Sleeping in Quito Airport

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

Locations & Seating

Seating is plentiful, but there’s a hitch: most seats are metal and come with armrests, so they aren’t sleep-friendly. Try contorting yourself into a sleep position or opt for the floor like other travellers – a sleep mat or blanket will provide some much-needed cushion. Depending on your spot, look for areas of carpeting.

A few travellers have reported putting chairs together for a makeshift bed in the food court, only for security staff to let them know it’s not allowed.

Rest Zones

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

Hotels

If you prefer the privacy and comfort of a hotel, you’ll have to leave the terminal behind. Luckily, a Wyndham hotel is located on airport property. Several more hotels are within a 12-minute drive of the airport, and some offer complimentary shuttle service. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Quito Airport.

Lounges

Check out the Layover Stay lounge if you are looking for a private place to nap for a few hours between flights. In addition to offering a comfortable place to hang out, they have a few comfortable recliners perfect for napping between flights. For more information, check out our Quito Airport Guide.

Airport Conditions

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

Temperature – Day or night, plan for chilly temperatures in the terminal. Arrive prepared with a blanket or even a sleeping bag. A hoodie provides extra warmth if the terminal gets even colder.
Lighting – The lights stay on around the clock. Come prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
Noise – By day, nappers should expect the regular airport hum of announcements and music over the loudspeakers and nearby travellers and workers chatting. By night, the airport is considerably quieter. Still, it’s best to be prepared with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.

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 these vendors:

Domestic Departures: Amazonia Cafe
Domestic Arrivals: Amazonia Cafe and De Volada (To Go)
International Departures: Amazonia Cafe, De Volada (On the Fly), Famous Famiglia, Johnny Rockets, and Outback Steakhouse
International Departures, landside: Johnny Rockets

Showers

Freshen up (and loosen those stiff muscles) with a shower before your flight. Shower facilities are in two pay-to-use lounges: the Salon VIP (International) and Layover Stay. See our Quito Airport Guide for details.

Security & Safety

Airport staff seem generally tolerant of sleepers, even overnight campers. Depending on your location, they may ask for boarding passes and IDs or let you know that seats cannot be moved around for napping.

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.