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Getting to Warsaw: By plane
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Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport www.lotnisko-chopina.pl/?lang=en (IATA: WAW, ICAO: EPWA) is located in the area of Okęcie in Włochy, some 10 km south of the center point of the city. For many years the airport used to be called just Okęcie, but this reportedly caused confusion and it was renamed.
There are three terminals: Terminal 1 is the "default" terminal; Terminal 2 is the newly-built terminal which handles all arrivals and majority of departures jointly with Terminal 1; the Etiuda Terminal (check-in counters E1-E8) was used by budget airlines and for charters, but now it's closed and all low cost airlines check-in are in T1 or T2. Terminals are very close to each other, but it's best to know from which terminal you will be departing. Arrivals are handled in Terminal 1 or 2, but they are connected, so it depends only from you which terminal you'll you use to leave the airport facilities.
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For those traveling on international flights, you’ll need to pass through a passport control station before going through security. As of the end of March 2008, you do not need a passport for countries that are part of the Schengen Agreement, though you do need some proof of ID. Getting through security isn’t too difficult, but the queues, while they may be small, will likely take a fair amount of time because there are only a few screening points.
Before passing through security in Terminal 1, buy your duty free items, newspapers, and food and drinks because there are no shops or restaurants in the boarding area. The Etiuda Terminal has two shops and a small snack stand for those waiting on their flights.
A bus ride on route 175 to and from Warszawa Centralna and to and from the Frederic Chopin Airport will, on average, take 30 minutes, although in rush-hour traffic the time can be up to 45 minutes. Depending on weather, traffic can be at a complete standstill and traveling a few meters may take upwards of 20 minutes, so be sure to assess traffic conditions and leave early enough to make sure you don’t miss your flight. The bus is also the cheapest way to get to and from the airport. Buy a ticket before boarding and validate it immediately on board.
The three main bus lines are:
- 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- M -Politechnika. This service goes to deep Praga Południe on the right bank, passing through to the south of the city center. This is a better choice if you just want to get to the metro.
Avoid the taxi drivers soliciting customers inside the terminal, as they severely overcharge. Instead, use one of the companies recommended by the airport authorities (Merc Taxi, MPT Radio Taxi, Ele, or Sawa Taxi). They are slightly above market average in terms of prices and stop near the exit from Terminal 1. You can also order a taxi from another corporation by phone (there is no surcharge). A typical fare to a hotel near Warszawa Centralna station is around 40 zł at night, less in the daytime (June 2008).
In any case, the most you should pay is 3.00 zł (up to 4.50 zł on Sundays; but typically no more than 2.40 zł) per km in the daytime plus an initial fee of no more than 6 zł. You are entitled to a receipt (which must specify the route used) upon request. The Polish word for receipt is rachunek. There is no obligation to tip the taxi drivers, but most won't refuse if you offer. See the Taxis section for a more in-depth explanation of taxi fares.
Some hotels offer a shuttle to/from the airport, while some will send taxis for you.
- There is a privately owned bus operating www.airportcity.pl, but considering it departs as rarely as every 45 minutes, it won't usually get you there much faster than the normal bus. The ticket costs 10 zł or €3 (~= 12 zł) or $3 (~= 9 zł).
- For those travelling on from Warsaw to another town serviced by Polski Express www.lotnisko-chopina.pl/katalog/dojazd/en/dojazd_autobus_express.php there is a stop at the airport and a bureau where you can buy tickets. The routes and timetable are here: www.polskiexpress.net/rozklad_jazdy.html.
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Airports in Poland
Airports in Masovian Voivodeship, Poland
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Airfields in Masovian Voivodeship, Poland
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