How to Get from Gdansk Airport to Sopot? Your Complete Guide to Transportation in Sopot
- Damian Brzeski
- Aug 14
- 8 min read
Have you landed in Gdańsk and are wondering how to best get to the heart of the Tricity, Sopot? Or perhaps you're already planning your next trip—to Gdynia, Hel, or the majestic Malbork Castle? Don't worry, this guide is your personal treasure map of Tricity's public transportation.
I'll show you all the options—from the luxurious to the most budget-friendly. You can decide what best suits your travel style, budget, and schedule. Forget about stress and logistical puzzles. Let's get started!
What is the best way to get from Gdańsk airport directly to Sopot?
Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (GDN) is approximately 20 kilometers from Sopot. Flying this route is your first step on your Sopot adventure. Here's a ranking of available options, from most convenient to cheapest.
Option 1: Private transfer – comfortable transfer from the airport and peace of mind included in the price👑
Do you value comfort and peace of mind above all else? Are you traveling with heavy suitcases, toddlers on board, or simply dream of a stress-free arrival at your hotel after a long flight? A private transfer is for you.
Imagine: you get off the plane, and a smiling driver awaits you in the arrivals hall with a sign bearing your name. No stress, no searching for a taxi. Companies like Rabbit-Trans Poland and ELITE Airport Taxi offer such services.
A ride in a standard car for 1-4 people costs around 140 PLN. If you're traveling with a larger group, you can book a minibus (6-8 passengers) for around 170 PLN for a 6-passenger van or 220 PLN for a 7-8-passenger minibus.
This is a great option because the price is fixed in advance – no surprises, even if you get stuck in traffic. What's more, if your flight is delayed, the driver will be waiting for you.
Looking for 100% certainty? If you're flying from Gdansk and can't afford to miss your flight, consider Rabbit-Trans Poland . They specialize in on-time transfers from Sopot to the airport, giving you a level of comfort that's not always available with a regular taxi or Uber.
Option #2: Airport Taxi or Ride Apps (Uber/Bolt)
This is a classic and quick way to check into Sopot within 20-30 minutes. However, keep in mind that prices may vary.
Official airport taxi: Neptun Taxi is the only authorized company. A ride to Sopot will cost you approximately 90-120 PLN .
Book in advance: Companies like Rabbit-Trans Poland and Airport Taxi Sopot offer a fixed price of 120-140 PLN if you book your ride in advance. They'll wait for you regardless of flight delays. The price also includes pickup from the arrivals hall with a welcome card.
Apps (Uber, Bolt): Typically the cheapest of the three options (starting at 75 PLN), but be warned – prices are dynamic (the app can show prices up to 150 PLN). During rush hour, they can skyrocket, significantly so. Furthermore, comfort with this carrier is practically nonexistent; it's simply a cheap form of transportation.
My advice: If you want a price guarantee, book your ride by phone, WhatsApp, or email with a company specializing in airport transfers. This way, you'll avoid nervously checking the taximeter in traffic.
Option no. 3: Train (PKM + SKM) – the best price-to-time ratio, but probably for those who really count every penny 🚆
This is my personal favorite! The train is a clever way to avoid Tricity's notorious traffic jams, and the entire journey is surprisingly easy.
From the airport you cross a covered footbridge straight to the Gdańsk Airport station .
You take the POLREGIO (PKM) train and go to Gdańsk Wrzeszcz station (about 22 minutes).
In Gdańsk Wrzeszcz, hop over to the next platform and catch the SKM train towards Gdynia/Wejherowo. You'll be in Sopot in about 12 minutes.
The entire journey will take you about 40 minutes , and its price is a real bargain – a ticket from the airport to Wrzeszcz costs around 5.50 PLN , and from Wrzeszcz to Sopot 7 PLN . Total: around 12.50 PLN! You can buy tickets from the machine on the platform or in apps (e.g. KOLEO, SkyCash).
Option 4: City bus (line 122) – an ultra-budget option but for the brave ones 🚌
If you're traveling with a backpack and every penny counts, the direct bus 122 is for you. It takes you from Gdańsk Airport right to the center of Sopot.
The upside? The price. A ticket costs just 4.80 PLN . The downside? The journey time (40-60 minutes) and frequency. The small catch? It only runs once an hour , and not always on time, so it's worth checking the timetable to avoid getting stuck at a stop.
Comparison table of transport options: Gdańsk Airport (GDN) to Sopot
SKM Tricity, the backbone of the agglomeration – journeys between Sopot, Gdańsk and Gdynia
Sopot is an ideal base for exploring neighboring cities. And the transportation backbone that connects these three gems is undoubtedly the Fast Urban Rail ( SKM) .
Trains run every few to a dozen or so minutes, and the journey from Sopot to Gdańsk Główny takes about 20 minutes, and to Gdynia Główna only 10-13 minutes.
Important information about tickets: From September 1, 2024, ticket prices have increased.
A ticket on the Sopot-Gdańsk or Sopot-Gdynia route costs PLN 7 .
A ticket for the entire Tricity (e.g. from Gdańsk to Gdynia) costs PLN 10 .
What does this mean for you? If you're traveling with 3-4 people, the cost of a round-trip SKM ride to Gdańsk (4 people x 7 PLN x 2 = 56 PLN) can be comparable to a one-way Bolt or Uber. It's worth checking out the app before buying tickets!
Planning a lot of sightseeing? Be sure to buy the Metropolitan Ticket (valid for 24 or 72 hours). It's your golden key to the Tricity area – it entitles you to unlimited travel on trains (SKM, POLREGIO) and all buses, trams, and trolleybuses throughout the metropolitan area. It's incredibly convenient and economical!
How to get from Sopot to the Hel Peninsula?
Boat or train? This is the eternal dilemma for travelers from Sopot to Hel. The choice depends on whether you prioritize romantic adventure or pragmatism.
Option 1: Water tram (catamaran) from Sopot to Hel – views you will remember 🚢
A cruise from the Sopot Pier to Hel on a sunny day is pure magic. The journey takes about an hour, and along the way you can admire the Tricity panorama.
Pro-tip for saving: There are two operators on this route. Be sure to compare offers!
Gdańsk Shipping: the cruise lasts approximately 1.5 hours, the ticket costs PLN 105 .
Tramwaj-wodny.pl : more modern catamarans, the cruise lasts about 1 hour, and the ticket costs 75 PLN . By choosing the second option, you save 30 PLN one way!
Important note: A boat ticket does not entitle you to entry to the pier. You must purchase a separate ticket to the pier (approx. 10 PLN) at the ticket office at the entrance.
Option 2: PKM train from the airport – safety and reliability 🚂
The train is the only option available year-round and a sure bet in case of inclement weather. The journey is longer (1.5 to 2.5 hours) and usually requires a transfer at Gdynia Główny Railway Station, but it's reliable and often cheaper. During the summer season, look for direct connections by checking the timetable, for example, on the KOLEO app.
In the footsteps of the Teutonic Knights - a trip from Sopot to Malbork Castle
Forget about expensive organized tours. If you want to visit Malbork Castle , the train is the absolute and undisputed winner .
Connections from Sopot are frequent and direct. The fastest Pendolino (EIP) trains will get you there in just 41 minutes! Slower IC and TLK trains take around 50 minutes. That's almost twice as fast as by car.
Organizing on your own is very simple:
You buy a train ticket online (e.g. on the PKP Intercity or KOLEO website).
You book your ticket to the castle online on the official website zamek.malbork.pl.
This way you save time and money, avoid queues at the ticket office, and explore the castle at your own pace with a fantastic audio guide, which is included in the ticket price.
For those who prefer a more convenient option, there's another option: a transfer with sightseeing organized by companies like Elite Taxi or Rabbit-Trans Poland.
The service works like this: you'll be picked up in Sopot, directly from your accommodation. It's recommended to depart around 8:00 AM.
Upon arrival at the castle, the driver will accompany you and help you purchase entrance tickets and download the audio guide in the appropriate language.
The driver will be waiting for you during your tour, usually between 2:30 and 3:30 hours.
After your tour, your driver will take you back from Malbork Castle to Sopot.
The journey time to/from the castle to Sopot is approximately 1.20 hours. The total trip takes approximately 6 hours.
This is a convenient option; you don't have to worry about transportation, either way. Unfortunately, it's also one of the more expensive options. Prices for such a tour range from 650 PLN for four people to 850-900 PLN for a group of 7-8.
Sopot on foot – how to get around the resort?
Sopot is so compact that it's best explored by matching your transportation to your destination. Here's your handy guide:
🚶♂️ For a walk around the city center (Monciak, pier, parks): ON FOOT. Soak up the city's atmosphere while strolling leisurely.
🛴 For quick hops and fun (e.g., along the beach): ELECTRIC SCOOTERS. You'll find vehicles from Bolt, Lime, Tier, and Free Now around town. Use the app, scan the code, and ride!
🚲 For recreational riding and getting to attractions: BIKE. Sopot has great bike paths.
The MEVO city bike: Perfect for shorter rides. Its biggest advantage? Electric assist! It's a game-changer in the hilly terrain of upper Sopot, making the drive up to the Forest Opera a pleasure.
Private rentals: A better option for day trips or if you need specialized equipment (e.g., a baby trailer).
🚕 For getting to remote places (Opera Leśna, hotels): TAXI "e.g. Hallo Taxi Sopot, or Monte Taxi". Indispensable at night, in the rain, or with luggage. A ride around Sopot costs around 18-35 PLN.
🚌 To connect Lower and Upper Sopot: CITY BUSES. Useful for getting to hillside settlements. Tickets cost 4.80 PLN.
Travel around Sopot like an expert!
As you can see, getting around Sopot and the surrounding area is a piece of cake once you know a few basic rules. Remember: the SKM ( Fast Urban Rail) is the king of urban transport, the train outclasses its rivals on the route to Malbork, and the water tram is the quintessence of a summer adventure on Hel.
Before you arrive, download a few key apps to your phone: KOLEO (train tickets), Jakdojade (public transport travel planner), and the MEVO app. And don't forget the Metropolitan Ticket if you're planning a longer stay – it truly is your golden key to the Tricity area.
Have a great stay in Sopot and lots of sun!
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