Useful Tips On How To Sleep In An Airport Like A Pro- comfortably and safely.
If you’ve ever travelled by plane, you know that you might get caught in a layover between flights sooner or later.
No biggie if your layover is short—just read a book or grab a bite to eat and wait it out.
However, if your layover leaves you stranded in an airport overnight, that’s a different story.
Here are some things you can do to make sure you sleep better, more comfortably, and stay safe. You’ll be glad you know this information.
Verify in advance if sleeping in the airport terminal is allowed
If you know that you have a long layover in advance, research whether you can or can’t sleep in the airport overnight.
Even if staying overnight inside the terminal is allowed, you may not want to due to poor or disgusting conditions.
Does the airport have walk-in sleeping lounges?
You don’t have to fly first or business class to use airport lounges anymore. Now, even travellers flying economy can access select airport lounges on a pay-per-use.
For instance, economy class travellers at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Terminal 1 can access multiple lounges with walk-in rates, including Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, American Airlines Admirals Club, Star Alliance Lounge, and many more.
Rates vary but, in general, expect to pay around 30 USD per person and up.
Keep in mind, not all airport lounges that accept walk-ins have sleeping facilities, but you’ll be very comfortable thanks to the lounge amenities.
Some examples of airport lounge amenities include free snacks and drinks, wifi, TVs, and comfortable seating. Some even have showers and massages (for an extra fee).
Airport lounge resource: Know before you go by checking at www.sleepinginairports.net to see what airport lounges accept walk-ins. You’ll also find user-generated reviews about almost every airport you can think of.
Pack A Survival Kit In Your Carry-On Luggage
In addition to wearing or packing comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, you should consider packing a survival kit that will get you through a night or two at the airport. At a minimum, you should pack the following items plus anything else you think you might need.
1) Pack a change of clothing:
My husband and I were stuck in an airport in Colorado when the airport was snowed in. Having a change of clothes was the pick-me-up we needed to feel a little fresher the next morning. When my daughter spilled hot chocolate all over her dress in Switzerland, I broke out her spare clothes. Mommy to the rescue!
2) Pack a toiletry bag full of basic toiletries:
Some basic items you can carry in your
I sometimes pack vaseline because it has so many uses.
Don’t forget that each liquid container cannot contain more than 3.4 fluid ounces or 100 ml.
Elegant, simple and thoughtful functionality. This toiletry bag sits upright on the counter or hangs via a stowable hook, always giving total visibility and access to your toiletries. A network of nylon mesh pockets, along with a magnetically-sealed toothbrush pocket, external razor pocket, and internal zippered pouch, keep items organized and clean.
3) A subset of makeup for the ladies:
I don’t like to carry all my makeup in my carry-on bags when I travel, so I bring a subset of just the essentials and put everything in a transparent (see-through) cosmetic bag. The see-through bag makes it easier to see what I have at a glance.
If you really want to travel light, bring neutral lipstick, which doubles as a blush and eye colour.
4) Something to cover your eyes:
Bring a travel eye mask or lay a shirt on your head to block out the airport lights. I’ve seen some people wear a beanie pulled down over their eyes.
Super comfortable Sleep Mask for Women and Men that blacks out light 100%.
No Pressure on Eyes thanks to its 3D contour.
ONE SIZE FITS ALL: The elastic strap is adjustable and can fit any size head. The strap is designed for comfort and won't get tangled in your hair or pinch your skin.
5) Something to block out or muffle outside sounds- Earplugs or ear pods
Airports are usually noisy, which can be distracting for some to fall asleep. Earplugs help to muffle those annoying airport sounds. Alternatively, if you’re like me, pop in your earphones, listen to some music or relaxing ocean sounds.
6) Pack a makeshift pillow
Don’t underestimate the power of a small
It can mean the difference between a restful nap and a sore neck.
I’ve seen some people bring their bed pillows from home. I like to pack a cute micro-bead-filled travel pillow because it stuffs easily in my bag, and when you lay on it, it forms perfectly around my head.
Realistic print of a wood log. 85% Polyester, 15% Spandex; Filled with 100% Polystyrene microbeads.
7) Something to keep warm:
It can get cold in some airports, so be sure to bring a small travel blanket or use a jacket to cover up. I like to bring a fashionable oversized scarf or Pashmina, doubling as a blanket and a fashion accessory.
8) Wet wipes and or tissues:
Wet wipes or flushable 
They’re just great to have around in general for sticky situations.
Travel makeup wipes are pretty useful, too, for the ladies.
7) Snacks:
Once you’ve found a secure spot to sleep and the last thing you want to do is get up and lug your bags with you to find food.
Get a small snack in case you get hungry and a bottle of water just in case so you don’t have to leave your spot.
8) Entertainment:
It may be hard to fall asleep, so bring some sort of entertainment to amuse yourself until you can sleep.
A book or Kindle 
The Kindle paperwhite e-book reader has a 300 ppi, glare-free Paperwhite display that looks like real paper.
- Waterproof (IPX8) un up to 2 meters of freshwater for 60 minutes.
- 8GB of storage for thousands of books.
- Pair with Bluetooth headphones or speakers to listen to your audible books
- A single battery charge lasts weeks, not hours.
This adjustable metal stand can hold your devices upright on planes, trains so you can watch your favourite shows hands-free. Or plop it on your kitchen counter while you cook and watch your favourite shows or cooking recipes. Folds flat so you easily store it away or throw it in your carry on luggage.
9) A spare battery for your electronics:
If you can’t get a spot by a wall plug, having an external battery is a lifesaver.
Make sure you choose an external battery pack with enough juice to keep your phone, tablet, kids’ games, and other electronics charged for up to 24 hours.
The standard input voltage of smart devices is 5 volts, so don’t buy an external battery with less than this amount of voltage.
The portable battery that I’ve used for a long time is the RAVPower external battery.
I keep it in my purse even when I’m not travelling.
I never travel with one that is rated less than 10,000 mAH, which means it can keep your smartphone charged all day.
I also have a portable battery that is over 26,000 mAH, but it’s quite big and heavier.
It should have at least 2 USB ports so you can charge two devices simultaneously —no more fighting over who gets to charge their electronics.
Some new models even have NFC charging.
Top up to several devices simultaneously at the fastest speed possible. Compatible with Macbook and other type C devices. 5 volts and 26800 Milliamp Hours.
This 20000 mAh battery with a built-in flashlight has enough juice to keep your phones and tablets charged for days. Charge your devices via cable or wirelessly.
In a pinch, when you don't have access to an outlet, recharge this battery with the sun.
10) Pack the kid’s stuff:
If you’re travelling with kids, pack their essentials. Things that will make their layover comfortable like comfy clothes to sleep in, a toy, entertainment etc.
Invented in 1954 by Edmond Dujardin, Mille Bornes translates to "a thousand milestones" and refers to the distance markers on many French roads. In this classic French racing card game, you must outrace your opponents as you dodge the hazards they put in your way—keep the tank full, find your way around the speed limit, and avoid accidents that may slow you down.
Mille Bournes is listed in the GAMES Magazine Hall of Fame for "games that have met or exceeded the highest standards of quality and play value and have been continuously in production for at least ten years.
11) Bring an inflatable travel pad .
Backpackers like to bring sleeping pads for a reason.
It protects them from sleeping on dirty or cold ground, and it’s more comfortable than sleeping on hard surfaces. But sleeping pads are bulky, and they’re just for sleeping.
I discovered this inflatable mattress that, when folded, does double duty as a neck pillow. I think it would be great for city explorers as well as backpackers.
Sleeping pad & neck pillow in one travel essential. Fill this travel sleeping pad with 10 breaths. completely contactless. No need to put your lips on a dirty valve.
How to find the best spot to sleep at the airport
Sleeping in airports is a bit of a science, and not all airports are created equal when it comes to sleeping in them.
Some airports have chairs with no arms rests so you can easily stretch out on them, some have carpet, others have dedicated sleeping facilities, lounges and even rooms where travellers can sleep, but most don’t.
For airports without a designated sleeping area, you should take a walk around the airport to scope out the best place to sleep.
Here are some things you should consider when choosing a spot to sleep.
- Safety in numbers: If possible, try to sleep where other people are sleeping.
- Stay away from high-traffic areas: Toilets, check-in desks, next to stores, or food vendors are all high-traffic and noisy areas to sleep in, making it difficult to sleep. However, if you pack some earplugs and an eye mask, this might be less of an issue.
- Look for a set of chairs with no armrests: It’s much easier to stretch out on a chair with no armrests and more comfortable and cleaner than the floor.
- Look for clean carpeted areas: If there are no chairs available, consider sleeping on the floor. I like to sleep close to a wall or window and put my luggage between me and the wall. This protects your bags from would-be luggage thieves.
- Look for outlets: If you can find an acceptable to sleep where there are outlets, you can charge your phone or laptop at night.
Protect your passport, purse, property and luggage
Here are a few tips to keep your luggage or valuables from being stolen while you sleep
- Keep your passports, credit cards and cash near or on you. Otherwise, put your valuables in an INSIDE pocket of your bag— NOT the outside pocket where they can easily get snatched.
- Put larger expensive things like cameras, laptops and purses inside your luggage and keep it near you, preferably with a TSA-approved carry-on luggage lock
.
- Try to put your luggage between you and a wall like a sandwich.
- Lay your head on your bag or take a strap and anchor your luggage to something near you, like a chair, so no one can run off with your luggage. You can use locks specially made for this, like a lock and luggage cable or bring an old bicycle lock.
- Put your
wallet , money, passports, tickets and other valuable docs in amoney belt on your body very near you.
Keep your belongings secure by attaching multiple bags together, or to a fixed object such as a desk or a pole. Perfect for those layovers, long train or ferry rides. 4 ft of coated steel cable, TSA friendly with a combination lock.
Set the alarm, so you don’t miss your connecting flight
Before falling asleep, confirm your flight details, so you know when you need to wake up to catch your connecting flight and which gate you need to go to.
Set your phone alarm, watch alarm, travel clock or all three. If you don’t have an alarm, write a note in big letters “wake me up at 8:30 in the morning so I don’t miss my flight”.
Prepare for bed
Just like you would at home, it helps to clean up a little before bed, even if it is on some yucky airport floor.
Change into something comfortable if you have to. Brush your teeth, wash your face and take off your shoes. Listen to some music or read a book if you want and then try to relax and get some sleep. You’ll feel better when you wake up. Maybe even take off your shoes or put on footwear that is comfortable enough to sleep in.
Bon Voyage
Sleeping in airports can be fun, or it can be total hell. Use your best judgment in deciding whether or not to sleep in an airport for long layovers. My kids love sleeping in airports, and I do too, but not when I’m alone.
