Sleeping in Toronto Pearson Airport

Whether you are an experienced airport sleeper or new to the game, this sleep guide will give you the essential information to better prepare you for sleeping in Toronto Pearson Airport.

Our guide is updated with the help of airport sleepers who tell us about their experiences at Toronto Pearson Airport. If you have a tip to share, write a review to help us keep this sleep guide up-to-date!

Covid-19 Update: This sleep guide was written before Covid-19, so the information may have changed. In October 2021, we will be starting our first guide update since March 2020. A lot has changed, so it’s going to be a massive update. If you are interested in helping, click here to add or update information or write a review to add tips or share photos to help future travellers .

This guide was last updated: 18 September 2019. Read the latest traveller reviews.

Sleeping in Toronto Pearson Airport

Locations & Seating

Nappers are in luck, with a good amount of armrest-free seating throughout both the pre- and Secure areas. We’ve also heard rumors about a few free sleep pods for a quick cat nap, but we don’t know exactly where inside Security these are located. If you prefer to stretch out, the floor is an option, with some corner nooks providing some shelter, but do bring a blanket, sleep mat, or sleeping bag for cushion and warmth.

Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:

The designated rest zones in Terminal 1’s pre-Security areas.
The bar near Gate C34 has some benches and long, armrest-free seating you may be able to take advantage of once it closes for the night.
The 24-hour Starbucks in the pre-Secure area, but be sure to purchase something for your time.
Pre-Security, head behind the check-in counters to find some armrest-free benches and carpeted floors.
Pre-Security, windows that line one side of the terminal have heat vents that more than one traveller took advantage of!

Rest Zones

Toronto Pearson Airport offers a couple designated rest zones where tired travellers can relax and enjoy some stress-free time before their flight. The free lounge areas offer comfortable padded seats. Both lounges are located in the pre-Security areas of Terminal 1: CIBC Welcome Centre (Arrivals Level) and Lounge 15 (Departures Level, Aisle 15).

Temperature

Airport temperatures run from mild to very cold. 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. Come prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.

Noise

The noise levels here are pretty average, with the usual hum of daily airport activity. At night, it depends on your sleep spot, but at least a couple reviewers mentioned little to no announcements and music during the night. Still, be prepared with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.

Pro-tip: If you chose a spot near any eateries, keep in mind that the staff arrive early and they can get pretty loud in the kitchen.

Showers

Freshen up (and loosen those stiff muscles) with a shower before your flight. Pay-to-use shower facilities are located in 3 locations of the Plaza Premium Lounge, as well as Goodlife Fitness and the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, connected to Terminal 3. See our Toronto Pearson Airport Guide for details.

Food & Drink

Since the pandemic, there are no 24-hour food concessions. If or when this changes, click here to let us know and we will update the guide.

Hotels

Do you prefer the comfort and privacy of a hotel room? The Sheraton Gateway Hotel is connected to Terminal 3 via a climate-controlled walkway, so you can check in here in between flights without the hassle of being too far from the airport. Fitness center-only packages are also available.

Several more hotels are located within a quick 5 minute drive of the airport, and some are in walking distance. See the hotel section in our Airport Guide for locations or visit Tripadvisor to find hotels deals at Toronto Airport.

Lounges

While Toronto Pearson Airport has many 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 Toronto Pearson Airport Guide that you can pay to access.

Security & Safety

At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Toronto Pearson 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.