What should you know before sleeping in an airport?

What should you know before sleeping in an airport?

sleeping at the airportSleeping at the airport may seem like a funny idea at first sight! But thinking about it a bit, it can save you a few euros, which is not negligible if you are traveling on a budget.

Getting to the airport requires some organization if you don't live nearby: do you have a car, how are you going to pay for parking, how much does a taxi fare cost, until what time does public transport operate? commmon ? Same thing for the return, often a flight at dawn will require you to go to the airport at night, and therefore to pay for a hotel room for only a few hours... All these questions can be settled quite simply if you decide to indulge in an increasingly widespread practice… sleeping at the airport!

A few tips for “almost” getting a good night’s sleep at the airport:

1 Find out beforehand

First of all, there is airport and airport! Taking into account the location and reputation of the airport is extremely important: there are airports in very safe places, and others that pose a risk to your luggage and your wallet. Similarly, some airports have excellent facilities, with comfortable banquettes, restaurants or cafés open all night, outlets for charging your electronic devices and even children's playgrounds (the "jungles", with carpets everywhere , make excellent mattresses!). Others will be much more hostile to you. Sleeping on rows of chairs with iron armrests is not very pleasant, we tell you from experience! You can easily find this kind of information on the internet, in order to prepare your night. Finding out about the airport can also be a strategic advantage: knowing in advance where the facilities that interest you are located allows you to find the best places to sleep. Last bit of advice: the arrival areas are often more comfortable than the boarding areas, so do not hesitate to visit several areas and terminals!

2 Find hotels near the airport

Before deciding to spend the night at the airport, remember to check the price of nearby hotels which are sometimes very economical and offer free or low-cost transfers between the airport and the hotel. Sometimes it is worth paying a few euros to have a good little mattress and not worry about the safety of your luggage. Finding out about airport hotels in advance can also have an economic advantage: often there are promotions or lower prices on booking websites than on site.

3 Stay close to your luggage

If you still decide to sleep at the airport, there are a few things to know. The number one commandment is to always stay close to your luggage or risk being stopped by security (you can even use them as a pillow or footrest to sleep without being worried); or, if the airport offers this service, store the luggage in appropriate lockers. Always for a question of security, avoid placing yourself in places that are too isolated (you will see, many travelers will spend the night like you). Finally, it is important to identify the police or the military, if they make rounds (and the regularity of these). This can help you know who to turn to if you have a problem.

4 Take some essentials to sleep at the airport

As you can imagine, you will not find a bed ready to welcome you at the airport. Nevertheless, some are starting to offer “almost” comfortable spaces in order to sleep a few hours before your flight; this is for example the case of Dublin airport, and its circular holes in the wall and kinds of bench-mattresses, or GoSleep Pods in Helsinki

Nevertheless, most airports have not yet opted for this type of installation. It is therefore necessary to provide certain accessories in order to be able to gain a few hours of sleep, and this in the best possible way.

First of all, bring something to cover up! Some airports turn off the heating at night, which can be critical in the winter months… conversely, airports in hot countries do not turn down the air conditioning at night, colds guaranteed!

Also think of a makeshift mattress to be able to lie down or make the seats more comfortable: a yoga mat, a sleeping bag...or even a beach towel if you have nothing else planned! A sham pillow can also save you from torticollis (rolled up beach towel, inflatable cushion, etc.).

Refueling is also essential! It would be a shame to spend the money saved on drinks or food