What does “przesiadka” mean when traveling in Poland?

The traveler explains it himself before you can ask: “Mam tutaj przesiadkę. To znaczy, że przesiadam się na inny samolot” — “I have a przesiadka here, meaning I’m transferring to another plane.” Built from “siadać” (to sit), “przesiadka” pictures a layover as literally re-sitting yourself into a new seat — a concrete way to name something so abstract in English.

The verb “przesiadać się” also covers switching trains, buses, or trams mid-journey — any time you get up from one seat and into another to continue your trip. Ask “Czy będę miał przesiadkę?” (will I have a layover/transfer?) and you’ll be understood everywhere from airports to bus stations.