Auckland Airport Guide

AKL 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 Auckland Airport.

What to Expect

Auckland Airport (code: AKL) consists of two terminals: international and domestic. The terminals are connected by a free 24-hour inter-terminal bus and a 1 km open-air walkway. The airport itself has a good range of shops and restaurants, but at the time of our August 2023 update, there are no 24-hour options. There are also free showers in both the international and domestic terminals. Free WiFi is available to help pass the time. For those looking for a little added comfort, there are first-class lounges – some of which also have showers – that economy-class passengers can pay to access.

Sleeping in Auckland Airport

Reviewers suggest that the best places to sleep at Auckland Airport are airside. On the landside, the international terminal is said to be designed to be very difficult to stay in. The seating is a mix of chairs and benches, both with and without armrests, and you can guess which ones fill up the quickest! The seating may be full depending on the day and what flights are departing. If you can’t snag an armrest-free bench, lying on the floor is probably your next best option. Seek out a carpeted patch, though an extra soft layer will help you cope with cold tile floors. Come prepared with a sleep mask, noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs, and warm layers to combat the noise and cold overnight temperatures.

Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:

• In the International Terminal, Floor 2, the hallway that houses the Air China office is quiet and warm, with an armrest-free bench towards the back and some nearby carpet.
• Six 4-seater benches and a patch of carpet near Rice and Noodles in the International Terminal, Floor 2, is a quiet, comfortable spot.
• The area near Gates 34-50, near the free showers, has many benches and warm temperatures.

If you prefer to pay for comfort and privacy, there are hotels adjacent to the international terminal and others nearby connected by shuttles. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.

Read the latest traveller reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Auckland Airport Guide.

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.

Airport Hours

• International Terminal: Open 24 hours, though some airside areas may close overnight (approximately 1:00 AM – 4:00 AM) depending on the flight schedule.
• Domestic Terminal: Open 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM.

What this means for airport sleepers:
Overnight access at Auckland Airport is limited. While the International Terminal is technically open 24 hours, airside areas may close for several hours overnight, and passengers usually cannot pass security until the calendar day of their flight. If you arrive late at night for a next-day departure, expect to wait landside, where seating is limited and not designed for sleeping. The Domestic Terminal closes overnight, so it is not an option for late-night stays. Travellers planning to sleep at the airport should be prepared for a basic, well-lit landside experience, or consider a nearby hotel if rest is important.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

There are no official sleeping areas, quiet rooms, or designated rest zones at Auckland Airport. However, travellers report a few informal areas where people may try to rest:

• International Terminal, airside, near Gates 8–10
• International Terminal, landside, Level 2, near the observation deck

These areas are not equipped for overnight sleeping and may be bright, noisy, or monitored by staff. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Cots

Auckland Airport Hotels

Quick Facts

• Nearest Hotel:  At the airport
• Sleep Cabins & Pods: Yes
• Day Rooms: Yes
• Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes

When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair gives you nightmares, there is good news for those who are looking to sleep at Auckland Airport in comfort.   If you are on a layover, you must pass through immigration/security, as there is no transit hotel. A hotel is within walking distance from the international terminal, and several nearby hotels offer free airport shuttles.

Hotel & Sleep Pods at Auckland Airport

• Strata Lounge – A reader reports that the lounge offers sleep pods, described on the lounge’s website as “bookable relaxation rooms.”
• Novotel Auckland Airport – Located adjacent to the International Terminal, about a 2-minute walk. No shuttle required. Day-use rooms available. » Check Rates
• Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport – Located next to the terminal, approximately a 1-minute walk. » Check Rates

Hotels near the airport

• Ibis Budget Auckland Airport – About 800 m from the Domestic Terminal. A free airport shuttle is available. » Check Rates
• Sudima Hotel Auckland Airport – 24-hour shuttle operated by Yellow Bus; tickets must be purchased from the machine before boarding. » Check Rates
• Heartland Hotel Auckland Airport – Free 24-hour shuttle, every 30 minutes, serving both terminals. » Check Rates
• Jet Park Airport Hotel –  Free 24-hour shuttle, running approximately every 15–40 minutes. » Check Rates

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

Airport 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.

Drinking Water

Thirsty? Drinking fountains and water bottle refill stations are available landside and airside in both terminals.

Food & Drinks

If you’re awake overnight and looking for food or coffee, here are your 24-hour options:

• McDonald’s (International Terminal, Landside, First Floor).
• Take Home sells grab-and-go snacks and drinks (International Terminal, Landside, Ground Floor).
• Allpress Espresso (International Terminal, Arrivals, landside)
• Relay (International Terminal, Ground Floor, Landside)

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Auckland Airport offers both staffed luggage storage and self-service lockers, all located landside.

• International Terminal, Secure Travel operates attended luggage storage on the Ground Floor, opposite Qantas check-in; this service typically runs from early morning until late evening (hours may vary).
• Domestic Terminal, self-service lockers are available 24/7 on the Ground Floor of Car Park R, directly opposite the terminal.

Lockers are card-operated and come in various sizes, though large suitcases may not fit. As storage and lockers are not available airside, travellers must clear security to access them, and those arriving very late at night should plan around operating hours for staffed storage.

Mobile Charging

Charging points are available airside, though USB ports are limited. Bring a power adapter. A reader notes that charging outlets can be easy to miss, adding:

“They’re attached to the armrests of the wooden slat seats between the top of the escalators and departure customs.” (April 2024)

Showers

Free public showers are available:

• International Terminal: Just outside the Arrivals exit, Ground Floor
• Domestic Terminal: Location available within the terminal

Towels and toiletries are not provided, but can be purchased from Relay and Take Home convenience stores.

Airport lounges also offer showers. See Airport Lounges above.

WiFi / Internet

Free, unlimited WiFi is available. Connect to “Auckland Airport WiFi.”
The connection is generally reliable airside, but can be slower landside during busy periods.

Security & Safety

At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on security or safety issues at Auckland Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

• Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
• Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
• Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
• Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights, particularly around 5:00 AM.

More Airport Information

Related Pages: 8 things to do on a layover at Auckland Airport