If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Seattle Airport, you might wonder if sleeping in the airport is possible. Our guide to sleeping in Seattle 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 Seattle Airport Overnight
Locations & Seating
Though the areas inside security do have more seating, most are equipped with armrests, preventing lie-down sleep. Instead, contort yourself creatively or opt for the floor. Bring a blanket, sleep mat, or sleeping bag to cushion and warm the cold ground.
Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- In Terminal N, Gates N11 and N16 may be quieter at night, but the lights are still bright.
- Landside, the meditation room on Floor 2 has a quiet vibe and a few comfortable benches.
- Landside, head upstairs to the Mezzanine by Security Checkpoint 4, towards the USO Room. The hallways are dark, and a few chairs are there, so try pushing them together for a makeshift bed.
- Security Checkpoint 2: S-shaped couches long enough for tall travellers.
Spots to avoid:
- Gates C9 and C17 have a lot of TVs that blare constantly.
Rest Zones
Pre-Covid, Seattle Airport offered a designated rest zone(at Gate B4) that offered plentiful seating and power outlets. According to a reader, it is now closed or moved. Unfortunately, we don’t have any additional information.
Hotels
If you prefer the comfort and privacy of a hotel room, you will have to leave the airport behind. Several hotels are within a 5-minute drive of the airport, and most run free shuttle service. See the hotel section of our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Seattle Airport.
Lounges
While Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle 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 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 – Many areas stay brightly lit, even at night. Come prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
- Noise – Daytime sleepers should expect the regular hum of airport activity: TVs and music playing, frequent overhead announcements, and workers and travellers chatting. At night, TVs stay on, and announcements continue to run, perhaps less frequently. Bring earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones if you’re serious about getting some shuteye.
Security & Safety
Airport staff seem to be okay with the airport sleepers, even overnight.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Seattle 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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