Sleeping in Airports

Philadelphia Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Philadelphia 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.

I had back problems for the next week because of the chair I slept in.  – Jody

PHL Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Philadelphia International Airport.

What to Expect

The Philadelphia Airport (code: PHL)  sprawls over seven terminals, so expect some walking to reach your departure gate. If you’re inside Security and transferring between terminals, hop on the free shuttle buses that connect Terminals A-East and F and Terminals C and F.

Long and slow security lines are fairly typical, so arrive early for peace of mind. Once inside Security, you’ll have a solid selection of eateries, shops, and cafes, depending on your terminal. The airport’s “street pricing” policy means that airport prices are the same as outside the airport. For dining options, plan ahead as there are no restaurants open 24 hours. Travellers appreciate the free WiFi and the mix of decent seating (which you’ll have to seek out). If you want to upgrade your layover experience, economy class travellers can pay to enter a few airport lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and rates.

Philadelphia Airport guide
(Photo courtesy of a Guest Reviewer / 21Aug2018)

Sleeping in Philadelphia Airport

Many international departures plus frequent flight delays add up to plenty of travellers looking for a place to rest, by day and night. Overnight campers will be more comfortable inside Security, especially in Terminal C. If you are stuck pre-Security, head to the walkways or the International Arrivals Hall in Terminal A for decent sleep spots. Common complaints from travellers are the cold temps, bright lighting, and loud noise – nothing that an extra layer or two, an eye mask, or noise cancelling headphones can’t fix.  Explore our guide to sleeping in Philadelphia Airport or read some traveller reviews for more tips.  For uninterrupted sleep, check into the micro-hotel located in the Secure area of Terminal A-B or the traditional hotel, connected to Terminal B. Otherwise, free shuttles offer transfers to nearby hotels. See our Airport Hotels section below for more info.

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 Philadelphia 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 hoursAirport Hours

Terminal B is open 24 hours.

Keep in mind that TSA, airline check-in and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule. Check these hours with your airline. If you are in the public area of the terminal (landside) you will not be able to get through to the secure area of the terminal (airside) until the morning.

airport hotelsAirport Hotels

If sleeping in Philadelphia airport sounds like a nightmare, there are sleep cabins inside the airport and a hotel connected to the terminal.  Many nearby off-site hotels provide free airport shuttles.

Hotels at the airport

  • Minute Suites – For travellers in Philadelphia on a layover, Minute Suites offers 13 private suites and 2 workstation cubicles to nap, relax or work. Each suite has a daybed sofa, pillows, fresh blankets, sound masking system, HDTV, desk, phone, WiFi access. Location: Terminal A-B Link, Airside. Rates are expensive. Here are the rates as of August 2023: US$ 48 (1 hour) and US$ 12.00 each additional 15 minutes until 2 hours • US$ 96 (2 hours) and US$ 9.50 each additional 15 minutes thereafter • US$ 175 (Overnight – 8 hours, after 9pm). Showers are $30 (non-guest for 30 minutes) or $20 (guest). Pre-covid, when the suites were full, they also rented air mattresses. If this information is no longer correct, click here to update this guide.  » Check Rates

Philadelphia Airport Marriott – To access, take the sky bridge from Terminal B. Free scheduled airport shuttle service departs every 20 minutes from 4:00AM – 12:00PM.  » Check Rates

Hotels near Philadelphia airport with airport shuttles

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Philadelphia Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

airport loungeAirport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!

  • American Airlines Admirals Club – Multiple Locations – (1) Concourse A East, (1) Concourse A West, (1) Concourse B/C and (1) Concourse F.
  • Centurion Lounge – Location: Terminal A West, Airside, near Gate A14. Lounge Access: American Express® Card Members • Lounge membership programs.
  • United Club – Location: Airside, second level, between Concourse C & D. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door with proof of United Airlines ticket • United Club Membership.

Airline Lounges (members only)

  • Delta Sky Club – Location: Terminal D, Airside, to the right of The Earl Of Sandwich. Lounge Access: Elite Status • Lounge membership programs.

Military Lounge

  • USO Lounge – The USO offers a lounge that is free of charge to active members of the US military and their families. Location:  Terminal E, tarmac level, adjacent to Gate A6.

Related Pages: Philadelphia Airport Lounges

water bottle refillsDrinking Water

Thirsty? A reader has confirmed that water fountains are available to refill your water bottles.

foodFood & Drinks

Most food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. At the time of this update, there are no 24 hour concessions. The airport has a “Street Pricing” policy, which means that the prices at the airport are the same as out on the street. There are 5 locations of Good 2 Go which sells fresh salads, sandwiches, etc.

Luggage StorageLuggage Storage & Lockers

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

mobile chargingMobile Charging

A variety of charging areas are available throughout the airside areas of the airport. Look for the PHL “Power Up” Cubes (power outlets), Power Tables (power outlets and USB ports), Charging Stations (power outlets), window outlets (power outlets and USB ports) and Charging Tables (power outlets). Delta, Southwest and JetBlue also offer their own charging stations at their gates.

rest zonesRest & Relaxation Zones

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

showersShowers

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

wifiWiFi / Internet

Free WiFi is available at Philadelphia airport.

airport infoMore Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside areas of Terminals A – D • Airside, near the gates, in Terminals E and F.

Business Services – The UPS Store offer copying, faxing, shipping, notary and other business services. Location: (airside, Terminal A/B walkway).

Currency Exchange – Travelex has a few kiosks available. Locations: Terminal A East • Terminal A West • Terminal D.

Duty Free & Shopping – In additional to a large variety of retail shops, are two duty-free shops, located in Terminal A-East and West.

Family Services

  • Baby Care Facilities – Mamava Suites featuring a bench, fold down table, outlets for charging and a door which locks are available in Terminals A-West, the B/C Connector and Terminal F. Rates: Free. Nursing mothers also receive 30 free minutes at the Minute Suites (airside walkway, between Terminals B and A-East). There are also 42 Companion Care or Family restrooms located throughout the landside and airside areas of the terminals.
  • Children’s Play Areas – When you want to ensure your kids burn off all their energy before their flight, take them to the children’s play area. The “Ready For Take-Off” children’s play area features aviation-themed climbing toys and play area. Location: Terminal A-East.

Hospitality Program – If you are stranded at the Philadelphia Airport as a result of an emergency or weather delay that results in flight cancellations, the Airport’s Hospitality Program provides passengers with hotel and ground transportation information as well as snacks, pillows, blankets and other comfort items.

Information Desk – Information desks are located throughout the airport. These locations are open 24 hours: Terminal A – East, Airside and Landside • Terminal B, Airside • Terminal E, Landside. You can also look for airport ambassadors around the airport for assistance.

Pet Relief Area – Indoor “Pet Ports” are available, with one inside each terminal. Outdoor relief areas are available in designated areas along the Departing Flights road and outside of baggage claim areas.

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 Areas – Smoking is prohibited anywhere in the airport.

Spa – XpresSpa – Manicures, pedicures, facials, massages and more are available. Location: Terminals C, D and F.

Things to do & see

  • Art in the Airport – Exhibitions are available throughout the airport.
  • Library – A virtual library opened in early 2014. Travellers can relax in comfortable lounge chairs while reading book downloads. Much of the Free Library’s digital content, including classic titles and podcasts, is available to anyone, but a Free Library card is necessary to download non-classic titles and some digital content. Location: Airside, D/E Connector.
  • Observation Area – Views of the airfield are available throughout the airside areas of all seven terminals.
Airlines
Philadelphia airport is served by the following airlines: Aer Lingus • Air Canada • Alaska Airlines • American Airlines • British Airways • Delta Air Lines • Frontier Airlines • Icelandair • JetBlue • Lufthansa • Qatar Airways • Southwest Airlines • Spirit Airlines • United Airlines.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

PHL airport is served by the bus routes (SEPTA): Route 37 to/from South Philadelphia and Chester, Pa.; Route 108 to/from 69th Street Transportation Center; Route 115 to/from Suburban Square in Ardmore. At the time of this update, the single-ride transit fare is $2.50.

Car Rentals

The following agencies provide on-site car rental service: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz and National. Vehicle pick-up is at Zone 2, just outside of Baggage Claim.

Hotel Shuttles

Some local hotels provide their own guest airport shuttle service. The hotel shuttle stop is at Zone 4. Contact your hotel for shuttle service availability.

Here are some hotels that offer airport shuttle service: aloft Philadelphia Airport   •   DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia Airport   •   Embassy Suites by Hilton Philadelphia Airport   •   Hampton Inn Philadelphia-International Airport   •   Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia Airport   •   SpringHill Suites Philadelphia Airport/Ridley Park   •   Wyndham Garden Hotel Philadelphia Airport.

See also Airport Hotels above.

Limousines and Shared Ride Services

To hire a limousine or executive sedan, or to make a reservation for shared ride shuttle service from the airport, visit the Ground Transportation Information Desk located in all baggage claim areas.

Taxi

Taxis operating at this airport are metered, with a $10 minimum charge from the airport to any destination accept downtown which is subject to a flat rate. At the time of this update, the flat rate downtown charge is $28.50.

Train

The SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) Airport Regional Rail Line connects the airport to central Philadelphia via train service. Passengers can use this service to get from the airport to stations in Center City and connections to Amtrak, additional regional trains and the Greyhound Bus Station. All stations along this line are wheelchair accessible. For more information visit the SEPTA website.

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.