If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Dallas-Fort Worth airport, you might wonder if sleeping in the airport is possible. Our guide to sleeping in Dallas 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 Dallas-Fort Worth Airport
Locations & Seating
There is plenty of seating throughout the airport, but it varies in each terminal. For instance, parts of Terminal C and the Terminal E extension area have fewer seating options than other areas.
Many benches at gates are equipped with armrests, making it harder to stretch out, but seeking out designated rest or lounge areas often turns up comfy chairs you can push together or actual couches and armrest-free benches – which means you probably won’t have to sleep on the floor.
Here are good spots that travellers have reported for sleeping:
Terminal B
- A lounge area near Gate B10 has six comfy chairs with footstools
- There is a rest lounge at B-29 with a limited number of chairs.
- A lounge area near Gates B41 and B42 has 12 chairs and two couches with several ottomans.
Terminal C
- Designated travel lounge at Gates C8
- Gates 12 offers chairs with downward-slanted footrests
- A lounge near Gate C20, behind Starbucks, has armchairs with footstools and two couches
Terminal D
- Two lounge areas at Gate D22, upstairs from the Duty-Free area
- A small, dark room in Terminal E near IHOP, next to the windows
Terminal E
- Airside at Terminal E’s check-in desk 31 has couches
- A designated lounge area between Gates E7 and E8, with a few leather chairs and couches
Do you have a good location, airport tip or photos to add? Click here for our review form.
Rest Zones
Dallas Fort Worth Airport offers designated rest zones where tired travellers can relax and enjoy some stress-free time before their flight. These Travel Lounges are a cozy space with padded lounge chairs and workstation seating, with power outlets at each seat. Locations: Gates B28, C8, C26, and E8.
A theatre area in Terminal D offers comfortable media chairs and ten viewing screens.
Cots
In the event of bad weather or massive flight cancellations, this airport supplies eco-friendly biodegradable blankets and pillows for stranded travellers. To find them, contact an airport employee or use the courtesy phone.
Hours
See “Airport Hours” in our Airport Guide.
Hotels
Would you prefer some privacy and comfort? Sleep suites are available airside in Terminal D if you want a good solid rest between flights without the stress of going through security. Minute Suites is a transit hotel that rents private suites with a daybed sofa, TV, internet and shared shower facilities. Rooms are available by the hours or overnight, and if the suites are booked, you can rent an air mattress for $40. There are two locations on the airside: Gate A38 and Gate D23. If you prefer a traditional hotel room, you will find the Grand Hyatt inside Terminal D and the Hyatt Regency adjacent to Terminal C. You will also find many off-site hotels, some with airport shuttles. Here are a few:
- Best Western Plus DFW Airport Suites » Check Rates
- Clarion Inn & Suites DFW North » Check Rates
- Comfort Suites DFW Airport » Check Rates
- Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Marriott » Check Rates
- Extended Stay America – Dallas – DFW Airport North » Check Rates
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Irving / DFW Airport North » Check Rates
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Irving-DFW Airport » Check Rates
- Hyatt Place DFW » Check Rates
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Dallas DFW Airport North » Check Rates
- Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel » Check Rates
- Super 8 by Wyndham Grapevine/DFW Airport Northwest » Check Rates
- TownePlace Suites Dallas DFW Airport North/Irving » Check Rates
- Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels at DFW Airport.
Lounges
While Dallas-Fort Worth Airport has several lounges, none offer 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 Dallas Fort Worth 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 Dallas-Fort Worth Airport Guide.
Staff
Several travellers have reported friendly, helpful, and accommodating staff – sometimes even offering blankets for overnight travellers.
Weather Delays
Dallas Fort Worth Airport sees more than its fair share of flight cancellations due to bad weather, which means they are more prepared than other airports. When mass cancellations happen at Dallas Fort Worth Airport, eco-friendly biodegradable blankets and pillows are provided. To find them, 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 – Many reviewers have reported cold temperatures, particularly at night. Arrive prepared with a blanket or even a sleeping bag. A hoodie provides extra warmth if the terminal gets even colder.
- Lighting – The terminal is reportedly bright around the clock. Arrive prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
- Noise – Travellers have reported that the terminals can stay noisy overnight, thanks to frequent airport announcements, TVs, and occasional cleaning crews that work past midnight. Some tucked-away lounge areas may be quieter. Either way, be prepared with noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs.
Security & Safety
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Dallas Fort Worth 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 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 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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