Turn your layover into a stopover
Warsaw Stopover
A phoenix capital of rebuilt Old Town squares along the wide Vistula River.
LOT Polish AirlinesAccepting bookingsVerified 1mo ago
LOT Stopover
4.1(140 reviews)
Eligibility
Duration:24h - 192h layover (8 days max)
- Free Warsaw stopover, 1-8 days, at no extra airfare
- LOT-operated return ticket via Warsaw; not valid for journeys starting in Poland
- No free hotel or tour — only partner discounts and a 25% domestic-flight code
- The stopover add-on may be chargeable depending on your fare
- Poland is Schengen — leaving the airport needs Schengen entry rights (visa-free for many)
Full terms▾
- Free extended stopover in Warsaw, from 1 up to 8 days, at no extra airfare (the stopover add-on may be chargeable on some fares)
- Requires a LOT-operated return ticket transiting Warsaw; not valid for journeys starting in Poland, domestic Polish flights, or codeshare-operated segments
- No free hotel or tour — only partner discounts (e.g
- 15% off select hotels) plus a 25% domestic-flight and 30% meal discount code
- Poland is in the Schengen Area; leaving the airport needs Schengen entry rights (visa-free for many nationalities)
How it Works
- 1
Book an eligible LOT Polish Airlines itinerary
Your trip must route through WAW (Warsaw) with a 24–192 hour layover. Eligible classes: see airline.
- 2
Request the stopover
Add the stopover when booking an eligible LOT return ticket via Warsaw on lot.com (the add-on may be chargeable depending on your fare). It is not valid for journeys starting in Poland.
- 3
Receive your voucher
The airline confirms your hotel and any included tours via email, usually within a few business days.
- 4
Enjoy Warsaw
Make your own way to the hotel (most cities have cheap metro/airport taxis). Take any included tours, then continue your journey.
Activities in Warsaw
Tours and skip-the-line tickets that fit a layover. Book on GetYourGuide.
See all Warsawactivities →Powered by GetYourGuide
Traveler Reviews
4.1/5.0
140 reviews aggregated
weighted composite
76% positive9% negative
Based on reviews fromBlog (2)TripAdvisor (2)FlyerTalk (2)
Rating Breakdown
Perks Value25%
4.4/5How much is all the free stuff actually worth?
Ease of Claiming20%
4.1/5Will the airline actually respond to my email?
Destination Appeal15%
4.0/5Is this city worth visiting for 1-2 days?
Top Quotes
“If you happen to find yourself with a layover in Warsaw that exceeds 5 hours, I highly recommend taking the time to head into the city to see what the city is like.”— Blog
“On Saturday morning the traffic should be low, so in about 15 minutes you should be able to get the Old Town...Definitely worth it.”— TripAdvisor ↗
“Warsaw doesn't feel curated for tourists—it feels lived in.”— Blog
“Rather customer unfriendly since both flights are on the same airline.”— FlyerTalk
“Hotel rates in Warsaw are relatively inexpensive and there is a wide range of choice for transport to/from the city centre at fairly low prices.”— FlyerTalk ↗
Pro Tips
- -This is a free flight stopover, not a stopover package — there's no free hotel or tour, so book your own (cheap) Warsaw room.
- -Give yourself 5+ hours outside the terminal: Chopin Airport is ~20 minutes from the Old Town by train, Uber, or taxi.
- -Your checked bag is only tagged to Warsaw — reclaim and re-check it, and never try the stop on a sub-2-hour connection.
- -Use the 25% LOT domestic discount during your stop to tack on Kraków or Gdańsk, and remember the stop must be on a round-trip not starting in Poland.
Recent Reviews
Konrad Tillman (jettoajet)Blog
Positive(85%)On an 8-hour LOT layover from New York, the author took an Uber 20 minutes downtown and explored Warsaw, calling it a magnificent, visually appealing city with friendly people and an easy airport-to-center hop.
airport close to cityeasy to explore on a layoverWarsaw destination appeal
Traveled: Feb 2025
TripAdvisor user 137_036TripAdvisor ↗
Positive(80%)A local advises that on a 6-hour stopover you can reach the Old Town in about 15 minutes in light morning traffic, leaving 3.5+ hours to explore, and considers it clearly worthwhile.
Old Town reachable in 15 min6-hour stopover feasibleworth leaving airport
TripAdvisor user Przemek VTripAdvisor ↗
Neutral(45%)Asked whether LOT gives a free layover hotel, members say no — European carriers generally don't — but they note the airport is extremely close to the centre with a cheap rail link or a roughly 10-pound taxi, so a self-booked stay or a city walk is easy.
no free hotelairport close to centrecheap transportself-book a hotel
FlyerTalk memberFlyerTalk ↗
Neutral(50%)In response to whether LOT provides a free hotel on a long Warsaw layover, members confirm it does not, but reassure that Warsaw hotel rates are relatively inexpensive with plenty of low-cost transport options into the city center.
no free hotelcheap hotelsgood transport to center
Access Fares (traveler account)Blog
Positive(80%)A traveler who used LOT's stopover to spend a full 8 days in Warsaw on a business-class itinerary found the city authentic and unhurried, and finished the trip wondering why more people don't plan a stopover like this.
8-day stopoverauthentic feelEurope without overwhelmdestination depth
Rick Steves forum memberFlyerTalk
Negative(10%)Travelers discussing a Warsaw connection warn that checked bags must be collected and re-checked at WAW even though both flights are LOT, calling the requirement customer-unfriendly and advising extra connection time.
bag reclaim and rechecktight connections riskycustomer-unfriendlyallow extra time
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the LOT Polish Airlines stopover program really free?
LOT Polish Airlines offers discounted stopover packages in Warsaw rather than a fully free stay. Most travelers pay a reduced rate for the hotel and tours, and still cover meals, transfers, and any transit-visa fee. Check the all-in price before you book.
Who is eligible for the LOT Stopover?
Passengers flying LOT Polish Airlines on a ticket issued by the airline, with a qualifying layover in WAW between 24 and 192 hours. Eligible booking classes: see airline. Free extended stopover in Warsaw, from 1 up to 8 days, at no extra airfare (the stopover add-on may be chargeable on some fares). Requires a LOT-operated return ticket transiting Warsaw; not valid for journeys starting in Poland, domestic Polish flights, or codeshare-operated segments. No free hotel or tour — only partner discounts (e.g. 15% off select hotels) plus a 25% domestic-flight and 30% meal discount code. Poland is in the Schengen Area; leaving the airport needs Schengen entry rights (visa-free for many nationalities).
How long does my layover need to be to qualify?
Your connection in WAW should fall between 24 and 192 hours. Two things travelers get caught by: flight-search sites usually show the shortest connection by default, and that's often too short to qualify. You may need to deliberately pick a longer-layover flight. And the layover shown isn't all usable: clearing immigration and any baggage steps eats into it, so give yourself comfortable margin above the 24-hour minimum.
Can I use the stopover if I booked with miles or through a third-party site?
Stopover programs are run by the airline, so the safest route is a ticket booked directly with LOT Polish Airlines on an eligible fare. Award and miles tickets, and bookings made through online travel agencies or other third-party sites, often follow different rules: sometimes they don't qualify, sometimes the stopover has to be arranged another way. Before booking like that, confirm directly with LOT Polish Airlines that your specific ticket type is eligible.
Do I need a visa to leave the airport, and could I be denied boarding?
To leave the airport for your stopover you must meet Poland's transit or entry rules, and this matters before you even fly: if your passport requires a transit visa and you don't have one, the airline can deny boarding. The good news: many nationalities get visa-free transit, visa-on-arrival, or a quick e-visa, and some stopover programs include the transit visa. Select your nationality on this page to see the exact requirement for Poland, and arrange any visa well before departure.
What happens to my stopover if LOT Polish Airlines changes my flight times?
Airlines do sometimes adjust schedules after you book. A change can shorten or lengthen your layover. If it drops the connection below the 24-hour minimum, or past the maximum, it can affect your eligibility. If you get a schedule-change notice, re-check your layover against the program's window and contact LOT Polish Airlines to rebook or re-confirm the stopover. It's worth re-checking your itinerary a few days before departure.
Do I need to collect and re-check my baggage during the stopover?
On a single LOT Polish Airlines ticket, your checked bags are normally tagged straight through to your final destination, so you head into Warsaw with just your carry-on, and your luggage continues on the onward flight. You'd only collect and re-check bags if part of your trip is on a separate ticket. If you'd like a checked bag with you for the overnight stay, ask LOT Polish Airlines when you arrange the stopover.
Can I take the stopover on both my outbound and return flights?
Most stopover programs allow only one stopover per round-trip — on either the outbound or the return leg, not both. A few carriers are more flexible. Confirm with LOT Polish Airlines whether your specific itinerary can include a stopover on each leg before planning two stops.
What accommodation does the Warsaw stopover include?
LOT Polish Airlines offers discounted hotel packages in Warsaw rather than a complimentary room; you pick from their partner options at a reduced rate. Confirm the all-in price when you book.
How do I claim the stopover in Warsaw?
Add the stopover when booking an eligible LOT return ticket via Warsaw on lot.com (the add-on may be chargeable depending on your fare). It is not valid for journeys starting in Poland.
What is the maximum stopover length?
Up to 8 days. You can extend your layover without paying additional airfare, as long as it fits within the program's rules.
Quick Info
- Hub Airport
- WAW
- Layover window
- 24h – 192h
- Booking classes
- —
Visa Info for Warsaw
Choose your passport to see if you can leave the airport.
Hotels in Warsaw
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SEARCH HOTELS IN WARSAWTours in Warsaw
Explore curated experiences during your stopover.