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Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (GDN/EPGD) is an international airport located about 10-12 kilometres from the centre of Gdańsk, Poland. The airport is named after Lech Wałęsa, the former president of Poland and union leader. It is one of the busiest airports in Poland and Europe, serving more than 6.7 million passengers in 2024. The airport offers various amenities, including lounges, restaurants, shops, and accessible facilities for disabled passengers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport |
| Former name | Gdańsk Airport, Gdańsk Wrzeszcz Airport, Danzig-Langfuhr Airport |
| Location | Matarnia district, 10-12.5km from Gdańsk city centre |
| Year named after Lech Walesa | 2004 |
| Owner | Pomeranian Voivodeship (31.45%), City of Gdańsk (29.45%), City of Gdynia (1.14%), City of Sopot (0.35%), Polish Airports State Enterprise (37.61%) |
| Number of terminals | 2 |
| Number of jet bridges | 5 or 9 |
| Number of runways | 1 |
| Length of runway | 2,800m |
| Number of routes | 50+ |
| Types of flights | Regular, charter, cargo |
| Airlines | LOT, KLM, Ryanair, Lufthansa |
| Transport to city centre | Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway, bus, taxi |
| Transport time to city centre | 20-40 minutes |
| Transport cost to city centre | PLN 25-30 (taxi), PLN 3 (bus), PLN 3.50 (train) |
| Facilities | Tourist information desk, restaurants, cafes, duty-free, bank, bureau de change, ATMs, post office, chapel, currency exchange, car rental, VIP and executive lounges, fast-track immigration, children's play area, disabled access |
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What You'll Learn
Lech Walesa was a former Polish president and union leader
Lech Wałęsa Airport in Gdańsk, Poland, is named after Lech Wałęsa, the former president of Poland from 1990 to 1995. The airport, which is located about 10-12.5 kilometres from the centre of Gdańsk, serves the important economic region of northern Poland. It is the third busiest airport in Poland, serving more than 6.7 million passengers in 2024.
Lech Wałęsa was a prominent figure in Polish politics and labour activism. As a union leader, he played a pivotal role in the Solidarity movement, the first independent trade union in a Soviet-bloc country. Wałęsa was an electrician at the Gdańsk Shipyard when he became a trade union activist in the 1970s. He was a founding member of the Solidarity trade union in 1980 and served as its leader until 1990. During this time, he played a crucial role in negotiating with the communist government, advocating for workers' rights and contributing to the eventual fall of communism in Poland.
Wałęsa's role in the Solidarity movement and his commitment to democratic ideals gained him international recognition. In 1983, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in promoting peaceful change and labour rights. This global acclaim contributed to the Solidarity movement's enduring international support. Wałęsa's influence extended beyond Poland's borders, inspiring and offering strategic advice to other Eastern European dissident groups.
In 1990, Wałęsa successfully ran for the presidency of Poland, becoming the country's first democratically elected president after the fall of communism. As president, he focused on transitioning Poland into a democratic nation with a free-market economy. His presidency was marked by economic reforms, including the introduction of a balanced budget and the privatisation of state-owned enterprises.
Wałęsa's presidency also witnessed Poland's integration into Western political and security structures. He prioritised Poland's membership in NATO and cultivated strong relations with Western countries, particularly the United States. This alignment with the West was a significant shift for Poland, reflecting its departure from communist influence.
Lech Wałęsa's legacy is that of a courageous leader who played a pivotal role in Poland's transition to democracy and free-market economics. His contributions to the Solidarity movement and his subsequent presidency were instrumental in shaping modern Poland. By naming the Gdańsk airport after him, the country honours his pivotal role in its history and celebrates his enduring impact on the nation.
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The airport is located 12.5km from Gdansk city centre
Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (GDN) is located 12.5km (7.5 miles) northwest of Gdańsk city centre. The airport is named after Lech Wałęsa, the former president of Poland from 1990 to 1995 and a union leader. It is an international airport that services Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia in Poland.
The airport is easily accessible from the city centre by road, rail, and bus. From central Gdańsk, travellers can follow route 501 west, exit onto the E28, and then take a left onto the westbound route 472, which leads directly to the airport. The Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway also connects the airport with Wrzeszcz, Gdynia Główna railway station, and downtown Gdańsk. Additionally, bus services are available, with ZTM operating several scheduled bus services to the airport.
Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport has a range of facilities for travellers, including a tourist information desk, restaurants, cafes, shops, a bank, a bureau de change, ATMs, and car rental services. The airport also offers VIP, Executive Lounge, and Fast Track services. It is fully accessible for disabled passengers, with lifts, disabled toilet facilities, and designated disabled parking.
The airport has a single asphalt-concrete runway and nine jet bridges, which directly connect passengers to airplanes. It is open 24 hours a day and serves over 50 regular routes, as well as charter and cargo flights. With more than 6.7 million passengers served in 2024, it is the third busiest airport in Poland in terms of passenger traffic.
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It is the third busiest airport in Poland
Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport, located 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) northwest of Gdańsk, Poland, is the third busiest airport in the country. It is named after Lech Wałęsa, the former president of Poland from 1990 to 1995. The airport has been serving both domestic and international destinations since 1919, when the first passenger flights were operated from an airfield in the Langfuhr district of the Free City of Danzig (now the Wrzeszcz district of Gdańsk).
In 2024, Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport served more than 6.7 million passengers, making it the third busiest airport in Poland in terms of passenger traffic. It is behind Warsaw Chopin Airport, which is the busiest airport in Poland for cargo and freight transport, and Kraków John Paul II International Airport. The airport offers two modern passenger terminals (T1 and T2) and nine jet bridges, which directly connect passengers to airplanes. Terminal T2, which opened in 2012, is the main terminal and can handle up to 5 million passengers annually, offering modern facilities and services. Terminal T1 is partially used for non-Schengen flights.
The airport is easily accessible by road and rail. It is located near the Tricity ring road and is connected to the Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway, which links the airport to Wrzeszcz, Gdynia Główna railway station, and downtown Gdańsk. There are also public transport buses (lines 110, 210, 112, and night line N3) and minibuses operated by local carriers. The journey time from central Gdańsk to the airport by car or taxi is approximately 20-30 minutes.
Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport has a single asphalt-concrete runway with a length of 2,800 metres (9,200 feet) and is equipped with modern navigation and lighting systems. The runway allows for landings in foggy weather and can accommodate medium-sized aircraft. In 2015, the airport served over 50 regular routes, as well as charter and cargo flights. It connects to over 80 destinations, including major European cities and holiday spots. Airlines operating at the airport include Ryanair, Wizz Air, Lufthansa, and LOT Polish Airlines, among others.
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The airport has modern infrastructure and facilities
Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport is a modern airport that has recently undergone several upgrades and continues to expand in a well-planned manner. The airport boasts a range of modern infrastructure and facilities, offering passengers a comfortable and comprehensive service.
The airport is equipped with two modern passenger terminals, T1 and T2, which are adjacent and interconnected. Terminal T2 offers direct access to the platforms of the Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway, providing convenient connections to Wrzeszcz, Gdynia Główna railway station, and downtown Gdańsk. The terminals are designed to be friendly to people with disabilities, with features such as lifts and disabled toilet facilities, and families with children, providing playgrounds and a children's play area.
Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport offers nine jet bridges, five of which are compatible with turboprop aircraft, allowing for easy and direct passenger boarding. The airport also has a single asphalt-concrete runway equipped with a modern ILS CAT IIIb system, enabling aircraft to land safely in foggy weather. The runway and taxiways are illuminated with LED lighting, remotely controlled from the flight control tower.
The airport provides a variety of services and amenities, including restaurants, cafés, shops, and exclusive stores. There is also a chapel, a post office, currency exchange offices, car rental services, and a tourist information desk in the main public hall of the principal terminal. For an additional fee, passengers can access VIP and executive lounge services, offering a more luxurious and comfortable experience.
Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport is easily accessible by road, with designated disabled parking and several parking lots available near the terminals. It is also well-connected by public transport, with bus lines, train connections, and taxi services providing convenient travel options to and from the airport. Overall, the airport's modern infrastructure and facilities enhance the passenger experience, making it a convenient and efficient travel hub.
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It is accessible by road and a network of train connections
Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport is located about 10-12.5km from the centre of Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia. It is accessible by road and a network of train connections. From central Gdańsk, travellers can follow route 501 west, then take the exit onto the E28 and finally take a left onto the westbound route 472, which leads directly to the airport. The journey takes around 20-30 minutes by taxi and costs around PLN 25-30.
The Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway (PKM) connects Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport with Wrzeszcz, Gdynia Główna railway station and downtown Gdańsk. From Terminal T2, passengers can directly access the platforms of the Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway. The train journey takes around 30 minutes and costs PLN 3.50.
Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport is also served by four bus lines. The 110, 210 and N3 lines go to Gdańsk Glowny (main station), with the 210 and N3 lines also stopping at Gdańsk Wrzeszcz. The other bus lines travel to Sopot and Gdańsk Wrzeszcz. Tickets for trains and buses can be purchased from ticket machines at stations or from staff on board. The bus journey takes around 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport is named after Lech Wałęsa, the former president of Poland from 1990 to 1995.
The airport was renamed in 2004.
The airport was formerly known as Port Lotniczy Gdańsk-Rębiechowo in Polish and Flughafen Danzig Lech Walesa in German.
The current name is used in Polish, German, and English.
Yes, Lech Walesa Airport is an international airport serving Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia in Poland.
