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London's Gatwick Airport is open 24 hours a day, and while there are no dedicated sleeping areas, it is possible to spend the night there. The airport offers a variety of lounges, first-class lounges with showers, padded seating, and benches, some of which are armrest-free. There are also several all-night cafes in the public areas of both terminals. For those seeking more comfort, there are hotels connected to both terminals, such as Bloc Gatwick and YotelAir, which offer short-term stays.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Closing Time | The airport does not close at night. |
| Sleeping Areas | There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones. However, there are informal spots with padded seating available. |
| Security | Security checkpoints close overnight based on flight schedules. Unless you are in transit with a boarding pass, you will need to stay landside. |
| Hotels | There are a few hotels inside the airport, such as YOTELAIR, Bloc Gatwick, and Crowne Plaza London, and several nearby hotels that offer airport transportation for a fee. |
| Lounges | There are various lounges, including premium airline lounges and accessible public lounges, with access available through different methods. |
| Amenities | There are shops and restaurants open 24 hours a day, free WiFi, and first-class lounges with showers. |
| Baggage Storage | Baggage storage offices are available in both terminals but close around 8:00–9:00 pm. |
| Cafeterias | Several all-night cafes are available in the public areas of both terminals. |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeping in Gatwick Airport: the good and the bad
Sleeping in an airport is never ideal, but sometimes it's necessary. If you're wondering whether you can sleep at Gatwick Airport, the answer is yes—the airport is open 24 hours. However, be aware that there are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones. So, let's explore the good and the bad of sleeping in Gatwick Airport.
The Good
Gatwick Airport offers a variety of options for travellers needing a place to rest their heads. The airport has several 24-hour shops and restaurants, free WiFi, and first-class lounges with showers. There are also plenty of benches and seats, although these can get quite full. If you're looking for a more comfortable option, the airport has seven on-site hotels, including the YOTELAIR in the South Terminal, which offers day rooms that can be booked for short-term stays. There are also several hotels located nearby, some of which offer airport transportation for a fee.
The Bad
Sleeping in an airport is rarely comfortable or quiet. One traveller reported that they had to deal with loud noises from televisions and other travellers, while another mentioned the discomfort of sleeping on metal chairs. Additionally, you will need to keep an eye on your luggage, and the cleaning staff are very active at night. The airport does not provide cots for stranded travellers, and the benches and seats can fill up quickly. Security checkpoints also close overnight based on flight schedules, so unless you are in transit with a boarding pass, you will need to stay in the public area of the terminal.
So, while it is possible to sleep at Gatwick Airport, it may not be the most restful night's sleep. If you're looking for a more comfortable option, booking a hotel room, either on-site or nearby, is probably your best bet.
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Sleeping in the North or South Terminal
London's Gatwick Airport is open 24 hours a day, and it is possible to sleep there overnight. However, it is not the most comfortable option, and travellers may prefer to book a hotel room. There are seven on-site hotels at Gatwick Airport, with a variety of options to suit different budgets and needs.
The YOTELAIR hotel in the South Terminal offers day rooms that can be booked for stays from four hours up to a full day. The BLOC hotel, also in the South Terminal, is located on the third floor, next to security. YOTEL, in the North Terminal, offers premium rooms with double beds and standard rooms with single beds. The Crowne Plaza London Gatwick Airport Hotel is a four-star hotel located a five-minute drive from the airport.
If you do decide to sleep in the North or South Terminal, there are some things you should know. The security checkpoints close overnight based on flight schedules, so unless you are in transit with a boarding pass, you will need to stay in the landside area. There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones, but there are some informal spots with padded seating available. Travellers have reported that the padded seating is frequently full. There are also reports of comfortable armchairs and seats without armrests on the lower level of the terminals, especially near some of the cafeterias. The South Terminal is reportedly quieter than the North Terminal. If you want to store your baggage, there are some baggage storage offices in both terminals, but these close around 8:00-9:00 pm. There are several all-night cafes in the public areas of both terminals, and a few restaurants open 24 hours a day.
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Overnight facilities and amenities
Spending the night at Gatwick Airport is possible, but it may not be the most comfortable option. The airport is open 24 hours on the landside for both North and South Terminals, but security checkpoints close overnight based on flight schedules. Unless you are in transit with a boarding pass, you will need to stay landside. There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones, but there are informal spots with padded seating available.
If you are looking for a more comfortable option, there are several hotels connected to both terminals. YOTELAIR in the South Terminal offers day rooms that can be booked for short-term stays from four hours. BLOC Gatwick is a budget hotel located inside Gatwick's South Terminal on the 3rd Floor, Departures Level, beside security. There are also several other on-airport hotels to choose from, ranging from budget to four-star accommodations. These include the Crowne Plaza London Gatwick Airport Hotel, located just a 5-minute drive from the airport, and the Yotel hotel inside the South Terminal, which offers a choice of premium and standard cabins.
For those looking for a little added comfort, there are first-class lounges, a few of which have showers. There are also several all-night cafes in the public areas of both terminals. However, keep in mind that it can be noisy and well-lit, so bringing a sleeping mask, headphones, or earplugs is recommended.
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Nearby hotels
There are a few hotels inside the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, including YOTELAIR, which offers day rooms and hourly rates, and Bloc Gatwick, a budget hotel located on the third floor of the Departures Level, next to security.
There are also several other hotels nearby, such as the 4-star Crowne Plaza London Gatwick Airport Hotel, which is just a 5-minute drive from the airport and offers a shuttle bus service to and from the airport. The hotel features comfortable bedrooms with free Wi-Fi, USB chargers, and satellite TV, as well as a restaurant and bar.
In addition, there are several other hotels in the area that offer airport transportation for a fee. These can be found on TripAdvisor, sorted by price, distance, traveller rating, and popularity.
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Luggage storage
London Gatwick Airport offers left luggage services at both the North and South Terminals. In the North Terminal, the left luggage point is located adjacent to the inter-terminal shuttle. In the South Terminal, it can be found at the rear of the check-in area on the main concourse between the lifts and the special assistance desk.
Gatwick Airport's left luggage service is secure and flexible, allowing you to store your bags for a few hours or even weeks. You can pre-book the service online or simply turn up on the day. The airport also offers bag wrapping and travel accessories for purchase.
In addition to luggage storage, the left luggage team can also assist with courier delivery, baggage shipping, duty-free collection, and bag weighing.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the airport is open 24 hours on the landside for both North and South Terminals. However, security checkpoints close overnight based on flight schedules. There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones, but there are informal spots with padded seating available.
The South Terminal tends to be quieter. There are reports of padded, armrest-free benches and lounge chairs, some even with footrests. There is also a designated corner with comfortable chairs near security, reserved for early morning travellers.
Yes, there are seven on-airport hotels to choose from, including YOTELAIR, BLOC Gatwick, and Crowne Plaza London Gatwick Airport Hotel.
Yes, there are hotels connected to both terminals. The YotelAir in the South Terminal offers day rooms that can be booked for short-term stays from four hours.
Yes, you can leave your bags at some of the baggage storage offices in both terminals. However, these close around 8:00-9:00 pm.
