Gdańsk tempts with history and attractions at every turn. It can be safely said that it is a must-see for every tourist. Good transport connections (airport) and the proximity of other attractive cities of the Tricity (Gdynia, Sopot) further increase its appeal. Perhaps you too are wondering how best to explore it? Your own car can prove to be your best ally, giving you independence and comfort in reaching all your dream destinations. Our team at EasyCar Rental will help you plan your trip - we'll advise you on where to park and what to look out for when driving around the streets of Gdańsk.
Before you drive into Gdańsk in your car, you must make sure it has a valid technical inspection and insurance. This is not as obvious as it seems - statistics show how many of us, in the rush of daily duties, forget about these formalities. And the UFG (Insurance Guarantee Fund) reminds us that in 2025, fines for lack of third-party liability insurance (OC) can reach up to 9330 PLN!
It's completely different if you rent a car from us - you don't have to worry about anything. Every one of our cars has a current inspection and insurance and is always ready to go!
Finding a parking spot in Gdańsk, especially in the city center and around the Old Town, is usually quite a challenge! Importantly - the city of Gdańsk is systematically expanding its Paid Parking Zones (SPP), so you should familiarize yourself with the zones (zone colors) in as much detail as possible.
Currently, there are 14 sectors of the Paid Parking Zone (SPP) and the Downtown Paid Parking Zone (ŚSPP) in Gdańsk, offering a total of over 8000 parking spaces. These zones are easily recognizable by the color markings on posts, signs, and parking meters:
Red color (Downtown Paid Parking Zone - ŚSPP) - mainly covers the historic heart of the city, i.e., the Old Town, the area around 3 Maja Street, the Main Town, and Długie Ogrody.
Charging hours: Daily, including public holidays, from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Rates (effective from February 1, 2025): First hour – 7.50 PLN, second hour – 9.00 PLN, third hour – 10.80 PLN, fourth and each subsequent hour – 7.50 PLN.
Important note: A parking ticket purchased in a red zone (ŚSPP) parking meter is also valid in the SPP sectors (blue and green). However, tickets from the SPP are not valid in the ŚSPP.
Blue color (Paid Parking Zone - SPP) - its range covers districts such as Młode Miasto, Wrzeszcz (Politechnika, Górny, Dolny, Kuźniczki), Przymorze, Stare Przedmieście, Dolne Miasto. During the holiday season (approximately from June 30 to September 30, 2025), Jelitkowo also joins this zone.
Charging hours: From Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Rates (effective from February 1, 2025): First hour – 5.00 PLN, second hour – 6.00 PLN, third hour – 7.20 PLN, fourth and each subsequent hour – 5.00 PLN.
Green color (Paid Parking Zone - SPP) - covers the Aniołki and Oliwa districts.
Charging hours: From Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Rates (effective from February 1, 2025): Same as for the blue zone.
Yellow color (Multi-story car park at Okopowa Street):
Charging hours: From Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Rates: First hour – 2.50 PLN, second – 3.00 PLN, third – 3.60 PLN, fourth and subsequent – 2.50 PLN. Currently, the city does not charge fees at this car park, but their introduction is planned.
Payments can be made in cash (note that parking meters only accept coins and do not give change), by payment card, BLIK, and using one of six mobile applications: City Park App, ePARK, moBilet, mPay, AnyPark, SkyCash.
In the Paid Parking Zones (blue and green, this does not apply to the ŚSPP – red!) we do not pay on public holidays, such as: January 1, January 6, Easter Monday, May 1, May 3, Corpus Christi, August 15, November 1, November 11, December 25, December 26.
Facilities and fee exemptions:
Holders of an active Gdańsk Resident Card can use the first hour of parking once a day at the previous, lower rate (3.90 PLN in SPP, 5.50 PLN in ŚSPP), after adding the vehicle's registration number in the mobile application.
Motorcycles, quadricycles, and light quadricycles (quads) are exempt from fees.
Disabled persons with the Gdańsk "N+" identifier (yellow) do not pay for parking in all spaces in the SPP and ŚSPP. Holders of the European Parking Card (blue) and the Veteran's Card do not pay only in spaces marked as reserved for disabled persons (so-called 'envelopes').
In the very center, parking is free after 8:00 PM.
Dąbrowszczaków car park at Prezydenta Lecha Kaczyńskiego Street.
Molo Brzeźno car park (free outside the summer season).
You can try looking for spots on Wspornikowa St., Owsiana St., or Elektryków St. (these streets are not covered by the SPP), however, drivers sometimes report concerns about the safety of cars left there.
Parking along Towarowa Street (between Hallera St. and Trubadurów St.) and along Hallera Street (next to the Baltic Opera).
The car park under the Multikino is free of charge.
Shopping malls: Morena, Matarnia, Alfa Centrum, Galeria Przymorze often offer free spaces or the first hours of parking for free (e.g., Alfa Centrum – first 2h, Galeria Bałtycka – first 1h, Olivia Centre – first 30 min, and after 5:00 PM and on weekends for free).
Park&Ride system: These are eight car parks located at bus-tram loops and Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway (PKM) stops, marked as 'Park and Ride'. The idea is to leave your car on the outskirts and continue your journey by public transport. Example locations include: PKM Gdańsk Jasień, PKM Gdańsk Kiełpinek, the integration hub in Rębiechowo, Siedlce, Łostowice-Świętokrzyska, Ujeścisko, PKM Gdańsk Matarnia, PKP Gdańsk Osowa.
Car park at the Shakespeare Theatre – you can sometimes find a free spot there.
The large paid car park at the Baltic Philharmonic on Ołowianka Island is a good starting point for a tour of the Old Town. Other paid car parks in the area include InterParking Wyspa Spichrzów, and those on Rzeźnicka, Rogaczewskiego, Lawendowa, Lastadia, Katarzynki streets, as well as the multi-story car parks at Podwale Grodzkie and Jana z Kolna streets.
The car park at Westerplatte is paid (approx. 5 PLN per hour).
Gdańsk is a real treasure trove of attractions. A car will allow you to reach many of them, especially those located a bit further from the city center, or if you are traveling with more luggage or with children.
The Royal Route (ul. Długa and Długi Targ) with the Neptune Fountain, Artus Court and the Main Town Hall. This is a must-see. It's best to park in one of the zones or a nearby car park and then proceed on foot.
The charming Ulica Mariacka leading to the mighty St. Mary's Basilica (the largest brick church in the world!).
The historic Crane and the Długie Pobrzeże promenade along the Motława River.
The Uphagen House (Museum of Burgher Interiors) or the Amber Museum (in the Great Mill).
The European Solidarity Centre (ECS) and the Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers of 1970 – important places for understanding Poland's recent history. Access by car is easy, and there are car parks in the area.
The Museum of the Second World War – a modern and moving museum that you can conveniently reach by car (dedicated car park or nearby car parks).
Westerplatte – the peninsula, a symbol of the outbreak of World War II. Getting there by car is the ideal solution, allowing for a peaceful tour of the area.
Hevelianum – an interactive science center in the former forts on Gradowa Hill. A great place for children and adults, and access by car right to the hill is very convenient.
Gdańsk Zoo in Oliwa: A huge area with hundreds of animal species. Getting there by car is practically a necessity, and a large car park awaits on site.
Oliwa Park named after Adam Mickiewicz and the Oliwa Archcathedral: One of the most beautiful parks in Poland, and right next to it, the majestic cathedral with its famous organs. You can get there comfortably by car.
The pier in Brzeźno and Gdańsk's beaches (Jelitkowo, Stogi, Brzeźno, Sobieszewo, Orle). A car makes it easier to transport beach equipment, especially if you are heading to more distant, quieter beaches like those on Sobieszewo Island.
It is also worth visiting the Brzeźno Park named after Jan Jerzy Haffner or the picturesque Oruński Park named after Emilia Hoene.
Gdańsk Nowy Port Lighthouse with beautiful views.
Polsat Plus Arena Gdańsk Stadium (possibility of a tour and the Fun Arena center).
AmberSky Ferris Wheel on Ołowianka Island.
For children: Mini Zoo – Zwierzaki Nad Potokiem (near Gdańsk), Karuzela Gdańska (Gdańsk Carousel), JUMPCITY Gdańsk, Klockownia, Museum of Wax Figures, Gdańsk Papugarnia (Parrot House), Pixel XL Gdańsk.
Boat trips (e.g., Czarna Perła (Black Pearl), the Lew galleon to Westerplatte, water trams).
Car trips from Gdańsk – what's in the area?
With a car, you can easily plan one-day trips outside of Gdańsk:
Sopot and Gdynia: The other cities of the Tricity are within arm's reach. Sopot tempts with the longest wooden pier in Europe and the famous "Monciak", while Gdynia boasts modernist architecture, the Gdynia Aquarium, and museum ships at Kościuszki Square.
Hel Peninsula: A picturesque, 34-kilometer strip of land with popular resorts, the Seal Sanctuary in Hel, and the Museum of Fishery. The journey from Gdynia to Hel (approx. 80 km) takes about 1.5-2 hours, but the road can be congested in high season.
The Teutonic Castle in Malbork: A mighty Gothic fortress that is a must-see. Getting there by car gives you flexibility.
Vistula Spit: A long strip of sand with charming towns and the highest fixed dune in Europe – Wielbłądzi Grzbiet (Camel's Back).
Kashubian Landscape Park: Beautiful lakes, forests, and hills – an ideal place for active recreation.
When a car is not the best choice – alternatives
Although a car offers great freedom, in some situations, especially in the crowded center of Gdańsk, it is worth considering other options:
Public transport: Gdańsk has a well-developed network of trams and buses, as well as the Fast Urban Railway (SKM) connecting the Tricity.
On foot: Many attractions in the center are close to each other, perfect for a walk.
By bike: Gdańsk is bike-friendly, with hundreds of kilometers of paths.
Water trams: They offer scenic cruises on the Motława River and the Gulf of Gdańsk.
Exploring Gdańsk by car can be really comfortable and efficient, allowing you to discover the city and its surroundings at your own pace. Just remember the traffic rules, plan your parking, and... enjoy the journey!
If you are planning a trip to the Tricity and are looking for a comfortable, reliable car without unnecessary formalities and a deposit - we invite you to EasyCar Rental!
We offer modern, safe cars that you can pick up directly at the Gdańsk airport (or at another convenient location for you). Our booking process is simple and fast, and the rules are transparent – with no hidden costs.
Drive through Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot with EasyCar Rental!
Zero deposit, zero stress!
Modern cars for every occasion (including automatics and hybrids).
Clear rules and a fair price.
Availability 24/7.
Pick-up straight from the airport!
Ready for your Tricity adventure?
Have more questions? Contact us:
Phone: +48 789 999 770
https://easycarrental.pl/kontakt/pl/
