Recife Airport Guide

sleeping in Recife Airport — (photo courtesy of Regina / September 2025)

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

From the outside this airport looks like it might be a comfy fit inside. Not at all, it is very sterile and lighting is poor. No carpets so one can lay out on the floor in an attempt to doze off. – mberton

REC 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 Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport.

What to Expect

Recife Airport (code: REC) serves passengers in a large, modern terminal with plenty of eateries, shopping and other amenities. WiFi is available to help pass the time. And if you don’t mind paying, comfort can be found through fee-based access to one of the airport’s first-class lounges.

Sleeping in Recife Airport

We do not yet have any sleep-related airport reviews. For uninterrupted sleep, there is a hotel at the airport and others within walking distance. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations.

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

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Airport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

Regina tells us, “in September 2025 I’ve relaxed in these laying chairs located in the domestic boarding gates, in the area from gate 16 to gate 21. They aren’t in a separate quiet place but they are much better for sleeping than the regular chairs around the airport and boarding area.”

Cots

The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in Recife airport sounds like a nightmare, there are sleep cabins inside the terminal and more hotels nearby. The drive to the city is less than 10 minutes.

Hotel inside Recife Airport

Siesta Box – Location: Domestic Terminal, Arrivals, near Belt 1. These self-service sleep cabins provide a private, climate-controlled space with a single bed, free WiFi, cable TV, ambient lighting, mirror, laptop table, and power/USB outlets. Select a cabin on the touchscreen, choose your time, and pay by credit or debit card. A PIN is issued for access. Only four cabins are available, so availability may be limited. Rates: R$59,90 (1 hour) • R$79,90 (2 hours) • R$99,90 (3 hours) • R$119,90 (4 hours) • R$139,90 (5 hours) • R$159,90 (6 hours).

Hotels near the airport

Ibis Recife Aeroporto – 200 meters from the terminal (3-minute walk). No shuttle service is provided.

Looking for more options? Browse the complete list of hotels near Recife Airport on Expedia.

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 through a lounge membership program.

Plaza Premium Lounge – Location: International Terminal, Airside, near gate 16. Hours: 24 hours. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (USD 62.26/ BRL 350) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.
Star Alliance Lounge – Location: International Terminal, Airside, near gate 16. Hours: 24 hours. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: First-class or business-class passengers of Star Alliance airlines, Star Alliance Gold members.

Food & Drinks

Food options include a 24-hour café (landside, Ground Floor), fast food outlets (airside, including Subway), and a restaurant (airside). Most options close by 11:00 PM, except the landside café.

Drinking Water
Luccas tells us that water fountains are located near the restrooms. (January 2025)

Luggage Storage & Lockers

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

Mobile Charging

A reader tells us mobile charging is available at the departure gates. (October 2022)

Showers

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

WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available. Connect to the “AENA Wi-Fi” network.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

Note: Locations, hours, and rates may change. Information is provided for general reference only.

ATMs / Cash Machines – ATMs are available. Operators include Bradesco, Caixa Econômica Federal, HSBC, Itaú Unibanco, and Santander. Fees may apply.
Currency Exchange – Confidence Exchange is available. Additional exchange services may be available; 24-hour service not confirmed.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free and a selection of shops (souvenirs, books, etc.) are available.
Information Desk – Available.
Luggage Wrapping – Available (Malex). Rates and hours not confirmed.
Pharmacy – Drogafarma is available.
Post Office – Correios postal services are available.
Travel Agencies – Several agencies operate onsite, including ABAV, Luck Viagens e Turismo, Brasluso, Mônaco Turismo, Nassau Viagens e Turismo, Pontestur, Pontual, Salgueiro, and Visão Turismo.

Airlines

Recife airport is served by: Azul • Gol • LATAM Airlines • TAP Portugal.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Buses

Local bus 33 (Aeroporto) goes to Coty Center and Boa Viagem, with departures available every 20 minutes. Local bus 152 (Jordao Baixo) stops in Boa Viagem en route to the city center. Other bus lines that link the airport to the city center include Bus 153 (Jordao Alto), Bus 161 (Brigadeiro Ivo Borges), and Bus 163 (Cajueiro Seco). Bus 33 stops in front of the airport terminal, while the other bus lines stop on the opposite side of the street.

Car Rentals

These car rental agencies are available on the ground floor of the passenger terminal: Avis • Hertz • Localiza • Movida • Unidas.

Hotel Shuttles

See Airport Hotels above.

Metro

Recife Airport is a stop on the MetroRec Subway southern line, offering a connection to downtown.

Taxis

Official taxis are available outside Arrivals; fares to Boa Viagem approx. R$25–R$30, to downtown R$40–R$50 as of 2025.

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.

Last updated: 2026-03-24

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.