If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Lisbon airport, you might be wondering if it is possible to sleep in the airport. Our guide to sleeping in Lisbon 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 Lisbon Airport Overnight
Lisbon Airport technically stays open 24 hours, but the security checkpoints for each terminal close nightly. Depending on when you arrive at the airport, travellers spending the night may have to stay in the landside/public area.
Locations & Seating
The more modern Terminal 1 is by far the more highly recommended of the two terminals, particularly for sleeping options. The seating is a mix of seats with armrests and some armrest-free benches. If you prefer sleeping on the floor, you won’t be the only one – bring extra layers for some added cushion. If you’re unable to stay on the airside, you’ll have to head to the landside/public zones, which tend to have harder furniture and colder floors, so be prepared.
Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- Terminal 1’s food court has some benches, though they may fill up quickly!
- In Terminal 1, there may be a few couches near Gate 16.
- The international gates in Terminal 1, around Gates 40-50, tend to be quieter when not in use.
- In the landside areas of Terminal 1, Burger King has several cushioned benches.
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Rest Zones
not available
Hotels
Would you prefer the privacy and comfort that a hotel provides? Several hotels are within a 10-minute drive of the airport, and some offer shuttle services. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Lisbon Airport.
Lounges
While Lisbon Airport has a few lounges, 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 Lisbon 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 Lisbon Airport Guide.
Airport Conditions
If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Temperature – The airport is reportedly chilly, particularly overnight. 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 – We have conflicting traveller reports regarding the noise levels at Lisbon Airport. If you’re staying overnight on the landside, the noise will likely be fairly high with other travellers and security staff, and occasional announcements and cleaning crews. If you’re airside, gates not in use may be much quieter. Either way, come prepared with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. As more travellers arrive for morning flights, the airport noise seems to pick up significantly around 4:00 AM.
Security & Safety
Airport staff and security guards seem to tolerate airport sleepers, both landside and airside zones. Do expect security staff to check your ID and tickets, especially if you sleep on the landside areas.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Lisbon 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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