We often receive mail from readers who have similar questions, so we have put together these FAQs to help you find the answers you are looking for:
Can I sleep in the airport overnight? Am I allowed to stay overnight at the airport?
These are the most popular questions we receive, especially from nervous first-time airport sleepers. In many airports, the answer is yes. However, some airports close at night and other airports simply do not permit/like airport sleepers and are openly hostile. We suggest you visit the airport guide for the airport you are inquiring about. In each airport guide, we list the airport hours and link to airport reviews submitted by travellers in our community who have either experienced a long layover or spent the night in the airport. If there are no traveller reviews or hours, we do not have the answer. Consider writing a review to help others in the future.
In terms of whether you are “allowed” to sleep or stay in the airport overnight, we do not answer this question, simply because we are not representatives of the airport. Additionally, security or airport officials may change their rules or ask you to leave at any time without notice. If having permission to stay in the airport would make you more comfortable, you should contact the airport directly, but chances are they will most likely direct you to book a hotel instead.
Where do you suggest I sleep at XXX airport?
We have over 1200 airports listed on the site and we have only slept overnight in a few of them personally. Please explore our airport guides or read the traveller reviews in our database for tips and suggestions. If no reviews exist, unfortunately, we do not know the answer until a member of the community contributes a review.
I have a 17-hour transit at XXX airport. Do I need to have an entry visa if I need to leave the airport?
Entry requirements are constantly changing and that is not something we have time to keep track of. We suggest you check the entry requirements with the embassy or consulate of the country you are planning to visit or contact your travel agent.
Please explain Airside vs Landside
In our airport guides, we list locations as being either Airside or Landside.
Landside refers to the area of the airport that is BEFORE you go through security ie. the public area, the ticketing/departures hall & arrivals area.
Airside refers to the area of the airport that is located AFTER passing through security ie. boarding gates & transit area.
The reviews on the site are from a few years ago, can you tell me if it is possible to sleep in XXX airport overnight?
We only know what our travel community tells us, so if there are no reviews or the reviews are outdated, we do not have secret information that we are withholding from readers. Everything we know is on the site. Please consider writing a review to help other travellers in the future. It is only with community participation that we can keep this site running and up-to-date.
Is it safe to sleep in the airport?
Generally, sleeping in the airport is safe as long as you take normal precautions that one should expect to do when sleeping in public places. While we have never received any reports of attacks against airport sleepers, there have been a few bum fondlings. A few iPods and laptops have also gone missing! There are a few airports where you may not want to close your eyes, so be sure to read some travellerreviews to gauge the conditions. If you are travelling alone, look for other airport sleepers, as there is safety in numbers. If you are travelling with a friend, you can take turns sleeping. If you do not feel safe, do not attempt to sleep. Drink coffee and stay alert. You can sleep on the plane the next morning. In the end, you may just prefer to break the budget and check in to the nearest airport hotel.
Read more of our sleeping in airports tips.
You are missing several airline lounges in the airport guide for XXX Airport?
We only list lounges that economy class travellers can access with a lounge pass, airline lounge membership or by paying at the door. At this time, we do not list lounges that can only be accessed with a first/business class ticket or elite frequent flyer status.
If the airline lounge we are missing can be accessed by economy class travellers with a lounge pass, airline lounge membership or by paying at the door, please let us know by emailing us at lounges@sleepinginairports.com.
I lost my iPod in the business class lounge at XXX Airport. Did someone find it?
We do not operate any of the lounges listed on the site. You need to contact the airport or airport lounges directly to report lost items. Unfortunately, we do not have the direct email address for the lounges.
How do you determine the Best and Worst Airports?
Each year, we conduct an annual survey asking readers to rate their airport experiences. Our Best and Worst Airports results are based entirely on survey responses and airport reviews submitted throughout the year. The list is published annually in October. To vote in this year’s survey, please click here.
