Canberra Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Canberra Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.

Luckily a politician or business man type took pity on me and invited me into the Qantas lounge for a free breakfast. – a traveller

CBR Airport Overview

Canberra Airport (code: CBR) has a modern terminal with two concourses (Southern and Western), 14 departure gates and a small selection of shops and restaurants. Free WiFi is available.

Sleeping in Canberra Airport

Overnight sleeping options are limited by the airport’s hours (5:00 AM until 30 minutes after the last flight). In one traveller review, a passenger described sleeping in the Uber waiting room without any problems. There are no dedicated rest zones or sleeping areas. For a more comfortable night, the Vibe Hotel Canberra is located next to the terminal.

Planning to sleep at the airport? Read the latest Canberra Airport traveller reviews for firsthand experiences.

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Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there is a hotel near Canberra Airport:

Vibe Hotel Canberra
Upscale hotel next to the terminal.

Looking for more options? Browse the complete list of hotels near Canberra Airport on Kayak.

Airport Lounges

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter through a lounge membership program (ie. Qantas Club or Virgin Australia).

Qantas Club Lounge
Location: Airside, near Gate 9, Domestic Departures.
Hours: 5:00 AM – 7:30 PM (Monday–Friday), 5:30 AM – 6:30 PM (Saturday–Sunday). Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Membership (Qantas Club, oneworld Sapphire/Emerald) • Business/First Class on Qantas and partner airlines • Complimentary access for eligible credit card holders.

Qantas Domestic Business Lounge
Location: Airside, near Gate 10, adjacent to the Qantas Club in the Domestic Departures area.
Hours: 5:00 AM – 7:30 PM (Monday–Friday), 5:30 AM – 6:30 PM (Saturday–Sunday; based on flight schedules). Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Business Class passengers on Qantas and eligible oneworld airlines • oneworld Emerald members • Qantas Chairman’s Lounge and Platinum members.

Virgin Australia Lounge
Location: Airside, near Gate 7, Domestic Departures.
Hours: 5:00 AM – 7:30 PM (Monday–Friday), 5:30 AM – 6:30 PM (Saturday–Sunday). Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Virgin Australia Lounge membership • Velocity Gold and Platinum members • Business Class passengers on Virgin Australia and partners.

Airport Services & Facilities

WiFi: Free WiFi is available in the Express Pick-Up waiting lounge, International Departures lounge and Office Fit For You workspace. Connect to the “Fly CBR” network.

Food & Drinks: A small selection of cafés, restaurants and convenience outlets is available, with some opening as early as 5:00 AM. There are no 24-hour restaurants, but vending machines provide food and drinks after other outlets close.

Mobile Charging: Charging points are available in the International Departures lounge and Office Fit For You workspace.

Showers: No public shower facilities are listed, and the airport lounges do not offer showers.

Luggage Storage: Not available.

Other Services: ATMs, currency exchange machines, baby care rooms, baggage trolleys, a prayer room, first aid assistance, basic shopping and SIM cards are available. Office Fit For You also provides workspaces with WiFi and charging points.

Transportation: Bus No. 3 connects the airport with Canberra city centre. Tickets can be purchased at a vending machine in the Arrivals area. Check current routes, fares and schedules with Transport Canberra. Taxis are available outside Arrivals, and car rental counters are located near baggage claim.

Security & Safety

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.

Help Keep This Airport Guide Updated

Have you recently travelled through Canberra Airport? If any information is outdated or missing, we’d love to hear from you. Your updates help fellow travellers know what to expect.