If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Helsinki-Vantaa airport, you might be wondering if it is possible to sleep in the airport. Our guide to sleeping in Helsinki 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 Helsinki Airport
Locations & Seating
The sleek and modern airport offers a decent amount of seating, including armrest-free benches and reclining chairs scattered throughout. Not all gates have seating areas, so look for a good spot. If you want to sprawl out on the floor for some rest, seek out some carpeted areas or consider using a sleeping bag or sleep mat. You likely won’t be alone if you spend the night in the landside/public zone. The benches at the check-in desks fill up first, so arrive early to grab one.
Rest Zones
The Kainuu Lounge closed at some point during Covid. We have no information if the closure is permanent.
Hotels
Prefer some privacy and comfort? If you would like a good, solid sleep between flights without the stress of going through security, in-transit sleep pods are available. GoSleep Pods are individual sleep chairs with their own covers that offer privacy and a place to store your personal items securely. Rent for 1 hour or longer, and choose from a few different packages. Location: Terminal 2, Airside, 3rd Floor, near Gate 28 (Schengen Zone). Traditional hotels are also located at the airport, with day rooms available. They are in landside areas, so you’ll have to re-enter Security for your next flight. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Helsinki Airport.
Lounges
If you are looking for a private place to nap for a few hours between flights, check out the Finnair Lounge in Terminal 2, which is open to any Finnair ticket holder. In addition to offering a comfortable and relaxing environment, they have a few private sleep rooms that can be rented. Rooms can be booked at the lounge door. For details on this lounge and other pay-to-use lounges, check out our Helsinki Airport Guide.
More Airport Services & Facilities
For information about drinking water, 24-hour food & drink options, luggage storage, showers, mobile charging and WiFi, visit our Helsinki 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 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. During the summer months of June, July, and August, the summer sun only sets for a few short hours each night, and the effect is certainly felt thanks to the airport’s large windows. Come prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
- Noise – Overnight sleepers report that the airport is surprisingly quiet in both landside and airside areas. Still, it’s better to anticipate some staff arriving to open eateries around 3:00 AM – 4:00 AM or for a cleaning crew to pass you. It’s always a good idea to travel with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
Security & Safety
Airport staff are pretty tolerant of overnight sleepers, and a few travellers report that the security contributes to the overall feeling of safety. Staff generally leave you alone, but don’t be surprised if you get a wake-up for ID and ticket checks.
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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