Travel: Flights to Warsaw

Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport (IATA: WAW) is located in the area of Okęcie in Włochy, some 10 km south of the centre point of the city. For many years the airport used to be called just Okęcie, but this reportedly caused confusion and it was renamed.

The newly-built terminal is currently (as of the beginning of March 2007) partly-open; the situation is subject to change soon. Also, as of now, this new building is deprived of any non-essential facilities (cafes, etc.).

There are three terminals: Terminal 1 is the "default" terminal; Terminal 2 is the newly-built partly-open one; the Etiuda Terminal (check-in counters E1-E8) is used by budget airlines and for charters. Although they are only some 500m apart, it's best to know which terminal you're departing from.

Airport bus services

Bus route ?175? is the service you will probably want to take but watch out as it is notorious for pickpockets.

The cheapest way to get to and from the airport is by bus. Buy a ticket (2.40 zł ) before boarding and validate it as you enter the bus. There are three main airport bus routes :

• Bus Route ?175? ul. ?wirki i Wigury (Novotel Warsaw Airport) - ul. Raszy?ska - pl. Zawiszy (Hotel Sobieski) - Al. Jerozolimskie (Holiday Inn, Marriott) - City Centre - Marszałkowska (Novotel Warsaw Centre) - ul. ?więtokrzyska - Krakowskie Przedmie?cie (Hotel Europejski, Hotel Bristol, Sofitel Victoria) - ... this service goes to the northern city centre, passing near some of the most popular hotels on its way as well as the main train station.

• Bus Route ?188? ul. ?wirki i Wigury - ul. Wawelska - al. Armii Ludowej / Trasa ?azienkowska ?M? ?Politechnika? - ... this service goes to deep Praga Południe on the right bank, passing through the southern city centre, and is a better choice if you just want to get to the metro.

• Night Bus Route ?611?. See the Buses section below for a map of all night routes.

Alternatives:

• Your hotel may operate a shuttle bus service - ask at reception.

• There is a privately-owned bus operating , but considering it departs as rarely as every 45 minutes, it won't usually get you there much faster than the normal bus. The ticket costs 10 zł or €3 (~= 12 zł) or $3 (~= 9 zł).

• For those travelling on from Warsaw to another town serviced by Polski Express there is a stop at the airport and a bureau where you can buy tickets. The routes and timetable are here.

Airport taxi services

Avoid the taxi drivers soliciting for customers, as they overcharge severely. Instead, use one of the companies recommended by the airport authorities (Merc Taxi, MPT Radio Taxi or Sawa Taxi - they are slightly above market average in terms of prices and have their stops near the exit from Terminal 1) or order a taxi from another corporation by phone (there is no surcharge).

In any case, the most you should pay is 3.00 zł (up to 4.50 zł on Sundays; but typically no more than 2.00 zł) per kilometre in the daytime plus an initial fee of no more than 6 zł. You are entitled to a receipt (which must specify the route used) on request. There is no obligation or custom of tipping the taxi drivers. See the Taxis section for a more in-depth explanation of taxi fares.