Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW)

Warsaw Chopin Airport operates from a single Terminal A that stretches along a central check-in hall with two wings known as the South Pier (gates 1–14) and North Pier (gates 15–45). Schengen flights use the central and north pier gates, while non-Schengen departures are concentrated at the north pier’s upper gates with passport control separating the zones but allowing an airside link. Arrivals feed into a shared baggage reclaim on the ground level, and transfer passengers remain airside via clearly signed corridors. Walking distances are moderate; it is about 5–7 minutes from the central security area to the farthest Schengen gates and roughly 10 minutes to the remote non-Schengen stands at the north pier. Landside links between check-in zones A–D and the rail/bus station are on the same level, and elevators/escalators connect arrivals and departures levels without requiring long detours. Security screening is located behind the main check-in hall with separate lanes for fast track, families, and standard passengers; mid-day business bank departures can see 15–25 minute waits, while early mornings and late evenings are usually under 10 minutes. Transfer security for non-Schengen arrivals heading to Schengen flights is adjacent to the passport control booths at the north pier. Immigration for non-Schengen departures and arrivals is handled by e-gates for eligible EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and staffed booths for others; queues peak with long-haul waves but typically clear within 10–20 minutes. Customs checks take place in the arrivals hall with a standard green/red channel layout and occasional random inspections, and VAT refund counters sit just before exiting to landside. Terminal A includes multiple lounges (LOT Business Lounge Polonez and Mazurek in the Schengen area, Bolero in non-Schengen), a food court near the central rotunda, pharmacies, mini-markets, and branded retail along both piers. Accessibility is supported with tactile paving, dedicated assistance points, and elevator access to every gate level, while family facilities include strollers on request, baby-care rooms near the Schengen food court, and a small kids’ corner beside gate 36.