Warsaw airport transfers from Chopin and Modlin
Check your airport code before choosing a transfer: Chopin is within Warsaw, while Modlin needs a longer journey into the city. From Chopin, your destination station matters because airport trains do not all follow the same central route. From Modlin, compare a direct coach with the shuttle and train combination. In both cases, choose your arrival stop around your accommodation rather than assuming every service reaches the main railway station.
The airports
- Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW)
- about 10 km southwest, roughly 20 to 45 minutes depending on destination and traffic
- Warsaw Modlin Airport (WMI)
- about 40 km northwest, allow roughly an hour or more depending on connections and traffic
Every way from the airport to Warsaw
| How | Airport | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| TrainAirport rail services | WAW | about 20 to 30 minutes to central stations | Central stays near a suitable railway station |
| BusBus 175 | WAW | roughly 30 to 50 minutes to central stops | Stays near the central route toward the Old Town |
| TaxiOfficial airport taxi rank | WAW | roughly 20 to 40 minutes to the center | Door to door journeys with luggage |
| CoachDirect airport coach | WMI | roughly an hour or more to Warsaw | Travelers who want to avoid a rail connection |
| Bus and trainShuttle to Modlin station and onward train | WMI | roughly an hour or more including the connection | Travelers comfortable changing at Modlin station |
| TaxiAirport taxi or prebooked transfer | WMI | roughly 45 to 75 minutes, longer in heavy traffic | Groups and arrivals outside useful public services |
How each one works
Train: Airport rail services
Follow terminal signs to the airport railway station. Check the departure display for the central station you need, since routes vary. Buy a ticket valid for the operator and journey before boarding; check airport ticket machine guidance if using a city ticket.
Bus: Bus 175
Use the signed public bus stops outside the terminal and check the city bound direction. Bus 175 serves the central station area and continues toward the historic center. Buy a valid city ticket and validate it as required when you board.
Taxi: Official airport taxi rank
Follow airport signs to the official taxi rank outside arrivals. Give the driver your accommodation's full street address, including the building number. Confirm how the journey will be charged and whether card payment is available before setting off.
Coach: Direct airport coach
Check the airport's official transport page for the current direct coach operator and Warsaw stop. Book through the operator and follow its terminal pickup instructions. Allow for road traffic and the onward journey from the coach stop to your accommodation.
Bus and train: Shuttle to Modlin station and onward train
Take the airport shuttle to Modlin railway station, then a Warsaw bound train. Check the train's stopping pattern before boarding. Buy the appropriate shuttle and rail tickets, or a combined ticket where offered, and verify whether any onward city transport is included.
Taxi: Airport taxi or prebooked transfer
Use the airport's official taxi information or arrange a transfer with a confirmed meeting point. Give the full Warsaw address and confirm the total charging basis before departure. For a prebooked pickup, provide your flight details and check the waiting policy.
Arriving late or leaving early
Check the last useful service for your arrival day, allowing time for passport control and baggage. At Modlin, verify both the shuttle and the onward train rather than just one leg. If connections do not work, arrange a taxi or transfer with clear pickup instructions.
Before you land
- Match WAW or WMI on your booking to the transfer route before buying any onward ticket.
- Warszawa Centralna and Warszawa Śródmieście are different stations. Check which one your service uses before planning the final walk.
- For the Old Town, compare your final bus or tram connection with the walk from a railway station.
- Check ticket validity for the named operator, particularly when combining airport rail services with city transport.
Warsaw airport transfers from Chopin and Modlin
Which Warsaw airport is closer to the center?
Chopin Airport is much closer and has direct city rail and bus links. Modlin lies farther northwest and needs a longer road or combined rail journey.
Does Modlin Airport have a railway station at the terminal?
No. The rail route uses a shuttle between the airport and Modlin station, followed by a train into Warsaw.
Can I use one city ticket for every airport train?
Do not assume every rail service accepts the same ticket. Check the current rules for your operator, route and ticket before boarding.
What is best for an early flight?
Check the first arrival time at the airport, including any connections. If it leaves too little margin, arrange a taxi or transfer from your accommodation.