If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Barcelona El Prat airport, you might be wondering if it is possible to sleep in the airport. Our guide to sleeping in El Prat 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 Barcelona El Prat Airport
Locations & Seating
The airport accommodates many overnight sleepers, so you won’t be the only one looking for privacy. There is plenty of seating throughout the airport, but most of it fits in with its modern vibe, so expect metal chairs with armrests – not particularly conducive to sleep. Instead, anticipate spreading out on the floors – seek some carpet patches or bring an extra soft layer to warm up the cold tiles.
Here are a few sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- Upstairs in Terminal 1 is quieter and not as bright, but you’ll likely still wind up on the floor.
- In Terminal 2, head to Gates U37-38 for armrest-free benches. (Note that the area may be locked if you haven’t arrived early enough.)
- Seek out closed cafes and restaurants – there may be chairs you can move around for a makeshift bed, as long as you’re lucky and security staff don’t prevent you. A recent reviewer suggested the Jamaica bar in Terminal 2B.
- The children’s play areas generally have soft, cushiony floors.
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Rest Zones
At the time of this update, there are no designated rest zones within the airport.
Hotels
Prefer some privacy and comfort? If you want a good solid sleep between flights without leaving the airport, you can head to Sleep & Fly Barcelona. The rooms have a double bed, private bathroom, TV, robe and toiletries, and other amenities. Book overnight or in blocks of 3-6 hours during the day. These are located in the landside area of Terminal 1, so if you are in transit, you’ll need to process through security.
See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at El Prat Airport.
Lounges
While Barcelona El Prat Airport has several lounges, 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 Barcelona El Prat 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 BCN Airport Guide.
Airport Conditions
If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Temperature – It gets cold here, and if you’re sleeping on the floor, it can be downright frigid! Arrive prepared with a blanket or even a sleeping bag. A hoodie provides extra warmth if the terminal gets even colder.
- Lighting – The airport does leave most lights on around-the-clock, but enough areas aren’t so bright as to prevent overnight sleeping. Come prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
- Noise – There is some ambient noise depending on your sleep spot, but nothing that earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones can’t help. Occasional cleaning crews may be loud, but it seems it’s only for a short period, as they quickly move on to the next area.
Security & Safety
Airport security guards generally tolerate sleeping travellers, but prepare for a midnight wake-up if you stay the night. Guards are simply verifying your passports and tickets.
4:00 AM seems to signal the end of the night here, as that is when guards will begin waking everyone up as airport businesses open and more travellers arrive. Once the airport re-opens, you won’t be able to lie on floors or furniture, so grab a coffee and get caffeinated till your flight.
In general, travellers haven’t mentioned feeling unsafe here, but we have had a couple of reports of non-travellers and homeless folk wandering or sleeping in the public areas of the airport.
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.
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Airport Photo Gallery
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