How to Sleep at the Airport If You Absolutely Must
You don’t want to sleep at the airport, but there may come a time in your life when the airport is unexpectedly home for the evening. There may be a terrible blizzard that blocks any hope of reaching your hotel room, or your flight may be changed late at night when all nearby vacancies are already taken.
Truth be told, if you need to sleep at the airport, you’ll want to do it right so that you don’t wake up in a littered mess the next day – and to stay safe.
How to sleep at the airport
Depending on where you are, you can start by looking for a 24/7 lounge. If you are at a larger international airport, you should have no problem finding one (although many are generally for members only). If living room isn’t an option, it’s important to assess your surroundings to make sure you don’t end up in any compromise situations.
You do not need to camp at the arrivals terminal, especially if it is not quite suitable for recreation. As the title “Airport Sleepers ” points out, you may want to consider using international terminals as they mostly remain open while domestic terminals do not. The website recommends: “When looking for the best place to sleep, consider the number of places, temperatures, announcements and traffic.” When it comes to finding a comfortable seat, try not to stretch over multiple seats if there are people nearby waiting to board your flight. You have to be attentive and ultimately very unnoticeable.
You will also want to be safe, which means understanding your surroundings. Knowing where the security station (or camera) is located can be helpful, as can placing all of your belongings so that other people cannot access them. The thrifty traveler notes that you may have to challenge your own penchant for comfort if you want to be sure everything is safe by writing, “You really want to go against your instinct to seek privacy in favor of being around. crowds. It’s just safer to be around people if you fall asleep. “
There may be a luggage storage nearby (at your airport it will probably be in a different terminal) where you can leave your bags overnight. Otherwise, you will need to determine how best to protect your bags while you sleep; There is always the option of using a main bag to lean on your feet, or a backpack as a pillow.
What to pack in case you get stuck at the airport
Although it is written in terms of being forced to sleep at the airport because you are deprived of alternatives, there are things you can bring on the trip so an unexpected whole night will not catch you quite so ill prepared. One thing you should be wary of is airport temperatures, which can fluctuate between high and cold without any warning. Therefore, bring warm clothing with you, but also make sure you have the option of layering to accommodate temperature fluctuations.
There are a few essentials that you probably want to bring along in case you stay overnight in an unexpected place. The humble Travel Guy recommends the following, although you may not need all of them:
- Earplugs.
- Eyeshadow or sunglasses.
- Bottled water or reusable water bottle.
- Laptop or tablet
- Chargers for all your devices.
- Toilet paper.
- Hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes.
- Floss, toothpaste and toothbrush
Ultimately, a lot of this will depend on your preference, but the overall goal is to stay safe and comfortable during the time you need to spend at the airport. With the right awareness and the necessary supplies, you should be fine.