Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Warsaw Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
I’m just quite happy that there is free internet at all – it would just be nice to have hotspots better marked so I don’t have to walk around laptop in hand searching for internet looking like a twat” -katak
WAW Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down of what travellers have reported to us during their time at Warsaw Chopin Airport.
What to Expect
Warsaw Chopin Airport (Code: WAW) consists of two terminals: the South Hall has areas A and B; the new North Hall is home to C, D, and E areas. Some travellers had issues at the security checks, though they seem to have improved over the last 1-2 years. There are few 24-hour eateries and WiFi is available to help pass the time. Economy-class travellers can buy a pass to relax in three airport lounges, two of which have showers. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and rates.
Sleeping in Warsaw Chopin Airport
Travellers agree that the areas on the airside are more comfortable than the landside areas. Seating is abundant, and many seats are armrest-free so you can lie down. If you prefer to spread out, bring a sleep mat or sleeping bag to combat the cold, hard floors – or look around for some carpeted areas.
Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- Landside – a group of benches in a slightly hidden corner by the Costa Coffee in the Arrivals area.
- Airside – two big, soft couches between gates 28 and 29.
For uninterrupted sleep, there is a hotel opposite the airport and several nearby hotels. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations.
Explore our guide to sleeping in Warsaw Chopin Airport or read traveller airport reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Warsaw Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Warsaw Chopin Airport Hotels
Quick Facts
Nearest Hotel: At the Airport
Sleep Cabins or Pods: Yes
Day Rooms: Yes
Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes
When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair gives you nightmares, there is good news for those who are looking to sleep comfortably at Warsaw Chopin Airport. A reader tells us there are sleep pods in the non-Schengen zone near gate 2N. If you are on a layover and you prefer to have a room, you must pass through immigration/security, as there is no transit hotel on the airside. There is a hotel outside the terminal and several nearby hotels within a 5-minute drive. Most hotels provide a free airport shuttle.
- Sleep Pods – Details are unavailable, but a reader says there are sleep pods in the non-Schengen zone near gate 2N.
- Renaissance Warsaw Airport Hotel – Located opposite the terminal. No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
- Courtyard Warsaw Airport – Located opposite the terminal. No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
- Hampton by Hilton Warsaw Airport – Free airport shuttle is available. The shuttle departs from its marked parking spot in front of the Arrivals terminal exit. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Warsaw Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!
- Executive Lounge Bolero – Location: Terminal A, Airside, non-Schengen area, near Gates 7 and 8. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.
- Executive Lounge Fantazja – Location: Terminal A, Airside, Schengen Area, near Gates 36/37. Showers and a napping area are available. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door.
- Executive Lounge Preludium – Location: Terminal A, Airside, Schengen Area, near Gates 33/35. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: Warsaw Chopin Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
A reader tells us that water fountains are available on the airside. (April 2024)
Food & Drinks
When you get the midnight munchies or give up trying to sleep and need a coffee to stay awake, 24-hour food concessions are available. Check out these vendors:
- Landside: Costa Coffee and Costa Coffee Fly Dining
- Airside: Costa Coffee Fresco and Illy.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Coin-operated lockers of various sizes are available for luggage storage only for up to 72 hours. Rate: 12 – 16 PLN per 24 hours, payable in 1, 2 or 5 zloty coins only. Location: Terminal A, landside, Arrivals Level along the sideway behind the public bus stop.
Mobile Charging
Mobile charging is available.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Showers
Freshen up (and loosen those stiff muscles) with a shower before your flight. Free shower facilities are located near the McDonald’s in the Food Court on the airside but bring your own toiletries and towel. Additional shower facilities are located in the pay-to-use Preludium and Fantazja Lounges. See the Airport Lounges section above.
WiFi/Internet
Unlimited free WiFi is available throughout the airport. No registration required! The connection will last for two hours but can be reconnected immediately. Connect to the “Chopin-Airport” network for access.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs, operated by Planet Cash and Bank Pekao, are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside, in the Arrivals and Departures areas.
Banking Services – Two banks are available, Landside, offering full banking services, including currency exchange. Bank Pekao (Landside, Departures) is open 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Mon-Fri) and 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Sat) for regular banking services with extended hours of 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM (Mon-Fri) for currency exchange. Plus Bank (Landside, Arrivals) is open 5:00 AM – 9:0 0PM.
Chapels – A non-denominational Christian chapel is available in the airport. The chapel has a separate interfaith area for passengers of all religions. Sunday services are held at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Location: Terminal A, Departure Hall Hours: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Children’s Play Areas – Three indoor playgrounds are available for children aged three and under. Soft carpeting, mini houses, slides, swings and child-safe toys are available. LCD TVs play Disney cartoons nearby. Location: airside, between Gates 23/24 and 25/26 (Schengen zone) • airside, opposite Gates 40/41, near the stairs (Schengen zone) • airside, between Gates 19/20 and 21/22 (non-Schengen zone).
Currency Exchange – Four currency exchange service providers (Air Tours Poland, ICE, Interchange, Money World) are located on both Landside and Airside. The ICE Exchange locations (Departures Level, Landside and Airside) open the earliest at 5:00 AM. See Banking Services above for additional options.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-Free is available (open according to flight schedules), as well as a variety of shops to pass the time. In addition, these shops are open 24 hours. They may come in handy for a late night purchase: 1 Minute (Location: Arrivals (100), Exit 1) • Premium Food Gate (Location: Airside, Departures, Schengen Zone) • Relay (Location: Arrivals (+100), Exit 1 • Arrivals (+100), Exit 2) • Starter (Location: Arrivals, Exit 1) • Virgin (Schengen Zone (+200) • Departures, Zone B) • Warsaw Store (Location: Airside, Schengen Zone).
Family Services – Changing tables, sinks and baby feeding chairs are available in any of the ten Baby Care rooms located in Terminal A. Strollers are provided by the airport free of charge for use within the airside section of the terminal. Look for strollers marked with the “Fryderyka the Elephant” symbol. Be sure to use the family priority lane when going through security.
Fast Track Service – As a premium service, customers with Fast Track security passes will be given priority service to keep waiting to a minimum. While passes can be purchased in combination with lounge access, you can also simply purchase the service as a one-off. The cost for one pass is 30 PLN. Purchase your pass at the Lost & Found office in the Terminal A departures hall, zone CDE.
Luggage Wrapping – Excess Baggage provides services. The basic level costs 50 PLN, or you can upgrade to include items such as insurance coverage. Location: near Check-in counters 101-118.
Observation Deck – Relax and watch planes taking off and landing from the vantage point of the airport’s observation deck. A glazed and roofed observation terrace offers views of the runway and a radar for tracking flights. Free WiFi is available, as well as a gift shop and cafe. Location: Entrance near the descent to the train station. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Rate: Free to enter.
Bus
Chopin Airport’s bus terminal is on the Arrivals Level in front of the South Pier. The following bus routes serve the airport: Bus 175 (airport – city center – Central Railway Station) • Bus 188 (airport – Metro Politechnika station (city center) – Praga Południe (Wiatraczna) • Bus 148 (airport – Ursynów-Praga); Bus 331 (airport – Metro Wilanowska) • Bus N32 night bus (airport – Central Railway Station).
Bus tickets are sold at the Passenger Information Point (Arrivals Hall), automated vending machines at bus stops, and ticket machines on some buses. For fares, timetables and route information, visit the ZTM Warszawa website.
Car Rentals
The following car rental agencies are on-site in the public Arrivals Area or on the Mezzanine Level: Avis, Budget, CarFree, Enterprise/National/Alamo, Europcar, Express, Hertz, Panek, Sixt and more.
Hotel Shuttles
At the time of this update, we could find only one hotel offering airport shuttle service: Hampton by Hilton Warsaw Airport.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxi
For safety reasons, use only the licensed services of one of these three companies for rides from the airport: Ele Taxi, iTaxi and MPT Taxi. Fares are displayed in taxi windows. At the time of this update, the fare for a one-way journey between the airport and the city center is 40 PLN.
Train
The Chopin Airport train station is located underground at Terminal 2. SKM line S2 runs between the airport and Sulejówek Miłosna, with several stops along the way. SKM line S3 runs between the airport and Warszawa Centrum (Central Railway Station). For timetables, route information and fares, visit the ZTM Warszawa website.
Koleje Mazowieckie airport trains connect Chopin to Modlin Station via Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, Legionowo, Warszawa Wschodnia, Warszawa Centralna (Warsaw Central Station) and Warszawa Zachodnia. For timetables, route information and fares, visit the Koleje Mazowieckie website.
Security & Safety
Airport staff seem to have no issue with the overnight sleepers here.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Warsaw Chopin Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.