Carry-On Only for Warsaw: LOT Polish Airlines, WAW, and Packing Tips

LOT Economy, including Saver, includes one 55×40×23 cm main bag up to 8 kg plus one 40×35×12 cm personal item up to 2 kg. European Business allows two main bags up to 9 kg each; US flights have separate rules. Weigh the fully packed main bag and personal item separately; do not choose the carrier on the assumption of a 12 kg Economy allowance.

Airline Rules at a Glance

Weigh your main bag and personal item separately after adding toiletries, chargers and purchases. Keep each within its own limit.

WAW Chopin Airport: Efficient and Well-Connected

Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport (WAW) is Warsaw's main international airport, located about 10 km southwest of the city centre. It is a single-terminal airport with two connected concourses — considerably less complicated than major Western European hubs.

SKM train to the city. The SKM S2 commuter line connects WAW directly to Warszawa Centralna (central station) in around 25 minutes. The fare is approximately 4.40 PLN (roughly €1), making it one of the cheapest airport rail connections in Europe. Trains run frequently during the day and into the evening. The station entrance is a short walk from the arrivals hall.

Layout. WAW has two departure areas: the Schengen zone (for EU-internal flights) and the non-Schengen zone. LOT's international long-haul flights depart from the non-Schengen area. Clear signs direct passengers appropriately. Security queues are generally manageable by Western European standards.

LOT and Star Alliance Benefits

LOT's Star Alliance membership opens up mileage earning on one of the world's largest airline networks. United MileagePlus, Lufthansa Miles & More, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and Air Canada Aeroplan miles all earn on LOT flights. If you hold elite status with any Star Alliance partner, you may receive additional carry-on allowances or priority handling on LOT routes — always check the partner's individual benefit schedule.

Packing for Warsaw

Winter is the defining packing challenge. Warsaw's winters are Central European in severity — colder than London, Paris, or Amsterdam. December through February regularly sees temperatures below 0°C, and snow is common. A layering system beats a single heavy coat:

• Base layer: merino wool long-sleeve and leggings (odour-resistant, packs small, warm when wet)
• Mid-layer: lightweight down jacket or fleece (compressible, maximum warmth-to-weight ratio)
• Outer shell: windproof and water-resistant jacket (keeps wind and snow out)
• Accessories: light gloves and a beanie (small, make a large difference at -5°C)

Choose layers for the forecast and planned activities. Check their actual packed weight; a clothing list cannot guarantee compliance.

Summer packing: choose clothing for the forecast and your activities; weigh the finished bags rather than assuming a week of clothing will fit a particular limit.

Warsaw Old Town and Auschwitz

Old Town (Stare Miasto). Warsaw's Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — unusual because it was almost entirely destroyed in the Second World War and rebuilt brick by brick from paintings, photographs, and historical records. The streets are mostly flat cobblestones, manageable with both wheeled bags and backpacks.

Auschwitz day trip. Auschwitz-Birkenau is most commonly visited as a day trip from Kraków (90 minutes west by train). From Warsaw, Kraków is reached in around 2.5 hours by PKP Intercity express. A single overnight stay in Kraków allows a more comfortable visit to Auschwitz without the very long Warsaw round-trip. Advance booking for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum is required and free.

Tips for Warsaw

• Tap water in Warsaw is safe to drink. Fill a reusable bottle rather than buying plastic.
• The Warsaw Card (tourist pass) covers unlimited transport on buses and trams and discounts at museums.
• PEKA card or a contactless bank card works on public transport in Warsaw — single tickets from the driver are possible but more expensive.
• Most Warsaw restaurants accept card payments; cash is rarely necessary.

Bottom Line

Before departure, compare the allowance in your booking with every packed bag. Repeat the measurement and weight check before the return flight.