Warsaw Airport to City Center
Last reviewed: 2026-06-13How do you get from Warsaw airport to the city center?
The cheapest option is bus 175 or SKM train (both 4.40 PLN, ~30 min). For comfort, book a Bolt or Uber for ~100 PLN. Never hail a taxi in arrivals — use an app or official taxi desk.
Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) sits just 8 km southwest of the city center — close enough that getting in is genuinely easy and cheap. A 4.40 PLN bus or train ticket gets you to the heart of Warsaw in around 30 minutes. The only trap is the informal taxis lurking in the arrivals hall; avoid those and you will be fine.
If you flew into Modlin Airport (WMI), the story is different: 40 km north of the city, Ryanair and Wizz Air territory, and a longer journey in every sense. That section is covered separately below.
All your options from WAW at a glance
Here is a full comparison of every realistic way to reach the center from Warsaw Chopin Airport:
| Option | Price | Journey time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus 175 | 4.40 PLN | ~30 min | To Centrum metro, then Central Station |
| Bus 188 | 4.40 PLN | ~30 min | To Politechnika / Mokotów direction |
| SKM train S2/S3 | 4.40 PLN | ~25–30 min | Under Terminal 1, to Śródmieście |
| Bolt / Uber | ~100 PLN | 20–25 min | App-based, pay in-app, safest rideshare |
| Official taxi (metered) | 30–35 PLN | 20–25 min | iTaxi or ELE app; or airport taxi desk |
| Street taxi (arrivals hall) | 200+ PLN | 20–25 min | Reported scam prices — avoid entirely |
| Night bus N32 / N61 | 4.40 PLN | ~35 min | After midnight when bus 175 stops |
All ZTM buses and the SKM train use the same Zone 1 ticket, which you buy at yellow machines in arrivals.
Bus 175: the classic city connection
Bus 175 is the default recommendation for budget travelers and first-timers. It runs from the airport along Aleje Jerozolimskie — Warsaw’s main east-west artery — stopping at Warsaw Central Station (Dworzec Centralny) and Centrum metro station. From Centrum you can change onto Metro M2 or walk to most central accommodation.
The service runs from around 04:58 to 23:58, with buses every 15–20 minutes during the day and slightly less frequent in the evening. Journey time varies a little with traffic but 30 minutes is a safe estimate. Buses can be crowded in rush hour; if you have large luggage, position yourself near the door and board at the front if possible.
Buy your ticket at the yellow ZTM touchscreen machines in the arrivals hall — they accept cards and have English language options. A single 75-minute ticket costs 4.40 PLN (roughly €1). Validate it in the orange validator on the bus as soon as you board; inspectors do board airport buses. One 75-minute ticket covers the full journey into the center with time to spare.
Bus 188 follows a different corridor, heading toward Politechnika station and the Mokotów district. If you are staying in that area, it is equally convenient and equally cheap.
SKM train: fastest and most direct
The SKM commuter train is often the quickest option, especially outside rush hour. The station sits directly below Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 — follow the “SKM” signs from arrivals, which lead to an underground walkway. Lines S2 and S3 both stop here and both serve central Warsaw.
The trains run roughly every 30 minutes. Journey time to Śródmieście station (in the heart of the center, near the Świętokrzyska metro interchange) is around 25–30 minutes. From Śródmieście you can walk to many hotels in the center or connect to either metro line.
Use the same 4.40 PLN ZTM ticket as the bus — the ticket machines in the SKM station accept cards. Validate on the platform before boarding; SKM validators are yellow posts near the platform entrance.
The main limitation of the SKM is frequency: 30-minute gaps mean you might wait up to half an hour if you just missed one. At busy times of day with flexible luggage, the bus is more forgiving because multiple routes serve the airport simultaneously.
Bolt and Uber: the comfortable middle ground
Both Bolt and Uber operate legally at Warsaw Chopin Airport and are the most practical option for groups, families with children, or anyone arriving late at night. The designated rideshare pickup area is outside the terminal — follow signs for “Rideshare” or “Uber/Bolt.” The typical fare is around 100 PLN for the center, which you pay in-app with no cash negotiation and no surprises.
The journey takes 20–25 minutes outside of rush hour. During morning and evening peaks, traffic on Aleje Jerozolimskie can add 10–15 minutes. The price estimate in the app is reliable; surge pricing occasionally applies during major events or bad weather.
Solo travelers in particular tend to prefer Bolt or Uber over official taxis because the entire transaction — price, driver identity, route — is tracked in the app.
Official taxis: fine if you use the right one
Legitimate metered taxis from the airport should cost 30–35 PLN to the city center. That is genuinely cheap — but only if the meter is running correctly. The two recommended companies are iTaxi and ELE (look for their branded cars). You can also use the official taxi desk in arrivals, which dispatches licensed cars at fixed rates.
The key rule: never get into a taxi where someone approached you in the arrivals hall or near the baggage claim. These unofficial drivers — sometimes called “mafia taxis” locally — have been documented charging 200 PLN or more for a journey that costs 35 PLN. They are not illegal to refuse, and refusing is always the right call.
If you want a taxi rather than a rideshare app, book via iTaxi or ELE before you land and let the driver find you, or walk directly to the official taxi rank outside arrivals.
Night service: buses N32 and N61
Bus 175 stops running around midnight. After that, night buses N32 and N61 serve the airport on routes that connect to the city center. They run until around 05:00 when the daytime network resumes. The same 4.40 PLN ticket applies. Night buses are less frequent (roughly every 30 minutes) but perfectly adequate if you have a late arrival. Purchase tickets at the ZTM machines in arrivals — the machines operate 24 hours.
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Getting from Modlin Airport (WMI) to Warsaw
Modlin Airport is a different beast. It lies 40 km north of Warsaw and is served primarily by Ryanair and Wizz Air. Journey times to the center are longer and the options more limited, but still manageable.
| Option | Price | Journey time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus to Warsaw West or Młociny Metro | 30 PLN | ~45 min | Connects to M1 metro at Młociny |
| Shuttle + SKM train combo | 22.40 PLN | 60–70 min | Shuttle to Nasielsk or Modlin town + train |
| Taxi | 90–110 PLN | ~45 min | Fixed rates available, book in advance |
The FlixBus from Modlin is the most popular option. It runs in coordination with Ryanair and Wizz Air flight schedules, departing shortly after arrivals clear customs. The bus goes to either Warsaw West Bus Station (Zachodnia) or the Młociny Metro station, which is the northern terminus of Metro M1. From Młociny you can ride the metro straight into the center for 4.40 PLN more.
The shuttle-plus-train option is cheaper but slower. A shuttle takes you to a local rail station (Modlin or Nasielsk depending on schedule), and a regional PKP train then brings you into Warsaw. This option requires more navigation and is less predictable if a flight is delayed, but saves a few złoty.
Taxis from Modlin charge 90–110 PLN fixed rate to the center. Book via the desk inside the terminal rather than accepting offers from drivers outside. Ride-share apps work here too, though availability can be limited late at night.
Buying and validating your ticket
Whether you take a bus or the SKM train, the ticket-buying process is the same. Yellow ZTM touchscreen machines are installed throughout Warsaw Chopin Airport’s arrivals hall. They accept Mastercard and Visa contactless cards as well as Polish debit cards. Currency is Polish złoty (PLN); the machines do not give change for cash, but card payment is frictionless.
Select a 75-minute single ticket (bilet 75-minutowy) for 4.40 PLN. This covers one journey of up to 75 minutes on any ZTM vehicle including airport buses and the SKM train. It does not, however, cover PKP suburban or intercity trains beyond the SKM network.
Validate immediately on boarding — on buses, the orange validators are near the doors; on SKM, validate on the platform before the train arrives. Inspectors (kontrolerzy) are particularly active on airport routes and on the metro. The penalty for riding without a valid validated ticket is 266 PLN.
For more on the full ZTM fare structure, see the Warsaw public transport tickets guide.
Tips for a smooth arrival
Arriving into a new city with luggage is stressful enough without hunting for the right bus stop. A few practical points that save time:
The airport bus stops are directly outside the terminal exit, clearly signed. Bus 175 stops are on the left side as you exit; follow the bus icon signs. The SKM entrance is signposted from inside both terminals and is slightly further but well marked.
If you are staying in the Old Town or near the City Center, Bus 175 to Centrum is the most direct option on foot — the stop puts you at Warsaw Central Station, from which the Old Town is about 20 minutes’ walk or one metro stop north. For the Powiśle and riverside areas, consider the SKM to Śródmieście and then a short walk east.
Check your accommodation’s exact district before arriving so you know which side of the center to aim for. The where to stay in Warsaw guide breaks down which neighborhoods are closest to which transport hubs.
See the getting around Warsaw guide for everything you need once you are in the city — metro routes, tram lines, bike hire and more.
If this is your first visit, the Warsaw travel tips page covers practical basics from SIM cards to currency exchange. And if you are planning your first day, the 1-day Warsaw itinerary gives a structured plan from arrival to dinner.
Frequently asked questions about getting from Warsaw airport to the city center
Is there a direct train from Warsaw Airport to the Old Town?
There is no metro stop at the airport itself, but the SKM train takes you to Śródmieście (central Warsaw), from where you can walk to the Old Town in about 20 minutes or take a short taxi. Bus 175 drops you at Centrum metro station, from which Metro M2 connects quickly to the Nowy Świat area.
How long does it take from WAW airport to the center?
Plan for around 30 minutes on the bus or SKM train in normal conditions. Taxis and rideshare take 20–25 minutes but cost significantly more. During rush hour (7–9am and 4–7pm), road-based options can stretch to 40–50 minutes.
Can I use a contactless card on Warsaw buses?
As of 2026, Warsaw’s ZTM network supports contactless payment directly on metro turnstiles and at some validators. On buses and trams, the most reliable method remains buying a ticket at a machine and validating it on board. Check ZTM’s latest updates, as rollout has been gradual. See Warsaw public transport tickets for the current status.
Is Warsaw airport expensive to get out of?
No — Warsaw is one of the cheapest European capitals for airport-to-center transfers. A bus or train ticket costs 4.40 PLN (under €1.10). Even a Bolt or Uber at around 100 PLN is modest by Western European standards. The is Warsaw expensive guide puts this in context of overall travel costs.
What if my flight lands after midnight?
Night buses N32 and N61 serve the airport from around midnight to 5am. They are less frequent than daytime buses (roughly every 30 minutes) but use the same 4.40 PLN ticket. Bolt and Uber also operate 24 hours. Avoid street taxis at all hours but particularly late at night when the usual oversight is thinner.
Is Modlin Airport far from Warsaw?
Yes — 40 km north of the center versus 8 km for WAW. Budget at least 45–70 minutes to reach central Warsaw from Modlin depending on which transport option you take. If you are booking flights and WAW is significantly more expensive, factor in the extra time and cost of Modlin. For a budget trip, it is often worth it; for an early morning departure, consider staying near Modlin the night before.
Which Warsaw airport should I fly into?
Warsaw Chopin (WAW) is strongly preferred for its proximity, transport links, and range of airlines including LOT Polish Airlines and most major European carriers. Modlin (WMI) is fine for budget flights and travellers who do not mind the extra journey. Both airports have multiple ground transport options — WAW is simply easier.
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