January is the time when many families begin to intensively plan their winter getaways. Although the calendar only shows the beginning of the year, winter break is actually very close – and in some regions, it begins sooner than you might think. A well-planned break involves not only choosing accommodations and attractions, but also logistics, which often determine whether a trip will be enjoyable or stressful.
In the 2025/2026 school year, the winter break has been divided into three halves – in accordance with a regulation by the Minister of Education. This allows for more tourist traffic to be spread out over time, and popular destinations are not as congested. This is good news for those planning a family trip, a short city break, or exploring less obvious winter destinations.
Below you will find the actual, valid dates of the winter break in the 2025/2026 school year, precisely according to the announcements of the Ministry of National Education.
On this date, students from the following voivodeships begin their holidays:
This is a very popular trip, especially for residents of large cities like Warsaw, Gdańsk, and Olsztyn. In practice, this means increased traffic in the mountains, by the sea, and in major tourist destinations starting in the second half of January.
For families in the Mazovia region, planning a trip outside the most popular resorts is a great idea. Instead of the classic Zakopane or Karpacz, more and more people are choosing shorter car routes – for example, to smaller mountain towns or the quiet regions of Warmia and Mazury, which have a completely different, more intimate atmosphere in winter.
If you don't know which car to choose for a family trip, the MobiCars blog post about renting a car without a deposit may be helpful, as it clearly shows the differences between them.
The second round of holidays covers the following voivodeships:
This is the time when children from Wrocław, Kraków, Łódź, and Szczecin, among others, take their winter break. In practice, it's the middle of the winter season – the perfect time for ski trips, winter walks around cities, and longer car journeys.
Families from Lower Silesia and Lesser Poland often use this time for short but intense trips to the mountains, while residents of Western Pomerania are increasingly opting for winter city breaks – for example, in large cities or regions easily accessible by car and without having to worry about public transport schedules.
The last round of holidays falls on the following voivodeships:
This is the break for students from cities like Poznań, Katowice, Rzeszów, and Zielona Góra. This period is often underestimated, but in reality, it has many advantages. In many places, the winter season is still in full swing, while tourist traffic is slowly decreasing, which translates into greater travel comfort and easier access to attractions.
For residents of Silesia and Greater Poland, longer road trips are an interesting option – both to the mountains and to less obvious regions of Poland. SUVs and crossovers are particularly well-suited for winter driving, which naturally ties in with the topics discussed on the MobiCars blog in articles about winter car rentals and preparing for difficult road conditions.
Regardless of the holiday season, one thing remains constant – mobility is paramount in winter. A car allows you not only to reach your destination but also to react to the weather, change plans at the last minute, and discover places difficult to reach by public transport.
Many parents choose to rent a car during this period instead of using their own car. The reasons are very practical, including the ability to choose the perfect model for a specific trip if you have your own car but it's too small. This is especially important during the holidays, which often mean longer routes and travel in not always ideal road conditions.
Those planning flights and longer journeys by land can also benefit from the experiences described in blog articles about renting a car at the airport, which provide step-by-step explanations on how to combine air travel with convenient travel around the country after arrival.
The 2026 winter break will last six weeks, spread over three itineraries, offering a wealth of opportunities to plan a trip tailored to your family's needs. Knowing the exact dates for your region allows you to consciously choose your destination, travel method, and pace of your vacation.
A well-planned winter getaway offers more than just accommodations and attractions, but also freedom of movement. That's why more and more people are considering renting a car as a natural part of their vacation—a solution that provides comfort, flexibility, and peace of mind during one of the most demanding periods on the road.
