St. John's Airport Guide

sleeping in st johns airport — (photo courtesy of a guest reviewer / November 2021)

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our St. John’s 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.

I got off my flight at around 0200 on 04Nov21 and asked if I could stay airside as my next fight departed at 0500. The airport folks had no issues with me staying. – Jeff

YYT 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 St. John’s International Airport.

What to Expect

St. John’s Airport (code: YYT) has a small, modern terminal with eight gates and a half dozen shops and eateries split between the air and land sides. WiFi is available, and there are mobile device charging stations near the gates. Additional comfort can be found through fee-based access to the airport’s first-class lounge.

Sleeping in St. John’s Airport

A reviewer reported that the airport staff had no issues with them staying at the airport. You can find plenty of benches suitable for lying down at the far east of the terminal next to the children’s play area. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels within a quick shuttle ride of the airport. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels within a short shuttle ride of the airport. See the Airport Hotels section below.

Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, scroll down to explore more in our St. John’s 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.

Airport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

A reader sent us this additional information, “I contacted the airport YYT in April 2024 to ask how early you could enter the security side for early morning flights out of YYT. They replied that ‘pre-board screening opens around 3:30 a.m. Once open, you can go through at any time prior to your flight’. Hopes this helps.”

Rest & Relaxation Zones

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

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 the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are several hotels within a short drive from St. John’s International Airport.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites St. John’s Airport (0.4 mi / 0.6 km) Mid-range hotel.
Best Western Plus St. John’s Airport Hotel & Suites (0.4 mi / 0.6 km) Mid-range hotel.
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton St. John’s Airport (1.6 mi / 2.6 km) Mid-range hotel.
Candlewood Suites St. John’s Conference Centre by IHG (1.9 mi / 3.1 km) Budget hotel.

Airport Shuttles:
A few hotels offer airport shuttle service. Check with your hotel for schedules and pick-up instructions.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter through a lounge membership program.

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge – Location: Airside. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.

Drinking Water

You can fill bottles at drinking water stations on Level 2 departure/boarding area.

Food & Drink

The Pizza Shed (on the First Floor) is open 24 hours. All other food outlets typically operate during daytime/early evening hours (7 PM- 8 PM).

First Floor – Tim Hortons • JellyBean Harbour • Pizza Shed
Second Floor – Yellowbelly Brewery • Tim Hortons • Newfoundland Chocolate Company Café • Heritage Shop • Relay • Breakwater Place • Mamacita Mexican Kitchen and Latin Market • Labrador Gem Seafoods • O’Reilly’s Irish Newfoundland Pub

Luggage Storage & Lockers

There is no luggage storage or locker service. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

Mobile Charging

Free mobile charging stations are airside near Gates 1-2 and Gates 4-8.

Showers

No public shower facilities are available. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

WiFi / Internet

Free WiFi is available at St. John’s Airport.

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.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? CIBC-operated ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit before travelling. It’s also a good idea to notify your bank of your travel plans.
Baby Care Facilities – Diaper-changing facilities are available in several washrooms throughout the terminal. A nursing station is also available in the Departure Lounge.
Children’s Play Areas – A children’s play area is available if kids need to burn off some energy before boarding.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available, along with a small selection of retail shops selling souvenirs, local items, and travel essentials.
Information Desk – For assistance, visit the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) in the Arrivals Hall.
Quiet Room – A quiet room for prayer or meditation is available. Chaplaincy services, such as grief counselling or stress support, may be available upon request.

Airlines

St. John’s Airport is served by the following airlines: Air Canada • Air Canada Express • Air Canada Rouge • Air St. Pierre • Flair Airlines • Lynx Airline • PAL Airlines • Porter Airlines • Sunwing • WestJet.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

Bus route No 14 serves the airport with two pick-up locations (Arrivals and near the Holiday Inn Express Hotel). For fares, schedules, and more information, visit the Metrobus website.

Car Rentals

The following car rental agencies are available on-site: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Thrifty • Turo.

Compare car rental prices on Expedia

Hotel Shuttles

See Airport Hotels above.

Taxi

City Wide Taxi is the official taxi service provider of St. John’s Airport and has exclusive access to the airport’s taxi stand and pick-up/drop-off areas. Flat rates are available from the airport to area lodging. All other locations are metered and subject to a $5.00 airport fee.

Last updated: 2026-02-03

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.

St. John’s Airport Guide