How to Sleep in an Airport

So you’ve got a long layover. Or you tried Airport Theory and missed your flight. Or your plane was delayed. Or you spent all night packing because you procrastinated until the last minute and now you can barely keep your eyes open. For whatever reason, you’ve found yourself needing to sleep in an airport. You’ve come to the right place! I’ve consulted experts, colleagues, family, friends, and the internet, as well as my own experience, to help gather the best practices for sleeping in an airport. With the help of this guide and a little careful planning, you’ll be asleep in no time—even in arguably one of the least sleep-conducive environments.

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Pick a Spot

Photograph: Getty Images

First off, you’ll need to figure out where you’re going to sleep. There are websites and resources all over the place—you can check out the website Sleeping in Airports, which Sarah Mattina, a former corporate employee for Southwest and JetBlue, said is the “holy grail” for finding the darkest, quietest spot to sleep in the airport. (Other experts also recommended this site.) It has dedicated guides for “pretty much every major airport in the world.” (I checked out the guide for O’Hare in Chicago and can confirm that the best sleeping spots it lists are indeed the actual best sleeping spots from my experience spending many hours passed out waiting for a delayed flight to arrive.)

You could also try the subreddit for the city or airport you’re going to be in. If your gate is busy, you can scope out other gates in the same terminal. Find a chill spot in the corner—you might even be able to find a chair or bench without armrests. Psychologist Leah Kaylor recommends choosing a secure, low-traffic area and says corners near airport chapels or family lounges may be a quieter spots than others. Ideally, you want to pick a place that has some staff around, such as security patrols or kiosks, but not a place so busy with people that you can’t fall asleep.

Many of the experts I consulted recommended checking out airport lounges if you’re able to, since the seating is comfier and the area is generally quieter. They pointed out that some credit cards give you access to various airport lounges, or consider purchasing a day pass for longer layovers. You might even be able to snag a shower in an airport lounge (or a drink to help you get sleepy, though Andrew E. Colsky, founder of the National Sleep Center, recommends avoiding alcohol since it suppresses REM sleep and acts as a diuretic). Some airports have dedicated nap pods or nap rooms, for a fee, but they offer you a spot to sleep with your bags corralled and no fear of strangers staring you down from the other end of the terminal.

Make Sure You’ve Got the Right Gear

Photograph: Louryn Strampe

Most airports aren’t conducive to sleep. They’re loud, they’re full of fluorescent lights, and they can be a bit chilly.

So you’ll want a good travel pillow. I think the Trtl pillow ($65) is best for sleeping in awkward places. It has a frame that offers built-in neck support, so you almost feel like you’re sleeping with an actual pillow on an actual bed. The microfiber fleece also helps keep your neck warm, although you may want a travel shawl, scarf, or blanket to help add an additional layer.

A sleep mask that blocks light is also a solid bet. Trtl also makes the fantastic Glimpse Sleep Mask ($85), which allows you to lift the outer flap to peek at your surroundings. This might help you feel a bit less dead to the world. Otherwise, a lightweight mask like this affordable, travel-friendly silk option from Blissy ($28) will block out most light without making you feel completely unplugged.

If sound bothers you while you sleep, a good pair of earplugs can help. You could check out our favorites for sleep, the Loop Quiet 2 ($20), or just get a foam pair that will muffle outside noise. Or if you need some white noise, a pair of sleep earbuds can help you get into the right headspace for some shut-eye.

As Jade Wu points out, an eye mask and earplugs “can go a long way, not only for blocking out noise and light but for signaling to others around you that you’re trying to sleep.” She advises wearing breathable layers for better temperature regulation, and to keep in mind that extra clothes can serve as a neck pillow.

Before You Hunker Down

Make sure to set an alarm. Multiple alarms! And make sure those alarms have sound and haptic feedback turned on. As Schwab mentions, the last thing you want is to wake up to your flight taxiing from the gate. Kaylor advises a vibrating alarm under your pillow or on your smartwatch to ensure that you don’t accidentally sleep through it. If you’re traveling with kids who are too wired to sleep, consider taking sleep shifts with the adults in your party so you can all get some shut-eye.

You’ll want to be considerate of your fellow travelers. Don’t take up an entire row of seats at the busiest gate or sprawl out on the floor in the middle of a walkway. And in the same vein, you want to be aware of your surroundings. When I nap in airports, I always loop my bag’s straps fully around my body, or place my feet on top of my luggage. That way you’ll be complying with the airport rules of not leaving your bag unattended, and it’ll discourage people from rifling through your stuff while you’re dozing. On that same note, make sure your luggage is locked up if you’ve got the means. You could consider adding a Bluetooth tracker to your luggage for additional peace of mind.

And finally, don’t be afraid to do what you need to in order to get comfortable (former tips notwithstanding). If you need to stretch out on the floor with your luggage under your knees for proper circulation, do it. If you’re seated at a gate where the next flight doesn’t leave for six hours, don’t be afraid to post up and get comfy. If the airport lounge isn’t too crowded, you can rearrange the recliners to form a makeshift bed. Do what you need to do so long as it’s not at the expense of your fellow travelers. Consider using some deep breathing or muscle relaxation techniques to help your mind slip into sleep mode, and be prepared to wake up fresh as a daisy, ready to board a flight to your next adventure.