Sleeping in Moscow Domodedovo Airport

If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Moscow Domodedovo airport, you might be wondering if it is possible to sleep in the airport. Our guide to sleeping in Domodedovo 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 Moscow Domodedovo Airport

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Locations & Seating

Thanks to the 2018 World Cup, the airport had a “good behaviour” policy, which included fining travellers 100-500 rubles for “offences” such as sleeping in the airport. We’re unsure if this policy is still in effect, but be aware. Otherwise, travellers have reported plenty of seating, but most options have armrests. Generally, the airside areas are more comfortable and have more amenities than the landside check-in areas. If you prefer to spread out, the floor before the chapel on the departure level is popular.

Rest Zones

At the time of this update, there are no designated rest zones within the airport.

Hotels

Would you prefer the privacy and comfort of a hotel room? If you want a good, solid sleep before an early morning flight, the Domodedovo Airhotel is a 3-minute walk from the airport (a free shuttle is also available). A few other hotels are within a 5-minute drive of the airport, with free shuttle service. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Domodedovo Airport.

Lounges

While Moscow Domodedovo 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 Moscow Domodedovo 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 Domodedovo Airport Guide.

Airport Conditions

At the time of this update, we have not received reports from travellers about the overall terminal environment, such as temperature, lighting, and noise. In general, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Temperature: Expect the airport to cool down at night, with air conditioning running and fewer people inside.
Noise: Even as overnight flights slow down or stop entirely, the airport may still run announcements, and cleaning crews may make the rounds, so anticipate some noise.
Lighting: The airport may stay bright thanks to around-the-clock lights, but certain corners may be dimly lit.

Arrive prepared! We recommend earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones, an extra layer of warmth, eyeshades, or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.

Security & Safety

Most airport staff seem to tolerate overnight sleepers, though we’re unsure if this has changed thanks to the 2018 World Cup “good behaviour” policy. Some reviewers who spent the night reported being woken up by police or security guards, likely because it was early morning and more travellers began arriving at the airport.

At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Moscow Domodedovo 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.