If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Milan Malpensa airport, you might be wondering if it is possible to sleep in the airport. Our guide to sleeping in Malpensa 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 Milan Malpensa Airport
Locations & Seating
Most of the seating here has armrests. However, the larger Terminal 1 has a decent amount of metal benches. Keep your eyes peeled for one; otherwise, you’ll likely need to rest on the floor. Many travellers camp overnight in Terminal 2, as it is home to many low-cost carriers, but there are fewer quiet corners as the layout is a bit more straightforward.
Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- In Terminal 1, the Gran Cafe on Level P1 closes for the night, leaving some comfortable seats in a quieter area.
- In Terminal 1, look for the hallway near the escalator by the food court on Floor 3 – it is relatively quiet and comfortable for floor sleepers.
- In Terminal 1’s Arrivals area, by Exit 4, there may be a bench behind a pillar near the Puro Gusto cafeteria. It offers some privacy for resting.
- Gates A50-54, in T1, reportedly has some comfortable seats with armrests, but you could try to move them around into a makeshift bed.
Rest Zones
At the time of this update, there are no designated rest zones within the airport.
Hotels
Would you prefer some privacy and comfort? You have a few options if you want a good, solid sleep between flights without the stress of leaving the airport. The Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel in Terminal 1 offers overnight stays, day rooms, and flexible 5-hour blocks. Nearby, there are four sleep pods available to rent. The pods are soundproof and fitted with a bed, WiFi, power outlets, and flight status updates. Both of these hotels are located in the landside/public area of the terminal, so you will have to re-enter security for your next flight.
The Moxy is located directly opposite Terminal 2, and a few more are within a 5-minute drive of the airport. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Malpensa Airport.
Lounges
While Milan Malpensa Airport has several 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 Milan Malpensa 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 Malpensa Airport Guide.
Airport Conditions
If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Temperature – A 2023 reader says the temperature does not cool overnight, but you may want to consider putting something on the tile floor as the floor can get cold.
- Lighting – A few travellers mentioned bright lights stay on through the night. Come prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
- Noise – The airport doesn’t seem any noisier than most airports, and several travellers commented that the airport quiets down significantly by midnight. Expect the noise factor to increase again around 5:00 AM or 6:00 AM as morning travellers begin arriving. As always, come prepared with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
Security & Safety
Airport staff seem to have no issue with airport sleepers, even those camping overnight.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Milan Malpensa Airport. In fact, a few travellers reported feeling safe inside the airport.
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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