Sleeping in Airports

Thunder Bay Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Thunder Bay 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 was prepared to spend the night in the airport — 4.5 hrs., to be more accurate. However, a stern security guard nixed this plan immediately and told me the airport ‘closes from 1:30 to 4:30 am’ – a traveller

YQT Airport Overview

thunder bay airport guideTo help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Thunder Bay International Airport.

What to Expect

Thunder Bay Airport (code: YQT) consists of a small, two-level terminal with a couple of eateries and shops. WiFi is available to pass the time. There are no private lounges at this airport.

Sleeping in Thunder Bay Airport

We have received mixed reviews regarding whether airport authorities allow sleeping in the terminal. A recent reviewer reported that he found comfortable overnight sleeping on a couch near the chapel. However, in previous years some reviewers had reported that the terminal was closed between 1:30AM and 5:30AM. 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 Thunder Bay 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 Thunder Bay Airport:

  • Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre – No airport shuttle.  » Check Rates
  • Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton – Free airport shuttle is available.  » Check Rates
  • Ramada by Wyndham Thunder Bay Airlane Hotel – No airport shuttle.  » Check Rates
  • Best Western Thunder Bay Crossroads – Free airport transportation is available.  » Check Rates
  • Comfort Inn –  No airport shuttle. » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Thunder Bay, 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 Thunder Bay Airport. Connect to the “Free Tbaytel WiFi” network.

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

Arcade – Location: Beside the gift shop on the second floor

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: first and second floor.

Business Centre – Location: Second Floor, near Arrival Gate 4.

Duty Free & Shopping – No duty free shops are available. There is a gift shop located on the second floor operating from 2:00PM – 6:00PM, Mondays to Fridays.

Food & Drinks – At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options. Options include:

  • Landside: The Market – Hours: 9:00AM – 11:00PM/2:00PM – 5:30PM (Mon – Fri). • Bar – Hours 12:30PM – 5:00PM (Mon – Fri).
  • Airside: NOMAD – Location: 2nd Floor, across from the gift shop. Hours: 4:00AM – 7:30PM (Mon – Fri/Sun) and 4:00AM – 4:30PM (Sat).
  • Vending machines are also available in the airport.

Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.

Mobile Charging – A reader tells us “Locking mobile phone chargers are available airside free of charge.” (November 2022)

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.

Worship Centre – Location: Second Floor, near Arrival Gate 4.

airport hoursAirport Hours

The airport is open daily from 3:30 AM until last flight of the day (approx. 1:30AM).

airlinesAirlines

Thunder Bay airport is served by the following airlines: Air Canada • Bearskin Airlines • Canadian North • Niigaani Air • North Star Air • Porter Airlines • Thunder Airlines Ltd • Wasaya Airways LP • WestJet • Wiskair. Note: additional airlines may serve the airport on a vacation-charter basis only.

transportationAirport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

Thunder Bay Transit Bus routes #3 Memorial – Airport and #3A Airport – City Hall Terminal serve the airport. At the time of this update, bus fare is $2.75.

Car Rentals

The following car rental agencies are available onsite: Avis • Budget • Driving Force • Enterprise • Hertz • National.

Hotel Shuttles

At the time of this update Best Western Crossroads Motor Inn was the only hotel offering airport transportation.  Area hotels can be reached by using the courtesy hotel shuttle phone in the baggage claim area.

See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxi

Metered taxis are readily available.

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.