Car Hire in Katowice

About Katowice

Katowice is a city in Poland, more precisely in the southern part of the country. It is the capital and the largest city of the Silesian Voivodeship. In Poland, Katowice is known as the city with the most populous urban area in the country and also one of the most populous in the European Union. This area was inhabited long ago, but the name Katowice was first used at the end of the 16th century. In the beginning, it was a larger village, but over the years Katowice grew and experienced its peak during the Industrial Revolution. A large coal mine was discovered in the area and the industry grew very quickly.

Today Katowice is a modern city and there is little evidence that this was once a heavily industrial city. The city has been classified as a Gamma-global city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. In addition, Katowice is a college city, so many students live in the city. This adds another dimension to Katowice, as it also has a very lively nightlife. In addition, Katowice is a commercial, business, transport, and cultural center in southern Poland, where many companies have their headquarters.

It is important to mention that the city also has a rich cultural offer. Every year Katowice hosts numerous high-quality cultural festivals. There are also many museums and galleries in Katowice and, of course, theater and opera. With many great cultural, historical, and religious sights worth visiting here, this is truly a perfect destination for every type of tourist and traveler. Here in Katowice, everyone will find something for themselves. So, if you are taking a road trip through Poland, be sure to put Katowice on your list of cities to spend a few days in, you will not regret it. Fasten your seatbelts and drive safely!

Basic info and car hire in Katowice

• Location: Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland
• Population: 286,960
• Official language: Polish
• Currency: Polish Złoty
• Weather: Katowice has a temperate, ocean-moderated humid continental climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Katowice are in good condition.
• Car hire in Katowice:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Katowice, is at the Katowice Pyrzowice Airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Katowice!

 Driving in Katowice

If you want to properly explore Katowice and the city's surroundings, a rental car is the best solution for you. The roads here are generally in good condition, the signaling is clear, so all you have to do is follow the traffic rules and drive safely. When you come to Katowice, it is best to park your car in one of the many parking lots in the city. Before you park your car, you should find out how to pay and the price of your parking space. There are no free parking lots in Katowice. If you want to explore the city center, it is best to walk. Or you can combine walking with using public transport. Public transportation in Katowice is quite cheap and efficient. After exploring the city center, you can get in your car and explore the wider area at your own pace and preferences. Local drivers can sometimes drive quite aggressively, so be extra careful.

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in Poland is 18 years old. The minimum age to rent a car is 21 years old and with some suppliers for people over 75 years of age, you must also have held a driving license for a minimum of 12 months. Young driver surcharges may apply to many car rental companies for people under 25 years of age. This information is visible in the search engine with Orbit Car Hire.
• International Driving Permit: An International Driving Permit is required in addition to a National Driving License if the National Driving License you or any of the Additional Drivers hold is not clearly identifiable as a Driving License, eg, it is in a non-Latin alphabet (eg Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Japanese). It can also depend on the country or car rental company you are renting with. If you have found a car on our website, you can press the rental terms link from the supplier for more information about driving license requirements. 
• Additional papers: A credit card in the name of the main driver needs to be presented. A security deposit may be required while renting a car so the credit card must have sufficient funds. You can find details about the security deposit listed while booking the vehicle as well as on your voucher. It is important to have a valid driving license with the name of the main driver as well as additional drivers when it applies. An International Driving Permit is required in addition to a National Driving License if the National Driving License you or any of the Additional Drivers hold is not clearly identifiable as a Driving License, eg, it is in a non-Latin alphabet (eg Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Japanese). It can also depend on the country or car rental company you are renting with. If you have found a car on our website, you can press the rental terms link from the supplier for more information about driving license requirements. You will need to have identification with you such as a passport and ID cards. When you pick up your rental car you need to have your voucher with you.  
• Additional requirements: Warning triangle (compulsory in every vehicle with four wheels or more), headlamp beam deflectors (depending on your car, you will either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually), crash helmet for motorcyclists or moped riders and their passengers (a child up to the age of seven may ride a motorcycle or moped as a passenger without a helmet if the speed does not exceed 40km/h), reflective jacket (although not mandatory to carry, you could be fined for walking on the side of a road outside a built-up area at night or in reduced visibility if not wearing one), fire extinguisher.  
• Children in the car: Children under the age of 12 and less than 150cm in height must be restrained by a seat belt adapted to their size or seated in a special seat. If the car is equipped with airbags at the front, it is prohibited to place a child in a rear-facing seat on the front passenger seat 
• Driving side of the road: Right hand
• Lights: You must turn your lights on any time you can't see at least 1000 feet ahead. Use your low-beam headlights whenever it is raining.
• General speed limits: The national speed limit on motorways in Poland, unless otherwise indicated on local signage, is 140km/h (87mph). On a main road outside a built-up area, it's 90 km/h to 120km/h (according to local signs). For built-up areas, it’s 50km/h (between the hours of 05:00 and 23:00) or 60km/h (between the hours of 23:00 and 05:00).

Popular day trips from Katowice

Wieliczka Salt Mine, Prague, Auschwitz – Birkenau, Katowice Castle in Moszna and Plawniowice Palace...

What to see in Katowice

With many different cultural, historical, and religious sights, Katowice is a very popular destination for tourists and travelers from all over the world. This modern city with a strong tradition and a rich and long past is definitely worth a visit. If you are passing through Poland, you should definitely stop by Katowice, you will not regret it.

When you come here, be sure to visit the Silesian Museum. This unique museum is a special experience. It is located underground in the old tunnels. You will be impressed when you walk through these tunnels created by the miners and see some of the most beautiful works of great Polish artists from the past.

Another museum you should visit here is the Museum of Katowice History. This museum is housed in an old tenement building dating back to 1908, and you can learn all about the history of the city and the surrounding area. From works of art to the everyday life of the working families in Katowice, everything is represented in this museum.

Other places to visit and things to do in Katowice:  Nikiszowiec, Kościuszko Park, Silesian Insurgents' Monument, Cathedral of Christ the King, Ulica Mariacka (St Mary's Street), St Mary's Church, Architecture, Spodek, Valley of Three Ponds, Giszowiec, Silesian Parliament, Silesian Philharmonic, Guitar History Museum,...

Drive your rental car beyond Katowice

The Republic of Poland is a country in Central Europe. Poland is divided into 16 administrative provinces, the voivodeships, and is the fifth most populous country in the European Union with 37.7 million inhabitants. There are several major cities in the country, the largest being: Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Łódź, Poznań, Gdańsk, and Szczecin. Poland covers a large area stretching from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and the Carpathian Mountains in the south. The country borders Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukraine to the east, Slovakia and the Czech Republic to the south, and Germany to the west. It also shares maritime borders with Denmark and Sweden. Poland is a member of the European Union, including the Schengen area. It is also a founding member of the United Nations, as well as a member of the World Trade Organization and NATO. Poland has a temperate transitional climate, and in addition to many impressive cities, there are also many breathtaking natural sights that you should definitely visit if you are planning a road trip through Poland. This country has beautiful nature and also offers many outdoor activities that you can do all year round, from rafting on the rivers (the longest Polish river is the Vistula), climbing, hiking (Poland's highest mountain is Mount Rysy), cycling, mountain biking, swimming, skiing, snowboarding, sailing, etc. Moreover, this is a country with a long and rich past and also with a very strong tradition, so you can visit many different historical, cultural, and religious sights that will give you a different view of this interesting and beautiful country. The country has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 15 of which are cultural. There are numerous museums that will give you the opportunity to learn more about the history of Poland. The first evidence of people living on this soil dates back to 10000 BC. The country experienced several ups and downs in the past, and there were also many different civilizations that passed through and dominated this area in the past. Today's modern Poland was established in 1989.

When traveling through Poland, you will have the opportunity to meet very hospitable locals, enjoy delicious Polish cuisine, discover wonderful nature, vibrant cities, many cultural events, sporting events, and much more throughout the year. The roads are generally in good condition, so you will really enjoy driving. If we add the great landscapes you can experience on the roads of Poland, this is really a perfect country for a good road trip. There is something for every kind of tourist and traveler, it's up to you what kind of vacation you prefer, but you can be sure that you will not be bored in Poland. Besides many attractions, you can also experience very lively nightlife in Polish cities.

These are some of the most popular places to visit in Poland: Wroclaw, Warsaw, Gdansk, Gdynia, Sopot, Cracow, Szczecin, Poznan, Torun, Malbork, Rzeszów, Lodz, Zakopane, Mikolajki, Swinoujscie.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Katowice

Katowice is a very attractive place for gourmets, there are all kinds of restaurants in the city. You can find places that serve traditional Silesian food, or you can go to a restaurant with more modern Polish cuisine. Of course, there are also restaurants where you can order menus from all over the world. It's up to you what kind of food you prefer, but one thing is for sure, you will not go hungry in Katowice.

BEST PLACES FOR PARTY IN KATOWICE:

Browariat - Craft Beer Zone

Old Cuban Cocktail Bar

Zołte Drzwi

Longway cocktail&vodka bar

Wisniewski Katowice

Cybermachina

Kontynuacja

Katofonia jazz&blues club

Best restaurant in Katowice

Pierogi Swiata

Susharnia Sushi Bar

Restaurant Tatiana

Kyoto Sushi

Zurownia

Slaska Prohibicja