If you’re dealing with a long layover or an early morning flight departure at Zurich airport, you might wonder if sleeping in the airport is possible. Our guide to sleeping in Zurich 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 Zurich Airport
Locations & Seating
The sleeping spots at Zurich Airport are quite good, especially on the airside, where most gates begin to quieten around 11:00 p.m. A quick look about should turn up some armrest-free seating. If you’re in the Airside Center, there are only a few comfortable chairs, but lie-flat benches are suitable for stretching out, and it doesn’t tend to be too busy overnight. If you prefer the floor, look for some carpeted areas or bring a sleep mat for much-needed cushion.
Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- In Terminal A, head towards the vending machine corner for a few armrest-free chairs and some privacy (plus wall outlets).
- Terminal B seems to have a lot of armrest-free benches.
- The Center Bar near the E Gates may have long, flat couches in enclosed booths.
- Airside, head to the Security Control Area on the top floor, where it’s quiet, and there’s little foot traffic.
- Landside, in Arrivals and across from the Swiss Arrival Lounge, a children’s play area with a few seats is likely to be quiet at night.
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Rest Zones
Pre-Covid, the airport operated a designated, pay-to-use rest zone in Transit Area D. For CHF 25, you would get 3-hour access to the 12 reclining chairs and wool blankets near the Transit Hotel. We can’t find any information that this still exists. If you know, click here to update this guide.
Hotels
Do you prefer some privacy and comfort? A transit hotel is available if you want a good, solid sleep between flights without the stress of going through security. Located airside near the B/D Gates, the transit hotel has private rooms equipped with beds and TVs, or you can check into the rest area, where 12 bed-style seats are situated in their own private cubicles. Showers are included in the cost, too.
We’ve heard rumours about pay-to-use sleep pods in the airport, but we don’t have any details. If you prefer a more traditional hotel, check out the Radisson Blu Hotel Zurich Airport, which is connected to the main terminal via a walkway. You would need to leave the airside area to access it.
Additional hotels are within a quick 6-minute drive of the airport, some with free shuttle service. Here are a few:
- Hyatt Place Zurich Airport The Circle » Check Rates
- Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport The Circle » Check Rates
- Hilton Zurich Airport » Check Rates
- Hotel Allegra Lodge » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Zurich Airport.
Lounges
While Zurich Airport has several 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 Zurich Airport Lounge 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 Zurich Airport Guide.
Airport Conditions
If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Temperature – It can get frigid here, so dress in layers and come prepared with a blanket. A hoodie provides extra warmth if the terminal gets even colder.
- Lighting – Travellers report bright lights in the terminals. Arrive prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
- Noise – During the day, expect the usual hum of a busy airport: travellers chatting, music playing, announcements blaring. At night, it does quieten down a lot. Still, come prepared with earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones.
Security & Safety
Airport staff have no problem with sleepers and overnight campers, although they would prefer that travellers stay in the transit hotel. If you are spending the night, do expect security staff to check your ID and boarding pass at least once. They will also likely hand you a brochure for the transit hotel.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Zurich Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s essential 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 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. Please 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 awoke 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 sharp, 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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