If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Tampa Airport, you might be wondering if it is possible to sleep in the airport. Our guide to sleeping in Tampa 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 Tampa Airport
Locations & Seating
You’ll likely have no problem grabbing a seat, but don’t expect much in the way of comfort, as most are equipped with armrests. Instead, stretch out on the carpeted floor – an extra blanket, sleeping bag, or sleep mat will help with the comfort factor.
Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- Landside – from Baggage Claim, head to Floor 3 for space and privacy.
- Airside – follow signs for Gates 1-45 for some couches and lie-down furniture.
Rest Zones
At the time of this update, there are no designated rest zones within the airport.
Hotels
If you prefer the comfort and privacy of a hotel room, check out the Marriott Tampa Airport, which is located directly inside the terminal, accessible from the Transfer Level. Additional hotels are within a quick drive of the airport, with a free shuttle service. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Tampa Airport.
Lounges
While Tampa Airport has a few lounges, neither has 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 Tampa Airport Guide that you can pay to access if you are flying United or Delta.
More Airport Services & Facilities
For information about drinking water, 24-hour food & drink options, luggage storage, showers, mobile charging and WiFi, visit our Tampa 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
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Tampa 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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