If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Sydney Airport, you might be wondering if it is possible to sleep in the airport. Our guide to sleeping in Sydney 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 Sydney Airport Overnight
Locations & Seating
The amount of seating here is OK, but most benches are equipped with armrests. You’ll either want to contort yourself or stretch out on the floor. Extra layers, a sleep mat, or a sleeping bag will provide the necessary cushion on the marble ground.
Rest Zones
At the time of this update, there are no designated rest zones within the airport.
Hotels
If you prefer the privacy and comfort of a hotel room, you have a few hotel options located directly at the airport. The Mantra Hotel Sydney Airport is a new hotel in short walking distance of Terminals 2 and 3, and day rooms are available. Rydges Sydney Airport is located opposite the International Terminal. Additional hotels are within walking distance, or a short airport shuttle drive away. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Sydney Airport.
Lounges
While Sydney Airport has a few 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 Sydney 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 Sydney 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 chilly temperatures throughout the various terminals. Pro-tip: 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 reports from travellers related to terminal brightness. Arrive prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
- Noise – Daytime sleepers can expect the usual hum of airport chaos: music and TVs blaring, announcements playing frequently, and workers and travellers chatting. By night, it quiets down a bit, but you will likely have to stay in a designated waiting area in the International Terminal, and whether it’s noisy depends on the other travellers camping out. Music may play throughout the night. As a precaution, you should 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 Sydney 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.
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Airport Photo Gallery
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