Warsaw Chopin Airport

Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) is Poland's largest and busiest airport, located approximately 10 km southwest of Warsaw city center in the Okecie district. Named after the famous Polish composer Frederic Chopin, it serves as the main hub for LOT Polish Airlines (Star Alliance) and handles around 18 million passengers annually.

The airport has a single terminal building divided into two main areas:

• Terminal A (South): Check-in halls A and B, primarily serves LOT Polish Airlines and Star Alliance carriers, gates 1-24
• Terminal A (North): Check-in hall C, serves low-cost carriers and other international airlines, gates 25-47

All gates are connected within the same building after security. The terminal underwent significant modernization between 2019-2022, with upgraded facilities and improved passenger flow.

Important: Warsaw has a second airport, Warsaw Modlin (WMI), located 40 km northwest of the city. Ryanair operates from Modlin, not Chopin. Verify which airport your flight uses when booking.

Warsaw Chopin Airport is located 10 km (6 miles) southwest of Warsaw city center in the Okecie district.

Travel time overview:

• Train (SKM S2/S3): 25 minutes to Warsaw Central
• Bus 175: 25-30 minutes to city center
• Taxi to city center: 20-35 minutes (traffic dependent)

The airport has a railway station located below the terminal building, accessible via escalators and elevators from the arrivals hall.

Taxi

Official airport taxis queue outside the arrivals hall. Look for vehicles with the "TAXI" sign and official airport taxi stickers.

Destination	Fare	Time
Warsaw Central Station	50-70 PLN (€12-16)	20-30 min
Old Town (Stare Miasto)	55-75 PLN (€13-17)	25-35 min
Warsaw West Station	45-65 PLN (€10-15)	15-25 min
Palace of Culture	50-70 PLN (€12-16)	20-30 min

Fares are metered. Base rate approximately 8 PLN plus 3-4 PLN per kilometer. Night rates (22:00-06:00) and Sundays/holidays have 50% surcharge.

Warning: Avoid unofficial taxi drivers inside the terminal. Use only official taxi stands or pre-booked services.

Uber

Uber operates at Warsaw Chopin Airport.

• Pickup location: Designated rideshare area outside arrivals, follow "Ride-hailing" signs
• Services available: UberX, Uber Comfort, Uber Green
• Typical fare to city center: 35-55 PLN (€8-13)
• Wait times: Usually 5-10 minutes

Alternatives: Bolt and Free Now also operate in Warsaw with similar pricing.

Train (SKM/Koleje Mazowieckie)

The S2 and S3 suburban rail lines connect the airport to Warsaw city center. The station is located directly below the terminal.

To Warsaw Central Station (Warszawa Centralna):

1. Follow signs to "Koleje/Train" from arrivals
2. Purchase ticket from machines or ZTM/SKM ticket offices
3. Board S2 or S3 train
4. Exit at Warszawa Centralna (approximately 25 minutes)

Ticket Type	Price	Notes
Single ticket (Zone 1)	4.40 PLN (€1)	Valid 75 min
Single + Airport Zone	7.00 PLN (€1.60)	Airport requires supplement
Day ticket	15.00 PLN (€3.50)	Unlimited travel, Zone 1
3-day ticket	36.00 PLN (€8.50)	Tourist option

Frequency: Every 15-20 minutes Operating hours: Approximately 04:30-23:30

Validate paper tickets before boarding. Contactless cards can tap on/off at validators.

Bus

Bus 175 is the most popular bus route to the city center, running 24 hours.

To Warsaw Central (via Nowy Swiat):

1. Exit arrivals and find bus stops outside terminal
2. Board Bus 175 direction "Metro Politechnika" or "Plac Pilsudskiego"
3. Exit at Centrum or Nowy Swiat (25-30 minutes)

Route	Destination	Time	Fare
175	City Center, Nowy Swiat	25-30 min	4.40 PLN
188	Metro Wilanowska (south)	35 min	4.40 PLN
N32	Night bus to center	30-40 min	4.40 PLN

Bus 175 frequency: Every 10-15 minutes during day, every 30 minutes at night (N32 replaces 175 after midnight)

Purchase tickets from machines at bus stops, on board (contactless only), or use the moBILET app.

Express Bus (Modlin Bus)

ModlinBus connects both Warsaw airports (Chopin and Modlin) to the city center.

• Route: Chopin Airport to Palace of Culture to Modlin Airport
• Fare: 33-45 PLN (€8-10) depending on destination
• Useful for: Travelers needing to transfer between Warsaw's two airports

Warsaw Chopin Airport offers multiple parking options.

Terminal Parking

Location	Type	Price
P1 Express	Short-term	First 15 min free, then 10 PLN/15 min
P2 Terminal	Covered, close	From 12 PLN/hour, 90 PLN/day
P3	Covered parking	From 10 PLN/hour, 80 PLN/day
P4 Long-term	Economy	From 45 PLN/day
P5 Economy	Budget long-term	From 35 PLN/day

Tips:

• Book online at lotnisko-chopina.pl for discounts (often 15-25% off)
• P1 Express is free for pickups under 15 minutes
• P4 and P5 are further from terminal but offer shuttle service
• Electric vehicle charging available in P2

Kiss & Fly

Free drop-off zone on departure level. Maximum 10-minute stop for passenger drop-off only.

Warsaw Chopin Airport offers a variety of dining options reflecting Polish and international cuisine.

Airside (After Security)

Sit-down restaurants:

• Piano Bar & Cafe: Polish and European dishes, good coffee, relaxed atmosphere
• Sphinx: Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine
• Beef N' Pepper: Steaks and grilled dishes

Quick bites:

• A. Blikle: Famous Polish patisserie, excellent doughnuts (paczki) and pastries
• Costa Coffee: Multiple locations throughout terminal
• Subway, McDonald's: International chains
• Smacznego: Quick Polish comfort food
• Relay: Sandwiches, snacks, and beverages

Bars:

• Bar Lotnisko: Traditional Polish vodkas and beers
• Heineken Bar: Draft beers and light snacks

Landside (Before Security)

• A. Blikle: Also has landside location
• Various cafes: In check-in halls A, B, and C
• Vending machines: Throughout arrivals area

Polish Specialties to Try

• Paczki: Polish doughnuts filled with rose jam (at A. Blikle)
• Pierogi: Polish dumplings (limited availability at airport)
• Zurek: Sour rye soup
• Polish vodka: Zubrowka, Wyborowa available at bars and duty-free

Free WiFi is available throughout Warsaw Chopin Airport.

Detail	Information
Network name	Chopin-Airport-Free-WiFi
Registration	Accept terms, no email required
Time limit	Unlimited
Coverage	Entire terminal

Quality: Generally reliable for browsing, email, and video calls. Can slow during peak hours. For faster connections, LOT Business Lounge offers premium WiFi.

Prepaid SIM cards are available at the airport in the arrivals area.

Where to Buy

• Relay stores: Multiple locations in arrivals and departures
• Orange: Kiosk in arrivals area
• Play: Available at electronics stores
• Plus/Polkomtel: Various vendors

Prices

Provider	Price	Data
Orange	From 30 PLN (€7)	10-30 GB options
Play	From 25 PLN (€6)	Budget-friendly
Plus	From 30 PLN (€7)	Good coverage
T-Mobile	From 35 PLN (€8)	Premium network

EU roaming: If you have an EU SIM card, you can use it in Poland at domestic rates.

Tip: eSIMs from providers like Airalo or Holafly offer instant activation if your phone supports them.

ATMs (bankomaty) are located throughout the terminal on all levels. Major Polish banks represented include PKO BP, mBank, Santander, and ING.

ATM Locations

• Arrivals hall: Multiple ATMs near exits
• Check-in halls: Near entrances
• Airside: After security in shopping areas

Currency

Poland uses the Polish Zloty (PLN/zl). While Poland is an EU member, it has not adopted the Euro.

Exchange rate: Approximately 4.3 PLN = €1 (check current rates)

Currency Exchange

Currency exchange counters (Kantor) are available in arrivals and departures areas. Airport exchange rates are typically 5-10% worse than city center rates.

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw PLN from ATMs using a no-fee debit card (avoid dynamic currency conversion)
• Use Wise, Revolut, or similar services
• Exchange in city center kantors for better rates
• Credit cards widely accepted in Warsaw

Warsaw Chopin Airport offers duty-free and retail shopping primarily in the airside area.

Duty Free

Location	Hours
Main Duty Free (Airside)	04:30-22:00
Gate area shops	05:00-21:30

Products: Polish vodka (Belvedere, Zubrowka, Chopin), amber jewelry, cosmetics, chocolates, perfumes, tobacco.

Notable Stores

• Desa Unicum: Polish art and antiques
• W.Kruk: Polish jewelry brand, amber pieces
• Empik: Books, Polish souvenirs, electronics
• Krakow Creations: Traditional Polish crafts
• Inglot: Polish cosmetics brand

Tips

• Polish vodka prices at duty-free are competitive
• Amber jewelry is a Polish specialty worth browsing
• Pre-order duty-free online for collection at airport
• Non-EU residents can claim VAT refunds on purchases over 200 PLN

Warsaw Chopin Airport has several lounge options, with LOT Polish Airlines operating the primary facilities.

LOT Polish Airlines Lounges

Polonez Lounge (Business Class):

• Access: Star Alliance Gold, LOT Business Class, Miles & More Senator
• Location: Airside, near gates 25-35
• Facilities: Hot and cold buffet, bar, WiFi, showers, work stations
• Hours: 05:00-21:00

Executive Lounge:

• Access: Star Alliance Gold, certain credit cards
• Location: Non-Schengen area
• Facilities: Buffet, beverages, WiFi
• Hours: Based on flight schedules

Priority Pass Lounges

Bolero Business Lounge:

• Access: Priority Pass, LoungeKey, day pass (approximately 150 PLN/€35)
• Location: Airside, Schengen area
• Facilities: Snacks, beverages, WiFi, seating
• Hours: 06:00-22:00

Credit Card Access

• Priority Pass: Bolero Business Lounge
• Amex Platinum: Partner lounge access
• Diners Club: Various lounge access

Day Passes

Day passes available for approximately 150-200 PLN (€35-45) at lounge reception if membership not held.

Several hotels are located near Warsaw Chopin Airport.

At/Connected to Airport

Courtyard by Marriott Warsaw Airport

• Connected to terminal via covered walkway (5-minute walk)
• 4-star, modern facilities
• Restaurant, bar, fitness center
• From 350 PLN (€80)/night

Hampton by Hilton Warsaw Airport

• Adjacent to terminal (10-minute walk or free shuttle)
• 3-star, reliable quality
• From 300 PLN (€70)/night

Near the Airport

Renaissance Warsaw Airport Hotel

• 5-minute drive, shuttle available
• 4-star, full-service
• From 400 PLN (€90)/night

Holiday Inn Warsaw City Centre (city option)

• 20 minutes by taxi
• Central location for early morning flights via taxi
• From 350 PLN (€80)/night

Budget Options

B&B Hotel Warszawa-Okecie

• 10-minute drive from airport
• Budget-friendly
• From 200 PLN (€45)/night

Ibis Warszawa Ostrobramska

• 15-minute drive
• Budget chain
• From 180 PLN (€40)/night

Sleep Pods

SleepBox capsule hotel is located in the arrivals area for short rest periods between flights. Hourly rates available.

Warsaw is Poland's capital and largest city, rebuilt after near-total destruction in World War II. Today it blends reconstructed historic areas with modern architecture and a vibrant cultural scene.

Getting to the City Center

• Train to Warszawa Centralna: 25 minutes (7 PLN/€1.60)
• Bus 175 to Centrum: 25-30 minutes (4.40 PLN/€1)
• Taxi to Old Town: 25-35 minutes (55-75 PLN/€13-17)

Top Attractions

Attraction	Travel Time from Airport	Highlights
Old Town (Stare Miasto)	30 min by bus/train	UNESCO site, meticulously rebuilt after WWII
Royal Castle	30 min by bus	Former residence of Polish monarchs, museum
Palace of Culture and Science	25 min by bus	Soviet-era skyscraper, observation deck
Lazienki Park	20 min by bus	Beautiful royal park, Chopin statue
POLIN Museum	30 min by bus	History of Polish Jews, award-winning museum
Warsaw Uprising Museum	35 min by bus	WWII history, immersive exhibits
Wilanow Palace	25 min by taxi	Baroque royal residence, gardens

Layover Recommendations

• 5-hour layover: Bus 175 to Old Town, walk through Market Square, visit Royal Castle exterior, coffee at historic cafe
• 7-hour layover: Add POLIN Museum or Lazienki Park, lunch at a traditional Polish restaurant
• Day trip from airport: Krakow (2.5 hours by train), Gdansk (3 hours by train)

Warsaw Specialties

• Pierogi: Polish dumplings with various fillings (meat, potato, cheese, fruit)
• Bigos: Hunter's stew with sauerkraut and meat
• Zurek: Sour rye soup, often served in bread bowl
• Kotlet schabowy: Polish breaded pork cutlet
• Paczki: Filled doughnuts, especially on Fat Thursday
• Polish vodka: Try Zubrowka (bison grass) or Wyborowa

Practical Tips

• Currency: Polish Zloty (PLN). €1 = approximately 4.3 PLN. Cards widely accepted.
• Language: Polish. English widely spoken in tourist areas and by younger generations.
• Tipping: 10% in restaurants is standard if service not included
• Public transit: Warsaw has metro, trams, and buses. Buy tickets from machines or use the moBILET app.
• Sunday closures: Most shops closed on Sundays (except first and last Sunday of month). Restaurants, museums, and attractions open.
• Tap water: Safe to drink throughout Poland
• Modlin confusion: Double-check your airport. Ryanair uses Modlin (WMI), 40 km away, not Chopin (WAW).