A few years ago I sat in the lounge area in London Heathrow Airport and waited for my return flight to Sweden. After too little sleep the previous night and a nine hour’s flight from New York I wanted to rest for a few minutes. Those minutes almost turned into an hour. I woke up 45 minutes later and realized I had missed my flight. Fortunately, a flight five or six hours later had a couple of free seats left.
That’s my closest experience to having slept in an airport. Although I’ve never spent a whole night in an airport I wouldn’t hesitate if it was convenient, safe and fairly comfortable.
If you’re ever considering sleeping in an airport to save living expenses, or for any other reason, check out The Budget Traveller’s Guide to Sleeping in Airports which lists the best and worst airports in the world.
Have you ever slept in an airport? If so, where? Would you do it again?
If you prefer staying in a hotel the night before your flight, visit Airport Hotels where you can choose from more than 250 hotels at 25 UK airports.
This post was modified from a post from 2007.
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Recently in Glasgow, as a matter of fact. A couple lounge chairs in the corner of the airport, definitely used for that purpose before… But really matters on the airport.
Been a while, but airports and train stations depending on the where. O’Hare has gotten difficult though with benches divided by armrests nowhere seems to inviting.
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Benches divided by armrests; that does seem pretty inconvenient. The floor may be a good option depending on the cleanliness.
I may be one of the few travelers who actually loves sleeping in airports. I’ve done it so many times in various cities. Generally you can find a quiet place at some point during the night (a bit tougher in Asia), get food, and have security. Staying in them is free and nobody will bother you if you doze off.
I’ve written so many things about the benefits of airport sleeping, I sound crazy I know, but I sleep deep. For those with bad backs or who sleep light it probably doesn’t work so well.
Some great sleeping airports:
-Ataturk in Istanbul
-SFO San Francisco
-Hong Kong International
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Wow… sounds like you’re somewhat of an expert on sleeping in airports! And no, you don’t sound crazy at all. I also sleep deep, so perhaps I’ll come to love it too.
Yes.
Again only if I have to, like flight arriving really late and leaving early in the morning.
That’s probably the situation for most travelers who sleep in airports.
i say its hell! would never want to do it.
Good to hear an opposing viewpoint!
I once had to sleep in the airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I was sick (sore muscles / lactic acid build-up and running a high temperature) due to our Mount Kinabalu climb. It was good and bad at the same time for me. Good that I just had somewhere to lay my tired body; bad because they’re not exactly built for sleeping
If I had to stay in an airport, I would choose Schiphol–great facilities–including a spa. I’d get a spa massage right away and get some zzzz’s there.
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Schiphol sounds like a much better choice! And if/when you fall asleep at the spa there’s no risk to miss your flight ’cause someone would always be there to wake you up.
I have spent some nights at airports, but then I can sleep anywhere. Usually I opt for night bus journeys to save costs too.
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Having the ability to sleep anywhere is surely an advantage when traveling. Whenever I’ve taken night bus journeys in the past I haven’t slept that much ’cause I just love looking out at the lights through the window…
Though I’ve tried at a few airports, I can never sleep if I am traveling alone however tired I am. I guess its something to do with missing my flight or theft of my belongings.
That’s understandable. Perhaps a good alarm clock (or two!) and asking some friend to call you at a certain time would help. And having somewhere safe to put your belongings while sleeping.
Doesn’t really sound inviting, and yes, you run the risk of missing your flight but if you’re tired then you’re tired. Ah the pitfalls of being a global individual… just don’t let them catch you snoring loudly or with your mouth gaping wide open!
Ha! Good point
I’m lucky as I’ve never snored in my whole life, although some people have said they’ve heard me talk and sing in my sleep.
I hope I’ll never have to, but I have sen that guide before! I do think that I’ll be able to sleep anywhere if I’m tired enough…. and defintely snore too! *giggles*
Then I hope you don’t have to either. Clearly, sleeping in airports is not for everyone! But, like I said to Priyank before, being able to sleep anywhere is a great ‘skill’ to have on the road
Sleeping in Airports is usually hell but, I have to tell you, the Singapore airport is more comfortable than some hotels I’ve been in. They have these great reclining lounge chairs with pillows.
Thanks for the nice post.
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Cool… I had no idea about that. Now I’m actually looking forward to sleeping there
As you may gather from my website, I’m very partial to airport hotels (as opposed to the airport) itself for spending the night. But I love airports that have a hotel attached to the airport — especially when that hotel is inexpensive. Singapore, Heathrow, San Juan and (soon) San Francisco are all great examples.
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I do love those airports too. Very convenient. I’ll be checking out your site for reviews!
The new trend of airport “pod hotels” are designed to solve this very problem!!
They are springing up all over Europe and the rest of the world.
More info here:
http://www.tripbase.com/blog/hotels-specializing-in-nap-time/
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Thanks for the link Katie!
OR Tambo airport, Johanessburg, South Africa
I went to Checkin 10 minutes after they had closed, so i had to move my ticket to the following day(Costing me ZAR2760.00 instead of ZAR6700.00 for switching airlines….money i didn’t have) .
Since i didn’t even have money for the cab, just decided to work on what i had to do for my job, and sleep over at the airport (hadn’t slept well the previous night).
found some sort of single bed couches at restuarant called Cappello, and the airport became dead still at aboutn 02:00Am, best sleep eva in a public place.
Got up in the mornin, went to the bathroom to refresh myself, went back to the restaurant, had great breakfast, redbull and wrote this comment
Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. Sleeping in an airport doesn’t sound that bad after all.
Thanks for commenting and hope you had a good trip despite missing your flight!
A checklist of must-haves for me to sleep in airports in case of delay or cancellations:
1. Eye shades and ear plugs
2. Bottled water and snacks
3. Books/magazines/diary
4. MP3 player & headphones with noise canceling
5. Diary & pen
6. Blanket or sleeping bag
7. Disinfectant wipes
8. Camera & laptop
Note that some airports don’t allow travelers to sleep on the floor. In this case, we’ll need to find a row of chairs to put your sleeping bag on and Zzzz. =)
Terrific checklist! Especially bottled water, snacks, books/magazines, MP3 player, diary, and camera. I’ve never arrived in an airport without any of those items.
Wasn’t aware of that you can’t sleep on the floor in some airports. Thanks for pointing that out.
I really hope that I do not have to sleep at the airport. It would be hell for me because I smoke and I would have to walk to the smoking section and man, have you seen how far it is always away from everything?
Hahaha…
Michael, I have a solution for you; quit smoking and you wouldn’t need to walk to that section at all!
re: Schiphol: i was stuck there for a week during xmas/new year season 2008/9 and the security generally wouldn’t let anyone sleep in there without a next-day ticket, viz. the building closes 12-4AM. (may have been the rule just during that season?)