Sleeping in Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport

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

Locations & Seating

For a major international airport, the seating is limited. What seating does exist likely is metal and equipped with armrests. Your best bet may be sleeping on the floor, but come prepared with blankets, a sleep mat, or a sleeping bag because most flooring is cold and not carpeted.

Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:

Head to the newly renovated concourse for rest zones with reclining chairs.
The food court in Terminal 1 (Airside) has couch-like benches.
The Gate area of the Domestic Terminal has some armrest-free chairs and a few sofas.

Rest Zones

Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport has a few rest areas with reclining chairs, perfect for resting before your next flight. Head to the new pier and look for chair groups lined along the windows.

Hotels

Would you prefer the privacy and comfort of a hotel room? A transit hotel is available if you want a good, solid sleep between flights without the stress of going through security. The Aerotel is located Airside in the International Terminal, Floor 3. Each room has a private shower; you can book in 3-hour- or 6-hour blocks. A shower-only package is also available.

Two more hotels are located at the airport on the landside; the Rio Aeroporto Hotel rents rooms overnight or during the day. Adjacent to the main terminal, the Linx Hotel is also available. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Galeão Airport.

Lounges

If you are looking for a private place to nap for a few hours between flights, check out the Plaza Premium Lounge on the landside in Terminal 2, Arrivals Hall. In addition to offering a comfortable place to hang out, they have a few private sleep rooms that can be rented for an additional cost. Rooms can be booked at the lounge door. For more information, check out our Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport Guide.

More Airport Services & Facilities

For information about drinking water, 24-hour food & drink options, luggage storage, showers, mobile charging and WiFi, visit our Galeão Airport Guide.

Airport Conditions

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

Temperature – Travellers report cold temperatures, especially at night. 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 recent 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 – Daytime nappers can expect the usual airport noise, like frequent announcements, music, and chatter from workers and other travellers. The airport has very few flights coming or going at night, so the terminals should quiet down considerably. As a precaution, come prepared with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.

Security & Safety

At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Rio de Janeiro Galeão 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 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.