If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Dublin airport, you might be wondering if it is possible to sleep in the airport. Our guide to sleeping in Dublin 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 Dublin Airport
Locations & Seating
Many travellers say that sleeping is better in the landside/public areas of the airport because there are more seating options without armrests. Most good sleeping spots are in or near cafes and restaurants that close for the night – you can push together chairs to get comfortable. Airside, gate seating is mostly equipped with armrests.
Here are a few sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- Terminal 1 – post-COVID update indicates the once tolerable landside area no longer has McDonald’s or comfy seats in the food court. Be prepared to sleep on the floor.
- Oak Cafe in Terminal 2’s Arrivals area closes for the evening, and you may be able to snag a comfy armchair for resting.
- Airside in Terminal 1, you may find some couches around Gates 301-307, Gates 333-335, and at the end of the Duty Free area.
- Airside in Terminal 2, look for the “PRM Room” near the water fountain and escalator at Gates 407-408. There are a few couches in here, and airport staff may already be inside snoozing on their breaks.
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Rest Zones
Airside: Dublin Airport offers a designated rest zone with soft chairs and sleep pods, perfect for tired travellers to relax and enjoy stress-free time. Find the rest zone in Terminal 1 by passing through security, the immediate Duty-Free area, and a restaurant on your left. There’s a Starbucks and a nearby escalator leading to more restaurants – the rest zone is just to the right of this. Important: The rest zone is inaccessible overnight. Security opens at 3:30 AM.
Hotels
Prefer some privacy and comfort? Several hotels are located within a few minutes walk of the airport, and most run free shuttles to and from. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Dublin Airport.
Lounges
Dublin 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 Dublin 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 Dublin Airport Guide.
Airport Conditions
If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Temperature – Expect the airport to cool down at night as the air conditioning continues to run and fewer people are inside. Arrive prepared with a blanket or even a sleeping bag. A hoodie provides extra warmth if the terminal gets even colder.
- Lighting – At the time of this update, we have not received reports from travellers related to terminal brightness. Come prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
- Noise – During the day, you can expect frequent announcements and ambient noise from other travellers. At night, the airport mostly quiets down, whether you’re airside or in a restaurant that’s closed for the night. Cleaning crews may wake you as they move through your area, but they seem to move out just as quickly. As a precaution, come prepared with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
Security & Safety
Security staff will likely ignore overnight sleepers so you can get some rest. But they may wake up or question travellers who are particularly loud or disruptive, asking for travel plans and booting out anyone who isn’t travelling that day. Security checkpoints begin to open around 3:30 AM – 4:00 AM, so guards may wake you if the increasing terminal buzz hasn’t already.
Some travellers who tried sleeping in the Multi-Faith Prayer Room at the direction of airport security were later kicked out by other security guards, so head here at your own risk.
Homeless people and other vagrants may come into the landside areas at night, seeking shelter. Staff may take note and get them to leave, but if you’re feeling uncomfortable or harassed, notify the overnight security staff.
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.
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Airport Photo Gallery
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