Warsaw Airport to city center

written by Maciek Bogdanski

Two airports might be considered Warsaw Airports: Chopin Airport (IATA code WAW), and Modlin Airport (MNI). The first lies within the city borders, and the latter is located about 40 km northwest of Warsaw. It is well connected to the city centre by train and bus. In this article, we will give you information on how to get from Warsaw Chopin Airport to the city centre. If you are looking for information on how to get from Warsaw Modlin Airport to the city centre, read this article.

If you are considering coming to Poland through other airports, read our articles on getting from the airport to the centre of Gdansk, Krakow, Wroclaw and Poznan.

Getting from Warsaw Airport to city center

Warsaw Chopin Airport (formerly known as Warszawa Okecie) is located in the south-western part of the city. It is the busiest international airport in Poland It is conveniently connected to Warsaw city centre by public transport. You can get to the city centre by bus or train, and then continue to your destination by other means of transport. Public transport is the cheapest and fastest way of getting to or from the airport. The fare is regular – no additional airport ticket is required. Much more expensive – and not always faster – is taking a taxi or airport transfer service. This, however, will be cheaper, if you register with FreeNow with promo code lqnfsq07p – you will receive 20 PLN (about 5 EUR) for your ride.

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By Train

The train is the fastest and most reliable way of getting from Warsaw Airport to the city centre. The usual destination is Warszawa Centralna or Warszawa Srodmiecie train station. Three regular train lines are running from the airport: S2, S3 and RL. Although trains are run by different companies, ZTM tickets (including 20, 75 and 90-minute tickets) are valid for all trains on the route from the airport to Warszawa Wschodnia and Warszawa Pludy – depending on your destination. You will find ticket vending machines on your way to the platform. The journey lasts 20-30 minutes, depending on the train, so it is better to have 70 minutes ticket. You need to validate the ticket on board.

Koleje Mazowieckie trains run from Warsaw Airport to city centre
Koleje Mazowieckie trains run from Warsaw Airport to the city centre

To find the Airport Train Station, just follow the signs in the arrivals hall. The last train leaves Warsaw Airport at 11:53 p.m. Later you need to rely on night buses until 5.39 am.

You may find schedules of buses going from Warsaw Airport to city center here: S2, S3 and RL.

If you want to go further from the city centre to Warsaw Old Town, the best option is to board the 160 Bus (direction: Grodzisk). It departs from bus stops between the Warszawa Centralna Train Station and Zlote Tarasy Shopping Mall. You should get off the bus at the bus stop “Stare Miasto”.

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By bus during the day

There is a direct bus from Warsaw Airport to the City centre and further towards the old town. It leaves from bus stops located in front of the arrivals terminal – just follow the signs. There is a ticket vending machine at the bus stop.

The number of the line is 175 – direction “Pl. Pilsudskiego” – it leaves the airport every 10-15 minutes on weekdays, and every 15-20 minutes on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The journey lasts about 25 minutes if there is no traffic, but expect it to be longer in the morning and afternoon. 75-minute ticket (4,40 PLN) is enough, but if you plan to use public transport on that day, consider buying a 24-hour ticket (15 PLN).  If you buy tickets from the machine, remember to validate it on-board. If you plan to stay in Warsaw, read our article on public transport in Warsaw to choose the best ticket for you.

Bus 175 from Warsaw Airport to city centre
Bus 175 from Warsaw Airport to city centre

If instead of getting off the bus in the city centre you go further, to Pl. Pilsudskiego, you will be within walking distance from the Old Town.

By bus at night

If you land in Warsaw at night and miss the last train, don’t worry. There is a night bus N32 going from Warsaw Airport to city centre. The journey lasts about 25 minutes. If you want to go to the Old Town, stay on the N32 bus until the bus stop “Metro Swietokrzyska” and there change to the N44 bus (direction Metro Mlociny or Zajezdnia Zoliborz). You should leave the N44 bus at the bus stop “Plac Zamkowy” which is very close to the Old Town.

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Here are the schedules of the buses running from Warsaw Airport: 175, N32

Taxi from Warsaw Airport to the city centre

I wouldn’t take a taxi from Warsaw airport, as the price is much higher than public transport. But if your plane lands at night, or you have large or heavy luggage, this might be the only available option. The airport recommends one corporation: Ele Taxi. The expected taxi fare from Warsaw Airport to the city centre should be about 50 PLN, but always make sure to check the price list and ask the driver to turn on the meter. Avoid non-corporate taxis – most frauds that occur are related to those that are private ones.

Your taxi ride from Warsaw Airport to the city centre will be a bit cheaper if you register with FreeNow. This is an official taxi that works similarly to Uber and Bolt. If you download the FreeNow App and register with discount code maciej.bog4 you will receive a voucher for 20 PLN (about 5 EUR). FreeNow in Warsaw also matches passengers going in the same direction which allows you to share the cost.

Alternatively, you may use Uber or Bolt. Their price depends on the actual demand, but they will usually take you from Warsaw Airport to the city centre much cheaper than regular taxis.

Staying at the Warsaw Chopin Airport

If you land late or need to get to the airport very early in the morning, you may consider staying close to the airport or – if you are low budget traveller – at the airport. There are a lot of shops and restaurants at the airport, but if you need to rest, there are also two hotels just in front of the terminal: Courtyard by Marriott Warsaw Airport and Renaissance Warsaw Airport Hotel. You will find other hotels here but you will probably need to arrange transfer to any of them.

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