HOW TO SLEEP IN AIRPORTS11 min read

HOW TO SLEEP IN AIRPORTS

NEEDS MUST WHEN YOU FLY SO OFTEN

Sleeping in airports has become a part of traveling for me, and if I am honest, there are times I’ve had some incredible nights’ sleep.

I WOULDN’T BE WHERE I AM IF I WASN’T ABLE TO SLEEP IN ALL THOSE AIRPORTS

Although it’s always better to stay in an actual accommodation, whether it be a hostel or a hotel, sometimes it just isn’t feasible and can be an unnecessary cost. This can be due to a number of reasons; you could be having a layover and aren’t able to leave the airport, or your flight could be early the next morning, which can make transport to the airport a struggle or a extra night in a hotel rather pointless.

It’s great!!

Whatever the reason, it’s great to be prepared. Generally speaking, airports are safe, and airside (beyond passport control) is safer again. With the amount of security and CCTV, there is little risk while you get some shut-eye.

I always prefer sleeping airside, as everything is done (check-in, security, and passport control), and all that is left is arriving at the gate on time. Although sometimes it’s not always possible, as not all airports are open 24 hours. Just be sure to check in online, as you might have to wait around for it to open. This happened to me in Doha!

If sleeping in airports is a thing that scares you, then I wouldn’t worry as long as you follow these simple steps

VEGAS

A recent example of sleeping at the airport was when I was in Vegas. I was staying in the MGM, nothing special, and decided to stay an extra night. There was a country and music festival on that weekend, and from one night to the next, the price of a room more than doubled! So instead, I thought better of it and decided to check out, spend the day doing what I needed to do, and head to the airport as soon as I was done.

My flight was at 6 am, and I arrived at 10 pm, just long enough for a good night’s sleep. So I ventured around and found what was probably the quietest place in all of Vegas. It led to a dead end, so there was never anyone walking past; that was for sure the best night’s sleep I’ve had in an airport. Which surprised me as they play music there 24/7. Unfortunately, it would prove to be the last time I would see my backpack!

Cramped, not ideal! How to sleep in airports

BE PREPARED..

During some layovers, it will be out of your hands whether you can leave the airport. With the likes of my layover in Ganghouz, which was the coldest 7 hours I have experienced in an airport, I had all the tools I needed, apart from an actual bed.

Of course, you can’t carry around a pillow, sleeping bag, and mattress on your back, but it’s good to be prepared as much as you can. When traveling long- or short-term, I always have the following.

SLEEPING BAG LINER

I bought a sleeping bag liner before I left for the very reason of layovers, and I am super glad I did. I would recommend a silk one, as it’s breathable and folds up to the size of a pair of socks. It manages to keep you warm when it’s cold and keeps you cool when it’s warm; don’t ask me how! The silk liners are a little more expensive than the others, but they offer so many additional benefits: they are smaller, more breathable, and suitable for all conditions.

INFLATABLE PILLOW

Not completely necessary if you have a jumper, but I usually wear it. Sometimes I flatten an area of my bag instead, and this also keeps it safe. Just be sure that every pocket is padlocked. You can get a normal inflatable pillow. But the neck pillows are much better, as you can use them for those long bus trips and flights.

EARPLUGS

Other than keeping warm, earplugs are an absolute must whether you plan to sleep in an airport, a hostel, or a plane. I use any opportunity going to catch up on some sleep, and with these earplugs, it just wouldn’t be possible. Be sure to get the PVC ones, not the foam ones.

I also use Shure earphones, which do almost as good a job as the earplugs, with the added benefit of drowning out any unwanted noise while listening to a podcast or music or helping you wake up to an alarm.

How to sleep in airports

RESEARCH THE AIRPORT..

Firstly, have a look online for information on sleeping in airports. This website will show whether sleeping is actually allowed in the airport, where the best and worst areas are, and whether there are any other facilities of interest, such as showers, wifi, etc.

CHOOSE A SPOT

After this, have a walk around and see where you like the look of. I always make sure it is the darkest, quietest corner of the airport. Don’t be shy about walking somewhere by yourself; those areas are usually the best. Gates can sometimes be good, but there is always a chance of them opening. Also, have you ever wondered why there are armrests on almost every seat in the airport? Well, those are just for your arms; they are to stop people from lying on them and taking up more room. They are the bane of my life, but fortunately, not every airport has them. 🙌🏻

If an airport has a quiet/rest area, then you are onto a winner. Some will also have reclining seats, but personally, I prefer something flat (even the floor) so I can move about.

It appears this fella actually brought his own pregnancy pillow! How to sleep in airports

All this is important when looking for a place to lay your head. You don’t want to be surrounded by other travelers at a busy gate without a toilet in sight. At least if you are resting near a bathroom, you’ll not need to worry about finding somewhere before your flight. And you’ll be able to wake up to a fully charged phone with live flight information right above your head.

Don’t get me wrong; there are many places I have been and could barely find a free seat, let alone a place to lay my head (Sharjah!!). But really, take your time and don’t be embarrassed about setting up shop in front of a few folk.

SECURITY

You shouldn’t really have any problems airside, but that’s not to say leave your bags and go wandering. I would make sure your bags are tight against you. I use a cable padlock to keep them together and make sure each pocket is locked. Also, I put all my valuables in my small backpack and gave it the small-spoon treatment to be sure. Landside, however, might carry a little more risk, but generally, airports are safe places.

With the right gear, I could sleep anywhere

INSIDER TIPS

• Carry a lightweight sleeping bag for airport use—it’s more hygienic and keeps you warm.
• Check if you can sleep at the airport beforehand—rules vary by location.
• Look for quieter zones instead of crowded terminals where people sleeping in airport areas gather.
• If available, consider nearby stays like a motel near Melbourne airport for better rest.
• For long layovers, booking an Istanbul airport hotel can be worth the comfort.
• Always keep your valuables secured and close to you while sleeping in airports.

FINAL THOUGHTS

So if you find yourself with an overnight layover, then find a good spot and set up camp for the night. If you can relax, you’d be surprised at the sleep you could gain and the money you could save.

SAFE TRAVELS, DS x

This post is part of my Travel Tips Series, for more tips click here.