Warsaw airports

The two airports

Warsaw, the largest city in Poland, is served by two airports. The first is Warsaw Chopin Airport, with the IATA code WAW. It is conveniently located near the city centre and is accessible by train, bus, and taxi. Most flights, except for (most of the) international Ryanair flights, land there. The second airport, Warsaw Modlin Airport, IATA code WMI, primarily accommodates international Ryanair flights.

Getting to/from Warsaw Chopin Airport, or WAW

This is the easy part. The larger of the airports in Warsaw (and the largest airport in Poland) is located close to the downtown, which means that there are multiple transfer options available 24×7.

By train

The train station is conveniently situated next to the bus terminal, accessible via a direct walkway from the arrival hall. Upon exiting the luggage collection area or customs, turn right and proceed to the terminal’s far end.

Three lines operate from the airport: the SKM lines S1 and S2 (trains painted in red, black, and white) and the Koleje Mazowieckie airport line RL (trains painted in green, black, and white). Both the SKM and Koleje Mazowieckie lines provide convenient transport to the city centre, while the Koleje Mazowieckie line also extends to Modlin airport.

Tickets are available from the vending machines located just before the platform entrance on your left. A single-ride ticket costs 4.40 PLN per person,  but consider buying a 24-hour ticket for 15 PLN pp.

You can check the train timetable online.

By the municipal bus.

The airport is just 15 minutes from the city centre by municipal bus, eliminating the need for a dedicated airport shuttle. You will find the bus stop directly in front of the arrival hall; look for bus number 175, which travels directly to the city centre and continues to the Old Town.

If you arrive late at night when bus 175 does not operate, consider taking the night bus, N32, instead of a taxi.

There is also a comprehensive city route planner for Warsaw that includes these bus lines.

By a long-distance bus.

Some bus companies offer direct connections to and from the airport. The bus terminal is located right next to the railway station.

Check the airport website for the most up-to-date list.

By taxi.

The journey to the city centre typically takes between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on the time of day and traffic conditions, with an average travel time of about 20-25 minutes. Fares vary depending on the time of the day; they double at workday night and can quadruple on weekend nights. Always confirm the fare with the driver if you are unsure.

Typical travel times by taxi:

• The downtown, next to the Novotel hotel: 15-20 minutes
• The Old Town – castle square – 20-25 minutes
• Modlin Airport – 60-90 minutes, traffic permitting
• Warsaw Central Station – 15-20 minutes

By Uber

The default Uber collection point at the airport is conveniently located in front of the departure area. To find it, go upstairs to the far end of the terminal, near the parking exit and directly opposite the Marriott hotel. If you find yourself at the parking entrance, simply continue walking along the terminal until you see the exit.

Getting to/from Warsaw Modlin, or WMI

The second of Warsaw airports is dedicated to low-cost carriers, which means that it is cheap, simple, and located far from the city centre. Despite that, there are a number of transportation options to and from Warsaw. Note, however, that the taxi may be your only option if you arrive late at night or depart very early. Double-check the timetables to avoid surprises.

By train

The railway does not directly connect to the airport terminal. Instead, Mazovia Railways provides an hourly train service to Warsaw from the nearby station in Modlin. A shuttle bus, which is painted in the same green, white, black, and yellow colours as the trains, operates between the airport and the station. You can purchase a single ticket for the entire journey to Warsaw, which includes a transfer between the train and the bus (or vice versa) at Modlin.

If you arrive in Modlin by train and need to reach the airport terminal, the shuttle bus stop is conveniently located in front of the station building. To check train and bus schedules, visit the official PKP timetable website. Search for connections to “Modlin Lotnisko” or “Modlin Airport” – these listings will direct you to the bus stop right below the airport.

What is often missed is the PKP Intercity offering. A few TLK trains (low-cost long-distance trains) stop there. This allows you to go directly to other major towns in Poland, like Kraków, Wrocław, Olsztyn, or Gdańsk. For details, visit the official PKP timetable.

By bus

Modlin Bus services are no longer available; FlixBus has taken over routes from the airport to various destinations in Poland, including Warsaw West railway station and Metro Młociny, the terminus of the M1 metro line. The journey typically takes 60-75 minutes, and buses arrive downtown near the Palace of Culture and Science, then continue to Chopin Airport. Although these services could be considered as airport shuttles, they do not run as frequently as similar routes in other locations.

For the most current timetables, please visit the FlixBus website.

By taxi

There are two official taxi companies at the airport, Sawa Taxi and Modlin Taxi. They have a fixed price list depending on your destination in Warsaw, the ride by taxi takes 40 to 60 minutes. You can find all the relevant details at the airport website.

By Uber

Uber offers a reliable service from the city centre to Modlin Airport. However, using Uber for the return journey—from the airport to Warsaw—can be unreliable. This is primarily because Uber does not have an official presence at Modlin Airport, and therefore, drivers might not always be available.