Lois Larson
Iceland's Keflavik International Airport is a common stopover point for travellers, but is it a good place to catch some sleep? The airport is open 24 hours a day and while sleeping is discouraged, it is not prohibited. The airport is clean, well-run, and modern, but it is also cold and brightly lit. There are plenty of benches to lie down on, and travellers can also pass through security to find more comfortable seating. However, there are limited options for food and drink, and nearby hotels are expensive. If you're determined to sleep at the airport, it's recommended to bring a sleeping bag, blankets, and an eye mask.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is sleeping allowed? | Yes, but there are signs that discourage it. |
| Will security wake you up? | Yes, around 4:00 a.m. |
| Where can you sleep? | In the terminal area, there are open seats. There are also benches, especially by the C gates and in some cafes. |
| Is there space to sleep? | Yes, but it's limited. |
| Is it safe? | Yes, but there is a fear of being robbed. |
| Is it comfortable? | No, it's cold and brightly lit. |
| Are there other options? | There is a hotel about 100 metres from the terminal. |
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What You'll Learn
- Sleeping in the airport is allowed, but there are rules against it, and security guards take this very seriously
- The airport is cold and brightly lit, so it is recommended to have a sleeping bag, blankets and a sleeping mask
- There are plenty of benches to lie down on, especially by the C gates and in some cafes
- There are limited sleeping options outside the airport, and hotels and hostels are very expensive
- The Nap and Go project offers hotel and hostel rooms near the airport at special rates for a few hours of sleep
Sleeping in the airport is allowed, but there are rules against it, and security guards take this very seriously
Sleeping in Iceland's Keflavik International Airport (KEF) is a common occurrence, with many travellers opting to sleep in the airport due to early morning flights or as a result of stopovers. While sleeping in the airport is technically allowed, there are rules against it, and security guards take this very seriously.
Firstly, it is important to note that the airport is quite small, which can make finding a comfortable place to sleep challenging. The pre-security area (landside) of the airport has very limited seating and space to sleep, with most travellers opting to sleep against walls or on the floor. The terminal area, on the other hand, offers significantly more space, with open seats available for sleeping. However, it is worth noting that the terminal area is generally quite cold and brightly lit, so it is advisable to have a sleeping bag, blankets, and a sleeping mask if you plan to sleep there.
While airport staff and security guards generally do not disturb passengers who choose to sleep in the airport, they will wake everyone up around 4:00 am when the airport begins to get busy. Additionally, there are numerous warning signs inside the terminal stating that sleeping in the airport is strongly discouraged. Travellers have reported being rudely awakened by security guards who tell them that the airport is "not a hotel".
To find a more comfortable place to sleep, it is recommended to check-in for your flight the night before and pass through security. This will give you access to the terminal area, which has more seating and quieter areas. Additionally, there are wall sockets available for charging electronic devices, although many seem to be out of order. It is also important to note that the shops, restaurants, and kiosks in the airport close around midnight, so it is advisable to purchase any necessary items before then.
Overall, while sleeping in Iceland's Keflavik International Airport is allowed, it is not encouraged. The rules against sleeping in the airport are enforced by security guards, who may wake you up and ask you to move. If you do choose to sleep in the airport, it is important to be respectful and follow the rules to avoid any issues.
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The airport is cold and brightly lit, so it is recommended to have a sleeping bag, blankets and a sleeping mask
While it is possible to sleep in Iceland's Keflavik International Airport, it is not necessarily a comfortable experience. The airport is cold and brightly lit, so it is recommended to come prepared with a sleeping bag, blankets, and a sleeping mask. There are plenty of benches to lie down on, especially by the C gates and in some cafes. However, many people end up sleeping on the floor. There are power sockets for charging your devices, but many seem to be out of order.
Sleeping in the airport before your flight can be a good option if you are worried about the expense of hotels and hostels in Iceland, which can be very costly. However, it is not advisable to stay on the premises overnight, and while security guards will not kick you out, they will wake you up around 4 am. There are also numerous signs inside the terminal stating that sleeping in the airport is not allowed.
If you do choose to sleep in the airport, be aware that there is a risk of theft, as many people have their passport or wallet stolen while sleeping. It is also very loud, with constant announcements and doors slamming. If you are driving to the airport, there are several parking lots nearby where you can attempt to sleep in your car, but these can also be noisy and unsafe.
Overall, while it is possible to sleep in Iceland's Keflavik International Airport, it is not a very restful option. Come prepared with the necessary equipment, and be aware of the potential risks and discomforts.
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There are plenty of benches to lie down on, especially by the C gates and in some cafes
If you're looking for a place to rest your head at Iceland's Keflavik International Airport, there are plenty of benches to lie down on, especially by the C gates and in some cafes. While the airport is clean, well-run, and modern, it is also small, with limited sleeping space.
You'll find that the check-in area before security can be quite full, with people settling in for the night against the walls. However, once you pass through security, the terminal area offers more open seats and quieter spaces. There are also plenty of wall sockets for charging your devices, although some may be out of order.
Keep in mind that while sleeping in the airport is generally tolerated, there are signs indicating that it is discouraged, and security guards may wake you up around 4:00 am as the airport starts to get busy. The airport is also cold and brightly lit, so it is advisable to bring a sleeping bag, blankets, and a sleeping mask if you plan to rest.
If you prefer more comfort and privacy, there is a hotel located about 100 meters from the terminal. Alternatively, you can check-in for your flight the night before and pass through security to find a more comfortable spot to sleep inside the terminal.
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There are limited sleeping options outside the airport, and hotels and hostels are very expensive
If you're looking for a place to sleep near Keflavík International Airport, you may be out of luck. The airport is located 45 minutes from the capital, Reykjavik, making it an inconvenient option for many travellers with early morning departures. While the airport itself is open 24 hours a day, sleeping there is not ideal. Although staff do not usually disturb sleeping passengers, you may be woken up around 4 am when the airport starts to get busy. The terminal is also cold and brightly lit, with limited sleeping space.
There are a few benches available, but most people end up sleeping on the floor. Additionally, there are warning signs inside the terminal discouraging sleeping, and security guards have been known to rudely wake up travellers, telling them the airport is "not a hotel". If you do decide to sleep in the airport, it is recommended to bring a sleeping bag, blankets, and a sleeping mask.
Outside the airport, there are hotels and guesthouses nearby that offer special Nap and Go rates for travellers who need a few hours of sleep before continuing their journey. However, hotels and hostels in Iceland are very expensive, and these options may not be feasible for everyone.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, you may want to consider a hostel. The Start Hostel, for example, is a partner of the Nap and Go project and offers comfortable beds, private lockers, a well-equipped guest kitchen, and a spacious sitting room. They also provide free wireless internet and 24-hour reception.
Ultimately, while there are some options for sleeping near Keflavík International Airport, they may be limited and costly. If you're looking for a good night's sleep, it may be worth considering other alternatives or adjusting your travel plans to avoid an overnight stay in this area.
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The Nap and Go project offers hotel and hostel rooms near the airport at special rates for a few hours of sleep
Iceland's Keflavik International Airport is located 45 minutes from the capital, Reykjavik. The airport is small and open 24 hours a day. While it is not advisable to stay overnight at the airport, with numerous warning signs inside the terminal, it is possible to get some sleep there. The airport staff generally do not disturb sleeping passengers, although they will wake everyone up around 4 am. The terminal is clean, well-run, and modern, but it is also cold and brightly lit, so it is recommended to bring a sleeping bag, blankets, and a sleeping mask. There are plenty of benches to lie down on, especially by the C gates and in some cafes. There is also a hotel about 100 meters from the terminal.
It is worth noting that hotels and hostels in Iceland are generally very expensive, and there are limited options near the airport. Additionally, some travelers have reported feeling uncomfortable sleeping in the airport due to concerns about security guards enforcing the rule against sleeping there. As such, the Nap and Go project provides a convenient and comfortable alternative for travelers looking to get some rest before their flights.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can sleep in the airport. However, there are numerous signs that strongly discourage sleeping in the airport and security guards take this rule very seriously.
The airport is small, clean, well-run, and modern. It is also open 24 hours a day.
There are benches to lie down on, especially by the C gates and in some cafes. There are also open seats in the terminal area. However, the airport is cold and brightly lit, so it is recommended to bring a sleeping bag, blankets, and a sleeping mask.
There is a hotel about 100 meters from the terminal. There are also hotels and guesthouses near the airport that offer special Nap&Go rates for those looking to catch a few hours of sleep before starting their journey.
