What Motorists Should Know to Drive a Car in Krakow
Poland
has right-hand traffic, so when driving a vehicle in
Krakow
please keep to the right side of the street. Traffic signs and
rules generally match those in force elsewhere in the
continental part of the European Union.
Fastening seatbelts in the front as well as in the rear of
the car is mandatory. Motorists have to drive always with
the headlights on. Drivers must not use cellphones unless
they employ a hands-free set.
The maximum traffic fine amounts to 2,000 zlotys. Driving
with as little blood alcohol count as 0.02 percent – result
of a small glass of beer – is drunk driving in Poland and a
criminal offence.
Speed limits
Unless indicated otherwise by an appropriate road sign, the
speed limit in built-up areas is 50km/h from 5 a.m. to 11
p.m. and 60km/h between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Practically
entire Krakow within the city limits falls into this
category. The beginning of a built-up area is marked with a
white rectangular sign with the name of the town (sometimes
replaced with a symbol) in black and it ends with a similar
sign with a red diagonal stripe.
The speed limit on dual carriageways and on motorways is
120km/h and 140km/h respectively.
Otherwise it’s 90 km/h.
Driver’s license
Citizens of the EU need the European document or equivalent.
Other aliens are allowed to use their homeland driver’s
licenses or international driving permits within six months
from the date of entry to Poland stamped on the passport.
Foreign drivers domiciled outside the EU should always carry
both the license and the passport with them.
Parking in Krakow
Practically anywhere in the city it may prove tricky to find
a convenient parking place so
public transport is often the easy option for
local motorists. And parking on the streets in central
Krakow is paid between 10 a.m.
and 8 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays.
One hour of parking costs 6 zlotys (PLN) in central Krakow and 5 zlotys or 4 zlotys in adjacent districts. The ticket machines don't give the
change so it's advisable to keep exact money in coins. Shiny steely parking meters are installed at least one per street or the length of a block..
Note:
the purchased ticket should be left on view behind the
windshield of a parked car.
In Poland 'no parking' sign applies also to the sidewalk
unless there is a notice below that reads 'Nie dotyczy
chodnika".
There is a spacious underground car park in the Old Town
central area beneath Plac Na Groblach square, next to
Sheraton Krakow
hotel near the
Wawel Royal Castle, where an hour of parking costs an
equivalent of about one euro. Somewhat cheaper is a
subterranean parking garage in front of the main hall of the
Krakow National Museum at Aleja Mickiewicza avenue.
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Zone A is a
strictly pedestrian precinct: off limits to motor vehicles
save police, ambulance, etc., diplomats, and supplies in set
hours.
Zone B is off limits to
motor vehicles save police, ambulance, etc., diplomats, taxis,
guests of the hotels in the area, locals, and supplies in set
hours.
Zone C
is open to traffic but parking in the street is paid here
between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays.
Map of the Old
Town Historic District
Map of the Main
Roads in Krakow
City of Krakow map
How to move about the city.
Over seven million visitors show up in Krakow every
year. Many arrive by air, but most take advantage of the fact
that Krakow lies at a major European road and rail junction.
Poland's prime tourist attraction and a must-see in Central
Europe boasts numerous world-class monuments, charming vistas,
delightful atmosphere, and the
best restaurants.
Krakow is Poland's tourist mecca, and also a gateway to many
other must-see sites in the region.
Hotels in Krakow
Good restaurants in Krakow
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