Airport Hotels Warsaw
Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport
Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport (IATA: WAW, ICAO: EPWA) is located in the area
of Okecie in Wlochy, some 10 km south of the center point of the city. For many
years the airport used to be called just Okecie, but this reportedly caused confusion
and it was renamed.
There are two 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 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.
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.
Getting to/from the airport
By bus
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 two main bus lines are:
* Bus Route ?175 ul. Zwirki i Wigury (Novotel Warsaw Airport) - ul. Raszynska
- pl. Zawiszy (Hotel Sobieski) - Al. Jerozolimskie (Holiday Inn, Marriott) -
City Centre - Marszalkowska (Novotel Warsaw Centre) - ul. Swietokrzyska - Krakowskie
Przedmiescie (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. Zwirki i Wigury - ul. Wawelska - al. Armii Ludowej /
Trasa Lazienkowska-?M??-Politechnika. This service goes to deep Praga Poludnie
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.
By taxi
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 zl at night, less
in the daytime (June 2008).
In any case, the most you should pay is 3.00 zl (up to 4.50 zl on Sundays;
but typically no more than 2.40 zl) per km in the daytime plus an initial fee
of no more than 6 zl. 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.
By other means
Some hotels offer a shuttle to/from the airport, while some will send taxis
for you.
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