In Poland, you do not need a nationwide motorway vignette, but passenger cars pay tolls on specific concession motorways. For a vehicle up to 3.5 t, check your route on the A1 between Gdańsk and Toruń, the A2 between Świecko and Konin, and the A4 between Katowice and Kraków. On other motorways and expressways, driving may be free or rules for heavier vehicles may apply.
Where do passenger cars pay road tolls in Poland?
Passenger-car tolls apply only on selected sections, usually at a toll plaza or according to the distance travelled. This is not an electronic vignette for the whole country: the motorway, entry, exit and vehicle category determine the charge.
For a standard two-axle passenger car without a trailer, the main routes are:
- A1 AmberOne: Rusocin–Nowa Wieś between the Gdańsk area and Toruń. In the closed system, take a ticket when entering and pay when exiting according to the distance and vehicle category.
- A2 Świecko–Konin via Poznań. The section has toll plazas, and the rate varies according to the section travelled and the vehicle. Between Nowy Tomyśl and Konin, from 11 September 2025 a two-axle passenger car pays PLN 37 for each of the three 50-km sections.
- A4 Katowice–Kraków, with toll plazas in Mysłowice and Balice. From 1 April 2026, a passenger car pays PLN 18 at each of the two plazas, or PLN 36 for the complete route.
Compare route charges in advance on the page with information about road tolls in Poland. Do not confuse motorway tolls with parking, a ferry or another service outside the motorway.
Which Polish motorways are free for vehicles up to 3.5 t?
On the state-managed A2 Konin–Stryków and A4 Wrocław–Sośnica sections, passenger cars and motorcycles up to 3.5 t do not pay tolls. The rule has applied since 1 July 2023 to light vehicles on sections managed by Poland’s state road administrator, GDDKiA.
Not every section of the same motorway is free. The A2 continues west on the paid concession section Świecko–Konin, while the A4 has a paid section between Katowice and Kraków. Follow the entrances and exits, not just the A1, A2 or A4 designation.
How do you pay a toll on a Polish motorway?
On concession motorways, you pay when passing through a toll plaza; depending on the section, you can use cash, a card or automatic payment based on number-plate recognition. For an occasional journey, ordinary payment on site is usually the simplest option.
On the A1, keep the ticket you receive at the entrance and hand it to an attendant or insert it into the machine at the exit. Losing the ticket may result in the highest rate for the relevant category and toll station.
On the A2, the operator accepts cash in PLN, euros or US dollars as well as standard payment cards. Change for a foreign-currency payment is returned in złoty. On the Poznań–Konin section, videotolling can be used: automatic payment after number-plate recognition.
On the A4 Katowice–Kraków, pay at the plazas by cash or card; selected automatic methods and videotolling also operate. The e-TOLL system cannot be used for this part of the A4: it is not the same system as the state electronic toll system.
When do you need e-TOLL, and why does the weight of the combination matter?
A standard passenger car up to 3.5 t does not need e-TOLL for the state sections of the A2 and A4, but the rules change if the maximum authorised mass of the vehicle or combination exceeds 3.5 t. E-TOLL applies to vehicles and vehicle combinations over 3.5 t and to buses regardless of their weight.
This matters for a motorhome or heavy trailer. If the sum of the maximum authorised masses of the car and attached trailer shown in the registration document exceeds 3.5 t, the combination may be assessed as a heavy vehicle for toll purposes. A trailer may also change the tariff category on concession motorways. Check the documents, lane signs at the plaza and the conditions for the specific section.
Practical steps before driving through Poland
First check whether your route uses a paid concession section, then prepare the payment method.
- Enter the starting point, destination and any waypoints into your navigation.
- Check the route via A1 Rusocin–Nowa Wieś, A2 Świecko–Konin or A4 Katowice–Kraków.
- Check the category based on axles, trailer and the maximum authorised mass of the combination.
- Prepare a card or cash; set up automatic payment only on a section that supports it.
- Do not lose the entry ticket on the A1, and follow the lane signs elsewhere.
EuroGoPass can help you plan your route and check tolls along the way, especially when continuing to another country. You can see where you pay at a plaza, where passage is free and where vehicle weight is decisive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a motorway vignette for Poland?
No. There is no nationwide vignette for passenger cars; tolls apply on selected concession sections.
Are the A2 and A4 always free?
No. A2 Konin–Stryków and A4 Wrocław–Sośnica are free for light vehicles up to 3.5 t, but the concession sections A2 Świecko–Konin and A4 Katowice–Kraków are paid.
Do I pay in advance on the A1?
No. With the standard system, take a ticket at the entrance and pay at the exit according to the distance.
Can I pay by card?
Yes, cards are generally accepted on the concession sections mentioned above. Follow the signs for the specific lane.
When do I need e-TOLL?
For a vehicle or combination over 3.5 t and for a bus. It does not apply to a standard passenger car up to 3.5 t on the free state sections of the A2 and A4.