Warsaw · on the Vistula
Modlin Airport to City Center
Modlin (WMI) sits well outside Warsaw — here's the direct bus, the shuttle-plus-train route, and how to choose
Photo by Oleksii Piekhov on Unsplash
Warsaw Modlin Airport (WMI) is the city's secondary airport, used mainly by low-cost carriers — and unlike Chopin Airport, it is not actually inside Warsaw. It sits well to the north, near the town of Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, so the trip into the centre needs a little more planning than a quick hop across town.
You have two realistic options: a direct coach that takes you straight into central Warsaw in one step, or the cheaper combination of a free shuttle bus to Modlin railway station followed by a regional train. Neither is complicated once you know the shape of it — the choice mostly comes down to budget, luggage, and how tired you are after the flight.
01 · The verdict
Quick Take
Two workable options — here is how to pick between them fast.
Modlin is not a Warsaw airport, geographically
It sits roughly 35–40 km north of the centre, closer to the town of Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki than to Warsaw itself — budget real transfer time, not a quick hop.
A direct bus is the simplest option
Operators run coaches straight from the terminal to central Warsaw, arriving near the main railway station without any changes.
The train works, but it is two legs
A free shuttle bus first carries you to Modlin railway station, then a regional train continues to Warszawa Centralna — cheap, but slower door to door.
Match the option to your flight time
A late landing pairs better with a direct bus or taxi; a daytime arrival gives you the flexibility to use the cheaper train-and-shuttle combination.
02 · Fastest single step
The Direct Bus
Direct coach operators
Scheduled coach services run straight from the Modlin terminal into central Warsaw, typically arriving close to the main railway station area — no transfer required.
Wider city and regional links
Some operators also connect Modlin to other stops around Warsaw and to cities beyond it, useful if your accommodation is not near the centre.
Check the timetable against your flight
Low-cost carrier schedules and coach departures do not always align one-to-one, so check current times before you land rather than assuming a bus will be waiting.
Buy in advance where possible
Booking a seat ahead of time removes one variable from a long travel day, especially after a delayed or early flight.
03 · Cheapest route
Shuttle + Train
Step 1: the free shuttle to Modlin station
A short shuttle bus links the airport terminal to Modlin railway station — it runs specifically to meet flights and does not require a separate ticket.
Step 2: the regional train to Warszawa Centralna
From Modlin station, Koleje Mazowieckie (KM) regional trains run into central Warsaw, calling at Warszawa Centralna among other stops.
Budget extra time for the whole chain
Between the shuttle, any wait for the train, and the ride itself, this route takes noticeably longer door-to-door than a direct bus — plan for it rather than cutting it close.
It is the cheapest way in
For budget-conscious travellers without a tight connection to make, this is the lowest-cost route into the centre.
04 · Choosing between them
Bus, Train, or Taxi: What Actually Makes Sense
Modlin's distance from the centre is the single fact that shapes every decision here. Because it sits closer to Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki than to Warsaw proper, none of the options are a five-minute affair — the question is simply which shape of inconvenience suits your trip. If you land late, are travelling with a group, or just want to be done thinking about logistics, a direct coach or a taxi/private transfer removes the most variables: one vehicle, one ride, straight to the centre.
The shuttle-plus-train route rewards travellers who are patient and budget-focused. It costs less, but it is genuinely two separate legs — a free shuttle bus to Modlin railway station, then a wait for a regional Koleje Mazowieckie service into Warszawa Centralna. None of it is difficult, but it adds up to noticeably more total time than the direct coach, so it suits a mid-morning or afternoon landing better than a red-eye.
Whichever route you choose, treat the connection loosely rather than tightly: low-cost carrier schedules and coach or train timetables are set independently of each other, so build in a buffer instead of assuming your transport will be waiting the second you clear arrivals. Check current timetables and fares before you fly using the official links below.
05 · Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Modlin Airport from central Warsaw?
Roughly 35–40 km, which typically takes around 40 minutes to an hour to cover depending on the route and traffic — noticeably farther out than Chopin Airport.
What's the easiest way from Modlin to Warsaw?
A direct coach into the city centre is the simplest single-step option. The shuttle-bus-plus-train combination via Modlin railway station is cheaper but involves a transfer.
Is there a direct train from Modlin Airport?
Not from the terminal itself — a free shuttle first takes you to Modlin railway station, from which regional trains continue into Warszawa Centralna.
Which airlines use Modlin Airport?
Modlin (WMI) is used mainly by low-cost carriers as a secondary Warsaw airport, distinct from Chopin Airport (WAW), which is closer to the centre and handles the bulk of full-service flights.
Should I book a bus ticket in advance?
It is a sensible precaution, particularly for early-morning or last-flight-of-the-day arrivals, since it removes the risk of a sold-out departure after a long travel day.
✦ Verify before you go
Sources & official links
We verify prices, hours, and dates against official pages. They change without notice — confirm time-sensitive details at the source before you go.
- Warsaw Modlin Airport — bus transport — The airport's official page for coach operators and routes.
- Warsaw Modlin Airport — train transport — Official details on the shuttle-to-Modlin-station-and-train route.
- WTP — Modlin Airport (WMI) — Warsaw's public transport authority page covering onward connections.