Sleeping in Mumbai Airport

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

Locations & Seating

Of the two terminals here, the newer Terminal 2 is more comfortable, with modern amenities and a decent amount of seating. Generally, the areas airside seem to have more seating than the landside areas.

Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:

National departures, near Gate 45 are some bed-like benches and a quieter vibe.
Terminal 2, entrance to Gates 67 and 78, has some comfortable chairs and long benches.
Terminal 2’s Level 2 is quieter than Level 4, where many food outlets and shops are located.

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Rest Zones

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

Hotels

Prefer some privacy and comfort? A transit hotel is available if you would like a good, solid sleep between flights without the stress of going through security. The Niranta Airport Transit Hotel & Lounge is located inside Transit 2, in International Departures. To access the hotel, you must be flying from Terminal 2. Rooms are available in blocks of 4, 7, or 24 hours. If you only need a nap for an hour or two, check out the Aviserv Lounge, which has several sleeping pods for rent. You can purchase a full lounge pass or rent just the pod, starting at 750 rupees per hour. This lounge is located on the landside, though, so you will need to re-enter security before your flight. For more traditional hotel rooms, several hotels are located within a quick 5-minute drive of the hotel, and some offer free airport shuttle service. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Mumbai Airport.

Lounges

If you are looking for a private place to nap for a few hours between flights, check out the Loyalty Lounge on the airside in Terminal 1B. In addition to offering a comfortable place to hang out, they have a few private sleep rooms that can be rented. The Aviserv Lounge, located landside in the Arrivals area, has sleep pods for rent. Check out our Mumbai Airport Guide for more information on these and other pay-to-use lounges.

Airport Conditions

If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Temperature – A few travellers have reported chilly temperatures, especially 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 – A reader tells us the airport is a “Silent Airport,” so there are no announcements. (November 2019)

Showers

Freshen up (and loosen those stiff muscles) with a shower before your flight. Head to the pay-to-use Aviserv Lounge in the pre-security Arrivals area. There may be separate shower rooms in some women’s bathrooms or designated prayer washing rooms for wudhu (pre-prayer cleansing ritual), but we have no further information.

Food & Drink

When you get the midnight munchies or give up trying to sleep and need a coffee to stay awake, 24-hour food concessions are available. Check out this vendor: The Beer Cafe in Terminal 2’s pre-Security International Departures area (near Car Park).

Security & Safety

Generally, the airport staff seem pretty tolerant of airport sleepers, even those camping out overnight.

At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Mumbai 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 are sleeping 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.