Gateway to south-east Poland, hill country and the Slovak border.
Rzeszow sits at the crossroads of route 94 running west to Krakow (160 km) and route 19 heading south toward the Slovak border (90 km). The city serves as a base for exploring rural landscapes, Carpathian foothills and historic towns scattered across the quieter regions of south-east Poland. A car opens access to Lancut Castle 20 km east, the Bieszczady Mountains 120 km south-east, Sanok 80 km south and Przemysl 90 km east. Public transport to these destinations runs infrequently or not at all.
We offer Poland car rental with selected vehicles available on a no-deposit, no-credit-card basis. That means for eligible cars, you pay a booking advance online by debit or credit card, then settle the balance at pick-up using debit card or cash - no blocked deposit on your account. The excess (franchise) remains in the rental agreement as standard; no deposit and the excess are independent parameters. Each vehicle listing shows whether it qualifies, and the voucher confirms payment and collection details.
Pick-up happens through delivery to your hotel or address in central Rzeszow districts, or at Rzeszow Airport (RZE) 10 km north via route 94. Most visitors flying into RZE collect at the terminal, but if you stay in the city centre, delivery brings the car to your door. The local rental company listed in your voucher handles handover, contract signature and vehicle inspection; any pre-existing damage goes into the agreement at that moment.
Booking takes three steps: search by date and location, filter results by "No Deposit" if you prefer that option, pay the advance online. Cancellation is free up to the cut-off in your voucher. Additional services - second driver, child seat, cross-border travel to Czechia, Slovakia and Germany with written permission, motorway vignette for A-routes - cost extra and are selected during checkout.
Collection points depend on the rental company and the vehicle you book. The three main options cover airport arrivals, city-centre stays and hotel guests.
Located 10 km north of the city on route 94, the airport hosts rental desks in the arrivals hall or meet-and-greet outside the terminal. Most international visitors collect here after landing, sign the contract and drive straight onto route 94 west toward Krakow or south via route 19.
If you arrive by train or stay in Rzeszow before starting a road trip, the rental company can deliver the car to your hotel or a central address. Delivery is arranged at the time shown in your booking; the representative brings paperwork, conducts the vehicle check and hands over keys on the street or in a hotel car park.
Many visitors to Rzeszow book business hotels near the university or the main square. Delivery brings the car to the property entrance; you meet the driver, inspect the vehicle together, note any scratches or marks in the contract, then sign and drive. Return works the same way: arrange a handover time, park at your hotel, complete the check and hand back keys.
South-east Poland rewards slow exploration: castle towns, wooden churches, forested hills and river valleys that see few international tourists. Distances are modest, roads mostly two-lane, and fuel stations cluster in towns rather than along rural stretches.
Lancut lies 20 km east on route 94, a 25-minute drive through flat farmland. The aristocratic palace complex includes formal gardens, a coach museum and period interiors. Park in the visitor lot beside the ticket office; entrance requires a timed slot in summer. The route is straight tarmac, single carriageway with 90 km/h limit outside town boundaries. Any category of car suits this trip - a Toyota Yaris or Ford Focus handles the distance comfortably, and town parking fits compact models easily.
Sanok sits 80 km south on route 28, approximately 90 minutes through rolling countryside and small market towns. The Museum of Folk Architecture (skansen) spreads across wooded slopes south of the centre; the Icon Museum downtown holds one of Europe's largest Orthodox collections. Route 28 is narrow in sections, with lorries heading to the Slovak crossings and occasional roadworks. A Kia Ceed or Toyota Corolla offers enough boot space for shopping and comfort on longer drives; ground clearance is standard tarmac height.
Przemysl is 90 km east via route 77, roughly 100 minutes. The old town straddles the San River near the Ukrainian border; fortifications date to Austro-Hungarian times. Parking near Rynek (main square) fills quickly; use the lot by the train station and walk five minutes uphill. Route 77 is a mix of dual and single carriageway; traffic picks up around Jaroslaw midway. A Volkswagen Passat or Mazda CX-5 provides relaxed cruising and space for passengers or luggage if you continue east to border crossings (permission required).
The Bieszczady range begins 120 km south-east - take route 19 south to Domaradz, then route 992 east through Baligrod toward Ustrzyki Gorne. Expect two and a half to three hours one-way on winding two-lane roads, gravel in some high-altitude sections near mountain passes. Poloniny (highland meadows) offer hiking trailheads; fuel up in Sanok or Lesko before heading deeper. A Mazda CX-3 or Toyota C-HR gives extra ground clearance for rutted gravel and potholes common after snowmelt. Check the rental agreement for gravel-road permissions; some contracts restrict unpaved driving.
Route 19 runs 90 km south to the Slovak frontier at Barwinek, about 100 minutes. Dukla Pass (502 m) cuts through forested ridges; the road is well-maintained tarmac but steep and twisting in the final 20 km. Stop at the Dukla war cemetery, a WWII memorial on the Polish side. Cross-border travel to Slovakia requires written permission arranged before pick-up (paid extra). A Volkswagen Passat SW or any mid-size saloon copes with the gradient; winter tyres are mandatory November to March if snow lies on the pass.
Krakow is 160 km west on route 94, two hours of mostly single-carriageway driving through Debica and Bochnia. The road carries steady traffic including lorries; overtaking lanes appear sporadically. Budget extra time at weekends when holiday traffic heading to the mountains adds volume. Any car category completes the journey; a Skoda Fabia or Toyota Aygo keeps fuel costs low, while a Volkswagen Passat or Kia Ceed suits two passengers with luggage. Parking in Krakow is paid in the centre; use Park & Ride lots or hotel garages to avoid fines.
The rental fleet in Rzeszow includes economy hatchbacks, compact saloons, crossovers and estate wagons. Availability varies by season and booking lead time; July and August see higher demand as Polish families head south-east for hiking holidays.
| Model | Category | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Aygo | Mini | City errands, short trips to Lancut, solo or pair |
| Volkswagen Up | Mini | Compact parking, fuel economy, paved roads only |
| Skoda Fabia | Economy | Day trips, Sanok run, small luggage, two adults |
| Kia Rio | Economy | Comfortable seats, Przemysl route, boot for bags |
| Toyota Yaris | Economy | Reliable, low fuel use, town and country mix |
| Toyota Corolla | Compact | Longer drives, Krakow return, three passengers |
| Kia Ceed | Compact | Balanced size, comfort, rural roads, family of four |
| Ford Focus SW | Estate | Large boot, camping gear, Bieszczady supplies |
| Volkswagen Passat | Standard | Motorway cruising, business trips, executive comfort |
| Volkswagen Passat SW | Estate | Maximum luggage, ski equipment, group travel |
| Mazda CX-3 | Crossover | Higher seating, light gravel, hill-country visibility |
| Toyota C-HR | Crossover | Extra clearance, mountain access, modern cabin |
| Mazda CX-5 | SUV | Four adults, full luggage, winter snow, rough tracks |
Each listing in the search results shows transmission type, fuel policy, deposit requirement and accepted payment methods. Automatic transmission is less common and books out early; reserve well ahead if you need it. Diesel models suit long-distance trips; petrol works for city and day-trip use.
Rzeszow traffic is moderate compared to Warsaw or Krakow, but the city centre has one-way loops, tram tracks and paid parking zones. Roads heading south and east are quieter, two-lane rural routes with village speed limits and occasional farm vehicles.
Some vehicles in Rzeszow are offered without a deposit requirement, meaning the rental company does not place a hold on your payment card at pick-up. The excess (franchise) remains active in the contract - no deposit and the excess are separate, independent terms.
No-deposit availability depends on the specific vehicle, not the category. A Toyota Yaris may qualify while a Skoda Fabia in the same search might require a deposit. Use the "No Deposit" filter in the search results to see only eligible cars. The vehicle page states the deposit policy clearly; your voucher repeats it.
If no deposit is required, you pay the booking advance online, then settle the balance at pick-up using debit card or cash (accepted methods are confirmed in the voucher). The rental company does not block any amount on your card. The excess - the amount you cover in case of damage - is written into the rental agreement and operates independently of deposit rules.
At collection you present a valid driving licence (EU or foreign; IDP recommended for non-EU), the voucher and a payment card or cash for the balance. Some no-deposit cars accept only debit card and cash for the balance; others also accept credit card. The voucher specifies which methods apply to your booking.
If you do not have a credit card, the no-deposit option removes one barrier - but double-check that debit card or cash is accepted for the balance payment. For cars that do require a deposit, consider raising the spending limit on your debit card temporarily. Full payment terms, including advance and balance amounts, are explained on our payment and advance page.
Common questions from visitors renting a car in Rzeszow and the surrounding region.
Yes. Selected vehicles allow payment of the balance using a debit card or cash at pick-up. You pay the booking advance online by any debit or credit card, then settle the rest when you collect the car. The vehicle listing shows accepted payment methods; the voucher confirms them. Not all cars offer this - filter by "No Credit Card" in the search to see eligible options.
Some cars in Rzeszow require no deposit at all; others involve a security hold placed on a payment card. The deposit policy is stated on each vehicle page and repeated in your voucher. No deposit means the rental company does not block funds on your card - but the excess (franchise) remains in the contract as a separate term. Use the "No Deposit" filter to display only cars without a hold requirement.
Pick-up happens at Rzeszow Airport (RZE), 10 km north of the city, or by delivery to your hotel or address in central Rzeszow districts. The rental company and collection method depend on your booking; details appear in the voucher. Airport collection takes place at a desk in arrivals or by meet-and-greet outside the terminal. Delivery brings the car to your hotel entrance or a specified street address at the agreed time.
Cross-border travel to Czechia, Slovakia and Germany is allowed with written permission from the rental company, arranged before pick-up. This service costs extra and must be added during booking. Carry the permission letter, rental contract and vehicle registration at border crossings. Other countries are typically not permitted; check your voucher for the specific list and any mileage restrictions.
A crossover such as the Mazda CX-3 or Toyota C-HR provides extra ground clearance for gravel sections and potholes on minor roads near mountain passes. Saloons and hatchbacks handle paved routes to Ustrzyki Dolne or Solina, but higher tracks toward Polonina Wetlinska or Tarnica trailheads may have loose stones and ruts. Check the rental agreement for any gravel-road restrictions, and confirm tyre-damage cover if you plan extensive unpaved driving.
The city centre has paid parking zones around Rynek and the Market Square, Monday to Friday during business hours. Spaces fill quickly near the main square; arrive before 10:00 or use free residential streets a short walk away. Hotel guests often receive parking vouchers or access to private lots. If you stay overnight, ask your accommodation about secure parking options to avoid street fines.
You need a valid driving licence (EU or foreign), the booking voucher and a payment card or cash for the balance. An International Driving Permit is recommended for non-EU licences but not always mandatory. At pick-up the rental company checks your documents, completes the contract and conducts a vehicle inspection with you. Any existing scratches or damage are noted in the agreement at that time.
Search the fleet, filter by no-deposit and no-credit-card options, pay the advance online and collect in Rzeszow city centre or at the airport. Free cancellation applies up to the deadline in your voucher, giving you flexibility to adjust plans. South-east Poland, the Slovak border and Carpathian foothills wait - secure your car now and drive at your own pace.