Chopin Airport: getting to WAW and preparing for departure
HopTrip · Reviewed
WAW is Chopin Airport and WMI is Warsaw-Modlin. They are not terminals of one port. First check the code on the ticket; the search for a destination only to the “airport in Warsaw” can direct you to the wrong place.
Image source and licence
Old Town Market Square in Warsaw, 2022, 02.jpg
Cropped and resized by HopTrip; WebP format. This adapted photograph is shared under the same licence as the original.
Illustrative photograph, not a statement of current conditions or availability. A city view, not an airport terminal or transfer route.
Railway: Select the right station in the center
The city gives a distance of about 8 km from the centre to WAW and describes the underground Warszawa Lotnisko Chopina station at the terminal. S2 runs through Warszawa Śródmieście, while S3 uses Warszawa Centralna. This matters when changing from a long-distance train or arranging a pickup.
Check the timetable for your date, especially during railway engineering works. Record the full destination station name in your travel plan rather than just “Warsaw”.
The bus leaves from another level on arrival
Options include daytime bus 175 and night bus N32. City information places airport-bound drop-offs at upper-level Departures and city-bound boarding at lower-level Arrivals. After landing, follow signs to your departure stop rather than cars dropping passengers at Departures.
Rail ticket needs to be checked
SKM explains that a 20-minute ticket is not enough for the full journey between Warszawa Centralna and the airport. Ticket acceptance across SKM and Koleje Mazowieckie has exceptions depending on the line and section. Choose a ticket for your actual service rather than the appearance of the train.
Early departure or further journey
Compare the first available service with your check-in deadline. A night bus may be a separate option, rather than an extension of the railway timetable. When travelling between WAW and WMI, allow for a separate transfer and checking in again; include both in your overall budget and travel time.
Check for updates before travelling
Information checked on 2026-09-23. Timetables, prices, opening hours and admission rules may change. Official sources are linked beside the relevant guide sections. Check them for your travel dates.