Driving between towns in Poland during winter

I am planning a trip to Poland (hopefully) in January 2017. How difficult is it to drive between major cities (Poznan, Wroclaw, Krakow, Warsaw)? We don't live in a snowy area in the United States, so don't have a ton of experience on snowy roads. We can rent a car with snow tires but am just concerned about road closures.

so why do it in the first place?

If you have never driven in freezing snow where the car might be thrown from side to side, where you might get lost and have to walk for hours to get help - it is better to use public transport.

If you stick to the major highways, there's at least a reasonable chance that the roads will have seen a snowplough and a gritter that week. But it's still pointless to drive between major cities: the train is far less stress and cheaper. My favourite hotel in Wroclaw charges 70zl per night for parking, I can get a train from Warsaw to Wroclaw (one of the really nice trains) for 49zl, why would I want to drive?

Agreed. Thats what the trains are for. Even the main roads will be unpleasant in very bad weather and the standard of the other drivers around is low. Poland has a very high rate of road accidents.

Trains however are cheap, comfortable and efficient, and also have traditional restaurant cars.

The best advice I can give you is to arrive in Poland first. Then see what the weather is like, it may be ok for you to drive, If it's blizzard, snowy and bitterly cold with minus 20 degrees C you may have to reconsider your original idea.

There is a huge traffic between major cities so snow have no chance to stick to the asphalt. If you don't exceed 80km\h you will be ok but it is boring. Keep the distance. Periodically try brakes gently for a black ice. Avoid driving beetwen lorries.


Main road closures don't happen except when there is a serious accident.

Have powerbank with you to charge phone or navi and windscreen de-icer, high visilibity vest inside of cabin.
Beware of wild boars in the night.