Sleeping in Airports

Madison Dane County Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Dane County Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

Luckily just close to the check in counters there are a bunch of couches in the waiting room, including full three seat couches that are perfect for sleeping on. – methy

MSN Airport Overview

madison airport guideTo help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Madison’s Dane County Regional Airport.

What to Expect

Dane County Airport (code: MSN) consists of a small, recently renovated terminal with several eateries and shops, located primarily on the airside. WiFi is available to help pass the time. There are no private lounges at this airport.

Sleeping in Madison Airport

The airport terminal officially closes after the last flight arrival or departure of each day, and does not open again until 4:00AM. There are hotels located near the airport that provide free airport shuttles. See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information.  For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Madison Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

airport hotelsAirport Hotels

Quick Facts
  • Nearest Hotel:  1o-15 minutes from the airport
  • Sleep Cabins & Pods: No
  • Day Rooms: No
  • Nearby Hotels with Shuttles: Yes

When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair gives you nightmares, there is good news for those looking to sleep at Dane County Airport in comfort. A few area hotels provide an airport shuttle.

There are many more nearby hotels without shuttles.  Visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Dane County Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

airport loungeAirport Lounges

There are no pay-per-use lounges at this airport.

wifiAirport WiFi / Internet

WiFi is available at Madison Airport. Connect to the “msnairport” network.

If you are not travelling with a mobile device, internet terminals are available in the business center.

airport infoMore Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport

Art at the Airport – Before your flight, be sure to check out the airport’s art exhibit located in Art Court, landside.

Baby Care Facilities – Feed and care for your baby in comfort and privacy in one of the Mothers’ Lounges. Each Mothers’ Lounge is equipped with a baby-changing table, wash basin, comfy leather chair, table, and more. Location: Concourse, airside, opposite Gate 8 (the room is labeled “2082”) • Concourse, airside, between Gates 5 and 6 (the room is labeled “2024”) • A third Mothers’ Lounge is located within the “Family Lounge” room, located landside opposite the United Express ticketing counter.

Business Services – Fax and copy services are available at the Airport Administration Office. Location: airside, across from Gate 8. Hours: 8:00AM – 4:00PM (Mon-Fri).

Duty Free & Shopping – Duty Free shopping is not available. The airport offers a small selection of shops including Lake Country Travel Mart (Landside) and CNBC News, Xpress News and a Souvenir shop can all be found Airside.

Food & Drinks – Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules with most open from the 1st flight to the last flight. Food options include:

  • Landside: Ancora Artisan Coffee & Tea
  • Airside: Ancora Artisan Coffee & Tea • Madtown Gastropub • Metcalfe’s Local To Go • Vinoteca Wine & Tapas.

Information Desk – There is an Information spot in the arrivals/baggage claim area, it is not known if this a manned information desk.

Luggage Carts – Need a hand with your luggage? Smarte Carts are available for use at the airport.

Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.

Massages – Feel your stress melt away with a foot or chair massage at Touch and Go Massage. 5 – 30 minute massages available. Locations: 2nd level concourse, airside, across from Gate 6.

Medical Services – If you feel unwell or injure yourself, first aid services are available. Location: Landside. Hours; Unknown.

Mobile Charging – At the time of this update, we did not have any information about mobile charging availability. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Short Story Dispenser – Need some reading material?  This cool dispenser prints out random short stories on eco-friendly scroll.  The kiosk has dispensed more than 4.5 million short stories written by 10,000 independent authors, ranging from 1 to 3 minute read.

Showers – Not available.

SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

Smoking – Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the airport. There is a designated smoking section outside the airport.

airport hoursAirport Hours

The airport is open 4:00AM – until the last evening flight. This statement is made on their web site: ” The terminal is closed temporarily each evening for maintenance and cleaning. Overnight guests are not permitted.”

airlinesAirlines

Madison airport is served by the following airlines: American Airlines • Delta Air Lines • Frontier Airlines • Sun Country Airlines • United Airlines.

transportationAirport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

Metro Bus Route 20 runs between the North Transfer Point and East Towne Mall, via the airport. Take a “Route 20 – North Transfer Point” bus to head towards downtown Madison and the UW campus area, or a “Route 20 – East Towne Mall” bus to head towards the MATC campus area and East Towne Mall. Departures are every 30 minutes on weekdays and hourly on the weekends and holidays. For route maps, schedules and fares, visit the City of Madison website.

Car Rentals

Car rental desks are available near Door 6 of the baggage claim area. Onsite car rental agencies include: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Enterprise • Hertz • National.  Visit our travel partner at Tripadvisor to search for car rentals deals.

Hotel Shuttles

Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Comfort Inn & Suites Madison Airport   •   Crowne Plaza Hotel Madison   •   DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Madison   •   Hilton Madison Monona Terrace.

Shuttles pick up at the median near Door 5. Some of the hotels can be reached by direct-dial courtesy phone, located between Bag Claims 1 and 2.

See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxis

Taxis are available in the ground transportation area outside of Door 7, at the north end of the baggage claim area.

Last updated: 2024-01-31

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.