Airport Layover Perks: Free Overnight Stays For Travelers

Spending the night in an airport is a situation many travellers dread, but it's sometimes unavoidable. While some airports are well-equipped for overnight stays, with sleeping chairs and 24-hour food, others offer little comfort to those facing a long layover. Luckily, some airlines and travel companies offer complimentary hotel stays for passengers facing lengthy stopovers, which can make a huge difference to your journey. So, if you're wondering whether you'll be paying for a hotel or sleeping in the airport on your next trip, read on to find out more.

Sleeping in the airport terminal

Spending the night in an airport terminal is a less-than-ideal situation, but it can be made more comfortable with some preparation. Here are some tips for sleeping in an airport terminal:

Finding a Good Spot

• Stay close to your gate so you can keep an eye on any changes in your flight status.
• Look for benches or seats without armrests so you can stretch out and rest comfortably.
• Choose a quiet spot that isn't too isolated, such as between gates or near the food court. Avoid high-traffic areas.
• Seek out a dimly lit area away from windows and bright ceiling lights. Corners and laptop-charging areas are often good choices.
• Ask about sleeping facilities or loungers at the airport customer service desk. Some airports offer these for free or a small fee.
• If you're worried about your belongings, consider purchasing a locker or asking about luggage storage options.
• Some airports have yoga/meditation rooms or prayer rooms that can be good napping spots. Just be polite and follow any posted rules.

Getting Comfortable

• Cover your eyes with a scarf, your hand, or an eye mask to block out the light.
• Add or remove layers to regulate your body temperature. A scarf or travel jacket can double as a blanket.
• Use headphones to block out noise and create ambient noise or relaxing music.
• Set an alarm on your phone to wake up in time for your flight.
• Use your bag or a balled-up jacket as a pillow, or purchase a neck pillow from a nearby shop.
• Eat a light snack before trying to sleep, and use the restroom beforehand.
• Bring a change of clothes, toiletries, and a travel blanket or pillow if possible.
• Dress in layers to adjust to the unpredictable airport temperature.
• Bring sleep aids such as a sleeping mask and headphones to block out light and noise.

Other Considerations

• Research the airport ahead of time to know if there are any rest areas or sleep-friendly facilities.
• Keep your valuables secure and within sight at all times.
• Stay in the international transit area if possible, as it usually has more facilities and is more secure.
• Be aware of any time zone differences and try to adjust your sleep schedule accordingly.
• Keep your phone charged, and consider downloading apps that can help you relax and fall asleep.

Paying for an airport transit hotel

When it comes to pricing, transit hotels usually offer flexible options. Instead of paying for a full overnight stay, you can often book a room for just a few hours. This can be ideal if you have a long layover and want to get some rest before your next flight. The cost of transit hotels can vary depending on the airport and the duration of your stay. For example, at YotelAir in Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, 4-hour stays start from £47, while overnight stays start from £98.

It's important to note that transit hotels may not always be the most luxurious option. They tend to be compact and basic, but they are usually clean and comfortable, providing you with a bed, TV, desk, WiFi, and a private bathroom. Some transit hotels also offer additional amenities like business centres or spas.

When considering a transit hotel, it's recommended to plan ahead and make outreach to the hotel before finalising your travel plans, as prices, availability, and amenities can change. Additionally, keep in mind that you will typically need to provide ID and proof of your boarding pass when checking into a transit hotel.

Overall, paying for an airport transit hotel can be a great way to get some rest and freshen up during a long layover. It offers privacy, comfort, and convenience, allowing you to arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and jet lag-free.

Airlines that offer complimentary hotel stays

While some airports have sleeping chairs or pods, and some are well-equipped for travellers to sleep in overnight with 24-hour food outlets, comfy chairs, and relax chairs, some are not. This means that travellers may have to book an airport hotel, either within the transit area or on the public side of the airport.

However, some airlines do offer complimentary hotel stays for long layovers, though the conditions vary from airline to airline. Here are some airlines that offer complimentary hotel stays:

Air Canada

Air Canada offers one night of free hotel accommodation for flyers seated in Latitude, Premium Economy, and Business class with a connection time of more than 6 hours. This offer is available for passengers transiting through Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Air China

Air China offers a free transit hotel for passengers with an overnight connection in Beijing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Shanghai, or Tianjin. Free hotels are only granted for one night on itineraries that arrive before 1 am and do not exceed 24 hours.

China Eastern Airlines

China Eastern Airlines offers a free hotel stay for flights departing from the US or Canada with an overnight connection lasting over 12 hours in Shanghai, Kunming, Xi'an, or Beijing. This offer is only available for passengers ticketed on journeys operated by China Eastern and its subsidiary Shanghai Airlines.

China Southern Airways

China Southern Airways offers a complimentary one-night stay in a transit hotel for international passengers with 8-48 hour layovers at Guangzhou Airport. Business class passengers have a wider choice of hotels.

Emirates

Emirates' Dubai Connect program offers complimentary accommodation in Dubai for passengers with a layover between 8 and 24 hours. This offer is available for Business and First Class passengers with a connection time of more than 6 and less than 24 hours, and for Economy Class passengers with a connection time of more than 8 and less than 24 hours.

Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines offers a free hotel room, transfer service, and visa on arrival for passengers with a connection time of over 8 and up to 24 hours in Addis Ababa, regardless of fare class.

Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways offers one or two nights of free accommodation in a hotel in Abu Dhabi for Business, First, or Residence class passengers.

Gulf Air

Gulf Air offers complimentary hotel accommodation for passengers with a layover of 7 to 24 hours when transiting at Bahrain International Airport. The offer includes airport transfer, a transit visa, and a free guided tour of Manama's capital.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways offers free stopover accommodation in Doha, including transit visas, airport transfers, and meal vouchers for travellers with layovers from 8 to 24 hours. This offer is applicable if no shorter connections are available, except for flights to/from Kuwait and Oman.

Royal Air Maroc

For layovers that exceed 8 hours in Casablanca, Royal Air Maroc reportedly provides passengers with a free hotel room. Accommodations can be arranged at the transfer desk after arrival.

Royal Jordanian

Royal Jordanian offers complimentary hotel accommodation, meals, and airport transportation for passengers with a non-promotional economy or business class fare and a connection time of at least 8 hours (6 hours for business class), not exceeding 24 hours, in Amman. This offer does not apply for travel within the Middle East, except to/from Basra.

SriLankan Airlines

SriLankan Airlines offers one free night in a hotel for customers with an 8-24 hour stopover in Colombo, provided that there are no shorter connections available. The minimum required ticket fare is $350 for one way and $700 for a return trip.

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines offers complimentary accommodation for international passengers with long layovers in Istanbul. Economy passengers must have a layover of over 10 hours, while Business class passengers need a layover of at least 7 hours. This offer is not available if there is an earlier flight to the passenger's destination, even if it is sold out.

XiamenAir

XiamenAir offers a free hotel room and free meals for most itineraries with an international leg and a layover of 6-24 hours. Not all fare classes are eligible for this offer.

The difference between a dayroom and an overnight layover

The only difference between a dayroom and an overnight layover is the timing of the flight connection. Dayrooms are used when the entire layover is on the same day, whereas an overnight layover happens when the next flight is the following day.

Dayrooms and overnight layovers are typically offered by travel companies when the layover exceeds a certain length (usually between 8 and 12 hours). The company will book and cover the cost of a hotel room for the duration of the connection. These hotels are usually located near or on the airport property.

If you are facing an overnight layover, there are a few options available to you. Firstly, you can book an airport transit hotel, which offers amenities like a proper shower, a bed, and sometimes even a pool. However, this option can be costly, and you may only be able to book the room in blocks of hours.

Another option is to sleep in the airport terminal. Some airports are well-equipped for overnight layovers, with comfortable chairs or sleeping pods, 24-hour food options, and secure areas. On the other hand, some airports may not have these amenities, making for an uncomfortable night.

It is important to note that when it comes to checked luggage during an overnight layover, the rules vary. Some airlines will allow you to access your luggage, while others will store it until your next flight. It is best to inquire with the airline beforehand to understand their specific policies.

Tips for spending the night in the airport

Spending the night in an airport is never ideal, but sometimes it's unavoidable. Here are some tips to help you navigate the experience:

Before you go:

Firstly, check if the airport you're staying in has any rest areas or sleep areas. Some airports are better equipped than others for travellers spending the night. It's also a good idea to research whether there are any on-site hotels or sleep pods available, in case you want to upgrade from sleeping in the terminal.

At the airport:

• Get to the airport early to secure a good spot, especially during the busy summer season.
• Head straight to the rest area when you arrive and claim your space.
• Bring snacks and supplies, as most shops will shut overnight.
• If you plan to sleep, try to adjust to the timezone of your end destination. This may mean staying up all night and sleeping on the flight.
• Keep your phone charged, so you don't miss any important updates or alarms.
• Bring an eye mask and a spare jumper, as airports can be bright and cold.
• Keep your belongings safe. Sleep with your arm or leg through your backpack straps, or wedged between a chair and a wall.
• Stay in the international transit area, as this generally has more facilities and is safer than the public side of the airport.
• If you have checked luggage, find out what you need to do. Can it be forwarded to your next flight, or do you need to exit, collect it and re-check-in?
• Be aware of the time and leave enough time to get from where you're sleeping to your gate.
• Keep yourself entertained by going for a walk, or doing some yoga in a yoga room if the airport has one.

In the morning:

• Expect to be woken up by security, who may ask to see your boarding pass.
• If you need to go through immigration, ask your airline or an information desk whether you can do this in international transit.
• Know how to get your boarding pass for your next flight, especially if you're using a different airline.
• If you're travelling on a budget and want to freshen up, look into whether the airport has shower facilities, or whether you can pay to use a hotel gym/pool area.

Remember, spending the night in an airport can be an adventure!

Frequently asked questions