‘Tis the season for air travel through winter weather that can really mess with your plans. And for most people, those plans don’t include getting stranded and having to sleep in an airport. Every year during peak travel times around the holidays, there’s unfortunately a high probability that some people will find themselves sleeping at the airport.
Being delayed and stuck in an airport overnight is not something you can control, so the best thing to do in a situation you can’t control is to be prepared. Here is a survival guide we put together on how to sleep in an airport if you should find yourself having to bed down in a concourse somewhere between destinations.
Dress Smart
The word “smart”here doesn’t mean stylish. It means casual, comfortable and in layers. Some people like to dress to impress either during travel or upon arrival, but unless you are expecting to go right into a business meeting to seal the deal of a lifetime, it might be wise to dress in a way that keeps you looking presentable(however you define that) but also comfortable enough that you can lounge across airport seats or even the floor. (Don’t even get me started on the hygienic horror of that option).
Carry-on Basics
Frequent flyers know this but some of us only travel a couple of times of a year so need to be told: Pack essentials in your carry-on. To sleep in an airport in relative comfort, you should bring:
- A travel pillow and blanket (some airports will loan you one if you ask)
- Ear plugs and eye shade
- Disinfectant wipes and/or hand sanitizer
- Snacks
- Tooth brush and toothpaste
Location Scout
Just like when you search for a home, you should be looking strategically at where best to snooze in public. Consider conditions such as activity and noise level(public announcements); proximity to amenities such as the restroom, food, or even Airport Security; seating or make-shift bedding options; overhead lighting(some parts of airports are lit differently). Keep in mind that just because your gate might be in Terminal A doesn’t mean you can’t consider other terminals that might offer better overnight accommodations, to use the term rather loosely. Super Tip: The Arrivals lounge might be better than near the Ticket Counter or Departures areas because they tend to be designed to be more welcoming and make people who are waiting for arriving family and friends more comfortable.
Keep Your Bags Safe
How you manage this is going to depend on how much luggage you have with you and whether you are a light sleeper. Some strategies are:
- Keep a body part over the bags as you sleep
- Tie your bag handles together and then to yourself so you can feel if they are being disturbed while you sleep. A scarf or even jacket sleeves can work.
- Inquire with airport staff if storing your bags in the “left luggage” area is an option.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
If you haven’t traveled much or you’ve had bad experiences with delayed travel and less than helpful airport staff, you’d be surprised to learn that some airports actually do their best to help in these situations, such as provide blankets and cots to stranded travelers when finding hotel accommodations for them is not a viable option. And even if these things are not offered to you because there aren’t widespread delays, don’t be afraid to ask. The worst thing that can happen is they say No.
Get more information and great guides on how to survive a night sleeping in the airport here.
