How are tolls charged on motorways in Poland?
In Poland, we can find so-called targets on all toll roads. The fee is collected according to two systems:
- the open system is reduced to toll collection points located across the main road,
- the closed system consists in placing a gate in front of each entrance and exit from the highway. 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.
Fares for travel on individual sections of the highway may begin to differ. What is the reason for this? A significant part of paid fragments is not managed by the state, but by concessionaires. Thus, commissions include 23% VAT. Public areas under the supervision of the Main Directorate of Roads and Motorways operate at net rates.
Example: Mr. Piotr, wanting to cross the Rusotsyn-Nova Wies highway on the A1 road, had to pay PLN 30 at the entrance (this section is 152 km long). This is approximately PLN 0.20 for each kilometer. At the same time, Mr. Michal was entering the toll section of the A4 motorway between Krakow and Katowice (61 km). He paid 26 zlotys, which is almost 0.43 zlotys per 1 km, but the route was paradoxically almost twice as long!
Toll roads in Poland – where are they and how much do they cost?
In Poland, toll areas operate on all three motorways:
Toll sections of highways in Poland are managed, among other things, by the above-mentioned General Directorate of National Roads and Motorways – in sections:
- A2 Konin-Strykov,
- A4 Wroclaw – Gliwice (Bilyany Wroclawski-Sosnytsia).
In turn, private concessionaires collect fees on concession areas, i.e.:
- A1 Gdańsk – Toruń (Rusocin-Nova Ves),
- A2 Svetsko-Konin,
- A4 Katowice – Krakow.
Prices for toll sections of Polish highways for passenger cars
| road | Road section | Pay for 1 km |
| A1 | Rusotsyn-Nova Ves | 0.16 zlotys |
| A2 | Swietsk-Noviy Tomysl | 0.17 zlotys |
| A2 | Novy Tomysl-Konin | 0.56 zlotys |
| A2 | Konin-Strykuv | 0.10 zlotys |
| A4 | Gliwice-Wroclaw | 0.10 zlotys |
| A4 | Krakow-Katowice | 0.42 zlotys |
WARNING! The concessionaire of the A4 highway (Stalexport) has announced a price increase on the Krakow-Katowice section from April 3, 2023! After the planned increase, the price for the entire A4 will increase from PLN 42.20 to PLN 46.20 (Gliwice-Wrocław fares will remain unchanged, but the fare from Krakow to Katowice will change from PLN 26 to PLN 30).
On which routes in Poland does the electronic system work?
In 2021, the toll collection system on motorways was changed in Poland. Since then, electronic tolling on public roads for heavy vehicles (buses, motor vehicles and vehicle depots with a maximum permissible weight of more than 3.5 tons) is mandatory and possible only through the e-TOLL system (it replaced the previous viaTOLL).
The driver must register in advance in e-TOLL and choose one of the devices for transmitting geolocation data:
- On-board device OBU/ZSL,
- special mobile application e-TOLL PL.
The e-TOLL system is available to drivers of passenger vehicles on sections of highways managed by GDDKiA, namely:
- A2 Konin-Strykov,
- A4 Wrocław–Sosnytsia.
On these sections, from December 1, 2021, the manual toll collection system, i.e. the traditional gate, does not work. Therefore, if you do not use the app, you should purchase a special motorway ticket before your trip. The ticket can be purchased electronically using the e-TOLL PL TICKET program before entering the freeway, even 60 days in advance. It will be valid for 48 hours from the stated date of shipment. On the other hand, you can find a paper ticket, for example, at the Lotos or Orlen gas stations.
The automatic toll collection system also works on the A1 motorway (Toruń – Gdansk) – AmberGo. To use it, you need to install the free AmberOne app and your chosen online payment program on your phone, as well as create an account. Cameras at the entrances and exits of the A1 freeway recognize vehicle license plates. The car number is registered by special devices that transmit information to the system that is responsible for automatically raising the barrier.
Video plating was also introduced on section A4 (Katowice-Krakow). Here you will also need Skycash, Autopay or another mobile payment app on your phone.
importantly! Toll payment verification is carried out with the help of devices located at the entrance and exit of the motorways. A financial fine of PLN 500 is imposed for driving on the state sections of the A2 and A4 highways without an electronic ticket. However, you can avoid the consequences if you pay the correct amount by purchasing an e-ticket within 3 days of the end of your journey.
The most common questions about toll roads in Poland
Where are toll roads in Poland?
Toll roads in Poland are located in the following areas:
Rusocin-Nowa Wies (highway A1),
Konin-Świecko (highway A2),
Konin-Strykuw (highway A2),
Katowice-Krakow (highway A4),
Wrocław-Gliwice (highway A4).
How much are freeways in Poland?
| Route | Length (km) | Commission | Price for 1 km |
| Rusotsyn – Nova Ves | 152 | 29.90 | 0.20 zlotys |
| Novy Tomysl-Swietsko | 106 | 18.00 | 0.17 zlotys |
| Novy Tomysl-Konin | 99 | 84 zlotys | 0.10 zlotys |
| Konin-Strykuv | 103 | 10 zlotys | 0.10 zlotys |
| Krakow – Katowice | 62 | 26.00 | 0.42 zlotys |
| Wroclaw – Sosnica | 162 | 16.20 | 0.10 zlotys |
Where in Poland have the gates on the motorway stopped working?
As of December 1, 2021, the gates on the section of the A4 Wroclaw-Gliwice motorway, which is managed by GDDKiA, have completely ceased operation – they have been replaced by the electronic e-Toll system. To pay, download and install the e-Toll app or buy an e-ticket. On the Krakow-Katowice section, there are gates in Balice and Myslowice.