Katowice Layover Guide (KTW)

What are you looking for in KTW?
Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Katowice Airport (KTW) is an international airport located in Pyrzowice, Silesian Voivodeship. It’s situated about 30 km (19 miles) from downtown Katowice. The airport officially opened in 1966. Katowice is one of Poland’s major urban centers and a key hub of industry and culture. The city is known for its dynamic music scene, modern architecture, and proximity to the picturesque Silesian countryside, making it a unique destination for business and leisure.

Can you leave Katowice Airport (KTW) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
During a layover at Katowice (KTW), non-Schengen nationals may transit airside without a visa if remaining in the international zone. To enter the city you must clear immigration with a valid Schengen C-visa or exemption. Nationals requiring an airport transit visa cannot leave the sterile zone. (more info).

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Layover Guide Organized Tours

From Katowice: Auschwitz-Birkenau Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

Spend 6 hours with an expert guide exploring the Auschwitz I and II-Birkenau camps. This tour includes skip-the-line tickets, live commentary on the Holocaust’s history, and private hotel pickup/drop-off in Katowice—ideal if you’re short on time but want a profound insight into this WWII landmark.» book this tour

From Katowice: Trip to the Guido Coal Mine in Zabrze

Descend 320 meters into the historic Guido Coal Mine on this 3-hour adventure. Learn about Silesian mining heritage, ride the authentic elevator, hear machines in action, and enjoy return transfer from your Katowice hotel—perfect for a unique underground experience during a brief layover.» book this tour

Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour from Katowice with Private Transfers

This 6-hour guided tour offers private car transfers from your Katowice accommodation and skip-the-line group entry to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Hear detailed historical insights, visit key sites with headsets, and return comfortably to your hotel—all arranged to fit neatly into even a tight layover schedule.» book this tour

Layover Guide Things to do / Sightseeing

  • Silesian Museum Housed in a historic coal mine, the Silesian Museum showcases regional art, industry artifacts, and underground galleries revealing mining heritage, offering immersive exhibits and striking architecture blending old and new. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: Take the Airport-Silesia shuttle bus to Katowice central station (~50 min), then tram line 11 to Muzeum Śląskie stop (~5 min).)
  • Nikiszowiec A charming early-20th-century mining district, Nikiszowiec features iconic red-brick tenements, cozy cafés, artisan shops and vibrant community squares, offering a glimpse into working-class history and local culture, photography hotspot destination. (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Shuttle to Katowice centre (~50 min), then bus 11 to Nikiszowiec Giszowiec (~20 min).)
  • Spodek Arena An iconic saucer-shaped multipurpose arena hosting concerts, sporting events and exhibitions, Spodek impresses with futuristic design, panoramic city views from its rooftop, and lively atmosphere buzzing with energy, architectural marvel. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: Shuttle to centre (~50 min), then tram line 6 to Spodek stop (~5 min) or taxi in 35 min.)
  • Cathedral of Christ the King One of Europe’s largest cathedrals, this modernist masterpiece features soaring concrete arches, colorful stained glass windows, and serene chapels, providing a peaceful retreat and architectural marvel, offering insightful daily guided tours. (Time required: 45 minutes. / Airport to here: Shuttle to centre, then bus 6 to Brynów (~20 min) and 5 min walk, or taxi ~30 min.)
  • Market Square (Rynek) Vibrant heart of Katowice, the Market Square pulses with outdoor cafés, artisan stalls, and buildings, offering live music events, local street food, and charming urban vibes perfect for quick exploration. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: Airport bus to centre (~50 min) stops adjacent, or taxi ~30 min.)
  • Silesian Park Expansive green oasis boasting botanical gardens, amusement rides, hiking trails, a planetarium, and the Polish Emigration Museum, perfect for relaxation and culture amid nature’s embrace, family-friendly attractions and outdoor concerts. (Time required: 2–3 hours. / Airport to here: Shuttle to centre, then tram 11 or taxi ~20 min to park entrance.)
  • Kościuszko Park Historic urban park surrounding Tadeusz Kościuszko monument, offering scenic walking paths, ornamental gardens, a small zoo, and tranquil ponds, year-round ideal for a peaceful stroll or picnic under lush greenery. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: Shuttle to centre, then tram line 6 to Drzymały (~15 min) and 5 min walk, or taxi ~25 min.)
  • Street Art Tour Guided street art tour exploring vibrant murals across Nikiszowiec and downtown, revealing local artists’ creative expressions, urban renewal projects, and hidden graffiti gems enriching Katowice’s cultural scene, insightful experiences await. (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Shuttle to centre, meet at Market Square (~50 min), or taxi ~30 min.)

Things to Do in Katowice Airport (KTW)

Relaxing and Sleeping

Airport Lounges and Relaxing
Located in the departures hall, Business Lounges occupy the ground floor of Terminal A (Non-Schengen) and the first floor of Terminal B (Schengen). Open daily from 04:00 to 22:00, they offer hot and cold drinks, alcoholic beverages, snacks, Wi-Fi, TV, newspapers in multiple languages and office equipment. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping
Adjacent to parking P1, Moxy Katowice Airport is a 3-star Marriott boutique hotel with 100 stylish rooms, fitness center, bar, business center, buffet breakfast and free in-room Wi-Fi. A two-minute walk from terminals, it has a 24-hour front desk and easy motorway access, 20 minutes from Katowice city center. view all or book an airport hotel online

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Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
The airport operates 24 hours but lacks dedicated quiet zones, rest areas or cots. Passengers can rest on benches in the observation deck or low-lighting seating on the first and second floors, while VIP lounges close overnight. Noise and movement persist, so travelers should bring eye masks and earplugs or book a nearby hotel.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: Free, unlimited Wi-Fi covers all terminals with no login or registration required—just select the network and accept terms. EU-issued SIM cards retain domestic roaming data at no extra cost. Premium lounge Wi-Fi is available in VIP areas. Data e-SIMs can be purchased online for instant mobile connectivity.

SIM/eSIM Card: Prepaid SIM cards from major Polish operators (Orange, Play, T-Mobile, Plus) are sold in arrivals-hall shops, newsagents and kiosks—passport or ID required. Packages include data, calls and SMS. Alternatively, eSIM plans (e.g. via Airalo) can be activated before travel, enabling instant 4G/5G connectivity without swapping physical SIMs. » buy a global esim card for Layover Guide, that you can use for other countries as well!

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: The official taxi rank stands outside Terminal C arrivals. Fares start at €2.50 plus €1.50/km, with a €5 standstill charge per 30 minutes. A ride to Katowice city center (≈30 km) takes 30–35 minutes, costing around PLN 210 (€45). Ride-hailing apps (Uber, iTaxi) and pre-booked fixed-price transfers are also available.

Train: A rail stop (“Pyrzowice Lotnisko”) lies 500 m from the terminal, linked by a paved walkway. Served by Koleje Śląskie lines S9, S14 and S19 with hourly to bi-hourly services, it connects to Tarnowskie Góry, Zawiercie, Częstochowa, Sosnowiec, Katowice and Gliwice. Journey times range from 20 to 75 minutes; fares start at PLN 10. (more info)

Bus: Zarząd Transportu Metropolitalnego (ZTM) operates several lines from stops outside Terminals B and C. AP runs every 30 minutes to Katowice railway station in 45 minutes for PLN 6.60. Other routes (M11, M14, M19, M116) link Gliwice, Sosnowiec and Częstochowa. Tickets can be bought via mobile apps or kiosks. (more info)

Shuttle: A free shuttle bus links long-term parking lot P3 with Terminals A, B and C every 15 minutes; the 5-minute ride runs 24/7. Select airport hotels (e.g., DeSilva Inn) offer scheduled shuttle services—some require reservation or a small fee.

Car rentals: Desks for Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Sixt, Panek, CarFree, Global Rent A Car, GT-Cars, JOLCAR and Flex To Go are located in the Rent a Car zone of Terminal C. Agencies offer after-hours service (with advance notice) and extended operating hours aligning with flights; advance booking is recommended. view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: The airport offers 4,348 spaces across three lots: P1 and P2 (948 spaces) adjacent to terminals for short stays, and P3 for long-term parking further away. Premium P1/P2 rates apply; P3 is more economical. A free shuttle runs every 15 minutes between P3 and all terminals.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

No luggage storage facilities, lockers or cots are available at Katowice Airport. Passengers requiring storage must use airport hotels or off-site services. For unattended baggage, plan to secure it in your accommodation or nearby storage providers. » book a luggage storage or locker at online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Katowice Airport (KTW) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks