18 Tips for Comfortable Sleeping at the Airport for Smooth, Stress-Free Travel

everinsta.com – Sleeping at the airport can be an interesting adventure, but with proper preparation, it can be managed well.

Here are some tips to help you get through the experience:

1. Research about the Airport: Before your trip, check the airport’s website or contact their customer service to find out if there are designated sleeping areas or any restrictions for overnight stays.
2. Bring Essential Gear: Bring essential gear such as a travel pillow, blanket, earplugs or noise-canceling headphones, and an eye mask to help you sleep better despite noise and light at the airport.
3. Find a Comfortable Spot: Look for a quiet and safe place to rest. Some airports have designated rest zones or quiet corners where you can stretch out and rest without disturbance. Avoid areas with heavy foot traffic or bright lights.
4. Stay Safe: Keep your belongings close to you and make sure to secure them properly. Use a suitcase lock or keep valuables in a small bag that you can sleep on or wear.
5. Bring a Blanket and Layered Clothing: Airports can feel cold at night due to the cold air from the AC, so dress in layers to stay warm. Comfortable clothing like sweatpants and a hoodie jacket can help you relax and sleep better.
6. Stay Hydrated and Eat Wisely: Bring a reusable water bottle with you to stay hydrated, and pack some light snacks like granola bars or nuts to curb hunger during the night.
7. Set Alarms: If you’re worried about oversleeping and missing your flight, set multiple alarms on your phone or watch to wake you up on time. You can also ask airport staff to wake you up if needed.
8. Pay Attention to Security: Although it’s okay to sleep at the airport, pay attention to security procedures and follow instructions from airport staff. Avoid blocking pathways or sleeping in restricted areas.
9. Entertainment: Bring books, tablets, or download some movies or podcasts to entertain yourself if you’re having trouble sleeping. This can also help pass the time during long layovers.
10. Consider Alternatives: If sleeping at the airport is uncomfortable or unsafe for you, look for nearby hotels or lounges where you can rest more comfortably, even if it’s just for a few hours.

Remember, although sleeping at the airport may not be a glamorous experience, it’s often a practical solution during long waits or unexpected delays. With some preparation and the right mindset, you can make the best of the situation and arrive at your destination feeling refreshed.

Other airport sleeping tips include:

Always have a backup plan. This is the most important tip for anyone willingly sleeping at the airport. Some airport staff may not fully support the idea of sleeping at the airport.

While you won’t be evicted from most airports listed on this site, you may be asked why you are there, why you’re not staying at a hotel like a normal person, and they will ask for proof that you will be flying the next day.

So, PREPARE yourself to answer these questions and show your return flight ticket! They don’t seem to appreciate us using the airport as our personal hotel—strange, isn’t it?!?!

Our airport guides provide information such as airport lounge availability, WiFi, transit hotels, 24-hour dining options, bathrooms, and much more at over 800 airports worldwide. And you can also read airport reviews from travelers like you.

Be Prepared When reports of snowstorms, hurricanes, or erupting volcanoes appear in the news a few days before your trip, you have no excuse not to go to the airport prepared to stay longer than expected.

Here are some recommended items for your airport survival kit: Cheap inflatable mattress • eye mask (or sunglasses) • ear plugs • refillable water bottle and snacks • Entertainment: personal music device, laptop, books, magazines, travel journal • headphones • alarm clock • tissues/toilet paper • cloth/towel/hand sanitizer or hand sanitizer • Blanket and/or airplane pillow (borrowed—NOT STOLEN!!!) or sleeping bag.

Stay Safe Whether you’re sleeping at the airport alone or with friends, it’s important to know where security is located. Know where their office is located and look for video cameras where you decide to stay overnight. They may have seen many people sleeping at the airport before you, and they will direct you to a safe place.

If you’re traveling alone, we suggest you sleep near other travelers. Make sure they are indeed travelers and not homeless people—it’s sometimes hard to distinguish at some airports. While there have never been reports of attacks on people sleeping at the airport, some people have felt disgusted. Some iPods and laptops have also gone missing! Be smart and safe!

Come Early If you’re staying at a busy airport overnight, you’ll need to come early if you want to get a good spot, especially during the summer (peak airport sleeping season). Airports like Stansted in London are so popular that they can look like refugee camps on an ordinary night. Many people complain about limited seating when they arrive at 10 pm.

Explore Finding a good spot may be your biggest challenge. If the situation looks bleak, explore the airport and its various terminals. Take terminal shuttles and explore terminals. Even if you’re flying from terminal A, you may find that terminal C has better accommodations.

At airports where there are international and domestic terminals, you may find that domestic terminals close at night. Don’t panic, head to the international terminal as it may remain open. Consider seating, temperature, announcements, and foot traffic when looking for the best place to spend the night.

You may need to be creative like sleeping behind ticket counters, under and behind seats, on wheelchairs, and on baggage conveyor belts. Your best sources of information will be security, airport staff, and airlines. If you’re friendly, these people are likely to direct you to a good spot!

Sleeping in a Car Whether you’re stuck at the airport overnight or choose to be there voluntarily, there may be opportunities for you to feel uncomfortable and unhappy with your environment in the terminal.

If you’re traveling on a budget and don’t want to pay for a room at one of the airport hotels, head to the car rental area to find out the cost of renting a car and (assuming you can park the car there for free) sleeping in the car.

The great thing about this is you can recline in padded seats and there will be no disruptive security announcements or baggage carts rattling past your head all night. On the downside, car horns and roaring tires might wake you from your sleep.

Of course, rental car staff can see inside your car thinking you’ve had a stroke and bathroom access might be an issue depending on the nearest toilet location, but hey, you’re saving money here! Very important—remember to check the drop-off time to ensure staff members will be there when you “return” the car before your flight the next morning! This is easier at larger airports.

Protect Your Bag Worries about being robbed while sleeping at the airport are clear! If you can’t store your bag in the left luggage office overnight (check our airport guides to see if your airport has one), you need to find a way to ensure someone can’t access your bag.

How you do this really depends on where and how you sleep, so there’s no right answer. In my experience, I always sleep with the zipper facing myself, the ground, or the wall.

This makes access more difficult and potentially noisy.

There have been times when I’ve slept with my arms or legs over or on top of a big bag, so if it moves, I’ll wake up. Some people have locked their bags to their legs. I’ve never had to go that far, just because I usually wake up quickly if I feel someone near me.

Last Tip: If you’re traveling alone, bring a pen and some sticky notes. Write notes like “Wake me up at 5:00 am” and stick them on your body and chairs around you—this tip definitely works. People will wake you up.