And the Worst!!!
The last flight has left and you are standing at the gate, watching the plane pull away. The next flight out is in the morning, just 5 hours away. Get a hotel room or find a place to curl up and grab a few zzzzz’s?
Weather has moved in and all fights are cancelled and you are not getting out on a standby flight for a day or more. Hotels are full and money is running short. Now what?
For starters here are some basic tips for finding a place to sleep at the airport:
1.Find a place that is out of the way and close to a wall.
2.Find a place near a power outlet. Then use can use and charge your laptop and cell phone while waiting for your flight.
3.Talk a walk. Light exercise will help you relax and sleep easier.
What not to do?
Set up camp in front of the door of a closed store. They probably will open early in the morning and there goes your sleeping place.
Drink sodas. The high sugar content will not help you sleep.
Drink coffee or tea. The caffeine will keep you awake.
Change into your PJ’s. If you oversleep you might not have time to change on your way to your gate.
Here are some tips on staying safe when sleeping at the airport
Make sure you know where airport security is located.
Place locks on your baggage which provides for added security.
Tie a piece of string from your suit case to your wrist.
See if you can leave your luggage in a locker or overnight luggage storage area.
Keep valuable items on your person inside your pockets.
Form a sleeping formation with the people you are traveling with. Maybe rotate with one person staying awake while others sleep and rotate every couple of hours.
Items you should pack to make sleeping at the airport more comfortable:
For Comfort
Compact travel mattress
Towel to sleep on or for cover
Travel pillow
Blanket and eye mask
For Entertainment
Laptop & Smartphone
Headphones/Ear Plugs
Books and Magazines
Camera
For Nourishment
Bottled Water with filter
Snacks
For Hygiene
Wet Wipes
Toilet Paper
Chewable Toothbrush
Alcohol Gel
Even if you are not planning on sleeping over at the airport, there are certain things you will want to pack to make yourself comfortable when you have hours to spend until the next available nonrev flight departs.
Use clothes as pillows
Use your backpack as a pillow
Lay down a towel to sleep or nap on
Wrap in layers as an airport can get hot or cold depending on the destination and time of year.
Towels can also make great blankets
Sleep phones – think of them as pajamas for your head
Badger Herbal Sleep Balm – a calming sleep enhancer that comes in a small round tin like Vaseline.
Dreammate Sleep Inducer – an acupressure gadget to relax muscles.
Here are some tips on staying safe when sleeping at the airport
Make sure you know where airport security is located.
Place locks on your baggage which provides for added security.
Tie a piece of string from your suit case to your wrist.
See if you can leave your luggage in a locker or overnight luggage storage area.
Keep valuable items on your person inside your pockets.
Form a sleeping formation with the people you are traveling with. Maybe rotate with one person staying awake while others sleep and rotate every couple of hours.
Items you should pack to make sleeping at the airport more comfortable:
For Comfort
Compact travel mattress
Towel to sleep on or for cover
Travel pillow
Blanket and eye mask
For Entertainment
Laptop & Smartphone
Headphones/Ear Plugs
Books and Magazines
Camera
For Nourishment
Bottled Water with filter
Snacks
So if you have a choice which airport is best for a sleepover in the USA? Here are the 10 best we found and in no particular order….
Denver (DEN) – Best place to catch some rest is the top level of the A terminal near the end of the corridor. The seats at Denver has armrests so sleeping on the floor is your only option if you want to stretch out. Food is available 24/7. Airline lounges (2 for United, 1 for American) offer day passes .There is also free WiFi.
San Francisco (SFO) – Look for round soft circle shaped benches across from the Virgin Airlines check in. There are other “oddly shaped” couches and quiet spots in the airport. Bring warm clothes! There is a shower before you go through security available for a fee. You will also find airport lounges, spa and luggage storage available for a fee. Another place to grab a nap is the reading room or reflection room. Free WiFi.
Dallas/Ft Worth (DFW) – If the weather is bad with a lot of delays in the evening and at night, they roll out cots for all. Otherwise look around for rocking chairs and lounge chairs. Terminal D by Gate 20 has several and down by C2 in Terminal C you will find a number of rocking chairs and lounge chairs, perfect for catching a nap or sleeping. You will also find big couch near gate E31 in Terminal E. Restaurants usually close around 10pm but on bad weather days you may find many have extended hours. Showers are available in the pay-in lounge. Airport also offers free WiFi.
Atlanta (ATL) – Terminal F has couches, benches, ledges, etc that you can lie flat out on. There are areas that offer armrest-free padded seating. The gate area is open 24 hours, so sleepers won’t get kicked out to the public area of the terminal. The cleaning crew can get loud, so earplugs help. Food is also available 24 hours a day. Delta has 9 Sky Club lounges here that you can buy a day pass to enter. There is a hotel connected to the airport and you have free WiFi.
Vancouver (YVR) – The airport offers plenty of armrest-free seating before and after security. You can pay to use the showers at the Fairmont Hotel connected to the terminal. Food is available 24-hours. Showers are available in the airline lounges. Free WiFi and luggage storage available for a cost.
Top 10 USA Airports to sleep in continued in no particular order.
Seattle (SEA) – Seats around the C Gates have cushioned armrest-less seats. Travellers can relax in the designated Quiet Zone. You will also find a Meditation Room. Free WiFi and for a fee there is luggage storage. The airport has some food options 24 hours a day.
Portland (PDX) – Airport offers padded benches without armrests and a 24 hour snack shop. The vacuum passing late at night might wake you. Airport lounges are also available for a free and you have free WiFi.
Minneapolis (MSP) – Look at nearby balconies in the terminal area, many contain foam mats, blankets, and pillows! This airport offers a comfortable temperature and some bench seating. There are Airline lounges with day passes, Free WiFi, 24-hour Food, Luggage Storage, a Quiet Zone and Charging Stations.
Detroit (DTW) – Check out some diner-style restaurants some of which have padded seating when you can grab some sleep after they close. The new terminal is more spacious and you can find a quiet gate during the day. Delta has two airport lounges here where you can get a day pass. There is also free WiFi.
Toronto (YYZ) – Check out the armrest-free seating at Lounge Q, which is located before security in Terminal 1. Sleeping at the gates can be a challenge thanks to armrests, but there are usually empty gates nearby. Food is available 24-hours. 5 pay-in lounges where you can grab a shower. Free WiFi and luggage storage available at an extra cost.
So what are the best airports outside of North America for sleeping? Well let’s start by saying in most polls taken on this subject the top North American airports only Vancouver and Toronto show up. Some of these airports make anything found in the USA look downright depressing. So here are the top 8 and why they are the top 8! (remember Vancouver &Toronto round out the top 10 list).
Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) – So nice some airport sleepers refer to this airport as Club Changi. This airport offers free WiFi, internet cafes, prayer rooms, and good food. In addition you are going to find snooze chairs and napping areas in transit, city tours, a swimming pool and Jacuzzi, 24 hour massage and spa facilities, video games, music lounges, live bands, gardens, pay-in airport lounges and free movies….. all at this airport. Check out the Entertainment Deck with the Movie Theatre and XBox/Playstation consoles to the new 4-storey slide at terminal 3. Some report that the terminal is too cold and complain of construction noise at night. The Budget Terminal also continues to be a black mark on this shining star. Pack a sweater and ear plugs just in case.
Hong Kong (HKG) – This airport offers four 24 hour pay-in lounges both before and after security, 24-hour food and drink again before and after security, a nearby 9 hole golf course, an interactive movie studio and the largest 4D Movie Theatre in Asia. If you are in transit and really need to rest, look for the lounge chairs hidden behind shrubbery. There is free WiFi, the security guards don’t bother you, it’s not cold, you can sleep comfortably in the double chairs in a row, or in one and tossing your legs on the trolley.
Seoul Incheon (ICN) – Airy, comfortable, super squeaky clean, quiet, and efficient Incheon is ideal for airport sleeping. Incheon offers Free WiFi, 24-hour Food and Drink both before and after security and comfy seats airside for the transit passengers. There’s Free WiFi, and an area where you can use the internet for free on provided laptops. For a fee you can also access sauna and spa – 24 hours, Shower, Massage, Baby Care Lounges, Children’s Play Areas and even a Driving Range!
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – There are two terminals, LCCT and KLIA. The KLIA terminal is nicer and much more comfortable. Both terminals have 24-hour airline lounges you can access for a fee. The LCCT terminal has one located before security. Neither terminal has access to 24 hour food. The terminals get quiet after about 11pm and then busy again around 5am. Free WiFi and Free Internet Kiosks. You also have access to showers, Baggage Storage and Massages for a fee. There is also a prayer and silent rooms where you can grab a nap. The airport also has a children’s play area and a Transit Hotel.
The are the top 8 International Airports for sleeping….(remember Vancouver and Toronto round out the top 10 list).
Amsterdam (AMS) – After security you will find you’ll find recliners and rest zones. Before security, there’s not much in the way of comfortable sleep areas. Free WiFi and 24 hour food available. Airport lounges you can access for a fee, baggage storage, internet stations, showers, spa, sauna and gym also available for a fee. A casino can also be found here.
Munich (MUC) – Has two terminals are connected by a very large courtyard. Terminal 2 has cots and offers better sleeping options than Terminal 1. This airport offers unique entertainment in the form of beach volleyball tournaments, mini golf and Customs Office tours where you can actually view items seized at customs. Food is available 24 hours. WiFi is available for a fee. For a fee you can also access baggage storage, showers, mini golf, casino/gaming arcade, massage and laundry service.
Zurich (ZRH) – This airport is quiet at night. Head for the Starbucks wher you will find plenty of couches left out and there are a few power outlets for laptops and cell phones. Staff and security are helpful for finding slepping spots. There are special rest areas with comfortable chairs and look under coat hangers for sleeping spots. WiFi and internet kiosks are available for a fee. Also for a fee there is baggage storage, showers and airport loungers you can access. You will also find a Chapel and Prayer room.
Frankfurt (FRA) – Look around and some of the gate areas will have lovely lounge-chair-esque seats waiting for you to sleep on. The airport is busy so finding a quiet place can be a challenge. 24 food available along with a casino. For a fee there is also baggage storage, spa, massage, showers and even a supermarket.