Planning a trip on Polish highways and wondering how much you'll pay and how to avoid queues at toll booths? The cost of traveling on the A1, A2, or A4 depends on the distance traveled and the toll collection system—open or closed. Below, you'll find information about which sections are free for passenger cars, how video tolling works, and why losing your toll ticket can significantly increase your travel costs.
How is the toll for the toll section of the motorway calculated?
The cost of a motorway journey depends on the distance between interchanges – the system multiplies the kilometers traveled by the rate for a given vehicle category, so you pay for the actual distance traveled. In practice, there are two models: closed (you collect a ticket at the entrance and pay upon exit) and open (a fixed fee at designated points along the route).
Rates on sections of the A1, A2, and A4 are set by individual managers. You can choose from several payment methods:
- cash or card at the gate,
- mobile application,
- automatic video tolling,
- fleet cards for companies,
- on-board units (OBU/ZSL) in the e-TOLL system.
Be especially careful with your entry ticket – losing it usually means you'll be charged the maximum toll. A convenient alternative is video tolling: cameras recognize license plates, and the fee is automatically collected from the linked card, without stopping. Passenger cars travel free of charge on state-managed sections, including the A2 Konin–Stryków and the A4 Wrocław–Sośnica.
Settlement of travel in open and closed systems
The charging method depends on the operator, but on major transit routes, you'll more often encounter a closed system. You register your entry, and the toll is calculated upon exit based on the distance traveled – you only pay for the actual kilometers traveled.
In an open system, each toll gate carries a fixed fee, regardless of the distance traveled. This arrangement smooths traffic on roads with a dense network of exits, but it also means more frequent stops at toll booths. Before setting off, check the current toll tariffs from the authority or use an online calculator – you can quickly estimate the cost of your entire journey before you even set off.
Rules for distance tolls on the A1, A2 and A4 motorways
Individual toll managers use different billing methods. The A1 (the concession section Rusocin – Nowa Wieś, 152 km) operates a closed system, so the toll increases with each kilometer traveled – a full passenger car journey costs PLN 29,90 in 2026. The A2 operates a mixed system, with toll booths on the main road and at exits. The A4 Katowice – Kraków section operates an open system, with a fixed toll at toll stations in Mysłowice and Balice. Before setting off, check the current price list with the route manager, determine which of the five categories your vehicle falls into, and locate toll booths on your planned route – this will allow you to calculate your travel budget in advance.
What happens to the fee if I lose my entry ticket?
Losing a ticket in a closed system can significantly increase the cost of your trip. Without it, the operator won't be able to determine your entry point, so they'll charge the highest possible rate – you'll pay not for your section, but for the longest possible route for your vehicle category. The most common consequences of not having a ticket are:
- charging the maximum fare,
- additional settlement according to the operator's rules,
- the need to clarify the matter at the gate,
- waste of time on control procedures.
Camera systems monitor traffic and detect attempts to evade the toll, and the ticket is your proof of legal passage – keep it safe until you exit. The easiest way to avoid this problem is to use video tolling, which doesn't require a paper ticket at all.
How to automatically pay for kilometers traveled via video tolling?
Video tolling allows you to pass through the toll booths without queuing. All you need is an app. Skycash Transport with an assigned vehicle and payment card – on the concession sections of the A1 (AmberGO system) and the A4 Katowice-Kraków, cameras recognize license plates and collect tolls automatically, while dedicated lanes allow you to avoid congestion. This eliminates the need to collect a paper ticket or stop at a toll booth.
A separate mechanism is the OBU or ZSL on-board unit in the government's e-TOLL system, which calculates tolls in the background based on satellite data. These devices apply to vehicles over 3,5 tons – passenger cars without heavy trailers are not required to register with e-TOLL.
Do passenger cars pay to use state-owned roads?
As of July 1, 2023, passenger cars and motorcycles will be able to drive free of charge on GDDKiA-managed highways, significantly reducing the cost of vacation and business trips. Only concession sections remain payable for this group. The most important rules today:
- passenger cars and motorcycles – free of charge on state (GDDKiA) motorways and expressways,
- A1, A2 and A4 concession sections – still payable for passenger cars, according to the operator's rates,
- e-TOLL – mandatory for vehicles over 3,5 tonnes and buses,
- a passenger car with a trailer with a total weight exceeding 3,5 tonnes – also settles the toll using e-TOLL,
- on concession sections, you can conveniently pay for your ride by phone, e.g. with Skycash Transport.
On state-owned routes, light vehicle users no longer need to purchase tickets or install devices. Be vigilant when entering concession sections, where operators charge their own rates – it's worth factoring them into your travel budget.