Thursday, December 1, 2016

10 Safety Tips for Sleeping in Airports While Traveling

I know most people wouldn't do this and Sleeping in Airports did get me into trouble sometimes, but when you find yourself in an expensive city with BUDGET hostel dorm beds starting at 60 Euros, and you are nearly broke, I bet you wouldn't mind. After all, sleeping in airports isn't that bad: free wifi, comfortable sofas (in certain places), free aircon... what more do you want? 
Airport seats


Under What Circumstances Would You Consider Sleeping In The Airport? 

  • Flight Delays
  • Flight Cancellations 
  • Missed Connections
  • Early Departures
  • Cut Cost (Extreme Budget Travelers)

Below, I’ve put together 10 step-by-step safety tips to "spending a night in airports". 


1. Find Out The Terminal’s Hours.

This is the first step you should take after deciding that you would spend a night in the airport. Major cities usually have more than 2 airports serving different routes. So, choose the largest one that is open 24/7, smaller airports shut down after midnight… if not, the guards would ask you to show them a boarding pass in order to “legally” nap on the floor (That was what happened to us in Barcelona.)


2. Look for Luggage Storage

Try not to lug your bags around while looking for suitable places to nap. If there are luggage lockers available in the terminal, make good use of those. Especially if you are a solo traveler, by minimizing your visible bags, you also reduce the risk of theft. 


3. Look for Your Haven. 

The ideal place to rest would be the Yoga and Rejuvenating Rooms (if available). If you do not feel comfortable taking a nap in these places, look for rows of chairs without armrests, recliners or carpeted areas without a heavy flow of foot traffic. If you need to be in somewhere more secured, pay for an Airport Louge Daily Pass or a sleep pod (pay per use). Most importantly, rest near a power socket so that you can get your devices charged. 


4. Look For Groups

If an airport is sleep-friendly, there should be other travelers doing the same as you are. Look for those people and rest near them (if possible, make acquaintance). You are safer in a group. 


5. Look For CCTVs. 

Safety should always be the top concern in your mind. Do not isolate yourself in secluded areas as you might attract shady characters. Instead, nap near to the security desk or at least some areas which are directly subjected to 24/7 CCTV surveillance.  


6. Use Your Sleeping Bag


Normally it will get chilly in airports. So either layer up or spread out your sleeping bag. A sleeping bag not only keeps you warm, it also serves as a safe box (put your valuables inside so no one can snatch them away in your sleep.)


7. Keep Your Bags And Valuables Safe. 

If there is no luggage store around, put your bags under your legs while you sleep. Use smaller bags as pillows, so if there were anyone trying to disturb your bags, you would feel it immediately. For heavy sleepers, this might not work for you, so it is better to ask for help from the airport staffs. Ask if they could watch your bags as you rest, with a fee. 


8. Use An Eye Mask or Sunglasses. 

Airports leave their lights on 24/7, so it helps to own one of these. I call them travel essentials. 


9. Use Earplugs 

There will certainly be flight announcements from time to time so if you are a light sleeper, toss in a pair of earplugs.  


10. Set Alarm. 

Make sure you do this! And this is the reason why a power socket is so important: You have to make sure that your device is fully charged before taking a nap. You won’t want to miss your flight or have your whole scheduled itinerary delayed. 
Icelandair
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Thank You for Reading! This post is based solely on my honest opinion or personal experience. 
 If you have a different opinion or more tips, feel free to share your thoughts with me by commenting below!

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