish cuisine. The menu changes every day and matches the rhythm of nature. Amaros don't serve food, and the so-called "moments" are small culinary masterpieces.
Senses cuisine is a blend of the talent and personality of Chef Andrea Camastri. After experience in star restaurants in Europe, he landed in Poland, where he worked, among other things, as a sous chef at Atelier Amaro. His Polish dishes are used in the kitchen, most of the products come from organic farms. This is a cuisine, sometimes unusual and creative, sometimes preferring experimental flavor combinations. Because Senses is a project that involves a constant component, the restaurant does not have a fixed menu - dishes depend on the availability of products and the season.
Solec 44 is the author's restaurant of the brave Alexander Baron. In the restaurant world, this form is characteristic - his path to a career in catering was long, he is famous for adventures: Faculty of Sculpture at the Warsaw ASP, work in Scotland, supervising the construction of the Amber Museum in the Virgin Islands and trading in precious stones in China. The Baron writes about himself that he has an insatiable need to enjoy life.
Where to park in Warsaw
A short break shouldn't get in the way of enjoying the city. Bookingautos provides the opportunity to rent a car. Throughout Warsaw, there are several places specially designated by the authorities where you can legally and completely free of charge parking. Among them are the so-called Park & Ride (P+R) parking lots, that is, park and drive.
According to the Warsaw Town Hall, Park Ride parking lots can be used free of charge by all persons with WTA main tickets: within short-term side channel (self-service, 3 days), long-term (30 days and 90 days), ticket holders for pensioners and persons with travel permits. Parking lots can be used from 4.30 am to 2.30 am (so-called parking day).
Unprotected paid parking zones have been created in Wola, Mokotów, Ochota, Żoliborz, Prague North and Prague South. The minimum fare is PLN 0.50, which allows you to park for 10 minutes. Within the paid parking area, there are conveniently marked in blue and a white diagonal cross, spaces reserved for vehicles used by the disabled, holders of a special parking card.
Tourist guide to Warsaw
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Alamo
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
31 € / Day
Best price
22 € / Day
How the price changes depending on the month
January
€78
February
€66
March
€75
April
€118
May
€133
June
€158
July
€188
August
€139
September
€85
October
€76
November
€72
December
€126
* Data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
The best month to rent a car in Warsaw is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €17. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Warsaw is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €17 for a Compact car.
During the summer months in Warsaw there is a significant increase in demand for convertible rentals. This causes an increase in prices and the limited choice of such cars. A day of rental Ford Mustang will cost you €323.
We offer a wide range of vehicles to suit every budget:
Economy cars - a great solution for everyday trips;
Premium segment - for those who love quality and comfort;
Business class is ideal for people who are used to being first.
Convertibles, SUVs and station wagons, as well as minivans and sedans are in demand among customers. The choice of car depends not only on personal tastes, preferences and its cost. Rental conditions are important, which in some cases should be taken into account in the first place.
What affects the cost of renting a car in Warsaw? These are three indicators: car class, time of year and rental period. The highest prices are in summer, and the lowest are in autumn and winter. The tariff is reduced if you order the service for a long time. Some specific examples: a compact model Opel Astra in March-April costs about€17 per day. But book a car right away for a week - and the price will drop to €18 per day. These are standard prices for budget cars. The middle class will cost an average of €43-€55 per 24 hours. This can be Audi A4,BMW 5 Series Estate or Toyota Rav-4. In Warsaw convertibles can be rented for a minimum of €60. Luxury models raise the bar to €323 per day. Some exclusive cars are valued at more than 400€ per day.
The demand for electric cars is growing not only in the segment of their sales. These cars are just as popular when renting, which is often accompanied by the provision of a free parking space and the possibility of free car charging around the city. To rent an electric car you should set the appropriate filter. Moreover, the rental of Hyundai Ioniq when ordering in Warsaw will cost quite a modest amount.
Documents required for car rental
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
TOP-10 car rental Tips:
Download Google maps offline
All modern smartphones have a GPS function. You can save on the "Navigator" service and roaming charges for the Internet if you download maps in the Google Maps application in advance. Offline maps also support route building and navigation. To download a map - open the area you need by controlling the scale, and enter "ok maps" in the search.
Book in advance
Warsaw is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Warsaw. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.
Which car to choose for rent
The compact model is relevant for city trips in Warsaw. It can be Renault Twingo or Opel Astra. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - BMW 5 Series Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €32 per day;
What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance advice
Rental companies in Warsaw may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Fuel prepayment terms
For trips over long distances, it is better to choose the option with the already included payment for a full tank. If you have a short trip, then this service is inappropriate. Be sure to read the fuel policy before making a booking:
If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Unlimited mileage
According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Warsaw, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
When renting a car in Warsaw, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.
If we talk about the best companies in Warsaw, then it is worth highlighting sixt with a rating 9.8 and budget, the average rating of which is 9.7 points.
Getting a car at a rental office
You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.
Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.
Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.
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Car rental reviews: Warsaw
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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