If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Philadelphia Airport, you might wonder if sleeping in the airport is possible. Our guide to sleeping in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia Airport Overnight
While the Philadelphia Airport is technically open 24 hours a day, some terminals may close overnight when security checkpoints close. If you’re on the airside, you may have to relocate to the landside/public side.
Locations & Seating
Of seven terminals, the best sleeping spots are reportedly located in Terminal C. Seating is plentiful, and some seating options are armrest-free, so grab one if it’s open!
Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- Cots may be available in the hallway connecting Terminals A and B.
- Terminal B is quiet overnight, with few flights and little foot traffic.
- Landside, head to the International Arrivals Hall in Terminal A.
- Landside walkways tend to be a little quieter.
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Rest Zones
At the time of this update, there are no designated rest zones within the airport.
Hotels
Do 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 altogether. Minute Suites is inside the airport, with 13 private suites available hourly or overnight. The rates are costly, but they rent air mattresses for $40 when the suites are booked. For a more traditional hotel, check out the Philadelphia Airport Marriott, located across the sky bridge from Terminal B. Shuttle service also runs regularly. A few more hotels are situated within a 6-minute drive of the airport. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Philadelphia Airport.
Lounges
Philadelphia Airport has a few lounges, but none have designated sleep rooms or rest areas. If you want to relax in a comfortable seat for a few hours before your flight, check out the pay-to-use lounge details in our Philadelphia Airport Guide.
Weather Delays
Philadelphia Airport sees more than its fair share of flight cancellations due to bad weather (summer thunderstorms and winter snow), which means they are more prepared than other airports. When mass cancellations happen at Philadelphia Airport, the Hospitality Program provides passengers with snacks, pillows, blankets, and information on nearby hotels. To find them, ask an airline or airport employee or use a courtesy phone to reach someone with access to this information.
More Airport Services & Facilities
For information about drinking water, 24-hour food & drink options, luggage storage, showers, mobile charging and WiFi, visit our Philadelphia Airport Guide.
Airport Conditions
If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Temperature – Expect cold nighttime temps as air conditioning continues to run and fewer people are inside. Arrive prepared with a blanket or even a sleeping bag. A hoodie provides extra warmth if the terminal gets even colder.
- Lighting – Lighting is reportedly on and bright throughout the night. Come prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
- Noise – One of the biggest complaints here is the noise factor. Announcements and TVs blare non-stop, both day and night. Plan in advance: pack your earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
Airport Staff
Airport staff seem to have no issue with sleepers and overnight campers, and some go out of their way to provide toiletries and sleep essentials! Swing by the information desks to see if the airport staff can give you a free sleep kit with a blanket, pillow, and maybe even a toiletry kit. (Travellers have been successful in Terminals B, C, and F.)
Safety & Security
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Philadelphia 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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Airport Photo Gallery
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