Sleeping in Mexico City Airport
Overview
If you’re planning to sleep in Mexico City Airport, set your expectations low. Both terminals remain open overnight before security, but traveller reviews describe a crowded, noisy airport with bright lighting, hard floors and limited seating where you can properly stretch out. Security and police have also been reported waking people who are lying down or sleeping, particularly before security. Terminal 2 has produced a few better options, including armrest-free benches around Gate 72 and a couch at the upstairs Starbucks near Door 3. If those don’t work out, MEX has a major advantage over many airports: sleep capsules in both terminals and hotels directly inside or connected to the airport.
In total 9.5 hours of insomnia and back ache.” (Traveller review)
Can You Sleep in Mexico City Airport Overnight?
Yes, you can stay in Mexico City Airport overnight, but actually getting much sleep can be difficult.
Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 remain open 24 hours before security. Overnight access after security is less predictable and may depend on your flight and the operating hours of the security checkpoints. One traveller arriving on an international flight was able to remain in the secure boarding area because they had no checked luggage and did not need to continue to baggage claim. Do not assume you will be able to enter or remain after security throughout the night.
The bigger problem is sleeping itself. Several traveller reviews describe police or security waking people who were lying down or sleeping. A Terminal 1 traveller in 2023 was allowed to lie down at 2:30 AM but was awakened at 4:00 AM and told not to continue sleeping. Earlier travellers in Terminal 2 described similar enforcement, including people being awakened even while reclining in seats. Enforcement may vary by area and time, since other travellers have successfully spent the night resting in both terminals. Be prepared to move or sit upright if staff ask you to.
Sleepability Verdict
Sleepability: Challenging
Mexico City Airport is open overnight, but the terminal was not designed with sleepers in mind. Most seating is divided by armrests, floors are hard and tiled, lighting can be bright, announcements continue through the night and quiet corners are difficult to find. Temperature is another wildcard: travellers have described everything from excessive heat to areas cold enough to require a blanket.
There are a few better pockets in Terminal 2, but the recurring reports of security waking sleepers make floor sleeping or stretching out somewhere before security particularly unreliable.
The saving grace is the paid sleep infrastructure. If terminal sleeping isn’t working, izZzleep operates sleep capsules in both terminals, while several full-service hotels are inside or directly connected to the airport.
There are some seats without arms rests, so you can lie down to sleep, and the area is relatively quiet during the early hours of the morning (12am – 5am).” (Traveller review, December 2023)
Traveller Reality Check
Based on Sleeping in Airports traveller reviews, these are the most frequently reported advantages and drawbacks of sleeping at Mexico City Airport.
Sleep Advantages
- Some armrest-free benches in T2
- 24-hour food and convenience stores
- Sleep capsules in both terminals
- Hotels inside or connected to terminals
- 24-hour luggage storage
Sleep Drawbacks
- Security may wake sleepers
- Bright lights and frequent announcements
- Most seating has armrests
- Hard, tiled floors
- Quiet areas are scarce
- Temperature varies considerably
Best Places to Sleep
There are no dedicated free sleep or quiet zones at Mexico City Airport. Most travellers end up improvising with gate seating, benches, restaurant seating or the floor.
Terminal 1 is huge, and sleeping conditions can vary considerably depending on where you settle. Traveller reviews describe uncomfortable metal seating with armrests and hard tiled floors, with relatively few places where you can stretch out. Some travellers have found seats where the armrests have been bent down, creating enough room to lie across two or three seats. The main drawback is enforcement. Travellers have reported security waking people who are lying down or sleeping, so even if you find usable floor space, you may not be allowed to stay there for long.
Seating: Mostly metal seating with armrests
Noise: Noisy
Lighting: Bright
Temperature: Variable
Terminal 1, after security
A traveller with an overnight international connection reported remaining after security after arriving on a flight because they had no checked luggage and did not need to continue to baggage claim. The boarding area had better seating and felt preferable to the check-in area, but the seats had armrests and the floor was cold, hard and uncarpeted. Some gates were quieter and cooler than others, so walking around may be worthwhile if you are already inside the secure area.
Seating: Mostly seats with armrests
Noise: Frequent announcements
Floor: Hard, cold and uncarpeted
Temperature: Variable, with colder gate areas
This is one of the more promising terminal sleeping spots reported by travellers. There are some armrest-free seats that allow you to lie down, although they can be difficult to find. A December 2023 traveller described the area as relatively quiet between midnight and 5:00 AM and spent the night lying down here. The major drawback was the temperature. The same traveller found the air conditioning extremely cold and could not properly sleep despite having a place to stretch out. Bring a warm layer or blanket if you plan to try this area.
Seating: Some armrest-free seating
Noise: Relatively quiet overnight, with ambient noise
Temperature: Cold
Nearby: Toilets and overnight food
Terminal 2, before security, near Door 3, upstairs Starbucks
A traveller with a 19-hour connection found a couch at the second-floor Starbucks near Door 3 and stayed there for about 13 hours, including sleeping overnight. The traveller was able to charge a phone, use the nearby toilet and rest on what they described as a very comfortable couch. Staff did not ask them to leave despite not purchasing anything. This was reported in July 2023, so treat it as a useful place to check rather than a guaranteed sleeping spot.
Seating: Couch
Power: Available
Nearby: Toilets
Terminal 2, general gate areas
Terminal 2 is busy and often crowded, particularly around Aeromexico and Delta departures. Most seating is not particularly sleep-friendly, but some benches allow you to lie down. Floor space tends to be along halls and walkways rather than tucked-away corners. Expect frequent announcements and unusual or bright lighting. Quiet areas are scarce.
Seating: Mixed; some armrest-free benches
Noise: Noisy
Lighting: Bright or variable
Floor: Mostly hard floors and busy walkways
Airport Sleeper Essentials
Cots
Mexico City Airport does not provide cots for stranded travellers.
Food Available Overnight
You should not have much trouble finding basic food or drinks overnight. Both terminals have 24-hour options.
- Terminal 1 – Several food outlets and convenience stores operate 24 hours, including 7-Eleven, OXXO, Circle K, Starbucks and selected restaurants and snack counters. Options are available on both the lower and upper levels.
- Terminal 2 – Terminal 2 also has 24-hour options, including several 7-Eleven locations and other food outlets. Some are located around the arrivals area before security, while additional 24-hour options are available upstairs around the departure waiting areas.
If you’re staying after security overnight, buy anything essential while you know you have access to an open outlet rather than assuming you will be able to move freely between areas later.
Luggage Storage
24-hour luggage storage is available before security in both terminals.
- Terminal 1, before security, Lower Level: Mexicana de Lockers operates 24 hours.
- Terminal 2, before security, Arrivals Level: Viajes Kokai operates 24-hour luggage storage.
A traveller reported paying approximately MXN 250 in 2023 and being charged again when reopening the stored luggage, but current rates may differ. Check the price and re-entry conditions before storing your bags.
Showers
There are no free public showers in the terminals. Showers are available at izZzleep in the airport and inside selected airport lounges. Access requires payment, a capsule stay or eligible lounge access depending on the facility.
Airport Hotels, Sleep Pods & Cabins
If sleeping in the terminal doesn’t sound appealing, MEX has unusually good access to paid sleeping alternatives.
izZzleep Sleep Capsules
The private capsules have a single-bed-size mattress, adjustable ventilation and lighting, electrical outlets, USB charging and Wi-Fi. Shared bathrooms and showers are available. The Terminal 2 location also offers luggage storage. These are particularly useful for a long layover or overnight stay when you want to remain at the airport without paying for a full hotel room.
- Terminal 1, before security: izZzleep operates sleep capsules inside Terminal 1 near the long-distance bus terminal and fast-food area.
- Terminal 2, before security: izZzleep is inside Terminal 2 in the annex beside the airport bus terminal.
Hotels Inside or Connected to the Airport
Hilton Mexico City Airport
Terminal 1: Located inside Terminal 1 near Gate 8 on the third level.
Courtyard by Marriott Mexico City Airport
Terminal 1: Connected to Terminal 1 by a pedestrian bridge.
NH Collection Mexico City Airport T2
Terminal 2: Located inside the Terminal 2 building on the sixth floor, accessible by elevator from the terminal.
Camino Real Aeropuerto Mexico
Terminal 1: Connected directly to Terminal 1 by a pedestrian bridge, with shuttle service to Terminal 2.
Airport Lounges with Sleep Facilities
Mexico City Airport has numerous lounges, including some that remain open 24 hours, but there are no confirmed airport lounges with dedicated nap rooms, sleep pods or other facilities specifically designed for sleeping. Lounges can still provide somewhere to sit away from the main terminal crowds, along with food, drinks, showers or charging depending on the lounge. See the Mexico City Airport Guide for the complete lounge list and current access information.
Safety & Security
Keep your bags and valuables secured while sleeping.
One older traveller review described the area before security in Terminal 1 as feeling less secure than the boarding area and mentioned concerns about theft based on what the traveller had been told locally. Other reviews have not established theft as a recurring problem among Sleeping in Airports travellers, so this should not be treated as evidence that theft is common throughout the airport.
A more consistently reported issue is interaction with security. Travellers in both terminals have described police or security waking people who were sleeping, reclining or lying on the floor. If you’re asked to sit up or move, don’t assume another seemingly empty corner will necessarily be treated differently.
For a quieter overnight stay with fewer concerns about your luggage, the airport’s 24-hour luggage-storage facilities and paid sleep capsules provide alternatives to keeping all of your belongings around you while resting in the public terminal.
I passed there 13 (!) Hours on the couch without even order anything… Slept, charged my phone, used the toilet. The employees didnt mind at all.” (Traveller review, July 2023)
Frequently Asked Questions
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 Mexico City Airport recently? Tell us whether security still wakes overnight sleepers, whether the armrest-free seats near Terminal 2 Gate 72 are still available, or if you’ve found a better place to rest. Submit a review and photos to help the next tired traveller.