If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Atlanta Airport, you might wonder if sleeping in the airport is possible. Our guide to sleeping in Atlanta 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 Atlanta Airport
Locations & Seating
Expect a decent amount of seating, though the quality and style vary between the many concourses. For instance, some of Concourse B’s seats have armrests. Travellers particularly like Concourse E and Concourse F/the International Terminal for comfortable places to sleep. Many areas have chairs or couches you can pull together for a more comfortable rest.
Here are a few good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- The PlaneTrain level between Concourses A and B is a carpeted area for sprawling out. Grab a spot near the rainforest-themed art installation with ambient wildlife noise and dim lighting, which is quieter and more conducive to sleeping than much of the airport.
- Concourse D’s mezzanine level has chairs that travellers push together for makeshift beds.
- Concourse F’s mezzanine level, near the Club at ATL, is a quiet, private area with some sofas.
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Rest Zones
At the time of this update, there are no designated rest zones within the terminal.
Hotels
Would you prefer some privacy and comfort? A transit hotel is available if you want a good, solid sleep between flights without the stress of going through security. Minute Suites offers ten private suites (5 each at Gate B16 and Gate T8, equipped with a daybed, sheets, WiFi, TV, and a “nap audio” program. Suites can be rented in hourly blocks and overnight. If the suites are full, you can rent an air mattress for $40, with no time limit.
On the landside, the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway offers a more traditional hotel experience, connected to the airport terminal and accessible by ATL SkyTrain. Off-site, there are many hotels nearby. Here are a few:
- Drury Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport » Check Rates
- Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport-North, an IHG Hotel » Check Rates
- Renaissance Atlanta Airport Gateway Hotel » Check Rates
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Atlanta Airport North » Check Rates
- Hilton Atlanta Airport » Check Rates
- Sonesta Atlanta Airport South » Check Rates
- Comfort Inn Atlanta Airport » Check Rates
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Atlanta Airport North » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Atlanta Airport.
Lounges
Atlanta Airport has several lounges, but none have designated sleep rooms or rest areas. If you only want to relax in a comfortable seat for a few hours before your flight, check out this list of lounges in our Atlanta 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 Atlanta Airport Guide.
Staff
Some travellers reported airport staff handing out blankets on nights that were particularly cold in the terminal – though this may relate more to weather delays than simply people choosing to stay the night in the airport.
Weather Delays
Atlanta Airport sees more than its fair share of flight cancellations due to bad winter storms and summer hurricanes, which means they are more prepared than other airports. When mass cancellations happen at Atlanta Airport, staff may hand out blankets to stranded travellers, and airlines may set up temporary desks handing out water and other care items. Could you ask an airline or airport employee or use a courtesy phone to reach someone with access to this information?
Airport Conditions
If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Temperature – The terminal can get cold inside, particularly in winter and near the windows. Some travellers were able to get blankets from airport staff or flight crew. Come prepared with a blanket and dress warm. A hoodie provides extra warmth if the terminal gets even colder.
- Lighting – The terminal stays brightly lit around the clock, but mezzanine levels and areas near large art installations may have dimmer lighting. Arrive prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
- Noise is a factor, with TV, music, and announcements playing loudly, even between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., when flights rarely come or go. Noise from nearby cleaning crews reportedly wakes up some travellers. Come prepared with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
Security & Safety
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Atlanta Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s essential 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. Please 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 awoke 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 sharp, 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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Airport Photo Gallery
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