Sleeping in London Gatwick Airport
Overview
Sleeping in London Gatwick Airport is possible, but a comfortable night is harder to arrange. Both terminals remain open 24 hours, but overnight travellers generally need to plan on staying before security until checkpoints reopen for early departures. Recent reviews describe scarce armrest-free seating, cold areas and plenty of floor sleepers, although a few coffee shops offer better possibilities. If you have a daytime layover or can get through security, seating improves somewhat, but Gatwick remains busy and noisy.
Overall would recommend this area for sleeping as I don’t think you’ll find better at London Gatwick, but come prepared with earplugs + sleep mask.” (Traveller review, June 2026)
Can You Sleep in London Gatwick Airport Overnight?
Yes. Gatwick’s North and South Terminals are open 24 hours, so you can remain inside overnight.
The bigger issue is security. Checkpoints close overnight according to the flight schedule, and recent travellers arriving late at night have been unable to get back through security until the early morning. A 2025 traveller also reported being refused entry through security when their flight was more than five hours away. Unless you are already in transit and permitted to remain after security, plan your overnight stay around sleeping before security.
This is where Gatwick becomes difficult. Recent reviews describe limited seating, fixed armrests, cold floors and comfortable coffee-shop seating that may be unavailable or moved around overnight. Travellers regularly end up sleeping on the floor.
Sleepability Verdict
Sleepability: Challenging
You can spend the night at Gatwick, and recent travellers generally say they felt safe, but the airport does little to make overnight sleeping comfortable. Before security, good seats are scarce, armrests and seat dividers are common and floor sleeping is often the fallback. Cold temperatures and drafts are another recurring complaint.
The North Terminal Pret has recently provided one of the better options, with benches long enough to stretch out on, but expect bright lights, overnight music and cleaning. Once security reopens, you may find armrest-free benches near some gates, although Gatwick quickly becomes busy and noisy.
No comfortable seating landside: just hard plastic seats, always with dividers everywhere.” (Traveller review, August 2025)
Traveller Reality Check
Based on recent Sleeping in Airports traveller reviews, these are the most frequently reported advantages and drawbacks of sleeping at London Gatwick Airport.
Sleep Advantages
- Terminals open 24 hours
- Some 24-hour coffee shops
- Pret benches in North Terminal
- Some armrest-free seating after security
- Travellers generally report feeling safe
Sleep Drawbacks
- Overnight stays generally before security
- Very limited comfortable seating
- Fixed armrests and seat dividers
- Floor sleeping is common
- Cold floors and drafts
- Bright lights and overnight noise
Best Places to Sleep
North and South Terminals, After Security
Once you can get through security, look around the gate areas for benches without seat dividers. A 2025 traveller reported finding rows where it was possible to stretch out. These areas may be more useful for an early-morning rest or daytime nap than for an overnight stay because security access is restricted overnight. Gatwick is also extremely busy once morning departures begin, so don’t count on a quiet sleep after security opens.
This is currently one of the more promising places to try before security. In June 2026, a traveller slept at Pret from 2:00 AM until 6:30 AM and found benches long enough to lie down and fully stretch out. Staff allowed several airport sleepers to remain, although the traveller was awakened at 4:00 AM and asked to change benches while the area was cleaned.
Seating: Comfortable armrest-free benches
Noise: Music plays overnight
Lighting: Bright
Temperature: Bring an extra layer
North Terminal, Before Security, Arrivals Level
If the Pret A Manger benches are taken, look around the Arrivals level. Travellers have generally found this level better for seating than some other parts of the North Terminal, although decent seats are limited and you may still end up on the floor. A 2024 traveller found a quiet floor spot near an escalator and power outlet, but described the floor as cold. Bring something insulated to lie on if floor sleeping is your backup plan.
Seating: Limited seating and floor space
Noise: Some quieter areas reported
Temperature: Cold
North Terminal, Before Security, Assisted Travel Area
The Assisted Travel area has been mentioned repeatedly as somewhere to look for seating when the rest of the terminal is full. Availability is unreliable, however. Travellers have found seats here sectioned off or have been asked to leave the area early in the morning. Treat this as somewhere to check rather than a dependable overnight sleeping spot.
A 2025 traveller found benches and armchairs at Caffè Nero when the rest of the South Terminal offered mostly hard plastic seats with dividers. The café remained open overnight during that stay, making it a useful place to check if you are stuck before security. As with other Gatwick coffee-shop seating, availability may depend on overnight operations and how busy the terminal is.
South Terminal, Before Security, Arrivals Level
Recent travellers describe the South Terminal as having more overnight possibilities than the North Terminal, but don’t expect a proper sleeping area. Coffee-shop seating may offer your best chance of avoiding the floor, while the general terminal seating tends to be less sleep-friendly. If the seats are full, expect plenty of company on the floor. A mat or other insulation is worth packing because cold floors and drafts are recurring complaints.
Airport Sleeper Essentials
Cots
Gatwick is not known to provide cots to stranded travellers. If you’ve received a cot or other temporary sleeping equipment during a recent cancellation or major disruption, let us know.
Food Available Overnight
You won’t be completely stranded for food and drinks overnight. Current Gatwick information lists several 24-hour options:
North Terminal
- Pret A Manger – Arrivals and after security
- Starbucks – before security
- Pret A Manger – after security
South Terminal
- Black Sheep Coffee – before security
- Caffè Nero – before security
- Greggs – Arrivals
- Pret A Manger – Arrivals and after security
Remember that overnight travellers who cannot pass security will only be able to use the options located before security or in Arrivals.
Luggage Storage
Luggage storage is available before security in both terminals through Excess Baggage Company:
North Terminal: Level 1, next to Costa Coffee
South Terminal: Level 2, behind Check-in Zone E
Hours: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Cost: £10 for up to 3 hours; £15 for up to 24 hours
The storage facilities close overnight, so you cannot retrieve your bags during the overnight closure. There are no luggage lockers at Gatwick.
Showers
There are no general public shower facilities available throughout the terminal. Showers are available through some airport lounges during their operating hours. Gatwick also offers Arrive & Refresh at the Sofitel by the North Terminal. This provides a private hotel room with an en-suite shower for up to four hours, with bookings available from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and checkout by 2:00 PM.
Airport Hotels, Sleep Pods & Cabins
If sleeping in the terminal doesn’t sound appealing, Gatwick has several hotels inside or directly connected to the terminals.
South Terminal
YOTELAIR London Gatwick
Inside the South Terminal near International Arrivals.
Compact cabins can be booked for short stays starting at four hours, making this useful for a daytime nap, long layover or part of an overnight stay. Airside transit passengers need to be able to enter the UK to use the hotel.
BLOC Hotel Gatwick
Inside the South Terminal on the Departures level, beside security.
Hilton London Gatwick Airport
Connected to the South Terminal by a covered walkway.
North Terminal
Sofitel London Gatwick
Connected to the North Terminal by a covered walkway.
The hotel also offers Arrive & Refresh rooms for up to four hours between morning arrival and afternoon checkout. [Check Rates]
Hampton by Hilton London Gatwick Airport
Connected to the North Terminal.
Premier Inn London Gatwick Airport North Terminal
About a five-minute walk from the North Terminal.
Airport Lounges with Sleep Facilities
Gatwick’s regular departure lounges are not overnight sleeping facilities. Some provide quiet areas and more comfortable seating, but they close overnight and should not be counted on for an overnight sleep. For daytime rest, long connections or a break after security opens, some lounges provide quieter seating and showers. See the London Gatwick Airport Guide for current lounge locations, hours and access information.
Safety & Security
Recent Gatwick sleepers generally describe feeling safe, including travellers sleeping alone and those surrounded by other families and overnight passengers. The more practical concern is keeping your belongings secure while sleeping in a busy public terminal. Keep passports, phones and other valuables secured, and keep your luggage immediately beside you or attached to you while you rest. If you are sleeping in a coffee shop, Assisted Travel area or another seating area used for normal airport operations, be prepared for staff to ask you to move for cleaning or when the area reopens.
There were many people, even families with children, overnighting at the airport, so one did feel safe.” (Traveller review, August 2025)
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are already airside as a connecting passenger, your circumstances may differ depending on your itinerary and whether you must clear UK immigration.
A Quick Note
Airport conditions change regularly. This guide is based on airport information and traveller reviews, but seating, terminal access, operating hours, security procedures and sleeping conditions can change. Use this guide as a starting point and be prepared for conditions to differ when you arrive.
Help Keep This Guide Current
Have you slept at Gatwick recently? We’re particularly interested in whether the North Terminal Pret benches are still available overnight, when you were allowed through security and where you found armrest-free seating. Share your experience and photos to help the next tired traveller.