Sleeping at the Airport Made Easy

Many people resort to sleeping in airports. It saves money on hotels and makes flight delays and cancellations conducive to your bedtime routine. If you are new to the concept of sleeping in airports, Sleep.com wants to ensure that you get the most from your airport snooze. Before your overnight adventure in Terminal C, be sure to consider the following tips for sleeping at the airport.

Top Ten Tips for Sleeping at the Airport

1. Never fear flight cancellations. Expect them and prepare for them. Some of the personal items you will need for a successful night at the airport include:

• An alarm clock to wake you for your flight. Believe it or not, you can even resort to a good old pen and post-it for this one. Simply write, “Wake me at (insert time here)” and stick it to your body. You’ll be pleasantly surprised when a stranger actually wakes you on cue.
• Earplugs and eyeshades. Airports are loud. Airports are bright. Enough said.
• Entertainment. From laptops and iPods to airport wheelchairs, find something that will take away the boredom.
• Purell Disinfecting Wipes. A quick wipe-down will make your airport bed seem a bit more sanitary.
• A cheap travel mattress. While some airports prohibit floor sleeping, others allow it. Bring a fold-up inflatable mattress or even a cheap inflatable pool. It will also help to bring a pump. Otherwise, you might also need some Tylenol to relieve the headache caused by blowing up an entire mattress.

2. Be safe. Be smart. When sleeping in airports, ask security for a safe spot to sleep, preferably one monitored by video cameras. This opportune location could save you a laptop, a video camera and even the occasional butt fondling from a stranger.

3. Be prompt. Many travelers complain about limited seating when they arrive at the airport around 10PM. Get to the airport earlier than the mob to claim your sleep sanctuary.

4. Be wary of food concession closing times. Around the time of the last flight, many food concessions shut down. Always stock up on water and snacks before closing time. With a little luck, you could also take advantage of generous vendors who give away unsold food to airport sleepers. Everyone loves a free midnight snack.

5. Ask, and you shall receive. During snowstorms and other weather delays, some airports offer cots, pillows, blankets, toiletries and even food vouchers to stranded passengers. Find an airport sleeper concierge and make the request.

6. Respect the time for rest. You’re not the only one sleeping in the airport, so keep it down. The best gauge to determine if you’re making too much noise is the “death stare.” If you receive one, then you’re too loud!

7. Find out the cost of a car rental. Usually, you can keep a rental car in the airport parking lot free of charge. This method requires a little more effort but offers plenty of luxuries in return. Padded, reclining seats, for example, plus privacy, no loud security announcements and no ratting of luggage carts through the night.

8. Innocent until proven guilty. Most airports frown upon travelers turning their terminals into motels. If any airport official questions your motives, never admit you are there to sleep. “There is absolutely nowhere to go, and I just happened to fall asleep.” That’s your story and you’re sticking to it!

9. Live it up at the lounge. Many airports offer access to lounges for a relatively small fee. The fee generally includes buffet style meals, showers, alcoholic drinks and wifi internet access. A hot shower and a good meal at the airport save on hotel costs, and internet access keeps you entertained and connected. You may even forget you’re in an airport.

10. Dressed to rest. Bring comfortable clothes for unbearably hot or drastically cold airport temperatures. Try to avoid extremes such as long johns or lingerie.

As you can see, sleeping in airports is not as bad as you might think, as long as all the pieces are in order.

With a little preparation and practice, you can master the art sleeping at the airport.