Sleeping in Airports

Southwest Florida Airport Guide

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

The music is on all night, so make sure you have ear plugs if you are gonna try sleeping. – caljr

RSW 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 Southwest Florida International Airport.

What to Expect

Southwest Florida Airport (Code: RSW) consists of a modern mid-sized terminal with three concourses (B, C and D). There are plenty of dining and shopping opportunities located throughout the terminal on both sides of security. Eateries and shops close down overnight, so plan accordingly. WiFi is available to help pass the time. There are no private lounges at this airport.

Southwest Florida Airport Guide
Ticketing Area (Photo courtesy of kwag4 / 30Jul2013)

Sleeping in Southwest Florida Airport

After security checkpoints close for the night, all passengers are restricted to the landside areas, and must re-clear security the next day when the checkpoints open. Airport staff and security are described as accommodating to overnight sleepers and may offer tips for finding a good sleeping spot. Other than a few random wooden benches, most seating includes armrests. If you plan to spend the night, consider bringing a travel mattress and/or sleeping bag for floor sleeping. While the lighting is dimmed at night, the public address system reportedly plays loud music and PSAs throughout the night, so make sure you bring earplugs/noise-cancelling headphones. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport. 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 Southwest Florida 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

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Southwest Florida Airport with free airport shuttles:

  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fort Myers Airport  » Check Rates
  • Comfort Inn & Suites Airport   » Check Rates
  • Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers Airport/FGCU  » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Fort Myers, search deals and read traveller reviews.

airport loungeAirport Lounges

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

wifiAirport WiFi / Internet

Free WiFi is available at Southwest Florida International Airport. Connect to the “RSWiFly” network.

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

Airport Service Plaza – This gas station is located near the airport and can be easily accessed by car. The plaza offers 24-hour dining options, an air conditioned waiting area, flight information monitors, free Wifi and mobile charging stations.

Art in the Airport – Art and live music exhibitions are available throughout the airport.

ATMs / Cash Machines – Not available.

Baby Care Facilities – If you are travelling with an infant, there is a baby care room for breastfeeding and diaper-changing. Location: Landside, Main Terminal, near airline counters.

Baggage Carts – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage carts are available. Location: Arrivals Level, Baggage Claim. Rate: unknown.

Business Center – Not available.

Currency Exchange – Not available.

Duty Free & Shopping – There are shops available in the main terminal as well as in each of the Concourses. Shops offer mostly beachwear, souvenirs, convenience style items.

Food & Drinks – Most food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options inside the airport. There is a 7-11 convenience store and a Wendy’s restaurant open 24 hours in the Airport Service Plaza, located on the Terminal Access road.

Information Desk – There are 6 information booths at the airport. The booths are staffed by Tourism Ambassadors. Locations: 5 booths on departures level • 1 booth in baggage claims. Hours: 10:00AM – 9:00PM with reduced summer hours (May – December) when it closes at 6:00PM.

Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.

Massages – Not available.

Mobile Charging – Charging stations are available throughout the terminal. A reader tells us that power outlets can be found under the seats.   Locations: Airside, all terminals.

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

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 prohibited everywhere inside the terminal.

airport hoursAirport Hours

The airport 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.

airlinesAirlines

Southwest Florida airport is served by the following airlines: Air Canada • Alaska Airlines • American Airlines • Avelo • Breeze Airways • Delta Air Lines • Eurowings • Frontier Airlines • JetBlue Airways • Southwest Airlines • Spirit Airlines • Sun Country Airlines • United Airlines • WestJet.

transportationAirport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

Local bus Route 50 serves the airport between 7:25AM – 9:25PM (with reduced hours on weekends). For route map, schedules and fares, visit the LeeTran website.

Car Rentals

Onsite car rental agencies include Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Thrifty. The following agencies: ACE • Advantage • EZ • FOX • Payless offer free shuttle service to/from their nearby off-site locations. Courtesy direct-dial phones are available at the off-site car rental shuttle stop, located along the back of the airport parking garage.

Hotel Shuttles

Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Baymont Inn & Suites Fort Myers Airport   •   Best Western Airport Inn   •   Comfort Inn & Suites Fort Myers   •   Courtyard Fort Myers – Gulf Coast Town Center   •  Drury Inn & Suites Fort Myers Airport FGCU  •   Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers Airport / FGCU   •    Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fort Myers Airport    •   Holiday Inn Ft. Myers Airport-Town Center   •    Homewood Suites by Hilton Fort Myers Airport / FGCU  •   La Quinta Inn & Suites Fort Myers Airport.

See also Airport Hotels above.

Shuttle and Private Transfers

RSW airport provides an extensive list of ground transportation options via shuttle and private transfers. See the ground transportation service booth, lower level, by Door 3 or visit the Southwest Florida Airport website.

Taxis

Taxis are available in the ground transportation area. All taxis fares from the airport are charged by zone, whereas taxis to the airport are metered.

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.