Getting to and from the airport

If you come to Warsaw for a visit, you'll obviously need some way to get from the airport to your hotel, hostel or wherever it is you happen to be staying.

Basically, you have two options if you need public transportation: either taxi (if you're gonna splurge or you're in a real rush) or bus (the cheapest way).

If you opt for a taxi, first of all, ignore the taxi drivers that try to solicit your business inside the arrivals area. Simply say “no thank you” pass them right by and walk outside where you will find a queue for taxis. Get one there! It’s going to be a lot cheaper as the ones who solicit inside severely overcharge. A taxi from the airport to the city center should cost around 35 PLN (Zlotys)- roughly 10 Euros. It will be more at night and on Sundays and holidays (up to about 45 PLN).

Many (not all) taxi drivers here speak English and other languages, but even if your driver doesn’t, just show him (or her) the address. Taxi drivers must turn on the taximeter when you start off from the airport. Make sure that they do so.

Another alternative is bus #175. It takes you from the airport to the center of Warsaw and on to the old part of the city and is, of course, much cheaper. You can buy tickets at the kiosk in the airport or on the bus. A single ticket costs 2.80 zł (zł is another abbreviation for zloty) and there is a 50% discount for ISIC (international student ID) card holders. I strongly recommend getting the tickets inside the airport. I’ve had a couple experiences where the driver wouldn’t or couldn’t sell me a ticket on board.

Ticket inspectors are seen quite often on the public transport in Warsaw; so to avoid a real big hassle, make sure to always have a validated ticket. You validate the ticket once you are on board – just stick it into one of the little yellow validation machines by the doors inside the bus. The ticket inspectors dress casually and often work in pairs, especially on the popular lines (e.g. bus No. 175 to and from the airport).

Also, I’ve heard a number of stories about people being pick pocketed or having belongings stolen on this bus, so be careful with your stuff.

A bus ride on route 175 to (or from) Warszawa Centralna (Main train station) from (or to) the Frederic Chopin Airport will, on average, take 30 minutes, although in rush-hour traffic it can take up to 45 minutes. If traffic is really bad, it can take an hour, so be sure to assess traffic conditions and leave early enough to avoid missing your flight.

Again, be sure to buy a ticket before boarding and validate it immediately on board.
Here are the itineraries of the 175 and 188 which serve the airport:

Bus Route 175: ul. Żwirki i Wigury (Novotel Warsaw Airport) - ul. Raszyńska - pl. Zawiszy (Hotel Sobieski) - Al. Jerozolimskie (Holiday Inn, Marriott) - City Centre - Marszałkowska (Novotel Warsaw Centre) - ul. Świętokrzyska - Krakowskie Przedmieście (Hotel Europejski, Hotel Bristol, Sofitel Victoria). This service goes to the city center, passing near some of the most popular hotels on its way as well as the main train station and passing near the old town.

Bus Route  188: ul. Żwirki i Wigury - ul. Wawelska - al. Armii Ludowej / Trasa Łazienkowska- Metro Politechnika. This service goes to Praga Południe on the right bank, passing through to the south of the city center. If you just want to get to the metro, you can get off at Politechnika and this is faster than line 175.