If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Edinburgh Airport, you might be wondering if it is possible to sleep in the airport. Our guide to sleeping in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh Airport Overnight
While Edinburgh Airport is open 24 hours a day, you may have to stay in the landside/public zones, as security checkpoints close for a few hours at night.
Locations & Seating
Expect a decent amount of seating, though it’s not the most comfortable. Your best move is pushing a few armrest-free chairs or benches together for a makeshift bed, then adding a couple extra layers for some cushion. Sleeping on the floor seems to be no problem, and you may be able to find some darker or more private corners. The sooner you can arrive, the better your chances are for snagging a good spot.
Here are specific spots that travellers have reported:
- The Arrivals and Baggage Claim area has a good amount of armrest-free benches.
- The car rental centre, across from the main terminal, is quiet and has some chairs without armrests. (Airport staff may not allow you to stay here all night.)
- The Starbucks, located on the landside, has comfortable seating.
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Rest Zones
At the time of this update, there are no designated rest zones within the airport.
Hotels
If sleeping in the airport isn’t what you think, you can opt for the privacy and comfort of a hotel room. Several hotels are located within a few minutes drive of the airport. Two hotels are so close you can walk to them in about 10 minutes if you’ve packed light or opt for their airport shuttles. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Edinburgh Airport.
Lounges
While Edinburgh Airport has a few lounges, neither has 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 Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh Airport Guide.
Airport Conditions
If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Temperature – At the time of this update, we have not received reports from travellers about terminal temperature. Still, you can expect the terminal to cool down at night as 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 – Travellers report that the lights stay brightly lit around the clock. Come prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
- Noise – Do anticipate noise here, both during the day and at night. While flights generally stop overnight, there will be ambient noise from the many overnight travellers. Cleaning crews may start up around midnight and make enough noise to wake anyone nearby. A few reports described the airport testing the fire and safety alarm systems around 2:00 AM, lasting 30-60 minutes – it will probably be tough to get any shuteye if that happens. Come prepared with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
Security & Safety
Because the security checkpoints close overnight, you won’t be allowed to stay in the airside/gate areas. Instead, airport staff relocate all travellers to the landside/public zones. The security guards may also keep you in specific areas, like the Arrivals floor and not the Check-in areas. Still, they tend to tolerate overnight sleepers, even those sprawled on the floor. Around 4:00 AM, the airport starts buzzing with early morning activity, so you probably won’t be able to sleep much past that.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Edinburgh 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.
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Airport Photo Gallery
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