Whether your situation calls for a short nap or an overnight slumber, this sleep guide will give you the essential information needed to prepare you for sleeping in Seattle Airport.
Our guide is updated with the help of airport sleepers who tell us about their experiences at Seattle Airport. If you have a tip to share, write a review to help us keep this sleep guide up-to-date!
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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 along 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 on bright.
- Pre-Security, the meditation room on Floor 2 has a quiet vibe and a few comfortable benches.
- Pre-Security, head upstairs to the Mezzanine by Security Checkpoint 4, towards the USO Room. The hallways is dark and a few chairs are there, so try pushing them together for a makeshift bed.
- Security Checkpoint 2: S shaped couches that are 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. We do not have any additional information.
Temperature
At the time of this update, we have not received reports from travellers related to terminal temperature. Still, you can likely 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. Do bring along earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones if you’re serious about getting some shuteye.
Showers
Freshen up (and loosen those stiff muscles) with a shower before your flight. Shower facilities are located in the Delta Sky Club, South Satellite location, but you have to be flying Delta to gain entry. Check out our Seattle Airport Guide for details.
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:
- Central Terminal Food Court (airside): Dilettante Chocolates & Mocha Cafe • Starbucks.
- B Gates: McDonald’s • Qdoba Mexican Grill.
- Landside: Alki Bakery (inside the 24 hour Hudson News).
- Vending machines are also available throughout the airport.
Hotels
If you prefer the comfort and privacy of a hotel room, you will have to leave the airport behind. Several hotels are located within a quick 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 hotels deals at Seattle Airport.
Lounges
While Seattle Airport has several lounges, none have designated sleep rooms or rest areas. If you just want to relax in a comfortable seat, check out this list of lounges in our Seattle Airport Guide that you can pay to access.
Security & Safety
Airport staff don’t seem to mind the airport sleepers, even overnight.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Seattle Airport. As a precaution, here are a few tips to ensure you have a safe airport sleeping experience:
- Know Where Security is Located. Whether you are sleeping in the airport by yourself or with friends, it is good to know where security is. Know where their office is located and look for video cameras in the spot you decide to stay the night. Ask security where it is safe to spend the night. They’ve probably seen many airport sleepers before you and they will direct you to a safe spot.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you are travelling alone we recommend that you sleep near other travellers or close to security.
- Hide Your Valuables. Don’t leave all your mobile devices out in plain view. We have received reports from people who woke up with earphones and no ipod and a laptop bag strap and no laptop bag (or laptop). Same goes with important documents and money. Keep these secure on your body, so that no one can get them without waking you up.
- Secure Your Bags. If you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something. If your bags have zippers turn the bag upside down (zippers to the floor) or sleep with your bag up against the wall, so that it would be hard for someone to access.
- Choose to Stay Alert. If you don’t feel safe, drink coffee and stay awake and be alert. You can always sleep on the plane!
Pro-tip: If you are sleeping 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 begin to arrive for morning flights.
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