If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Kuala Lumpur Airport, you might be wondering if it is possible to sleep in the airport. Our guide to sleeping in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur Airport
Locations & Seating
Expect plenty of seating and benches throughout most of the airport. But, the many travellers crowding the terminals means you may have to search around a bit. Whether the seats are comfortable is anyone’s guess: some benches may be padded, while others are equipped with armrests or curved, preventing rest. Travellers generally prefer the main terminals to KLIA2, which has fewer amenities and seating options. Sleeping on the floor isn’t the most glamorous, but you certainly won’t be the only person doing so – bring an extra layer for cushion and warmth.
Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- Many people congregate at the food court on Floor 2 when eateries close.
- The Samsung movie lounge in KLIA2 may have comfortable sofas and a quiet vibe, especially at night.
- A nook near the movie lounge offers a little privacy.
- Level 3 of Gateway@KLIA1, near Exit Door 3, there’s a small nook that is dark and a bit private.
- Terminal 1’s Floor 4 may have padded benches lining the walls, often with staff and locals resting there.
- The Mezzanine area may quiet down and get darker at night.
Rest Zones
A designated rest area is an oasis for travellers who want to relax in comfortable massage chairs. The Rest N Go is located on the landside in the Main Terminal, across from the Air Asia check-in counter.
Hotels
Do you prefer some privacy and comfort? Two transit hotels are available if you want a good, solid sleep between flights without the stress of going through security. The Sama-Sama Express KLIA (Location: Satellite A Building, near Gate C5) is open to travellers who are transiting between flights, so do not clear through Immigration/Customs if you want to head here. Day rooms are with a 6-hour minimum. The Napzone KLIA offers 28 sleep capsules in the transit area. Another transit hotel, Sama-Sama Express KLIA2, is specifically for travellers transiting between international flights. Location: KLIA2, Satellite Building, Level 3. On the public side of the KLIA2 terminal, you will find Aerotel, which offers small rooms with a 3-hour minimum. Several other hotels are located at or near the airport. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Kuala Lumpur Airport.
Lounges
If you want a private place to nap for a few hours between flights, check out the Plaza Premium Lounge in the Gateway@KLIA2 (Arrivals). In addition to offering a comfortable place to hang out, they have a few private sleep rooms that can be rented. Rooms can be booked at the lounge door. Check out our Kuala Lumpur Airport Guide for more information on this and other pay-to-use lounges.
More Airport Services & Facilities
For information about drinking water, 24-hour food & drink options, luggage storage, showers, mobile charging and WiFi, visit our KLIA 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. Come prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
- Noise – The airport never quiets down too much due to flights coming and going 24 hours a day. Daytime sleepers can expect to hear frequent announcements and the din of all the nearby travellers. At night, announcements and music continue playing, and many overnight travellers mean there are always people chatting and milling about. Do come prepared with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
Security & Safety
Airport staff and security generally ignore the many overnight travellers.
Several travellers reported feeling relatively safe, but others had somewhat sketchy experiences in landside and airside zones. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s essential 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 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. Please 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 awoke 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 sharp, 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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