Sleeping in Guangzhou Airport

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

Locations & Seating

Guangzhou Airport sleeper — (Photo courtesy of XiaoHei / 06Oct2014)

Expect a decent amount of seating, including armrest-free options scattered throughout the airport. Because the airport operates around the clock, plenty of overnight sleepers exist. Arrive early for your pick of sleeping spots. If you wind up sleeping on the cold floor, an extra layer or two provides much-needed warmth and added softness.

Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:

The Departure Hall, near the H and J counters.
The restaurant level, one level below Departures, seems to have a fair share of good seating, and it quiets down at night when most eateries close. Try the escalator near Gates 11-12.

Rest Zones

At the time of this update, there are no designated rest zones within the airport.

Hotels

Prefer some privacy and comfort? If you would like a good, solid sleep between flights without the stress of leaving the airport, you have a few hotel options. The Aerotel is located in the transit area of Terminal 2. In Terminal 1, the Hourly Passenger Lounge has 70 guest rooms, each with a single or double bed, desk, WiFi and TV, and shower facilities. Rent a room by the overnight, day, or hour; rates change accordingly. The Pullman Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Hotel is connected to the airport on the public side of the terminal. Additional hotels are located within a 5-minute drive of the airport. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Guangzhou Airport.

Lounges

Guangzhou Airport has many lounges. Unfortunately, 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 Guangzhou Airport Guide that you can pay to access.

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 – A few travellers mention high levels of noise. The airport operates 24 hours a day, so don’t expect it to get much quieter overnight. As a precaution, come prepared with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.

Food & Drink

When you get the midnight munchies or give up trying to sleep and need a coffee to stay awake, 24-hour food concessions are available. Check out these vendors:

KFC (1/F, West Connecting Concourse Arrival W1)
McDonalds (1/F, East Connecting Concourse Arrival E3)
Japan Fusion (1/F, Main Terminal Northeast Region)
Oak Tree (1/F, Main Terminal Northeast Region)
Porcelain Noodles (1/F, Main Terminal South Atrium)

Showers

Freshen up (and loosen those stiff muscles) with a shower before your flight. Head to the pay-to-use Premium Lounge in the International Terminal. See our Guangzhou Airport Guide for details.

Security & Safety

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