Pick up your vehicle at Pyrzowice terminal and drive south to the mountains or east to Krakow
Katowice Airport sits 30 km north of Katowice city at Pyrzowice, connected by route DK79. The single terminal hosts rental counters where local companies hand over vehicles directly after you land. Driving south on DK79 brings you to the A4 motorway junction in roughly 15 minutes, linking east to Krakow (80 km), west toward Wroclaw and the German border, and north via A1 to Warsaw. Route 79 and S1 run south through the industrial belt toward Bielsko-Biala and onward to Zakopane, 140 km from the terminal.
We offer vehicles at Katowice Airport with no deposit required on eligible models - no card block, no held funds. Many cars also accept payment without a credit card: you settle the balance at pickup using a debit card or cash, depending on the specific vehicle. Each listing in the booking search states its deposit rule and accepted payment methods. You pay the booking advance online when you reserve, and the remainder goes to the rental company when you collect the keys.
This page covers airport pickup: terminal procedure, documents at the counter, and routes from Pyrzowice. If you plan to collect a car in the city centre instead, visit our Katowice page, which focuses on urban logistics and downtown delivery. For broader context on rental terms across the country, see our Poland car rental overview.
The process from baggage claim to driving off takes about 20 minutes. When you search in the widget above, open the "Specify location" field and select Katowice Airport (KTW) to see only terminal pickup slots.
Exit customs and head toward the arrivals hall. Rental counters line the terminal concourse near the exit doors. Your voucher shows which desk to approach and any meeting instructions if the company prefers to greet you in the hall.
Present your voucher, driving licence, and passport. The agent checks your documents and confirms the reservation. If the car requires a deposit, they explain the block amount; no-deposit cars skip this step entirely.
Read the rental contract, note the fuel policy (usually full-to-full), and agree on any extras: second driver, child seat, vignette for A-routes, or cross-border permission for trips to Czechia, Slovakia or Germany. Walk with the agent to the car park, photograph existing marks, and confirm them in the agreement.
Take the keys, stow luggage, and follow signs to the exit. Route DK79 runs south from the terminal forecourt; within ten minutes you reach the roundabout for A4 east (Krakow) or west (Wroclaw). Sat-nav or a phone mount helps if you are unfamiliar with Polish road signs.
Katowice Airport offers quick access to Silesian cities, mountain resorts, and motorway corridors. Times assume average traffic outside peak hours.
30 km, 25 min via DK79 and A4 - Follow DK79 south to the A4 junction, then take A4 east for three exits. Compact hatchbacks like the Opel Corsa or Skoda Fabia handle urban parking and short distances efficiently.
80 km, 55 min via A4 - Stay on A4 east past Katowice. Vignette toll applies. Mid-size sedans such as the Skoda Octavia or Ford Focus SW suit motorway cruising and city exploration once you arrive in Krakow.
140 km, 2 hr via S1 and DK7 - Take S1 south from the DK79 junction, pass Bielsko-Biala, then follow DK7 into the Tatras. Winter snow between November and March demands all-wheel-drive crossovers: Mazda CX-5, Nissan Qashqai, or Skoda Karoq with capable ground clearance.
180 km, 2 hr via A4 west - Join A4 west at the DK79 junction and remain on the motorway. Estate cars like the Skoda Octavia Combi or Skoda Superb Combi offer luggage space for longer trips across Lower Silesia.
65 km, 50 min via A1 north - Merge onto A1 from the airport, exit at Czestochowa. A standard sedan - Kia Ceed, SEAT Leon, or Opel Astra - balances comfort and fuel economy for religious pilgrimage routes and day trips.
Local companies at Pyrzowice terminal supply a range of hatchbacks, sedans, estates, and crossovers. Models change with fleet rotation; use the search widget to see real-time availability and terms for each car.
| Model | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Fiat 500 | Mini | Solo travellers, city errands, short airport-to-hotel transfers |
| Fiat Panda | Economy | Budget-conscious pairs, urban parking, light luggage |
| Opel Corsa | Economy | Compact footprint, fuel efficiency, downtown Katowice |
| Skoda Fabia | Economy | Reliable hatchback, two passengers with suitcases |
| Mazda 2 | Economy | Nimble handling, tight car parks, weekend trips |
| Kia Rio | Compact | Slightly larger boot than economy, motorway comfort |
| Skoda Rapid | Compact | Sedan body, generous rear legroom, business travel |
| Opel Astra | Compact | Mid-range features, comfortable seats, regional routes |
| Ford Focus SW | Estate | Family luggage, ski equipment, Zakopane runs |
| Skoda Octavia | Mid-size sedan | Four adults, long-distance motorway, spacious cabin |
| Skoda Octavia Combi | Estate | Large boot, camping gear, multi-week tours |
| Kia Ceed | Compact | Modern dashboard, Apple CarPlay, business trips |
| SEAT Leon | Compact | Sporty feel, tight cornering, A4 motorway sprints |
| Fiat Tipo | Compact | Practical four-door, value pricing, airport shuttles |
| Skoda Superb | Full-size sedan | Executive comfort, rear-seat space, corporate events |
| Skoda Superb Combi | Full-size estate | Maximum boot volume, family road trips, relocation moves |
| Dacia Duster | Crossover | Light off-road, gravel tracks, budget AWD option |
| Mazda CX-3 | Compact crossover | Elevated seating, urban agility, small families |
| Opel Mokka | Compact crossover | Higher ride, winter visibility, snowy car parks |
| Nissan Qashqai | Compact crossover | Popular choice, proven reliability, mountain access |
| Mazda CX-5 | Mid-size crossover | All-wheel drive, Tatra foothills, ski resorts |
| Skoda Karoq | Compact crossover | Practical interior, moderate ground clearance, forest trails |
| Opel Grandland | Mid-size crossover | Spacious cabin, highway cruising, family comfort |
| Skoda Kodiaq | Large crossover | Seven-seat option, large families, adventure tours |
| Lexus NX | Premium crossover | Luxury finish, advanced safety, executive transport |
The table lists examples from local fleets. Actual choice depends on booking dates and demand. Each car in the search shows its deposit requirement, payment options, fuel policy, and mileage allowance before you reserve.
Small details smooth the rental experience at Pyrzowice terminal and prevent last-minute confusion.
We display vehicles that waive the deposit block and accept debit cards or cash for final payment. Conditions vary by model, so check each listing before you book.
Open the booking widget at the top of this page, enter your dates, and browse results. Each car shows a "Deposit" field: if it reads zero or "None," the rental company will not place a hold on your card. The vehicle still carries an excess - the amount you pay out-of-pocket if damage occurs - but no funds are frozen during the rental period. Deposit and excess are independent parameters, so a zero deposit does not eliminate liability in case of collision.
Filter the list or read individual descriptions to confirm. Companies at Katowice Airport update their policies weekly, and availability shifts with demand.
Many vehicles accept debit cards or cash for the balance due at pickup. When you search, the payment-method icon or text beneath each car name indicates "Debit card" or "Cash accepted." You pay the booking advance online by card when you reserve; the rest goes directly to the rental desk at Pyrzowice terminal. If your chosen car requires a credit card, consider raising the limit on your debit card to cover the hold, or pick a different model that allows cash settlement.
Details on advance amounts and split payments appear on our payment and advance page. Requirements depend on the specific vehicle, not its category, so two compact hatchbacks may have different rules.
Answers to common queries about collecting a car at Pyrzowice terminal and driving into Silesia or beyond.
Yes. Many vehicles at Pyrzowice terminal accept debit cards or cash for the final payment. Each listing in the search widget states its payment methods. You pay the booking advance online by card, then settle the balance at the counter using the method shown for that specific car.
Drive south on DK79 from the terminal to the A4 motorway junction, then take A4 east for 80 km. The journey takes about 55 minutes in light traffic. A vignette toll applies to A4, payable electronically at fuel stations or online before you travel.
Yes. The single terminal at Pyrzowice hosts counters for local rental companies in the arrivals concourse. Your voucher specifies which desk to visit or whether an agent will meet you in the hall holding a name board.
Bring your driving licence (foreign licences are valid; an international driving permit is recommended for non-EU documents), passport or national ID, and the booking voucher sent by email. The rental agent may also ask for proof of address if the car requires a deposit block.
Yes, but choose an all-wheel-drive crossover such as the Mazda CX-5, Nissan Qashqai, or Skoda Karoq. Snow falls in the mountains from November to March, and route DK7 south of Bielsko-Biala can be icy. Check weather forecasts and carry chains if you travel in January or February.
PKN Orlen, Shell, and Lotos stations line DK79 within five kilometres of the terminal. Most contracts stipulate full-to-full fuel, so fill the tank before you drive back to the airport car park and save refuelling charges.
Search vehicles at Pyrzowice terminal, compare no-deposit models, and reserve online in two minutes. Free cancellation applies until 24 hours before pickup, so you can adjust plans if your flight changes. Questions? Email [email protected] Monday to Sunday, 08:00-20:00 GMT+1.