Sleeping in Airports

Sleeping in Portland Airport

sleeping in portland airport

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

Locations & Seating

Best Airports of 2015: Portland Airport
(Photo courtesy of Portland International Airport)

Good news for airport nappers! Armrest-free benches are plentiful here, though most tend to be slightly curved, so contort yourself just a little for some decent airport shuteye. The areas on the airside are more comfortable than the landside/public areas. If you stay overnight in the public zones, expect a wake-up call from security guards to verify your ID and boarding passes. If you prefer spreading out on the floor, you’re in luck, as most of the airport is carpeted (and it’s an iconic PDX Instagram shot, too).

Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:

  • Behind the ticket counter at Gates C19-21 is a row of seats that face the window, offering some privacy.
  • The far end of Concourse C has some rounded, red couches near a cafe, which closes and quiets down for the night.
  • Downstairs, near the International Baggage Claim area, several rows of benches are located alongside electric outlets.

Do you know a good location, airport tip or photos to add? Click here for our review form.

Rest Zones

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

Hotels

portland airport hotelsDo you prefer some privacy and comfort? If you would like a good solid sleep, a few hotels are located within 3 minutes of the airport, including the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel on airport property. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Portland Airport.

Lounges

portland airport loungesPortland 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 Portland 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 Portland Airport Guide.

Airport Conditions

Best Airports of 2017: Portland Airport
(Photo courtesy of Portland International Airport)

If you plan to spend the night at the airport, 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, anticipate some noise as the airport may still run announcements and cleaning crews may make the rounds.
  • 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

Airport staff seem to have no issue with sleepers and overnight campers. If you stay in the landside areas overnight, expect a wake-up call from airport security to verify your boarding pass and ID. Failure to have these may result in being asked to leave.

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

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Airport Photo Gallery

Thank you to the airport sleepers who have written reviews and shared their airport photos to help future travellers. Click here to add your airport photos.