Roberta Aguirre
Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) is Poland's busiest airport, located in the Wlochy district, approximately 10 kilometres southwest of the city centre. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport remained open to transiting passengers. However, travellers who were not permitted to enter Poland could only transit through the airport if they arrived from a non-Schengen Area country and continued onwards to another non-Schengen country, remaining in the airport's non-Schengen transit zone. Passengers were required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within a specified timeframe and may have needed to complete a passenger locator form. While COVID-19 testing was available at the airport, travellers could also choose to get tested elsewhere within 48 hours of their departure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Transit through Warsaw Airport | Possible, but with conditions |
| Conditions | Passengers transiting through Warsaw Chopin Airport must arrive from a non-Schengen Area country and continue onwards to another non-Schengen country. |
| Where to get a COVID test | A COVID-19 testing site is available at the airport, offering PCR tests, rapid antigen tests, and antibody tests. |
| Transit through the UK | Passengers transiting through the UK must complete a passenger locator form and provide a negative COVID-19 test. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Non-Schengen to non-Schengen transit
For non-Schengen to non-Schengen transit through Warsaw Chopin Airport, passengers who are not permitted to enter Poland may transit through the airport if they arrive from a non-Schengen country and continue onwards to another non-Schengen country. These passengers must remain in the airport's non-Schengen transit zone while waiting for their connecting flight.
Passengers travelling via Warsaw and continuing their journey by air can check in directly through to their destination airport. When checking in at the airport of departure, boarding passes will be printed for every leg of the journey. Passengers continuing their journey on LOT Polish Airlines international flights should check the information regarding their next flight.
Passengers transferring at Chopin Airport can enjoy shopping and dining options, as well as executive lounges. LOT Polish Airlines passengers can also use a transfer centre to collect their boarding pass and rebook tickets in case of delays or cancellations. Passengers of other carriers in the Schengen area of the terminal have access to a self-service kiosk for check-in, which allows them to download a boarding pass and perform other tasks.
As of March 2021, all travellers entering Poland, including those arriving from the Non-Schengen zone, must undergo quarantine, which can only be revoked by a negative COVID-19 test result made in Poland. Travellers arriving at Warsaw Chopin Airport from the Schengen area are exempt from compulsory quarantine if they have a negative test result in Polish or English, taken within 48 hours before crossing the border and presented at the request of a Border Guard officer. Travellers arriving from outside the Schengen area are subject to mandatory control by the Border Guard and must provide the officer with all the data necessary to impose quarantine, such as the address of residence or place of stay, and a contact telephone number. It is also possible to perform a COVID-19 test before the Border Guard inspection.
Wrapped Gifts: Airport Security Do's and Don'ts
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Testing requirements
Firstly, it is important to note that travellers who are not permitted to enter Poland may still be able to transit through Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) if they are travelling from and to non-Schengen Area countries. These travellers must remain in the airport's non-Schengen transit zone while waiting for their connecting flight.
For travellers arriving from or transiting through certain countries, such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines, specific testing requirements may apply. In these cases, a negative COVID-19 PCR test, taken within 48 hours before departure, may be mandatory.
In general, testing requirements for transiting through Warsaw Airport seem to be dependent on the traveller's origin and destination countries. For example, travellers from Schengen countries may be exempt from quarantine in Poland by providing a negative COVID-19 test. However, it is unclear if similar rules apply for transiting travellers from non-Schengen countries.
When transiting through other European airports, such as London, passengers are typically required to present a negative COVID-19 test, such as a PCR test, taken within a specified timeframe before arrival. This requirement often applies to both landside and airside transit passengers. Additionally, completing a passenger locator form may also be necessary.
It is important to check the latest official information from the Polish government and the Warsaw Airport authorities for the most up-to-date and accurate testing requirements when transiting through Warsaw Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Airports and Internet: Can Airlines Control Your Connection?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Quarantine rules
As of November 2021, Poland has kept stringent restrictions in place to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Travellers who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are exempt from quarantine rules, but Poland only recognises vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). This includes the Indian-manufactured Covishield vaccine. Proof of vaccination is only valid 14 days after the last dose.
Those arriving from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Germany, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Turkey are exempt from quarantine requirements.
For travellers arriving from third countries, there is a ten-day quarantine requirement if they have not been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19. However, the quarantine period can be ended early with a negative COVID-19 test result provided either 48 hours after entering Poland or eight days after arrival. Travellers from outside the Schengen area are exempt from quarantine if they test negative at the airport upon arrival in Poland before passport control.
At Warsaw Chopin Airport, passengers arriving or transiting from Qatar who have been in or travelled through India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of their scheduled departure. In general, passengers transiting through a single airport in the Schengen Area, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania while remaining airside for less than 24 hours are exempt from quarantine. Travellers who are not permitted to enter Poland may transit through Warsaw Chopin Airport if they arrive from a non-Schengen country and continue onwards to another non-Schengen country, remaining in the airport's non-Schengen transit zone.
Last-Minute Flight Tickets: Airport Purchase Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Visa requirements
As of 29 April 2021, passengers arriving or transiting in Qatar who have been in or travelled through India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours before their scheduled departure from these countries. They must also present a derogatory travel certificate, declaring the absence of COVID-19 symptoms, no contact with any infected persons, an undertaking to be tested for antigen if requested on arrival, and to isolate for 10 days and repeat a PCR test at the end of the quarantine.
In general, a passenger who transits through a single airport in the Schengen Area, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania while remaining airside for less than a day does not require a visa. However, citizens of certain countries are required to hold an airport transit visa (ATV) when transiting through any airport in the Schengen Area. These countries include Qatar, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.
If you are travelling from a non-Schengen country to another non-Schengen country, such as from the USA to Russia, you can transfer at Warsaw Chopin Airport without a visa as long as you remain in the airport's non-Schengen transit zone. However, if your flight to the final destination is cancelled, whether you will be allowed to enter Poland is at the discretion of the border guard.
To apply for an Airport Transit Schengen Visa, you will need to submit a visa application form, two recent photos taken within the last three months, and any other required documents specified by the embassy or consulate of the country you are transiting through.
X-ray Vision: Can Airports Detect Alcohol?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Boarding considerations
When considering boarding a flight that transits through Warsaw Airport, it is important to be aware of the specific requirements and restrictions that may be in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the information below provides a general guide, it is always advisable to check the latest official guidelines and requirements before travelling, as these may change frequently.
Firstly, it is important to determine whether you are travelling from or to a country within the Schengen Area. The Schengen Area comprises 26 European countries that have officially abolished border control at their mutual borders. If you are travelling from a Schengen country, you may be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result to avoid quarantine in Poland. This may include providing a PCR test result or a negative rapid antigen test, depending on the specific requirements of your destination country.
If you are transiting through Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) and remaining within the airport's non-Schengen transit zone, you may be permitted to do so without additional COVID-19 testing or quarantine. However, it is crucial to check the specific regulations for your particular journey, as there may be exceptions or additional requirements. For example, passengers arriving or transiting through Qatar who have been in or transited through certain countries, such as India, Nepal, or Pakistan, may need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours before their scheduled departure.
When checking in for your flight at the airport, you will typically receive boarding passes for each leg of your journey. This is particularly relevant if you are continuing your journey on international flights operated by LOT Polish Airlines. Additionally, it is recommended to allow sufficient time for passing through security checks at Warsaw Airport. While the process is generally straightforward and similar to most other airports, with standard requirements for separating liquids and electronic devices, the pre-security area can be relatively compact. Therefore, it is advisable to have your belongings organised in advance to facilitate a smooth and quick security screening process.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that Warsaw Chopin Airport has a straightforward layout, with planes docking directly at the terminal, making the walk to Border Control relatively short. The airport also offers clear signage in both Polish and English, making it easy to navigate your way to the toilets, departure gates, or other facilities. Overall, when boarding a flight that transits through Warsaw Airport, it is important to stay informed about the latest COVID-19 regulations, be prepared for security checks, and allow sufficient time for navigating the airport during your journey.
Spouses Accessing USO Lounges: Who's Allowed?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Warsaw Chopin Airport is open to transit passengers. However, there are specific requirements that must be met.
All passengers, including those in transit, are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of their departure.
No, you do not need to quarantine if you are only transiting through the airport. However, if you are travelling onwards to the UK, you must self-isolate for the duration of your stay if it is less than 10 days.
In addition to the negative PCR test, you will need to fill out a passenger locator form and present a derogatory travel certificate, declaring the absence of COVID-19 symptoms, no contact with infected persons, and an undertaking to isolate and test if requested.
