Sleeping in Winnipeg Airport

If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Winnipeg airport, you might be wondering if it is possible to sleep in the airport. Our guide to sleeping in Winnipeg 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 Winnipeg Airport Overnight

Winnipeg Airport is technically open 24 hours, but once Security checkpoints close for the night, all travellers must relocate to the landside/public areas – even if you’re already in the airside zone.

Locations & Seating

Travellers report comfier sleep spots airside, which is helpful during the day but a bit of a drag at night when you’re stuck in the landside area. Airside, you’ll find armrest-free benches and carpeting flooring. Landside, head to the carpeted areas by the Baggage Claim carousels.

Rest Zones

At the time of this update, there are no designated rest zones within the airport.

Hotels

Would you prefer the comfort and privacy of a hotel room? You’re in luck, with two hotels located directly at the airport. The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel is located just across from the main terminal. Additional hotels are within a 3-minute drive of the airport, with free shuttle service available. See the hotel section of our Airport Guide for locations, or visit Tripadvisor to find hotel deals at Winnipeg Airport.

Lounges

While Winnipeg 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 Winnipeg Airport Guide that you can pay to access.

Airport Conditions

If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Temperature – This airport can get downright cold at night. 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 – During the day, you’ll hear the regular noise of airport activity: travellers chatting, music playing, announcements blaring. At night, you’ll have to hang out in the landside zones, so whether it’s quiet depends on the other travellers camping out nearby. Do bring earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.

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, both located landside: Tim Horton’s and Stella’s Cafe Quick Service Take Out.

Showers

Unfortunately, there are no showers available to freshen up.

Security & Safety

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