If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Detroit airport, you might be wondering if it is possible to sleep in the airport. Our guide to sleeping in Detroit 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 Detroit Airport
Locations & Seating
The McNamara Terminal, which houses Concourses A, B, and C, has more sleeping options than the North Terminal for overnight travellers. Gate areas have a good supply of seats, but most are fitted with armrests, so they’re not exactly sleep-friendly. Bring extra layers to cushion the hard, cold floor if you want to spread out on the floor.
Travellers have specifically reported the far end of Concourse B, near Gate B21, as a good sleep spot. This area has some comfortable furniture, particularly two L-shaped couches, and tends to be quieter than the rest of the airport.
Do you have a good location, airport tip or photos to add? Click here for our review form.
Rest Zones
At the time of this update, there are no designated rest zones within the airport.
Hotels
If you’d prefer the privacy and comfort of a hotel room, you have a few options:
Minute Suites is a good option for single travellers looking for a simple bed and some privacy. Located on the airside, near Gate A66, you would not need to pass through security. The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport is located just on the landside of the McNamara terminal, so you’ll have to process through the checkpoint before your next flight. Free shuttles connect the hotel to the North Terminal, and day rooms are available. A few other hotels are located within a quick drive of the airport, and most offer free shuttle service. Here are a few:
- American Inn & Suites Metro Airport » Check Rates
- Comfort Inn Metro Airport » Check Rates
- Delta Hotels by Marriott Detroit Metro Airport » Check Rates
- Detroit Metro Airport Marriott » Check Rates
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Detroit Metro Airport » Check Rates
- Extended Stay America – Detroit – Metropolitan Airport » Check Rates
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Detroit Metro Airport Romulus » Check Rates
- Four Points by Sheraton Detroit Metro Airport » Check Rates
- Hampton Inn & Suites Detroit/Airport-Romulus » Check Rates
- Hilton Garden Inn Detroit Metro Airport » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn Detroit Metro Airport, an IHG Hotel » Check Rates
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Detroit Metro Airport » Check Rates
- Sheraton Detroit Metro Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Detroit Airport.
Lounges
Detroit Airport has a few 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 Detroit 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 Detroit Airport Guide.
Weather Delays
Detroit Airport sees more than its fair share of flight cancellations due to bad weather, particularly winter storms, which means they are generally more prepared than other airports. When mass cancellations happen at Detroit Airport, cots are available for stranded passengers who opt against getting a hotel room. To find them, ask an airline or airport employee or use a courtesy phone to reach someone with access to this information.
Note that cots cannot be reserved in advance and are only for use in case of weather delays and cancellations – not simply because you chose to stay overnight at the airport.
Airport Conditions
If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Temperature – This airport is cold, particularly at night. Bring extra layers, especially if you plan on sleeping on the floor. Arrive prepared with a blanket, sleep mat, or sleeping bag.
- Lighting – At the time of this update, we have not received reports from travellers related to terminal brightness. Arrive prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
- Noise – Depending on your overnight sleep spot, you should anticipate some noise, especially from TVs that stay on all night and frequent airport announcements over the loudspeakers. Some corners are quieter than others, especially farther down the Concourses. Come prepared with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
Security & Safety
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on security or safety issues at Detroit 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 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.
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.
Write a Review
To help us keep this page up-to-date for future airport sleepers, please write a review about your experience sleeping in Detroit Airport.
Airport Photo Gallery
Thank you to the airport sleepers who have written reviews and shared their airport photos to help future travellers. Click here to add your airport photos.
