If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at São Paulo Guarulhos airport, you might be wondering if it is possible to sleep in the airport. Our guide to sleeping in Guarulhos 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 São Paulo Guarulhos Airport Overnight
Locations & Seating
In such a large airport, the seating could be better. Most benches have armrests, so you must contort yourself or opt for the floor. The more modern Terminal 3 may have more comfortable seating. Try pushing some rows of seats together to create a makeshift bed with some privacy. If you wind up on the floor, carpeting is practically non-existent, so a sleep mat, blanket, or sleeping bag will provide much-needed cushion. Travellers sometimes find the layout confusing, thanks to many hallways, but these may provide some privacy and quieter sleep spots.
Multiple Starbucks locations have comfortable chairs and sofas – just be sure to buy something small if you’re going to stay for a while.
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. The Slaviero Fast Sleep hotel in Terminal 2 has sleep cabins with bunk beds, bathrooms, and free WiFi that are rentable by the hour or longer blocks. The Tryp by Wyndham São Paulo Guarulhos Airport is a more traditional hotel located in Terminal 3. Still, you must have an international boarding pass or international connection to access this hotel. Overnight and hourly rates are available. Additional hotels are located within a short drive from the airport. See the hotel section of our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Guarulhos Airport.
Lounges
While São Paulo Guarulhos Airport has several lounges, 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 São Paulo Guarulhos 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 Guarulhos 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 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, the airport may still run announcements, and cleaning crews may make the rounds, so anticipate some noise.
- 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 take no issue with the many travellers who spend the night here, and it seems safe. We have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at São Paulo Guarulhos 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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