Warsaw Chopin Airport Map & Terminal Guide 2026

Warsaw Chopin Airport Map

The Warsaw Chopin Airport map below shows the full layout of Warsaw Fryderyk Chopin Airport (WAW/EPWA). WAW handled 24.1 million passengers in 2025, making it Poland’s busiest airport and the 28th busiest in Europe. It is the primary hub for LOT Polish Airlines and an operating base for Wizz Air and Enter Air, with over 50 carriers serving destinations across Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East.

As the Warsaw Chopin Airport map shows, the layout is compact and straightforward. A single Terminal A occupies one building with two connected halls: the South Hall (old Terminal 1, check-in areas A and B) and the North Hall (old Terminal 2, check-in areas C, D and E). After clearing security, the departure area splits into a Schengen zone and a non-Schengen zone separated by passport control. Gates 9 to 26 serve non-Schengen (international) flights; all other gates serve Schengen and domestic routes.

Warsaw Airport Location Map

Warsaw Chopin Airport is located in the Włochy district, approximately 8 to 10 km south-west of Warsaw city centre. The airport sits on Żwirki i Wigury street (road DW634), reachable from the city ring road. The location map below shows WAW’s position relative to central Warsaw.

Warsaw Chopin Airport Terminal A

Warsaw Chopin Airport operates a single terminal: Terminal A. Until 2010 the airport had two separate buildings named Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. These were merged into one integrated complex now called Terminal A, divided into a South Hall and a North Hall. The combined terminal covers 165,000 square metres, holds 104 check-in desks, 23 self-service kiosks and 45 passenger gates, 27 of them with jetways.

Despite the single-terminal layout, the departure area splits into two separate zones after security: a Schengen zone for flights within the EU and Schengen Area, and a non-Schengen zone for international flights to the UK, US, Turkey and other destinations outside the Schengen boundary. Passport control separates the two zones, so check your gate number before walking too far.

South Hall (Check-in Areas A and B)

The South Hall is the older section of Terminal A, occupying the footprint of the former Terminal 1. It was fully refurbished and reopened in June 2015. Check-in rows A and B are located here, along with baggage drop and ticket counters for several carriers. The South Hall is served from the arrivals level by its own road access on approach road A.

North Hall (Check-in Areas C, D and E)

The North Hall is the larger and more modern section, built as the original Terminal 2 and opened in 2007. Check-in rows C, D and E are here. Star Alliance and Oneworld airlines primarily use the North Hall. The LOT Polish Airlines main check-in desks and self-service kiosks are in this hall. Road access uses approach roads A and B.

Warsaw Airport Gate Zones: Schengen vs Non-Schengen

The most important thing to understand from the Warsaw Chopin Airport map is the split between Schengen and non-Schengen gates. After clearing security, passengers heading to non-Schengen destinations (UK, US, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine and others outside the Schengen Area) turn right to passport control, then continue to gates 9 to 26. Schengen and domestic passengers use all other gates without a passport check.

Warsaw Airport Airlines

LOT Polish Airlines is the dominant carrier at WAW, generating roughly 40% of total passenger traffic. The airline operates its main hub here, with long-haul routes to North America and Asia alongside an extensive European network. Wizz Air is the second largest carrier and is growing rapidly. Enter Air, Sprint Air and Smartwings Poland handle a significant share of charter traffic. Over 50 airlines operate scheduled services from WAW.

Warsaw Airport Security

Warsaw Chopin Airport has security checkpoints at both the South Hall and North Hall departure levels. Once through security, passengers enter a shared airside area before splitting into Schengen and non-Schengen zones at passport control. A Fast Track lane is available at the security checkpoints for eligible passengers, including holders of the Premium parking voucher. Free public showers are available airside both in the Schengen and non-Schengen zones for those in transit.

Getting to Warsaw Chopin Airport

The airport is well connected to Warsaw city centre by rail and bus. The underground train station is directly beneath Terminal A. For taxis and rideshares, pick-up and drop-off is at the arrivals level. More details and live timetables are at the official airport transport page.

Warsaw Airport Parking

Warsaw Chopin Airport has over 3,000 parking spaces across four main zones. Multi-storey car parks P1 and P2 sit directly in front of Terminal A and are the most convenient for short stays. Long-term P4 is the best value for trips of more than one day. Pre-booking is strongly recommended during peak seasons. Current tariffs and online booking are available at the official airport website.

Warsaw Chopin Airport Arrivals

Arriving passengers at WAW are processed differently depending on whether the flight is from a Schengen or non-Schengen destination. Schengen arrivals deplane and proceed directly to the baggage claim hall without passport control. Non-Schengen arrivals clear passport control in the non-Schengen zone before entering the arrivals hall. Bus transfers from remote stands drop passengers at gates 24/25 (non-Schengen) or 31/32 (Schengen).

The arrivals hall is on Level 0. Baggage claim belts 1 to 5 are accessible from this level. Ground transport (taxis, buses, trains) is accessed from the arrivals level by following the coloured floor lines: purple for buses, yellow for the train, and signposting for taxis and rideshares. The train station entrance is on the right side of the arrivals hall as you exit baggage claim.

Warsaw Chopin Airport Departures

The departures level is one floor above arrivals. Check in at either the South Hall (areas A and B) or the North Hall (areas C, D and E) depending on your airline. After check-in, proceed to the security checkpoint for your hall. Once airside, use flight information screens to confirm your gate and whether it is in the Schengen or non-Schengen zone. Gate assignments appear on screens throughout the terminal and in your airline’s app, usually around 60 to 90 minutes before departure.

Recommended Arrival Times

Arrive at least 2 hours before Schengen and domestic flights, and 3 hours before non-Schengen international flights. Check-in desks typically close 45 to 60 minutes before departure. During morning peaks (05:00 to 09:00) and summer holiday periods, security and passport control queues can be long, so factor in additional time. Free unlimited Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal on the “Chopin-Airport” network with no registration required.

Insider Tips

Terminal A at WAW is compact by international standards, with gate-to-gate times rarely exceeding 10 minutes on foot. The most common source of missed connections is the non-Schengen passport control queue, which can back up significantly on busy mornings. If connecting from a Schengen arrival to a non-Schengen departure, allow at least 90 minutes. The SKM train is by far the fastest, most reliable way into the city and far cheaper than a taxi. Currency exchange kiosks (Kantor) inside the terminal typically offer worse rates than those in the city; use the ATMs or wait until you reach Warsaw Central.