Warsaw aiport to the central train station???

Ive never been to poland so I am wondering how I go about getting from the Warsaw airport to the central train station to get a ticket to poznan. Also what I have to do to get the ticket and any tips or suggestions would be much appreciated. THANK YOU!!!!!

I'd probably get a taxi.

You can take bus 175, you can take it directly outside of the arrivals terminal, don't forget to buy a ticket and validate it once you get in the bus, since there are random controls which are very often in this route. It will take you like around 15-20 minutes to get to the Warszawa Centralna, it will leave you just in front of it, be aware of the stops once you are in the bus, they are all shown in a small screen inside the bus. Good luck!

get a taxi from the taxi rank outside the arrivals terminal, will cost you about $15, slightly more on Sundays/Holidays or after 10pm weekdays and Saturdays.

I dont know if this is true but I was told that taxis sometimes mess with tourists and drive around for awhile to get the bill up. Also that some of the taxis charge you twice what the rate should be.

These are the so called "mafia taxis" i think, go with the known taxi companies like Ele taxi or Tele taxi.

I shouldnt have any problem buying the train tickets at the station should I??? What would be your guys view on that????

yes you always run that risk particularly if the driver detects you are new in town, certainly avoid the taxi drivers that come up to you in the arrivals hall. The taxi rank outside the arrivals hall is operated by two reasonably reputable taxi companies - MPT and Sawa. It's a hell of a lot easier than getting bus and you run the risk of the pickpockets on the bus.

I take it you're arriving at the main terminal and not the Etiuda terminal ? The Etiuda terminal does not have an official taxi rank.

you shouldn't but if you prefer you can buy it by internet.

bilet.intercity.pl/irez

You can buy them over the internet now and just print the ticket, it's all in English/bilet.intercity.pl/irez/

Yes you will...but eventually you will manage.

If you are unable to buy online for some reason...(payment...site problems etc)

When you are in the big hall in the Central Station you will see ticket windows lining one wall. The farthest right two windows are for going out of Poland so even though the line will be much shorter there you have to go to the huge snaking that feeds the rest of the windows to the left for domestic tickets.

They will most likely not know any English so just write Poznan and the time you want to leave on a paper and show them. (clearly they will understand "Poznan" but the time will be an issue. The first and second class are not that different for this route so it's up to you but whichever you choose just write 1 klasa or 2 klasa on the paper too.

If you have any trouble you are best off looking for a young person near you and asking them if they speak English and can help you....the "International Help Window is usually staffed by people who only speak Polish...go figure.

There's lots of little ticket offices dotted all over Warszawa Centralna, the lines are usually much shorter there. Don't bother going into the main hall at all is my advice. The best way to cope if you don't speak Polish is to write down, legibly, the exact train, no. of people, and date you want to buy tickets for (use the departure timetables that are also put up all over the place). Some trains have names, that makes it even easier. And do watch out for pickpockets! When you're all wrapped up in getting your tickets right, they might have an easier job. If there's more of you, one should guard the luggage and one should buy the tickets, carrying just the amount of money needed. Just good common sense, I think.

What times are you suggesting going the small ticket windows? Every time I pass them they are as busy as the main hall with lines snaking down the hall.

I also don't understand the pickpocket worry...I have never had nor heard of such an experience in years here...maybe it helps that I am tall and mean looking so they stay at arms length. But..it can't hurt to stay alert.

It's probably less a question of timing than of location... as I said, there's lots of those window thingy offices, and some of them are hidden way back in the recesses of the underground part of the station. Therefore, some are relatively unknown, at least to people just passing through Warsaw. I've had the luck to never have to wait longer than 10-15 minutes. It makes sense to run around a bit and check before choosing your particular window :-)

Asking someone unfamiliar with the underground to run around and check for windows?

If you want them to get lost forever sure....

I know it's confusing down there. But it might be worth it, overall. ;-)