Warsaw has two airports — and every time before buying a ticket, the same question comes up: which one should you choose? The answer depends on a dozen factors: where you live, how much luggage you have, what time your flight is, and how much inconvenience you're willing to put up with to save money.
In this guide we've broken everything down: logistics, transport and parking prices, airlines, terminal comfort, night flights and tips for different types of travellers. After reading this, you won't need to look for information anywhere else.
- I want to know which airport is closer → Transport and travel time
- Which airlines fly from where → Airlines and destinations
- Compare terminal comfort → Terminals
- Parking prices → Parking
- Early morning or night flight → Night flights
- Quickly decide what to choose → 30-second decision guide
Quick overview: two airports by the numbers
| ✈️ Chopin (WAW) | ✈️ Modlin (WMI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from city centre | ~10 km | ~40 km |
| Passenger traffic (2025) | ~20 million/year | ~4 million/year |
| Main airlines | LOT, Lufthansa, Emirates, Wizz Air and others | Ryanair (near monopoly) |
| Type of flights | Everything: budget, scheduled, long-haul | European budget airlines only |
| IATA code | WAW | WMI |
Comparison table
| Criterion | Chopin (WAW) | Modlin (WMI) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proximity to city centre | 10 km, 15–25 min | 40 km, 45–90 min | WAW |
| Taxi price from centre | 30–50 PLN | 100–150 PLN | WAW |
| Public transport | Train, bus, night routes | Train + shuttle, no night transport | WAW |
| Flight ticket price | Higher (scheduled + budget) | Lower (Ryanair) | WMI |
| Parking (7 days) | 200–350 PLN (official) | 70–120 PLN (private) | WMI |
| Terminal comfort | Large, modern, plenty of food | Cramped, minimal cafés | WAW |
| Destination choice | Worldwide | Europe only | WAW |
| Night transport | Available (N32) | None | WAW |
| Lounge / business hall | Available (DragonPass, Priority Pass) | None | WAW |
| Biometric passport control | Available (since 2024) | None | WAW |
| Duty Free | Large, wide selection | Available, but limited | WAW |
How to get there: transport, time and prices
Chopin Airport (WAW)
| Option | From | Time | Price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi / Uber / Bolt | City centre (Śródmieście) | 15–25 min (off-peak) | 30–50 PLN |
| Taxi / Uber / Bolt | City centre (rush hour) | 30–50 min | 40–70 PLN |
| Train SKM/KM | Warszawa Centralna | ~17 min | 4.40 PLN |
| Bus 175 | City centre → terminal | 30–45 min | 4.40 PLN |
| Night bus N32 | City centre → terminal | ~40 min | 4.40 PLN |
Traffic tip: Żwirki i Wigury street during rush hour (7:30–9:30 and 16:00–19:00) can add 15–30 minutes to your journey. The SKM train is the most reliable option for morning flights: it runs every 10–15 minutes and is unaffected by traffic.
Modlin Airport (WMI)
| Option | From | Time | Price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi / Uber / Bolt | Warsaw city centre | 35–80 min | 100–150 PLN |
| Train + shuttle | Warszawa Centralna → Modlin + shuttle | ~70–90 min | ~25–35 PLN total |
| ModlinBus (direct bus) | Warszawa Zachodnia | ~55–70 min | ~33 PLN |
| Taxi at night | Warsaw city centre | ~35 min | 100–120 PLN |
Important about the train to Modlin: the train goes to Modlin station, not to the terminal. After getting off you need to take a free shuttle bus to the airport (~5 minutes). Factor this into your planning — allow 15 minutes of extra time.
Travel time from different Warsaw districts (taxi, off-peak)
| District | To Chopin (WAW) | To Modlin (WMI) |
|---|---|---|
| Śródmieście (City centre) | 15–20 min | 45–60 min |
| Mokotów | 10–15 min | 50–65 min |
| Ochota | 10–15 min | 50–65 min |
| Ursynów | 15–25 min | 55–70 min |
| Praga (right bank) | 20–30 min | 40–55 min |
| Bielany / Żoliborz | 25–35 min | 35–50 min |
| Wola | 20–30 min | 45–60 min |
Airlines and destinations
Chopin Airport (WAW)
This is Poland's main international hub. Dozens of airlines fly from here to Europe, Asia, North America and the Middle East:
- LOT Polish Airlines — the airline's hub, flights worldwide including Tokyo, New York, Chicago, Seoul
- Wizz Air — extensive European budget route network
- Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian — connections via Frankfurt, Zurich, Vienna
- Emirates — Warsaw–Dubai route
- British Airways, KLM, Air France and other network carriers
- easyJet — selected European routes
Modlin Airport (WMI)
Almost entirely occupied by one airline:
- Ryanair — over 90% of flights. Around 60–80 European destinations: London (Stansted, Luton), Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Dublin, Lisbon, Stockholm, Milan and others.
Important: if you're flying to the USA, Asia, Australia or any long-haul destination — Modlin is not for you. All long-haul flights operate exclusively from Chopin Airport.
Terminals: comfort and services
Chopin (WAW)
- Two terminals: T1 (main, international flights) and T2 (domestic and some European)
- Wide choice of cafés and restaurants — from fast food to full meals
- Business lounges: accessible with DragonPass, Priority Pass and for business class passengers
- Duty Free shops with a wide selection of perfumes, alcohol and electronics
- Biometric gates for fast passport control (since 2024)
- Charging stations, rest areas, children's play area in the terminal
- Medical point, ATMs, currency exchange
Modlin (WMI)
- One compact terminal, designed for quick budget airline passenger flow
- Minimal selection of cafés and snack bars — queues during peak hours
- Small Duty Free zone: basic selection of alcohol and perfumes
- No business lounges
- During morning hours (Ryanair flights 6:00–8:00) — high occupancy and crowded
Modlin tip: if you have an early flight — eat at home or on the way. At 5am in the terminal there's barely any decent food, and what there is tends to be overpriced and disappointing.
Parking: prices and options
Chopin (WAW) — official car parks
| Car park type | Distance to terminal | Price per day | 7 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| P1 (short-stay, covered) | Adjacent to terminal | ~90 PLN | ~450–600 PLN |
| P2 (long-stay, open-air) | 5–10 min walk | ~40–55 PLN | ~200–350 PLN |
| P3 (economy, with shuttle) | Shuttle ~5 min | ~30–40 PLN | ~180–260 PLN |
Modlin (WMI) — private car parks nearby
| Type | Distance to terminal | Price per day | 7 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private car parks (dozens of options) | Free minibus shuttle | ~10–18 PLN | ~70–120 PLN |
If you're driving: for a 7–10 day trip, Modlin is 2–3 times cheaper for parking. But don't forget to factor in fuel and driving time both ways. For Chopin, it's convenient to book P3 online in advance — prices are lower than at the gate.
Night and early morning flights
This is one of the key factors in choosing an airport, and it's often underestimated.
Chopin (WAW)
- Night bus N32 runs from the city centre around the clock
- Taxis 24/7, Uber and Bolt operate without restrictions
- For flights at 5:00–6:00, you can leave around 3:30–4:00
Modlin (WMI)
- No night public transport — the last train and shuttle is around 22:00–23:00
- For early flights (6:00–7:00), the only option is a taxi for 100–150 PLN or your own car
- Some travellers arrive the evening before and stay overnight at a hotel near Modlin
A key calculation: a Ryanair flight from Modlin at 6:00am saved you 200 PLN compared to Chopin. But a night taxi is another 130 PLN. Net saving: 70 PLN. Is it worth a 4am wake-up and the stress? That's your call.
Baggage and check-in: Modlin's hidden traps
Ryanair passengers flying through Modlin — pay close attention to the baggage rules:
- Carry-on luggage: Ryanair allows 1 small bag for free. A second item (standard backpack 40×20×25 cm) must be paid for separately
- Checked baggage: always paid, cheaper to pay online in advance
- Online check-in is mandatory — Ryanair charges around 55 EUR for checking in at the airport desk
- Baggage weighing at Modlin is strict — staff check both checked and carry-on luggage
Baggage policy comparison: at Chopin, airlines vary and policy depends on the carrier. LOT and most network airlines include at least one piece of carry-on and sometimes checked luggage. Wizz Air at Chopin has similar restrictions to Ryanair at Modlin.
Which airport suits you
Choose Chopin (WAW) if you:
- Are travelling with children or elderly relatives
- Have a lot of luggage or are going on a long holiday
- Are flying on business and value your time
- Have an early morning flight (before 7:00) or a night flight
- Want to fly to the USA, Asia or another continent
- The price difference between tickets is less than 100–150 PLN
- Live in southern or western Warsaw (Mokotów, Ursynów, Ochota, Wilanów)
Choose Modlin (WMI) if you:
- Are travelling light with carry-on luggage only
- Are going on a short weekend trip and want to save as much as possible
- Your flight is during the day (10:00–20:00)
- Are driving and want to leave your car at a parking lot
- The price difference between tickets is more than 200 PLN
- Live in northern Warsaw (Bielany, Żoliborz) or suburbs to the north of the city
30-second decision guide
1. Where are you flying?
Not to Europe → Chopin only. To Europe → check the next question.
2. What time is your flight?
Before 7:00 or after 22:00 → Chopin (no night transport to Modlin). During the day → check the next question.
3. How much luggage do you have?
More than one suitcase or travelling with children → Chopin. Travelling light → check the next question.
4. What is the price difference between tickets?
Less than 100 PLN → Chopin (the difference gets eaten up by transport costs). 100–200 PLN → calculate transport separately. More than 200 PLN → Modlin is likely the better deal.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Which Warsaw airport is cheaper to fly from?
Generally cheaper from Modlin (WMI), since Ryanair is based there. However, the total trip cost depends on how you get there: a taxi to Modlin costs 100–150 PLN, while to Chopin it's 30–50 PLN. When the ticket price difference is less than 100–150 PLN, Chopin works out cheaper once you factor in transport.
Is there a direct bus from central Warsaw to Modlin?
Yes, ModlinBus runs from Warszawa Zachodnia (West Station). Journey time is around 55–70 minutes, cost ~33 PLN. Check the timetable at modlinbus.pl as it is linked to the flight schedule.
Is there a Duty Free shop at Modlin Airport?
Yes, there is a small Duty Free zone. The selection is basic: alcohol, perfumes, sweets. The choice is significantly inferior to Chopin. If Duty Free matters to you — allow extra time, queues do form.
Can you get to Modlin without a car early in the morning?
There is no night public transport to Modlin. The only option is a taxi/Uber (100–150 PLN) or your own car. Some passengers arrive the evening before and stay overnight at a nearby hotel.
How much time should I allow before a flight from Modlin?
Ryanair recommends arriving at least 2 hours before departure. Add travel time + possible traffic + transfer from the car park or station. From central Warsaw, allow at least 3–3.5 hours before a daytime flight.
Which airport is closer to Pruszków, Legionowo, Piaseczno?
Pruszków and Piaseczno — closer to Chopin (WAW). Legionowo — closer to Modlin (WMI), around 25–30 km away. Getting to Modlin from Legionowo is significantly easier than from central Warsaw.
Where is it better to park for a long trip?
For a trip of 7+ days, private car parks near Modlin are far more affordable: 70–120 PLN per week versus 200–350 PLN at Chopin. But only if you're actually flying from Modlin — otherwise there's no point.
Not sure which option will be cheaper for your specific route? Our specialists will calculate the full cost of your trip, including transport, baggage and all the logistical details.
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