Poland is well connected to the rest of Europe and has direct long-haul services from North America. Six international airports serve the country, giving real flexibility on where you land and how you plan your route.
Main Airports in Poland
Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) is Poland’s busiest airport, located approximately 10 km southwest of the city centre. It handles the most international routes and all long-haul services. LOT Polish Airlines uses it as its hub. Getting to the city is straightforward - metro line 2 connects the terminal to central Warsaw in around 25 minutes (approximately PLN 6 as of 2026), and taxis via Bolt or Uber run approximately PLN 40–55 depending on traffic.
Kraków John Paul II Airport (KRK) is the second busiest and the main gateway for southern Poland. It’s 15 km west of the city centre. Bus routes 208 and 252 connect to the main railway station for approximately PLN 6; a taxi costs approximately PLN 40. Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet all have strong presences here.
Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (GDN) serves the Tri-City area - Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot. Good for the Baltic coast, Pomerania, and Masuria lake district access.
Wrocław Nicolaus Copernicus Airport (WRO) is the main airport for Lower Silesia and a growing hub for budget carrier routes from Western Europe.
Poznań-Ławica Airport (POZ) connects Greater Poland (Wielkopolska) to European cities. Smaller than Warsaw or Kraków, but useful if Poznań is your starting point.
Katowice International Airport (KTW) in Silesia is primarily a Ryanair and Wizz Air airport. It’s a practical (if slower) alternative entry point for travellers heading to Kraków, the Tatras, or the industrial south.
Airlines Flying to Poland
LOT Polish Airlines is the national carrier and offers the widest network from Warsaw, including long-haul services. Quality is generally good; book direct for the best prices on their routes.
Ryanair connects many UK, Irish, and Western European cities to Warsaw Modlin (WAW’s secondary airport, 35 km north of the centre), Kraków, Gdańsk, Wrocław, and Katowice. Prices are competitive, especially 8–12 weeks out.
Wizz Air is the dominant ultra-low-cost carrier for Central and Eastern Europe. Strong on routes from London Luton, Birmingham, Manchester, and various Southern and Eastern European cities.
easyJet flies to Warsaw and Kraków from London Gatwick, London Stansted, Edinburgh, and several Western European airports.
British Airways operates London Heathrow–Warsaw. More expensive than budget options but included in Avios programmes.
Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, Swiss all route through their respective hubs. Useful if connecting from North America, Asia, or Africa.
Typical Prices from the UK
Prices vary significantly by season, booking window, and flexibility. Approximate one-way fares as of 2026:
| Route | Budget carrier (off-peak) | Full-service / peak |
|---|---|---|
| London → Warsaw | PLN 150–250 | PLN 400–700 |
| London → Kraków | PLN 130–220 | PLN 350–600 |
| London → Gdańsk | PLN 140–230 | PLN 350–550 |
| Manchester → Warsaw | PLN 180–300 | PLN 450–750 |
Prices are approximate and based on one-way economy fares. Return tickets may offer better value.
Best Booking Windows
For budget carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air, the sweet spot is typically 6–8 weeks before departure for leisure travel. Earlier than 3 months out, prices are often higher than the mid-range window. Last-minute fares (within 2 weeks) are a gamble - sometimes cheap if seats remain, but often expensive. If you’ve landed a last-minute flight deal, last-minute Poland tours through Viator often have availability where advance-booked operators have sold out - useful for filling an itinerary at short notice.
For full-service airlines or peak season travel (July–August, Christmas, Easter), booking 3–4 months ahead gives better availability and pricing.
Use fare alerts. Search and compare flights to Poland using fare comparison tools - a Warsaw–London fare can drop by PLN 100+ within a week based on demand fluctuations.
Warsaw vs Kraków as Entry Point
Fly into Warsaw if:
- You want to start in the capital
- You’re arriving on a long-haul flight from North America or Asia
- Your itinerary includes northern Poland, Masuria, or Gdańsk
- You plan to travel onward by train - Warsaw Centralna is Poland’s main rail hub
Fly into Kraków if:
- The south is your priority (Wieliczka Salt Mine, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Zakopane, the Tatras)
- You’re visiting from a Western European city on a budget carrier
- You prefer a more compact, walkable base for your first few days
Both cities have excellent onward rail connections. A Warsaw–Kraków express train takes approximately 2.5 hours on EIC/EIP services and costs approximately PLN 50–130 depending on class and booking window. Once you land, pre-booking an airport transfer in Poland removes the stress of navigating public transport with luggage on arrival. See our practical guide to Poland for transport between cities.
City Guides
- Warsaw City Guide - Chopin Airport connections, transport into the city, and what to see
- Kraków City Guide - John Paul II Airport options, getting to the Old Town, and things to do
- Gdańsk City Guide - Lech Wałęsa Airport and the Baltic coast
- Wrocław City Guide - Copernicus Airport and the lower Silesian hub
Search hotels in Poland on Booking.com
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