If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Phoenix Airport, you might wonder if sleeping in the airport is possible. Our guide to sleeping in Phoenix 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 Phoenix Airport
Locations & Seating
For general travel needs, travellers recommend Terminal 4 for its amenities and decent seating. In recent renovations, however, the airport has removed most armrest-free seating, so sleepers must either contort into a comfortable chair position or opt for the floor.
Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- Try your luck inside cafes and restaurants that close for the night. Four Peaks Brewery in T4, Gates A1-14, has cushioned benches.
- Armrest-free seating may exist in Terminal 4, near the D Gates.
- Landside in Terminal 3, head upstairs to the Starbucks for one of a few couches.
Rest Zones
At the time of this update, there are no designated rest zones within the airport.
Hotels
Rather spend money on the privacy and comfort of a hotel room? You’ll have to exit the airport altogether, but there are a few hotels within a quick 8-minute drive of the airport, and they offer complimentary shuttle service. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Phoenix Airport.
Lounges
Phoenix Airport has a few lounges, but 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix Airport Guide.
Airport Conditions
If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Temperature – At the time of this update, we have not received reports from travellers about terminal temperature. Still, you can expect the airport to cool down at night as the 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 – 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 – During the day, sleepers can expect the usual hum of airport activity: frequent announcements on the loudspeakers, TV and music playing at gates, and chatter from workers and other travellers. It may be quieter at night, but older traveller reviews report general announcements and hourly fire drills in the middle of the night. As a precaution, come prepared with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
Security & Safety
Airport staff and security have no issue with travellers sleeping in the airport, even overnight.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Phoenix 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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