Sleeping in Dallas-Fort Worth Airport

Whether you are an experienced airport sleeper or new to the game, this sleep guide will give you the essential information to better prepare you for sleeping in Dallas Fort Worth Airport.

Our guide is updated with the help of airport sleepers who tell us about their experiences at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. If you have a tip or photos to share, please take a moment to write a review to help us keep this sleep guide up-to-date!

Read the latest traveller reviews.

Sleeping in Dallas-Fort Worth Airport

Locations & Seating

In general, there is plenty of seating throughout the airport, but it does vary in each terminal. For instance, parts of Terminal C and the Terminal E extension area have less 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 6 comfy chairs with footstools
There is rest lounge at B-29 with a limited number of chairs.
A lounge area near Gates B41 and B42 has 12 chairs and 2 couches with several ottomans

Terminal C

Designated travel lounge at Gates C8
Gates 12 offers chairs with downward slanted foot rests
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

Pre-Security 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

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 some 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 10 viewing screens.

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 12:00 AM (midnight). Some tucked-away lounge areas may be quieter. Either way, be prepared with noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs.

Pro-tip: If you chose a spot near any eateries, keep in mind that the staff arrive early and they can get pretty loud in the kitchen.

Staff

Several travellers have reported friendly, helpful, and accommodating staff – sometimes even offering blankets for overnight travellers.

Showers

If you want to freshen up, showers are available, but you will need to pay for entry. Locations: Minute Suites (Location: Terminal D, Airside, Gate D23) and the DFW Lounge (Location: Terminal D, airside, between Gate 21 and Gate 22).

Food & Drink

A recent review (Sept 2019) mentioned that all 7-Eleven locations are open 24 hours. Airside you will find the stores at Gates A25, C11, D20 and E13. As we are not able to confirm any Landside concessions are open 24 hours, it is best to plan ahead and bring your own snacks with you.

Weather Delays

Dallas Fort Worth Airport sees more than its fair share of flight cancellations due to bad weather, but this 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 who has access to this information.

Hotels

Prefer some privacy and comfort? If you would like to have a good solid rest between flights without the stress of going through security, sleep suites are available airside in Terminal D. Minute Suites is a transit hotel that rents private suites with daybed sofa, TV, and internet, and shared shower facilities. Rooms are available by the hours or overnight, and if the suites are booked up, you can rent an air mattress for $40. Two locations inside Security: Gate A38 and Gate D23. For a traditional room, the Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency are located at the airport. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations or visit Tripadvisor to find hotels deals at DFW Airport.

Lounges

While Dallas-Fort Worth Airport has several lounges, none offer sleep rooms or rest areas. If you just want to relax in a comfortable seat, check out this list of lounges in our Dallas Fort Worth Airport Guide that you can pay to access.

Security & Safety

At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Dallas Fort Worth Airport. As a precaution, here are a few tips to ensure you have a safe airport sleeping experience:

Know Where Security is Located. Whether you are sleeping in the airport by yourself or with friends, it is good to know where security is. Know where their office is located and look for video cameras in the spot you decide to stay the night. Ask security where it is safe to spend the night. They’ve probably seen many airport sleepers before you and they will direct you to a safe spot.
Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you are travelling alone we recommend that you sleep near other travellers or close to security.
Hide Your Valuables. Don’t leave all your mobile devices out in plain view. We have received reports from people who woke up with earphones and no ipod and a laptop bag strap and no laptop bag (or laptop). Same goes with important documents and money. Keep these secure on your body, so that no one can get them without waking you up.
Secure Your Bags. If you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something. If your bags have zippers turn the bag upside down (zippers to the floor) or sleep with your bag up against the wall, so that it would be hard for someone to access.
Choose to Stay Alert. If you don’t feel safe, drink coffee and stay awake and be alert. You can always sleep on the plane!

Pro-tip: If you are sleeping 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 begin to arrive for morning flights.