Warsaw's Airport: A Guide To Frederic Chopin Airport

what is the airport in warsaw

Warsaw, Poland's capital, is served by two international airports: Chopin Airport (WAW) and Modlin Airport (WMI). Warsaw Chopin Airport, Poland's largest and busiest airport, is located 9km from the city centre and is named after the composer Frederic Chopin. The airport has two intersecting runways and handles approximately 300 flights per day, carrying roughly 40% of the country's air passenger traffic. The airport is well-designed for a quick flow of passengers, with facilities such as ATMs, eateries, and free WiFi. Warsaw Modlin Airport, on the other hand, is located 40-42km from the city and is mostly used by low-cost airlines. It is the fifth busiest airport in Poland, with a record of 3 million passengers passing through in 2024.

Characteristics Values
Name Warsaw Chopin Airport
Airport Code WAW/EPWA
Location 8-10km from the centre of Warsaw
Year of Opening 1934
Number of Terminals 1
Number of Runways 2
Number of Arrival Gates 2
Number of Departure Halls 2
Number of Passengers (2018) 17 million+
Airlines LOT Polish Airlines, Wizz Air, Smartwings
Facilities ATMs, eateries, charging ports, free WiFi, ticket counters, pharmacy, executive lounges, showers
Transport to Warsaw Train, bus, airport shuttle, taxi

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Warsaw Chopin Airport

The airport is well-designed for efficient passenger flow, with clear signage in both Polish and English. Warsaw Chopin has all the essential facilities, including ATMs, eateries, phone charging stations, free WiFi, and ticket counters for onward travel. There are two arrival gates, conveniently located near the trains, buses, and coaches, and two large departure halls divided into five zones. The airport is easily accessible from the city centre, with a train ride taking around 15 to 30 minutes.

However, travellers on a budget or those with accommodations in the northern part of Warsaw might consider Modlin Airport (WMI), located 40-42 kilometres northwest of the city. Modlin Airport is used by low-cost airlines like Ryanair, Enter Air, and Wizz Air, offering economical flight options. It provides alternative connectivity to Warsaw and surrounding areas, although the travel time to the city centre is longer compared to Chopin Airport.

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Warsaw's busiest airport

Warsaw, Poland's capital, has two international airports: Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) and Warsaw-Modlin Mazovia Airport (WMI). Warsaw Chopin Airport, named after the famous composer and Warsaw resident, Frederic Chopin, is the country's largest and busiest international airport. It is located 8-10km from the city centre and handles approximately 300 flights per day, carrying roughly 40% of the country's air passenger traffic. In June 2024, the airport handled over 2 million passengers in a single month for the first time in its 90-year history.

Warsaw Chopin Airport is well-designed for a quick flow of passengers, with clear signage in both Polish and English. It offers facilities such as ATMs, places to eat, phone charging stations, free WiFi, and a pharmacy. The airport has two intersecting runways and two terminals, with Arrivals and Departures on separate floors. There are two arrivals gates and two large departure halls divided into five smaller zones. The train station is located on the lower floor, about a five-minute walk from the arrival gates, and passengers can reach the city centre within an hour of clearing customs.

Warsaw-Modlin Mazovia Airport, also known as Modlin Airport, is the second international airport serving Warsaw. It is located 40-42km northwest of the city and is mainly used by low-cost airline companies like Ryanair and Enter Air. Last year, the airport handled a record of 3 million passengers, making it the fifth busiest airport in Poland. While it is farther from the city, Modlin Airport offers convenient transportation options to Warsaw, including airport shuttles and buses.

In addition to these two international airports, there is a third airport in Warsaw called Warsaw Babice, which is not currently used for commercial flights. Warsaw's airports collectively connect the city to over 300 international destinations, serving more than 20 million passengers annually.

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Location and transport

Warsaw has two international airports: Chopin Airport (WAW) and Modlin Airport (WMI). There is also a third airport, Warsaw Babice, which is not used for commercial flights.

Chopin Airport

Chopin Airport is Poland's largest and busiest international airport. Named after the famous composer and Warsaw resident, Frederic Chopin, the airport is located about 10 kilometres south of the city centre, making it the nearest airport to Warsaw. It is a modern, comfortable, and easy-to-navigate airport. It has two intersecting runways, allowing it to handle approximately 300 flights per day and carry around 40% of the country's air passenger traffic. The airport has facilities like ATMs, places to eat, phone charging stations, free WiFi, and more. It is well-connected to the city, with a train ride of just 15 minutes to the centre, costing as little as $3.

Modlin Airport

Modlin Airport is another international airport in Warsaw, located about 40 kilometres northwest of the city centre. It is mostly used by low-cost airline companies like Ryanair and Enter Air. While it is further away from the city than Chopin Airport, it still has several transport options to reach Warsaw, including an airport bus that takes passengers to the city centre. The airport shuttle is the most commonly used form of transportation from Modlin Airport, as it is usually the quickest and most economical option.

Other Transport Options

In addition to the two international airports, Warsaw also has a well-developed public transport system, including train and bus networks. The city's main stations, Warszawa Zachodnia and Warszawa Centralna, are easily accessible from the airports and provide connections to notable sites in Warsaw such as Old Town and the Royal Castle. Renting a car is also an option, with several car rental companies available at both airports.

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Airport facilities

Warsaw has two international airports: Chopin Airport (WAW) and Modlin Airport (WMI). Chopin Airport is the city's main airport and the largest airport in Poland. It is located 9km south of the centre of Warsaw and handles both international and domestic flights. In June 2024, the airport handled over 2 million passengers, marking the first time in its 90-year history.

Chopin Airport has a modern, comfortable, and easy-to-navigate design. The airport has two arrival gates and two large departure halls divided into five smaller zones, labelled A-E. The arrivals and departures are merged together airside, so passengers should follow signs for baggage and the exit. The airport has clear signage in both Polish and English, indicating where to go and where the toilets are located. The airport also has ATMs, places to eat, phone charging stations, free WiFi, and a pharmacy. There are also executive lounges where passengers can relax and freshen up.

The train station is located on the lower floor, a five-minute walk from the arrival gates. Passengers can reach the city centre within 30 minutes by train or within an hour of clearing customs. Airport shuttles are also available and are the most commonly used form of transportation, as they are usually the quickest and most economical option.

Modlin Airport is located 40-42km northwest of Warsaw and is mostly used by low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Enter Air. The airport has several ways to reach the city, including an airport bus that takes passengers to the city centre. The train station for Modlin Airport is a 10-minute bus ride from the airport.

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Other airports in Warsaw

Warsaw has two international airports: Chopin Airport and Modlin Airport. Chopin Airport (WAW/EPWA) is the main airport in Warsaw, the largest airport in Poland, and the 28th busiest airport in Europe. It is located about 10 kilometres south of the city centre, making it the closest airport to Warsaw. It is a hub for LOT Polish Airlines, Wizz Air, and Smartwings, and London, Frankfurt, Paris, and Amsterdam are among its busiest international connections.

Modlin Airport (WMI/EPMO), which opened in 2012, is located 40 kilometres northwest of the city. It is mostly used by low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Enter Air. Passengers can take an airport bus to the city centre or a train from Modlin train station, which is a 10-minute bus ride from the airport.

There is also a third airport, Warsaw Babice, which is not used for commercial flights. In addition, Warsaw Radom Airport opened in 2023.

Frequently asked questions

Warsaw has two international airports: Chopin Airport (WAW) and Modlin Airport (WMI).

Chopin Airport is the closest airport to Warsaw, located about 9km-10km from the city centre.

Chopin Airport is Poland's largest and busiest international airport, handling approximately 300 flights per day.

The train from Chopin Airport to Warsaw takes 15 minutes and the entire process from exiting the plane to leaving the airport can be done within 20 minutes.

Chopin Airport has ATMs, places to eat, phone charging points, free WiFi, and ticket-buying facilities.

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