If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Schiphol Airport, you might wonder if sleeping in the airport is possible. Our guide to sleeping in Amsterdam airport provides essential information for seasoned airport sleepers and newbies to help travellers arrive prepared for the experience.
We keep this guide up-to-date with the help of airport sleepers who have generously shared their experiences and airport reviews. If you have any tips or photos to contribute, please take a moment to write a review. Your feedback will help us stay informed about the latest advice for future sleepy travellers.
Sleeping in Amsterdam Airport Overnight
The airport only permits sleeping in the terminal’s public area during the night when flights are not operating. You’ll have to show your ID and boarding pass to stay overnight. If you fall asleep across chairs or benches during the day, airport staff may wake you.
Locations & Seating
You should have no problem finding a place to sit, with plenty of benches and armrest-free seats on the airside. By night, turn them into a makeshift bed or opt for the floor.
Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- Padded chairs, benches, and chaise lounges in the internet area between Piers E and F, though it does get noisy.
- On the top floor in Lounge 3, McDonald’s has armrest-free benches.
- If you’re staying landside, the cafe on the terminal’s left side has comfy seats.
Do you have a good location, airport tip or photos to add? Click here for our review form.
Rest Zones
Amsterdam Airport offers designated rest zones where tired travellers can enjoy stress-free time in reclining relaxation chairs. Locations: Gates D, Gates E upstairs (2 locations), and near the entrances to Gates C and D.
Hotels
Would you prefer some privacy and comfort? Two transit hotels are available if you want a good, solid sleep between flights without the stress of going through security. The Mercure Schiphol Terminal is located in the transit area of Lounge 3. Rooms are available overnight and during the day if you are on a flight departing the same or the next day. YOTELAIR is located in Lounge 2’s transit area, with day rooms available in 4-hour blocks. You can also opt for a shower-only package. GoSleep Pods (Concourse D) may be just what you need for a quick nap. Three more hotels are located directly at the airport, within a short walk of the Arrivals Hall: A Sheraton (day rooms available), a Hilton, and a budget-friendly citizenM hotel. Off-site there are many hotels to choose from. Here are a few:
- Corendon Urban Amsterdam Schiphol Hotel Airport » Check Rates
- Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport » Check Rates
- ibis Styles Amsterdam Airport » Check Rates
- NH Amsterdam Schiphol Airport » Check Rates
- Novotel Amsterdam Schiphol Airport » Check Rates
- Radisson Blu Hotel Amsterdam Airport, Schiphol » Check Rates
- Steigenberger Airport Hotel Amsterdam » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Schiphol Airport.
Lounges
While Amsterdam Airport has a few lounges, none have designated sleep rooms or rest areas. If you want to relax in a comfortable seat, check out this list of lounges in our Amsterdam Airport Guide that you can pay to access.
More Airport Services & Facilities
For information about drinking water, 24-hour food & drink options, luggage storage, showers, mobile charging and WiFi, visit our Schiphol Airport Guide.
Airport Conditions
If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Temperature – Reviews are mixed about the airport temperature. Some report that it is always cold, while others report that sleeping without a blanket or sleeping bag is possible. Arrive prepared, just in case. It’s better to have a blanket than to need one later on. Even a hoodie provides extra warmth if the terminal gets colder.
- Lighting – A few travellers have reported that airport lights stay on all night, though they may not be too bright. Come prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
- Noise – During the day, expect typical airport noise, like boarding calls and general announcements. By night, there are fewer announcements. Still, earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones will help if you’re trying to sleep overnight.
Security & Safety
The airport only allows sleeping inside the terminal at night when flights are not operating – which means during the day, you may asked to move or wake up if you’re sprawled out on the benches. If you stay overnight, security guards begin nightly rounds at midnight, checking for ID and boarding passes. If you don’t have a boarding pass, you must leave the airport until it re-opens at 4:00 AM.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Amsterdam Airport. However, 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 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.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
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