Sleeping in the Airport: Your 2025 Survival Guide

Written By Joanna Teljeur

9 minutes read
Last Updated: April 29, 2025

You probably weren’t expecting to spend the night in the airport. So, you either have a really early flight, or you’re stranded because of a long delay or sudden cancellation. Either way, you have no choice but to settle in and try to make the most of it. To help you do that, we’re going to give you some ideas about where to sleep, how to stay safe, what to pack, and how to make the most of your night in transit.

You’re Stranded - Now What?

Before we go any further, it’s important to understand that each airport has their own policies for overnight passengers, and certain countries are more lenient about this than others. Generally speaking, most airports will let you sleep in public areas, but ultimately, it depends on where you’re flying and how you behave. 

So, if you have a flight disruption that forces you to stay all night in the airport, here’s what you should do:

1. Always ask the airline to help you if you’re stuck because of a flight delay or cancellation! This is especially important if you're  travelling in Europe, the UK, or Canada, because in these areas, you’re entitled to care and assistance at the airport. This means that airlines should give you vouchers for snacks, free wi-fi, and even hotel accommodation. But they might not give them to you unless you ask, so remember to speak up!
   
   If you’re travelling in the US or other areas that don’t have strong passenger protections, you should still ask the airline to help you. If you’re kind, you might get some assistance for free. 
2. Ask airport staff for a sleep kit. Not all airports have these, but the bigger ones like Paris CDG and Changi in Singapore have free kits that include things like blankets, pillows, and a few toiletries.
3. Check for free lounge access. Even if you’re flying economy class, you might still be granted free airport lounge access if you’re stuck overnight because of an airline-related issue. Also, check your credit card and travel insurance to see if lounge access is included. If you can get in, you can eat, sleep more comfortably, and even shower!

Reddit user Pomsky_Party wrote this about his overnight lounge experience in Turkey.

I paid $40 for a lounge that came with WiFi, food, alcohol, showers, and lockers and slept on the couch from 11pm-4am. They even had a kid play area separate from the rest. It felt safe and honestly a steal for the price.

How to Sleep Safely

Most major airports are under 24/7 video surveillance, and as of this writing, there have been no reports about passengers being attacked as they sleep. Still, there’s always a chance that you could have your belonging stolen, so here are a few things to do to stay safe:

• Make sure your bags and personal items are secure. 
• Choose to sleep in an area that’s near a security camera or other passengers or staff.
• Protect your carry-on bag by using it as a pillow. 
• Hardshell cabin bag? Make sure it’s locked, and attach it to your wrist or leg using a short dog leash. It might look odd, but no one will walk away with it. 
• Check to see if your airport has travel lockers where you can store your luggage securely.

Flight delayed over 3 hours or canceled? See if AirAdvisor can get you compensation.Check Your Flight

Where Airports Let You Sleep Overnight 

North America: You can usually get away with sleeping in US and Canadian airports, but you should have all your travel information ready. If a security guard wakes you, they’ll probably ask to see your ticket and ID.

Europe: Airport policies can vary widely based on the country, but you can usually find designated rest areas and sleep pods, so you wont have to sleep on the floor or in public areas anyway. Also, some airports might close or restrict access to some areas during overnight hours.

Asia: Again, policies differ from country to country, but airports in Asia are well known for their accommodating amenities, especially Tokyo Haneda and Singapore Changi. 

Avoid These Airports

It doesn’t matter if your flight has been cancelled at the last minute, or if you’re dealing with extensive delays, some airports will not allow you to sleep or even stay inside during overnight hours. Others are closed and locked, and airport staff will ask you to leave the premises between certain times. 

I have never heard of someone getting a ticket or taken to jail for sleeping overnight in an airport. Some airports close for the night, and people will be asked to leave the building.” - Donna McSherry of Sleepinginairports.com from an interview originally published on Matador Network.

10 Airports that Close at Night

1. Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD), Sydney Australia
2. Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) Narita, Japan
3. London City Airport (LCY) London, UK
4. Geneva Airport (GVA) Geneva, Switzerland
5. Hobart Airport (HBA) Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
6. Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) Kathmandu, Nepal
7. Ponta Delgada João Paulo II Airport (PDL) São Miguel, Azores, Portugal
8. Victoria International Airport (YYJ) Victoria, BC, Canada
9. Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO) Nyköping, Sweden
10. Queenstown Airport (ZQN) Queenstown, New Zealand

How to Find a Sleeping Spot

If you can’t get lounge access or a hotel room, you can try looking for designated quiet areas or rest zones. They usually have reclining chairs and more comfortable seats. Another option is a sleep pod, but these are only available in certain airports (more on this later).

Sleeping in Airports recommends scoping out other terminals, especially international ones as domestic terminals tend to close for the night. They also suggest asking airport security or staff about quiet places to rest. If you’re nice, they’ll probably give you some good tips, but try to look for carpeted areas away from main halls and foot traffic. Also, try to stay in the vicinity of other passengers to be on the safe side. 

You can also consider sleeping:

• Under seats
• Behind ticket counters
• On luggage conveyor belts
• In airport wheelchairs
• In chapels, art galleries, and meditation rooms - but please be respectful.

Sleep Pods and Quiet Rooms

More and more airports around the world are offering sleeping pods and rooms to accommodate you if you’re stuck overnight. These come in different brands and sizes.

YOTELAIR, for example, provides tiny cabins that you can stay in for a few hours or overnight. The pricier option gives you a bed that folds into a sofa, a tiny desk, smart TV, and free wi-fi. If you’re flying solo and just need something basic, you can try a solo cabin that comes with just a bed and washroom access. 

GoSleep Pods, on the other hand, are just reclining chair-style pods that allow you to lie flat. They’re not as roomy as YOTELAIR, and have been described as a posh lounge chair in a capsule.

There are many sleep pod styles out there, like Napcabs and ZZZleepandGo with some airports preferring one brand over another. Also, you can usually book one on the dedicated airport app or kiosk, but you might find that others only operate on a first-come, first-served basis. 

MissMLT wrote about her sleep pod experience on Reddit:

I tried sleeping at the airport in Hong Kong, but I was going CRAZY!! made it into the wee hours of the morning before caving and paying for a few hours in their sleep pod/rooms. Worth every penny!!!!

Where to Find Sleep Pods 

Here’s a table that shows you which European airports provide sleep pods and other facilities. We’ve included approximate pricing, but always double check by looking at your airport’s website for more up-to-date information about fees.

How to Kill Time if You Can’t Sleep

If you can’t settle down and sleep, then you can always make the time pass more quickly by doing other things.

1. Take advantage of the quiet time to relax by doing some yoga or stretching.
2. Take care of little tasks like cleaning up your emails, lists, and photos on your phone.
3. Use the time to catch up on reading or listening to audiobooks or podcasts.
4. Write in your journal.
5. Explore the airport. Think of it as a quiet walking meditation.

Where to Freshen Up before Your Flight

When morning rolls around, where and how can you prepare yourself for your flight? 

• Look for public shower facilities. Quite a few international airports have these that you can use for free or for a small fee. You can also try looking for shower access in airport gyms and spa areas.
• Try using family restrooms. These are much more private than regular washrooms and they tend to be underutilised in the very early morning.
• Find a baby changing room. These are also very clean and private. Also, you can usually find wipes and a private sink where you can wash your face and brush your teeth.

Find out if you are owed compensation for a disrupted flightCheck Your Flight

What to Pack on Future Trips to Stay More Comfortable

Hopefully, you have all the essentials for riding out the night comfortably. But next time you fly, remember to pack:

• A neck pillow
• Earplugs
• A charger
• An eye mask
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Hand sanitizer and moisturizer
• A pouch for travel documents
• Snacks
• Collapsible water bottle
• A hand towel for freshening up in the morning
• And a travel blanket or wrap 

Make the Most of It

You might not have planned to camp out in the airport, but even tough situations can, at very least, be interesting. If you read up on your passenger rights, pack the right gear, and stay open-minded, you might have a more pleasant experience than you ever imagined. Whatever you do, stay safe, keep your belongings secure, and try to make the most of the situation. Before you know it, you’ll be boarding. 

Have you ever had to spend the night at the airport? What was it like? Share your comments below.

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