The Art of Sleeping in Airports
•Bring a blanket. Ok, it doesn’t have to be an actual blanket, just something that will serve as one. It’s been my experience that airports cool down a lot at night and you could get chilly. Plus, I find it easier to sleep covered up. A good sized jacket will work just fine for this purpose.
• If travelling with a partner or a group, bring some cards or small travel games for late night insomnia. If you’re alone, a Walkman or a good book works well.
• Don’t curl up in a restricted area. It’s not worth getting into trouble for.
• If the airport makes you nervous, or there are lots of shifty looking characters around, skip the sleeping part. Check into a hostel, or just stay awake and sleep on the plane. Never sleep anywhere that you don’t feel safe.
• Look for padded sleeping areas if possible. Benches, rows of chairs without arm rests or with armrests that flip up work well. Carpeted floor is hard, but better than linoleum. If all else fails, some airports have cushy chairs or rocking chairs that are easier to sleep in than hard benches.
• Tables work as sleeping tools. Sit in the chair and cradle your head in your arms. This is a last resort technique, because you won’t sleep for long periods of time in this position.
• Bring a snack and drinks. Airport food is outrageously priced. Toss a couple bags of pretzels and some orange juice or soda into your pack before you head to the airport and you’ll be able to avoid spending a small fortune.
• Don’t sleep with your neck over-extended either forward or back, you’ll wake up with a horrid crick in your neck. Instead, use a pack or piece of clothing to form a pillow to keep your head in a better position.
These are all things I’ve learned from sleeping in airports, which can actually be a great experience. If you can’t sleep, there are often people to meet and talk to and there are some interesting things happening in the middle of the night. On our way to Orlando, my sister and I slept in the Seattle airport. While she dozed off on one of the comfy padded benches, I struck up a conversation with an English teacher who was grading papers. We talked for about an hour before he curled up and went to sleep too. Airports
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