Today I wanted to share some basic information about Warsaw airport (lotnisko) for all of you flying to Poland.

The Frederic Chopin International Airport in Warsaw is by far the biggest in Poland, covering 834 hectares of land (comparing it to US airports may not seem like a big area) and handling about 50% of the country’s air traffic. Nine million people travelled to over 80 destinations in 2008, a passenger growth of 2% from the year before.

The Frederic Chopin is just 10km south west of downtown Warsaw in Okecie, and the journey time by bus is usually only around 25 minutes. Between the 175 (bus number) and 188 you’ll be able to catch a ride into the city center every ten minutes or so, or at night jump on the number 32 and you’ll get right to Warsaw Central Station (Dworzec Centralny). Tickets for the bus cost about 2.8 PLN (approx. $1, €0.70, £0.60) and you can snag one at any kiosk or buy from the driver for an additional 0.5 PLN. For more information, check the website of Warsaw’s Public Transport Authority (ZTM).

If you’re happy to have your own ‘chauffeur’, a taxi is known to prove quicker and easier than the bus and not too much more expensive either. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding one on the rank outside arrivals.

Travelling from town to the airport? Then simply reverse the directions. Head to Warsaw Central Station for buses, or if you are travelling by your own set of wheels then find the Zwirki i Wigury Street. It takes you all the way from downtown directly to the airport.

Flight Delayed?

Well, you’ll find plenty of stuff to do around Chopin to pass the time… Top facilities, shopping and information points are on hand to make your life that bit more comfortable.

Stuff to think about:

Airport Info – (6am to 10pm) or try +48 22 650 4220

Airport Telephone Operator – +48 22 650 1111

Bank – (M-F: 8am to 8pm, Sat: 8am to 2pm). A host of ATMs and over half a dozen kantory (places to exchange the money) got you covered

Car Rental – all the top brands, 7 in total. Drive safely!

Chapel – In the transit area. For schedule and further info, check the Chapel’s website

First Aid– For all those nasty paper cuts, etc. For more serious injuries call +48 22 650 2444

Food and Drink – A sit down restaurant, fast food and ice-cream. What else could you want? That’s right: a nice chilled pint of beer to wash it all down…

Insurance – In case you just don’t trust those airlines with everything

Internet – There are two Wi-Fi hotspots (provided by Era and Orange) that can be accessed in all areas of Terminal 1 to ease you of your Facebook withdrawal symptoms

Java – indulge in a luxurious latte, or a quick espresso if hurtling past to catch your escaping plane.

Lost Baggage Office – +48 22 650 2006

Luggage Storage – +48 22 650 2006

Press – Get your magazines and papers in one of the many kiosks

Post Office – For that letter you forgot to send your mother.

Retail Shopping– Booze, toys, bling, all that stuff you forgot to buy… Go shoppin’ in Chopin (had to say it, sorry)

Tourist Info – (Terminal 2, 8am to 8pm) or call +48 22 194 31

Transit Hotel – If you are stuck waiting for a connection, just ask for the Falcon Hotel or call: +48 22 650 4891

Departures – Odloty

Arrivals – Przyloty

Transferring to rail

If you are flying to Warsaw and transferring to a train to Krakow for example then follow the same instructions as before to Warsaw Central Station (Dworzec Centralny), where you can buy your tickets and board your train. The lines at the ticket booths can be pretty big, so keep an eye out for automated ‘fast ticket’ machines, which accept most major credit cards.

OK. That about wraps up the basics for Warsaw’s Frederic Chopin Airport. If you need more specific info you might want to check out the airport’s official site. Read also about Krakow Airport .

Meanwhile, let me know what your experience at the airport in Warsaw was!

Do następnego razu! (Till next time…)