In this guide
💡 The Short Version: Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) is located just 8 km south of the city centre inside municipal transit Zone 1 (Lotnisko Chopina). SKM trains from the underground station reach the centre in about 20 minutes, and city bus 175 runs to Warszawa Centralna, Metro Centrum and Plac Piłsudskiego in 35 to 45 minutes; a 75-minute Zone 1 ticket (4.40 PLN) covers either. A taxi is about 50 PLN. For low-cost flights arriving at Warsaw Modlin Airport (WMI), take the Koleje Mazowieckie shuttle bus and train or a direct coach. Or book a transfer: Warsaw: Private Transfer to/from Warsaw Chopin Airportad (from 140 PLN, 4.6 stars from 35 reviews) is a private transfer between Chopin Airport and the city.
⚠️ Terminal bus boarding rule: When boarding city buses (such as Line 175 or night bus N32) at Chopin Airport, go to the bus terminal on the ground/lower arrivals level (Przyloty 02). Buses do not pick up passengers on the elevated upper departures roadway. Always validate your ticket in the yellow punch machine immediately upon stepping aboard.
Chopin Airport transport options compared
Chopin Airport is inside the city, so trains and buses use ordinary city tickets:
| Transport Option | Direct Destination in Centre | Travel Time | Frequency & Hours | Where to Board |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SKM Train Line S2 | Warszawa Zachodnia, Śródmieście, Wschodnia | 20 minutes | Every 30 mins (06:00 – 23:30) | Underground station beneath terminal |
| SKM Train Line S3 | Warszawa Zachodnia, Centralna, Wschodnia | 22 minutes | Every 30–60 mins (05:30 – 23:00) | Underground station beneath terminal |
| KM Train Line RL | Warszawa Centralna, Wschodnia, Modlin | 20 minutes | Every 60 mins | Underground station beneath terminal |
| City Bus Line 175 | Centralna, Metro Centrum, Plac Piłsudskiego | 35 – 45 minutes | Every 10–15 mins (04:30 – 23:00) | Lower level bus terminal (Przyloty 02) |
| Night Bus N32 | Warszawa Centralna (Emilii Plater) | 25 minutes | Every 30 mins (23:15 – 04:50) | Lower level bus terminal (Przyloty 02) |
| Official Taxi | Any central hotel or address | 20 – 30 minutes | 24/7 on demand | Ground level outside Exit 2 |
| Pre-Booked Private Transfer | Any address (meet-and-greet) | 20 – 25 minutes | Pre-booked (driver waits in arrivals) | Main arrivals hall exit |
The modern terminal building and arrival forecourt at Warsaw Chopin Airport. Photo: Adrian Grycuk, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 pl.
Chopin Airport Terminal A. Photo: PerpetualTraveler, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Tours and pre-arranged private transfers
A private transfer is met inside the terminal by a driver with a name board.
Warsaw: Private Transfer to/from Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW)
From 140 PLN · 4.6 stars from 35 reviews · 30 minutes · private transfer
Warsaw: Private Transfer to/from Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW)ad: a private transfer between Chopin Airport and the city with an experienced driver.
Warsaw: Chopin & Modlin Airport Transfers
From 308 PLN for a group of up to 3 · 4.4 stars from 25 reviews · 1 hour · private transfer
Warsaw: Chopin & Modlin Airport Transfersad: a private transfer between Warsaw Chopin or Modlin airport and your destination in the city.
Chopin Airport private transfer for 1 to 20 passengers
From 312 PLN for a group of up to 3 · 5.0 stars from 6 reviews · 30 minutes · private transfer, 1 to 20 passengers
Chopin Airport private transfer for 1 to 20 passengersad: a private transfer from Chopin Airport with an English-speaking driver in a premium vehicle.
Public transport or private transfer
| Service | Price | Luggage and convenience |
|---|---|---|
| SKM airport train (S2/S3) | 4.40 PLN (75-minute ticket) | Not affected by traffic; lift access from baggage claim; luggage racks |
| City bus 175 | 4.40 PLN (75-minute ticket) | Runs to Plac Piłsudskiego near the Royal Route; slower in rush hour |
| Licensed taxi | About 50 PLN to the centre | Metered, door to door; queues possible when several flights land together |
| Pre-booked private transfer | From 140 PLN | Driver waits in arrivals; price fixed in advance |
SKM suburban trains. Photo: Mateusz Włodarczyk, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Detailed guide to Chopin Airport trains
The underground train station (Warszawa Lotnisko Chopina) is fully integrated into Warsaw’s municipal public transport authority (WTP / ZTM).
Which train to choose:
- SKM S2 (Red Electric Trains): Travels to Warszawa Śródmieście (the commuter station immediately adjacent to Central Station, connected by an underground tunnel) in 20 minutes, then continues across the river to Warszawa Powiśle, Warszawa Stadion, and Warszawa Wschodnia.
- SKM S3 (Red Electric Trains): Travels directly into Warszawa Centralna main underground platforms in 22 minutes, then heads north-east towards Legionowo.
- KM RL (Green and White Trains): Operated by regional rail carrier Koleje Mazowieckie, running through Centralna directly north to Warsaw Modlin Airport. Note: KM trains require either a KM ticket or a ZTM ticket valid for at least 24 hours (single 20-min and 75-min ZTM tickets are not accepted on KM trains).
Buying and validating transit tickets at the airport:
- Ticket machines (in Polish, English, German, Russian and Ukrainian) are in the baggage reclaim hall, by the station entrance escalators and on the train platforms.
- Select the 75-minute Zone 1 ticket (4.40 PLN). If you plan to explore the city further that day, select the 24-hour Zone 1 pass (15 PLN) instead (go2warsaw.pl).
- Pay with coins or a card.
- Validation: At the entrance to the underground platform, insert your ticket into the magnetic turnstile slot. If the turnstiles are open, insert the ticket into the yellow validator box before descending to the tracks.
Official taxis and ridesharing from Chopin
- Taxi rank: Leave through Exit 2 on the ground level (Arrivals). Ele Taxi cars wait at the stand in front of the terminal exit; iTaxi and MPT also serve the airport.
- Fare: About 50 PLN to the city centre (lotnisko-chopina.pl). The tariff is displayed in the rear right window and the driver’s ID on the dashboard.
- Ride-hailing: Uber has self-service ordering kiosks (Tap to Ride) in the baggage reclaim hall and the arrivals hall. For Bolt, order in the app and follow its pickup instructions.
Transferring from Warsaw Modlin Airport (WMI)
Warsaw Modlin Airport (located 36 km north-west in Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki) serves primarily budget carriers like Ryanair. Because it lies far outside the municipal ZTM transit zone, separate ticketing applies:
- Integrated Rail + Bus Ticket (Bilet Lotniskowy):
- Operated by Koleje Mazowieckie (KM).
- Board the green-and-white airport shuttle bus outside the terminal; it departs every 20 minutes for the 10-minute drive to Modlin railway station.
- At the station, step aboard the connecting KM train to Warszawa Centralna (journey time 40 minutes). Total transit time: roughly 55 minutes.
- Direct Express Coaches:
- Contbus: Operates direct minibuses between Modlin Airport and the Marriott Hotel opposite Warszawa Centralna.
- FlixBus: Runs scheduled coaches from Modlin to Warszawa Zachodnia and Metro Młociny.
What to see next
- Public transport in Warsaw: Ticket types, fares, validation rules, trams and metro.
- Where to stay in Warsaw: Hotels with a direct train from Chopin Airport.
- Is Warsaw Safe?: Airport taxis, scams and emergency numbers.
- Warsaw in 1 or 2 days: Itineraries that start on arrival.
- Warsaw travel guide: Sights, transport, food and hotels.
Common questions
What is the fastest and cheapest way to get from Warsaw Chopin Airport to the city centre?
The underground SKM commuter trains (lines S2 and S3) reach the centre in 20 to 22 minutes. Buy at least a 75-minute Zone 1 ticket (4.40 PLN).
Where is the train station at Warsaw Chopin Airport?
The railway station (Warszawa Lotnisko Chopina) is located underground directly beneath the terminal. Follow the green train icon floor graphics and escalators down from the baggage claim and arrivals hall.
Which city bus runs from Chopin Airport to Warsaw Old Town?
Bus 175 leaves from the arrivals level and runs through central Warsaw, stopping at Warszawa Centralna and Metro Centrum and ending at Plac Piłsudskiego, near the start of Krakowskie Przedmieście.
How much does an official taxi cost from Chopin Airport to downtown?
About 50 PLN to the city centre, according to the airport. Use the licensed taxi rank on the ground floor outside Exit 2.
How do I get to Warsaw from Warsaw Modlin Airport (WMI)?
Modlin is located 36 km north-west of Warsaw. Koleje Mazowieckie (KM) operates an integrated Airport Ticket covering the 10-minute shuttle bus to Modlin train station and the 40-minute train to Warszawa Centralna. Direct express coaches (Contbus and FlixBus) take 45–60 minutes.
