Sleeping in Airports

Sleeping in Dubai Airport

sleeping in dubai airport

If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Dubai Airport, you might be wondering if it is possible to sleep in the airport. Our guide to sleeping in Dubai 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.

Can You Sleep Overnight at Dubai Airport?

Airside

From free rest zones to sleep cabins and plush airport hotels, there are plenty of options for you to get some shut-eye.

There are plenty of seating options, plus designated rest zones with comfortable reclining chairs throughout the airport. However, given the huge number of transit passengers moving through the airport, it might be challenging to find a seat.

Unfortunately, gate area seating tends to have armrests on them, making them unfriendly for passengers looking to lie down and sleep. You may need to sleep on the floor to catch some zzzz’s closer to your departure gate. The carpeted floor of DXB is no stranger to sleeping travellers. If you don’t get your hands on one of the seats, bring a sleeping mat and spread out on the floor for some rest. The floor areas are open plan, though, and you won’t be able to find many hidden nooks and crannies for privacy.

Landside

If you plan to sleep in the terminals’ public area overnight, unfortunately, we don’t have any reviews for landside sleeping at the time of this update. Write a review to help future travellers planning to sleep in the public area of the airport.

Where Can You Sleep for Free in Dubai Airport?

DXB has a few rest zones where travellers can lie down and get some shut-eye. The rest zones are located throughout the airside zone of terminal 3. Beware, though, the airport is busy with many transit travellers, so the rest zones tend to fill up quite quickly; snag one when you can!

You’ll find the rest zones in the following areas:

  • Terminal 3, Airside, Concourse A – near Gates A1, A16, A21, A24,
  • Terminal 3, Airside, Concourse B – near Gates B7-8, B10-11, B14-23, B25-27, B29, and B31-32.

Do you have a good location, airport tip or photos to add? Click here for our review form.

dubai airport rest zone seating
(photo courtesy of a guest reviewer / September 2019)

What Are Some Tips for Sleeping at Dubai Airport?

If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Temperature – It can be very chilly in this airport. Arrive prepared with a blanket and extra layers. A hoodie would be a good idea, and even a sleeping bag if you can!
  • Lighting – Like any terminal building, the lighting can be a nuisance. Come prepared with shades or something else to cover your eyes, like a T-shirt or a towel.
  • Noise – With flights going through the night, this airport rarely sees any downtime, so it can get pretty noisy. Expect typical airport noise like frequent loudspeaker announcements, TVs blaring international news, and the chatter of the many travellers. It may quiet down for a couple of hours, between 2:00 AM – 4:00 AM, but it’s best to be prepared with earplugs, noise-cancelling headphones, and even a white noise app on your smartphone if you want to get any rest.

For more tips, check out our tips for sleeping in the airport.

Are Lounges Available?

Dubai Airport has several lounges that economy class passengers can pay to use. None of the lounges have designated rest zones or sleep rooms. Learn more about lounges in our Dubai Airport Guide.

Are There Hotels Inside Dubai Airport?

If you’d prefer some privacy and comfort plus the guarantee of a restful night’s sleep, The Dubai International Airport Hotel is a traditional hotel located airside. You must be a transit passenger to check in here. (That means you won’t be able to access your checked luggage). Rooms are rented in blocks of 6, 12, or 18 hours.

Two more sleep options are inside the airside zone, though they are for shorter stays in less traditional hotels. The Snooze Cube in Terminal 1, Gate C22, rents private compact rooms by the hour, with a 2-hour minimum. Sleep n’Fly Lounge, in Terminal 3, opposite Gate A1, has igloo-style sleep pods that accommodate up to 2 people. Pods can be booked from 1 hour to overnight, and you can pre-book some time slots.

Other hotels located directly at the airport but on the landside/public zone include the Holiday Inn Express and Premier Inn. See the hotel section in our Dubai Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Dubai Airport.

Are Showers available?

If you’ve had a night sleeping on the cold airport floor, you’ll probably need a shower to loosen up your stiff joints and warm you up before your flight. Paid showers are located in Terminal 3, between the following Gates: B13-19 and C18-22. The G-Force Health Club, near the Dubai International Hotel, has shower facilities, with packages starting at AED 45. Several pay-to-use lounges also have shower facilities. See our Dubai Airport Guide for details.

Is There Anything Open 24 Hours?

Thankfully, if you sleep at Dubai Airport overnight, you will find that most dining options are open 24 hours. Plan your late-night food and drink options and check the airport website to see if your favourite restaurants will open.

You’ll also be able to pass the time with some late-night shopping as most of the shops are still open through the night, including Dubai Duty-Free and Carrefour.

Is it Safe to Sleep at Dubai International Airport?

At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at DXB. 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.

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Airport Photo Gallery

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