Poznań to Philadelphia (POZ–PHL) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

Poland is part of the US Visa Waiver Program, so Polish passport holders with a biometric passport can enter the United States for up to 90 days using ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). ESTA costs $21 and is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires. Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov at least 72 hours before departure. Approval is usually instant but can take up to 72 hours. ESTA covers tourism and business visits but not employment or study.

At the US port of entry (typically the first US airport you land at), a CBP officer reviews your passport, takes fingerprints and a photo, and asks about the purpose and duration of your visit. Have your return ticket, hotel address, and a general itinerary ready. The 90-day ESTA stay cannot be extended, and there is no grace period. If you overstay, future ESTA applications will be denied, and you will need a B1/B2 visa ($185) with a consular interview for all subsequent trips.

Direct flights from Warsaw to New York JFK and Newark run about 9 hours 30 minutes on LOT Polish Airlines. LOT also flies direct to Chicago O'Hare (about 10 hours), Miami, Los Angeles, and San Francisco seasonally. United operates Newark to Warsaw. The US uses the US dollar. At current rates, $1 equals roughly PLN 4.05. No mandatory vaccinations. Global Entry ($100 for 5 years) includes ESTA and provides expedited CBP processing at US airports using kiosks instead of officer queues.

SEPTA Airport Line from the terminal to Center City takes 25–30 minutes ($8). Trains run every 30 minutes (5am to midnight) to 30th Street, Suburban, and Jefferson stations; all with connections to the subway and regional rail network. Buy tickets at platform machines.Taxis to Center City cost $28–35 (flat rate). Ride-shares to Center City run $22–35. For New York City, the Bolt Bus and Greyhound stop near 30th Street Station, or take NJ Transit to New York Penn Station (connecting from 30th Street). Amtrak also departs 30th Street Station for New York in 65 minutes.

Humid continental climate on the Delaware River. Winters (December–March) are cold (−2 to 5°C) with snow and ice. Philadelphia sits in the I-95 "snow corridor" and receives significant nor'easter snowfall several times per winter. PHL has solid de-icing capacity, but major storms cause multi-hour and multi-day disruptions.

Summers are hot and humid (28–34°C) with afternoon thunderstorms that cause frequent delays June through August. Spring and fall are transitional with variable conditions. Fog along the Delaware is occasional in fall and early winter mornings.