Sleeping at the airport is never what people expect, but sometimes it is inevitable. Resting at the airport may be necessary if you book an early morning flight, encounter an airplane stopover, or have a delayed flight, while you want to keep your head clear and get to your destination as soon as possible.
Some airports are ideal for overnight stays, but others are not. If you want to get high-quality sleep in busy airports, the most important thing is to minimize environmental interference, but also to ensure the safety of yourself and your belongings.
Regardless of the cause and the airport situation, you may need some strategies and plans. What exactly should you do? Let’s take it to step by step.
Step 1: Always Be Ready
Whether it ‘s taking the initiative to spend the night at the airport or being passively stranded at the airport, you never know what will come to you the next second. Maybe your flight departs in the wee hours of the morning, and sometimes your flight is delayed by bad weather like sudden volcanic eruptions, snowstorms or hurricanes, so you have to spend the night at the airport.
Thus, some precautions should be taken. Put the changing clothes and basic toiletries in the carry-on baggage at the beginning of packing. If possible, prepare something else that you will use when you sleep, such as eye masks, earplugs, and more.
Also, try to get to the airport as early as possible, because it is not easy to find an excellent place to spend the night at a busy airport, especially in the summer, which is known as the peak airport sleeping season.
Step 2: Don’t Oversleep
You don’t want to miss your flight. Confirm your flight details and know definitely when you need to arrive at which boarding gate. Then, look for a place to sleep near your departure gate. The closer to the gate, the better.
Besides, set the alarm clock in order to wake up in time. It is best to choose a more prominent position so that airport security personnel may wake you up around 5 o’clock in the morning. You can also write a few notes saying, “Please wake me up at 5: 00 in the morning” and affix them on your body and the seats beside you, so that someone will wake you up when they see them.
Step 3: Search for a Comfortable Lounge Area
Being able to sleep in bed is the best. Check directly with airport staff, on-site security personnel or airline staff to find out if the airport is open 24 hours a day, whether sleep facilities are provided, and where the best location is.
Some airports offer beds, lounges, and even rooms where passengers can sleep. If you are a member of the airline’s frequent flyer club, you can enjoy the comfort of the VIP room. During weather-related flight delays, some airports offer cots that can be used by any stranded passenger, and some may also issue blankets, pillows, food stamps, cosmetics, etc.
Find a place with little traffic, away from the toilet, check-in counters, or other busy spots, so you are likely to get an undisturbed sleep. At the same time, consider the temperature, public announcement, seating conditions and other factors. Go to the arrival lounges If you can because it may be more suitable for sleeping than the departure lounge. Also, for safety, it would be better to have a place with surveillance cameras.
If you don’t have any seats to sleep in, consider using a clean carpeted floor, or even you may need to sleep on the baggage conveyor belt, behind the ticket desk, under and behind the seat. Some airports do not allow you to sleep inside, then you have to prepare for the worst, and remember the name of the hotel you can stay in. At this point, you can save some money by booking online instead of just showing up at the hotel to ask them about their prices.
Step 4: Property Safety
Be sure to pay attention to property safety when going out, and watch out for thieves when you sleep. Hide valuables before you sleep; cash and jewelry should be stored in the inside pocket; You can lock your wallet, camera, and bigger valuables in your carry-on baggage.
Put the bag between you and the wall, or under your body, or in the luggage storage area. Wrap the strap of your duffel bag around a chair or other fixed things, and sleep with your arms or legs through the handles of additional luggage. In this way, if someone wants to steal your items, you will wake up. When you need to leave for a while, you can’t leave your things there unattended.
If you travel with others, it is safest for everyone to sleep in the same place, because you can take care of each other. If you are alone, sleep near other travelers, and everyone will take care of each other. But make sure they are real travelers, not homeless people.
Step 5: Preparation Before Sleeping
Get ready to sleep at the airport as if you were going to sleep at home. Change into your most comfortable clothes, wash your face and brush your teeth, as well as take off your shoes. Your clothes can be rolled up as a pillow, and larger clothes can act as a blanket.
Some airports do not turn off the air conditioner, and it will be a bit cold at night. You can wear a few more comfortable clothes, or wrap yourself in a blanket. Plus, wearing more clothes will reduce the touch of the cold and hard seat or the edge of the floor.
Once again confirm your alarm clock is set up, your items are in a safe place, and you can get a good night’s sleep with peace of mind.
5 Added Tips
- Some airport officials don’t like us to treat the airport as a private hotel. Sometimes you will be asked to show your ID card and evidence that you continue to fly, and be asked why you are there rather than living in a hotel like an average person. So get your ID, air tickets, and the answers to these questions ready
- There are some great paid lounges with relatively low fees that can be accessed by passengers with economic tickets, which can be an alternative sleep option for you. Remember not to make you look like a homeless person, because most lounges have some kind of dress code.
- An increasing number of sleeping pods (also known as a combination of napping cabins, capsule compartments, taxis, etc.) can also allow you to ensure adequate sleep without leaving the airport. If you ‘re sure the parking lot is free, you can rent a car in the car rental lobby and sleep in the car. It is cheaper than an airport hotel room and more comfortable than an airport seat. However, the toilet may be a problem. It is suggested to find a parking space with a bathroom attached.
- Since most of the staff in the catering area will close their stores when the last flight leaves at night, you need to need to dine and stock up on snacks and water before the grocery store closes.
- Even if you can’t sleep, think about those partners at the airport. Therefore, keep quiet at the right time. If you are not going to sleep, take an airport adventure and enjoy a special night.
