Car Hire - a Guide to Driving in Poland

The large, Eastern European country of Poland is characterised by its enchanting towns and cities, wild and unspoilt countryside and its turbulent past.

Poland's capital - Warsaw, was once one of Eastern Europe's most striking and sophisticated cities, World War II however, left the city in nothing more than rubble and ruins. Since then the city has undergone major regeneration, with much of its Old Town district being rebuilt to its 17th and 18th century form.

Albeit, Warsaw does not offer the archetypal beauty of other European countries, the sheer determination of its people and the traces of it's magnificent past scattered throughout the city however, has given Warsaw its unique lure.

The historic port town of Gdañsk is situated on the coast of the Baltic Sea and its location has made it one of the most important port cities in Northern Europe. Similar to Warsaw, Gdañsk has also suffered a violent past but it has been meticulously rebuilt over the years.

The city is now one of Poland's most beautiful, with its magnificent buildings, renaissance style monuments and a seafront lined with cosmopolitan restaurants, bars and cafes.

Poland's most charismatic and striking city is Krakow, which, situated in the southern region of the country managed to escape much of the destruction of World War II. This has resulted in a charming city, retaining much of its historic glory.

With over 125,000 miles of road spanning the country, hiring your own vehicle is an excellent way to discover many of the hidden gems scattered throughout the beautifully diverse landscape.

Admittedly, much of Poland's roads are poorly maintained and can present quite the challenge for the more conventional driver. For this reason it's recommended that you opt for a 4x4, which should make the ride a lot more comfortable.

Also, opting to hire from one of the major rental agencies will mean you can take advantage of one-way pick up deals, where you pickup your vehicle in one city and drop it off in another. The wealth of countryside to explore coupled with the cheap petrol prices makes Poland an excellent country to do take advantage of such deals.

Car hire pickups are available at the country's two major airports, and within many of its larger towns and cities. Organising car hire before you set off is always the best way to ensure you will get a cheap car hire deal.