Sleeping in Airports

Ponta Delgada Airport Guide

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

Find your bench and enjoy quiet but small airport  – a guest reviewer

PDL 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 Ponta Delgada João Paulo II Airport.

What to Expect

Ponta Delgada Airport (code: PDL) is a small, modern terminal with 10 gates and about a dozen shops and eateries. WiFi is available to help pass the time, as there is not much else.

Sleeping in Ponta Delgada Airport

ponta delgada airport guideThis airport is officially closed between midnight (or last commercial flight arrival) and 5:00AM; however, airport security leaves a landside area open that is carpeted, contains a couple of benches, and provides bathroom access. The designated area is dark and quiet during the overnight hours, but space is limited. The area is also described as being cold during the non-summer months, so consider bringing extra layers and/or a travel blanket if you are intending to spend the night. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport.  See the Airport Hotels section below for locations 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 Ponta Delgada 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 Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are a few small hotels near Ponta Delgada Airport.  However, you will find more options in the city which is only a 10+ minute drive away. Visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Ponta Delgada, search deals and read traveller reviews.

Airport Lounges

At the time of this update there were no lounges.  If this information is not correct, click here to update this airport guide.

Airport WiFi/Internet

Unlimited free WiFi is available at Ponta Delgada Airport. Connect to the “VINCI Airports wifi” network.

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

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: Level 0, across from the rent a car desks • near the check-in desks • in the parking area.

Baby Care Facilities – If you are travelling with an infant, there is a baby care room for breastfeeding and diaper-changing. Locations: Landside and Airside.

Currency Exchange – Santander Totta. Location: Landside. Hours: Unknown.

Disabled Services – The airport works in partnership with MyWay to provide personalized support for passengers with reduced mobility. Services include lifts, escalators, moving walkways, signage and professional support for those who book at least 48 hours in advance.

Duty Free & Shopping – A number of duty-free and other shops are located throughout the airside and landside areas of the airport. They sell souvenirs, perfume, travel accessories, jewelry, European soccer accessories and more. Most open between 6:00AM and 7:00AM and close between 9:00PM and 10:00PM daily.

Food & Drink – At the time of writing, no 24-hour options are available. A large restaurant is located landside on the first floor, with smaller cafes and bars located landside and airside on Level 0. Most eateries open around 6:00AM and close by 9:30PM.

Information Desk – Need help finding your way? Visit the airport information desk for help. Location: Located on Level 0, beside left luggage.

Living Spot – The Living Spot is a comfortable place to work, relax, get flight or airport information, or charge your mobile devices. You’ll find one located near the shops and restaurants area of the airport.

Luggage Storage & Lockers – Left luggage storage is available. Fee: 4,21€ per volume per day. Location: Ask the Information Desk for assistance. Hours: 6:00AM – 12:00AM.

Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage by having your bags wrapped in plastic. Location: landside, near Check-in. Hours: 5:00AM – 2:00PM (Mon-Thur), 5:00AM – 1:00PM (Fri), 6:00AM – 1200PM (Sat-Sun).

Mobile Charging – The Living Spot (see above) provides outlets for you to charge your electronics.

Postal Services – CTT offers postal services in the airport. Location: Landside. Hours: 9:00AM – 12:30PM and 2:00PM – 5:30PM. A mailbox can also be found Landside, Level 0, between the ATM and bank.

Rest Zones – The Living Spot (see above) provides a relaxing place to spend your time.

Take precaution even when sleeping in the rest zones.  In December 2019, a traveller at another airport reported that money and credit cards had been stolen from their bag even though the bag was right beside them.  Protect and lock your bags as you would sleeping elsewhere in public.

Showers – Not available.

SIM Cards – A reader let us know that you could buy SIM cards at the Vodafone booth.  Location: landside.

Smoking Area – Located outside the arrivals hall, near parking.

Airport Hours

The airport is open from 5:00AM (or two hours before the first scheduled departure) – 12:00AM (or after last scheduled flight arrival). Sleeping in the airport overnight is not possible.

Airlines

Ponta Delgada airport is served by the following airlines: Azores Airlines • Ryanair • Sata • TAP Portugal.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Car Rentals

Car rentals are available onsite. The following have desks on Level 0 near the exit doors: Autatlantis • Europcar • Guerin/Enterprise • Hertz/Thrifty • Ilha Verde • Sixt • Wayzor.

Hotel Shuttles

See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxi

Taxis have a designated pick up area outside the arrivals door.

Last updated: 2022-10-28

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.