Winter School Holidays in Poland 2027 – Dates by Region and Ideas for a Winter Road Trip

The winter school holidays in Poland 2027 – known locally as ferie zimowe – start on 18 January and run until 28 February 2027. The Ministry of National Education has split them into three two-week rounds, so traffic on the roads, in the resorts and on the slopes is spread across six weeks. If you are visiting Poland, living here as an expat or have children in a Polish school, these dates matter: motorways to the mountains, ski resorts and accommodation get much busier. Below you will find the exact ferie dates for every region (voivodeship), ideas for winter trips by car and practical tips on getting there safely without overpaying.

Winter school holidays Poland 2027 – dates by region

In the 2026/2027 school year, the winter break takes place in three rounds. Each round lasts two weeks and covers a specific group of voivodeships (Polish regions).

Ferie 2027 dates in Poland's largest cities

• Wrocław, Katowice, Łódź, Rzeszów – holidays from 18 to 31 January 2027.
• Warsaw, Lublin, Gdańsk, Kielce, Radom – holidays from 1 to 14 February 2027.
• Kraków, Poznań, Toruń – holidays from 15 to 28 February 2027.

When will the roads be busiest?

Traffic peaks on the first and last Saturday of each round, when families leave and return. The weekends when two rounds overlap are particularly difficult: 30–31 January (returns from the first round and departures for the second) and 13–14 February. Roads towards Zakopane, Szczyrk, Karpacz and Białka Tatrzańska are the most congested at those times. If you can, set off on Friday before noon or on Sunday morning, and come back midweek.

Where to go for the Polish winter break 2027 by car

A car gives you the most freedom during the winter holidays. You can take skis, sledges and the whole family's luggage, drive right up to your guesthouse and change your plans whenever you like. Here are tried-and-tested destinations for a winter trip.

The Tatras and Podhale – Zakopane, Białka Tatrzańska, Bukowina

The classic Polish ferie destination. Białka Tatrzańska and Bukowina Tatrzańska are modern ski resorts with well-groomed runs for beginners and intermediate skiers. Zakopane also offers thermal pools, Krupówki street and Gubałówka hill. Bear in mind that the "Zakopianka" road (DK47) can be at a standstill for hours on holiday weekends. Consider approaching from Nowy Targ via Szaflary, or taking the side roads through Czarny Dunajec.

The Beskids – Szczyrk, Wisła, Korbielów

Szczyrk Mountain Resort is one of the largest ski areas in Poland. It is easy to reach from Katowice, Kraków and Wrocław. Wisła and Ustroń have a quieter atmosphere and good conditions for families with young children. From the Silesian conurbation, you can get to Szczyrk in about an hour via the S1 and S52 expressways.

The Karkonosze and Sudetes – Karpacz, Szklarska Poręba, Zieleniec

The ideal choice if you are based in western Poland. Zieleniec is known for some of the best snow conditions in the country, while Szklarska Poręba and Karpacz combine skiing with hiking and attractions for children. From Wrocław, the drive takes under two hours.

The Bieszczady and Masuria in winter – for those looking for peace and quiet

If the slopes are not a priority, consider the Bieszczady mountains (Wetlina, Cisna, Ustrzyki Dolne) or the Masurian Lake District in winter. Masuria is empty and peaceful at this time of year: you can walk on frozen lakes, go ice skating and unwind in hotels with a spa.

Ski holidays abroad – Czechia, Slovakia, Austria

By car, you can easily reach ski resorts abroad. Špindlerův Mlýn and Harrachov in Czechia lie right by the border, Jasná pod Chopkom in Slovakia is one of the best resorts in this part of Europe, and Austria is 8–10 hours' drive from southern Poland. Before you set off, buy vignettes for the motorways and expressways in Czechia, Slovakia and Austria (all are available electronically) and check whether snow chains are required in your destination country. If you are travelling in a rental car, read our guide on taking a rental car abroad – formalities and permissions.

How to prepare your car for a winter holiday trip

A winter drive to the mountains is a completely different challenge from a summer trip to the seaside. Before you set off, check a few basics.

• Winter tyres – there is no legal requirement to use them in Poland, but driving on summer tyres in the mountains is simply dangerous. In Czechia, Slovakia, Germany and Austria, winter tyres are required in wintry conditions. You can read more about tyre markings in our article what the symbols on tyres mean.
• Winter screenwash – ideally with a spare bottle in the boot, as it runs out very quickly on salted roads.
• Ice scraper, snow brush and de-icer – snow left on the car roof is not only a hazard to others but also a reason for a fine.
• Snow chains – in many Alpine regions you must carry them in the car, and you have to fit them on roads marked with the relevant sign.
• Battery – frost is merciless to weak batteries. If yours is older than 4–5 years, have it checked before the trip.
• Charged phone, power bank, blanket and a hot drink – in case of a traffic jam lasting several hours or a closed road.

You will find detailed advice on driving in difficult conditions in our guide renting a car in winter – what to watch out for and in our article what to do if your car breaks down on the road.

Which car to choose for a ski trip in Poland

For a winter trip, what matters most is a spacious boot, good traction and comfort on a long journey. The right choice depends on how many people are travelling and how much equipment you are taking.

A family of four with skis

An estate car or an SUV will do the job. A Skoda Octavia Estate or Opel Astra Estate will fit four people's luggage, and skis can travel in a roof box. SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5 or Nissan Qashqai have higher ground clearance, which makes driving on snowy access roads to guesthouses easier. You can read more about when an SUV pays off in our article is it worth renting an SUV for your holiday.

A larger family or two families together

If more than five people are travelling, choose a 7-seater, such as the Dacia Jogger, Nissan X-Trail or Toyota ProAce City Verso. For a group of up to nine people, a minibus such as the 9-seater Renault Trafic is the best option. You can drive it on a category B licence (the standard Polish car licence), and travelling together works out cheaper than taking two cars.

Roof box and ski rack

Skis, poles and ski boots take up a lot of space inside the car. The solution is a 430-litre roof box, which you can add to your rental car. Remember that with a box on the roof the car uses more fuel and is more sensitive to crosswinds.

Car rental for a ski trip in Poland – why it makes sense

Not everyone has a car suitable for a long winter journey with the whole family and all their gear. Renting a car for the winter holidays is a good solution if:

• your car is too small for the whole family's luggage and skis,
• you do not want to expose your own car to salt, gravel roads and hours-long traffic jams,
• you need a car with winter tyres and a verified technical condition,
• you are flying into Poland and want to head straight for the mountains.

At MobiCars, you can rent a car with no deposit and with unlimited mileage within Poland. You can pick it up at one of our branches or at the airport, including in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Katowice and Rzeszów – the cities closest to the mountains. If you are flying in for the holidays, choose airport pick-up, for example at Kraków-Balice or Katowice-Pyrzowice.

When should you book a car for the winter holidays?

Ideally 3–6 weeks before your trip. 7-seaters, SUVs and minibuses are the first to go, especially for the February round, when Warsaw, Kraków and Poznań are on holiday. Booking early also means a lower price, and the longer the rental, the lower the daily rate. You can check current prices and availability on our daily car rental page, and current discounts in the promotions section.

Winter school holidays 2027 in Poland – summary

Ferie 2027 run from 18 January to 28 February and are split into three rounds. The first to break up are Lower Silesia, Łódź, Opole, Subcarpathia, Podlasie and Silesia; in February it is the turn of Masovia, Lublin, Pomerania and Holy Cross; and the last are Lesser Poland, Greater Poland, Kuyavia-Pomerania, Lubusz, Warmia-Masuria and West Pomerania. If you are planning a trip by car, avoid the weekend peaks, get your car ready for winter and book a big enough vehicle well in advance.

FAQ – winter school holidays Poland 2027

When are the winter school holidays in Poland in 2027?

The winter school holidays in Poland in 2027 run from 18 January to 28 February 2027. Each voivodeship has two weeks off in one of three rounds: 18–31 January, 1–14 February or 15–28 February.

When are the 2027 winter holidays in Warsaw (Masovia)?

In the Masovian Voivodeship (mazowieckie), which includes Warsaw and Radom, the 2027 winter school holidays run from 1 to 14 February 2027.

When are the 2027 winter holidays in Silesia and Lower Silesia?

Pupils in the Silesian (śląskie) and Lower Silesian (dolnośląskie) voivodeships are the first to break up, from 18 to 31 January 2027.

When are the 2027 winter holidays in Kraków (Lesser Poland) and Poznań (Greater Poland)?

The Lesser Poland (małopolskie) and Greater Poland (wielkopolskie) voivodeships have their holidays in the last round, from 15 to 28 February 2027.

Can I take a rental car abroad for a ski holiday?

Yes. At MobiCars, you can travel abroad after purchasing an add-on for the relevant zone of countries. Czechia and Slovakia are in zone 1, while Austria, Switzerland and Hungary are in zone 2. Abroad, there is a limit of 400 km per day, calculated over the whole rental period. Without the rental company's consent, the car may not leave Poland.

Will a rental car have winter tyres?

Yes. In the winter season, MobiCars cars are prepared for the season and fitted with winter tyres or high-quality all-season tyres.

What car should I rent for 7 people for a winter trip?

For seven people, a 7-seater is the best choice, for example the Dacia Jogger, Nissan X-Trail or Toyota ProAce City Verso. If there are more of you or you are taking a lot of equipment, choose the 9-seater Renault Trafic minibus, which you can drive on a category B licence.

Related articles:

• Winter Tyres in Poland – Are They Mandatory?
• Is it worth renting an SUV for your vacation?
• The largest Christmas markets in Poland – where is it worth going by car?