In Poland, some areas are expensive to drive on. We checked the prices and toll systems in selected European countries and found that long routes cost Poles almost as much as annual vignettes in Switzerland.
How are motorway tolls charged in Poland?
In Poland, on all toll roads, we can find so-called targets. The fee is collected according to two systems:
- an open system consists of toll collection points located across the main road,
- A closed system involves placing gates at each entrance and exit of a motorway. Unlike an open system, it does not slow down traffic on the main road, but its maintenance costs are higher, which can lead to higher tolls.
Toll rates on individual sections of the highway may vary. What is the reason for this? A significant part of the paid sections is not managed by the state, but by concessionaires. Thus, the fees include 23% VAT. Public sections under the supervision of the Main Directorate of Roads and Highways operate at net rates.
Read also: Speed limits in Europe
Toll roads in Poland – where are they and how much do they cost?
In Poland, toll areas operate on all three motorways:
- A1,
- A2,
- A4.
Toll sections of motorways in Poland are managed, in particular, by the aforementioned General Directorate of National Roads and Motorways – on the following sections:
- A2 Konin–Strykuv,
- A4 Wroclaw – Gliwice (Bielany Wroclawskie – Sosnica).
In turn, private concessionaires charge fees on concession areas, i.e.:
- A1 Gdańsk – Toruń (Rusocyn–Nova Wies),
- A2 Swietsko–Konin,
- A4 Katowice – Krakow.
The number of motorways and expressways in Poland is constantly increasing. After adding the route fragments completed in 2023, we have 5,117.1 km of expressways at our disposal: 1,849.2 km of motorways and 3,267.9 km of expressways.
Prices for travel on toll sections of Polish motorways for passenger cars
| highway | Section of road | Fee per 1 km |
| A1 | Rusotsyn-Nova Ves | PLN 0.16 |
| A2 | Svetsko-Novy Tomysl | PLN 0.17 |
| A2 | Nowy Tomysl-Konin | 0.64 PLN |
| A4 | Gliwice-Wroclaw | no payment for a passenger car |
| A4 | Krakow-Katowice | 0.52 PLN |
Read also: Vignettes in Europe
On which routes in Poland does the electronic system operate?
In 2021, Poland changed the toll collection system for motorways. Since then, electronic toll collection for heavy vehicles (buses, motor vehicles and combinations of vehicles with a total permissible weight of over 3.5 tons) on national roads has been mandatory and is only possible through the e-TOLL system (replacing the previous viaTOLL).
The driver must register in advance with e-TOLL and select one of the devices for transmitting geolocation data:
- On-board unit OBU/ZSL,
- special mobile application e-TOLL PL.
The e-TOLL system is available to drivers of passenger vehicles on sections of roads managed by the State Highways and Transport Administration, namely:
- A2 Konin–Strykuv,
- A4 Wroclaw–Sosnica.
From December 1, 2021, these sections will no longer have a manual toll collection system, i.e. traditional gates. Therefore, if you do not use the app, you should purchase a special motorway ticket before you set off. You can purchase a ticket electronically using the e-TOLL PL TICKET app before you set off on the motorway, even 60 days in advance. It will be valid for 48 hours from the declared start date of your journey. Alternatively, you can find a paper ticket, for example, at Lotos or Orlen gas stations.
On the A4 Wrocław-Sosnica section, these rules apply to truck and motorcycle drivers. Passenger car drivers will be exempt from the toll in 2023.
An automatic toll collection system also operates on the A1 motorway (on the Toruń – Gdańsk section) – AmberGo. To use it, you need to install the free AmberOne application and the selected online payment application on your phone and create an account. Cameras at the entrances and exits of the A1 motorway recognize vehicle license plates. The car number is registered by special devices that transmit information to the system responsible for automatically raising the barrier.
WARNING!
According to the order of the Ministry of Infrastructure, until December 31, 2024, drivers of category 1 vehicles will remain exempt from tolls on the A1 motorway. This is a continuation of the measures introduced in 2023. In practice, drivers who have previously registered with the AmberGO system do not need to receive a ticket or stop at collection points. Those who have not created an account in the system go to the gate, receive a free ticket, and then return it when leaving the A1.
Video payment has also been introduced on the A4 section (Katowice – Krakow). Here you will also need Skycash, Autopay or another mobile payment application on your phone.
Read also: Automobile country codes
WARNING!
Payment of the toll is checked using devices placed at the entrance and exit of the motorways. Driving on state sections of the A2 and A4 motorways without an electronic ticket is subject to a financial penalty of PLN 500. However, you can avoid the consequences if you pay the correct amount by purchasing an electronic ticket within 3 days of completing your journey.