Sleeping in Stockholm Arlanda Airport
Overview
Stockholm Arlanda Airport is open 24 hours, so you can stay inside overnight, but where you end up sleeping matters. Terminal 5 has the strongest track record for sleep, with travellers finding armrest-free benches, sofas and quieter gate areas after security. SkyCity provides more options before security, but reviews describe it as colder, brighter and noisier.
If you arrive late, do not count on being able to enter or remain airside all night. Security checkpoints close overnight, and travellers arriving after the secure areas have closed have reported being routed landside. Wherever you sleep, bring warm layers: cold temperatures are one of Arlanda’s most consistent complaints.
Overall, it was a really nice airport to sleep in 🙂” (Traveller review, April 2023)
Can You Sleep in Stockholm Arlanda Airport Overnight?
Yes. Stockholm Arlanda Airport is open 24 hours.
The bigger question is whether you can sleep after security. Current security hours are 04:00-21:00 in Terminal 2 and 03:45-22:00 in Terminal 5, although Terminal 5 may open earlier for flights departing before 05:00. If you want to sleep airside, get through security before it closes.
Traveller experiences with overnight airside access are mixed. Some travellers have successfully spent the night near the Terminal 5 gates, including a traveller near Gate F26 in April 2026. Other travellers have reported being unable to remain airside after late arrivals and being directed through to the public area. An airport employee also previously reported that sleeping airside was not permitted between the last departure and the first early-morning flights.
The practical takeaway: airside sleeping in Terminal 5 can be much more comfortable, but do not rely on being able to access or remain there overnight. If you arrive after security closes or staff move you out of the secure area, expect to sleep landside.
Note that the former Terminal 4 gate area is now Gate Area C within Terminal 5. Older traveller reviews referring to Terminal 4 may therefore describe areas now identified as part of Terminal 5.
Sleepability Verdict
Sleepability: Tolerable
There are some genuinely good sleeping possibilities, particularly after security in Terminal 5. Travellers have found long armrest-free benches, sofas and quiet gate areas where they could stretch out, and several reviews describe the airport as very quiet during the middle of the night.
The drawbacks can make a big difference, though. Cold temperatures are a recurring complaint, lighting can remain bright, the terminal becomes busy early in the morning and overnight airside access is not dependable. Landside sleepers have fewer comfortable choices.
Come prepared with warm clothing, an eye mask and something to block noise, and your chances of getting useful sleep improve considerably.
Bring warm clothes this airport is always cold no matter what time of the year.” (Traveller review, September 2024)
Traveller Reality Check
Based on recent Sleeping in Airports traveller reviews, these are the most frequently reported advantages and drawbacks of sleeping at Stockholm Arlanda Airport.
Sleep Advantages
Sleep Drawbacks
Best Places to Sleep
Gate Area F has the strongest history of successful overnight sleeping at Arlanda. Travellers have repeatedly found benches long enough to lie down, with the quieter areas farther from the main terminal activity generally working better. The F33-F37 area has been mentioned several times. A December 2023 traveller described different types of seating and benches suitable for lying down near F33-F37, while an earlier traveller sleeping near F33 reported having much of the pier to themselves apart from occasional cleaners.
Seating: Armrest-free benches and other seating
Noise: Usually quiet overnight
Lighting: Variable
Temperature: Cool to cold
Power: Charging available around the gate areas
Terminal 5, Airside, near Gate F26
An April 2026 traveller sleeping near Gate F26 found a public sofa with plenty of room and very few people around overnight. The traveller reported a comfortable full night’s sleep and a good temperature, although there were no outlets at the sofa and lying down on it was apparently not officially permitted. This is one of the newest specific sleeping locations reported at Arlanda, but be prepared to move if staff ask you not to lie on the seating.
Seating: Sofas
Noise: Quiet overnight
Temperature: Reported comfortable
Power: No outlets at the reported sofa
Terminal 5, Airside, quieter gate areas
If the better-known F-gate spots are occupied, explore the quieter gates away from the main shopping and passenger areas. A 2023 traveller found plenty of armrest-free benches at a gate away from the busier part of the airport and described the area as quiet and comfortable until morning. Expect the atmosphere to change quickly once the first wave of passengers arrives.
Seating: Armrest-free benches available
Noise: Quiet overnight, noisy early morning
Lighting: Bright
Temperature: Cold
Terminal 5, Airside, Gate Area C, near Gates C30-C31
This area was formerly known as Terminal 4, so older reviews may refer to it by that name. In August 2024, a traveller slept on the floor around Gates 30-31, using the children’s play area for a flatter place to lie down. Staff did not disturb them, but the area became busy from about 05:00. Treat this as a backup floor-sleeping spot rather than a dependable first choice.
Seating: Floor sleeping reported
Noise: Quiet overnight, busy from early morning
Lighting: Bright
Temperature: Cool
Seating: Mixed seating, sofas and benches
Noise: Variable
Lighting: Bright
Temperature: Frequently cold
Power: Some charging available
Airport Sleeper Essentials
Cots
Stockholm Arlanda Airport is not known to provide cots to stranded travellers.
Food Available Overnight
You will not be limited to vending-machine snacks at Arlanda.
- Terminal 4 entrance level, before security: 7-Eleven is open 24 hours.
- Terminal 5 Arrivals, before security: 7-Eleven is open 24 hours.
- Terminal 5 Marketplace, after security: 7-Eleven is open 24 hours.
There are also 24-hour vending machines selling snacks and cold drinks in multiple locations before and after security in Terminals 2 and 5, including near several Terminal 5 gates.
Luggage Storage
Self-service luggage lockers are available before security in Terminal 2, Terminal 5 and SkyCity, with additional lockers listed elsewhere around the airport. Various locker sizes are available, including some large enough for skis and golf bags. The airport does not currently publish clear overnight access hours for every locker location, so confirm access before storing a bag you will need during the night or before an early flight.
Showers
There are no public shower facilities specifically for airport sleepers.
Showers are available inside some Terminal 5 lounges, including the Aspire Lounge and SAS Lounge. Lounge opening hours and access requirements apply, so these are primarily useful for daytime layovers or a shower before or after an overnight stay rather than for middle-of-the-night access.
Airport Lounges with Sleep Facilities
There are currently no airport lounges at Stockholm Arlanda with dedicated sleeping rooms, nap pods or other confirmed sleep facilities. Some lounges provide quieter seating and showers, but they close overnight and should not be considered overnight sleeping options. See the Stockholm Arlanda Airport Guide for current lounge information.
Airport Hotels, Sleep Pods & Cabins
If sleeping in the terminal doesn’t sound appealing, several hotels are located at or immediately beside Arlanda. These are all before security, so transit passengers must be able to enter Sweden to use them.
Radisson Blu Airport Terminal Hotel
SkyCity, before security.
The hotel is inside SkyCity and can be reached from the terminals without leaving the airport building. Day rooms have also been available for travellers wanting a few hours of sleep during a long layover.
Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport Terminal
SkyCity, before security.
Located directly in SkyCity and connected to the airport building.
Comfort Hotel Arlanda Airport Terminal
At the airport, before security.
Located across the street from the SkyCity entrance, about 50 metres from the terminal complex.
If you don’t mind a short shuttle ride, several nearby hotels offer free airport shuttle service. See more hotel options in our Stockholm Arlanda Airport Guide.
There are no currently verified sleep pods or airside sleep cabins at Stockholm Arlanda Airport.
Safety & Security
Most sleep-specific traveller reviews describe feeling safe at Arlanda, including people sleeping alone in quiet gate areas. Staff have generally left sleepers alone, although security or police may wake people or ask them to move. There have also been older reports of theft from airport sleepers. Keep passports, phones and other valuables secured, and keep your luggage attached to you or immediately beside you while resting. If staff ask you to move from an airside area overnight, follow their instructions and be prepared to relocate landside.
We had the complete F pier for ourselves. It was really quiet except the cleaning guy who crossed our way 2-3 times.” (Traveller review, March 2020)
Frequently Asked Questions
If sleeping airside matters to your plans, get through security before it closes and have a landside backup.
A Quick Note
Airport conditions change regularly. This guide is based on airport information and traveller reviews, but seating, terminal access, operating hours, security procedures and sleeping conditions can change. Use this guide as a starting point and be prepared for conditions to differ when you arrive.
Help Keep This Guide Current
Have you slept at Stockholm Arlanda Airport recently? Tell us whether you were allowed to remain airside overnight, where you found the most comfortable seating and whether those Terminal 5 F-gate sleep spots are still available. Your review and photos can help the next tired traveller find somewhere to rest.