How to sleep in an airport

It happens to everyone sooner or later. You end up stranded in an airport waiting over night for a plane. What makes it worse is that you either cant afford a hotel room, or even find one. This kind of scenario really does happen all the time.  It is certainly prove to be a daunting proposition. Fortunately though, there have pioneers who have journeyed into these inhospitable lands before you, and they have made you  a guide.

1996 is a very long time ago on the Internet, but it was way back then in the days when dial-up connections roamed the Earth that sleepinginairports.net was founded. Originally a forum for travelers to share their experiences of crashing in airport concourses it has grown from there. The site is now a repository for information, tips and reviews on the practicalities in sleeping in airports around the world. If you find yourself stuck, you could do a lot worse than log-on to one of those coin operated Internet terminals and benefit from the wisdom of those that were in that jam before you.

Things that you can learn

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

The worst airport in the world you can stay in is Paris. The reasons that travelers have given for Charles de Gaulle to be such an unpleasant place to spend the night include lack of cleanliness, rude staff and the undesirable nature of having to bed down with large numbers of the Parisian homeless.

In contrast Singapore Changi Airport is awarded the dubious honor of being the best airport to sleep over in. One reviewer even goes so far as to say “Even if you have the cash to spring on a hotel room in Singapore, I would recommend a night in the airport”.

There are also some great tips about where in the airport is best for sleeping. The trick of booking cheap car hire instead of a pricey airport hotel room, then spending the night in the relative comfort and privacy that a hatchback in an airport car park provides. Another top tip is that the arrivals lounges are often much more comfortable than departures.