The connection was missed and the airport hotel is full. There's no time to search for a bed in town--your new flight leaves in four hours.
Maybe an airline delay forced it, or maybe you're out of money.
These very different problems that might end with the same imperfect solution: an overnight airport stay.
Perhaps you've been in either or both of these situations--but have you ever actually planned on sleeping in airports?
Budget travelers will do some fairly strange things to save money. For some, a pillow-top bed and room service are easy sacrifices. Averaging in a few free nights as you add up lodging costs at least makes your budget more comfortable.
Whether thrust upon you or planned, the airport overnight can go more smoothly when you're armed with some knowledge of the pitfalls and a few tips from the experts.
Canadian traveler Donna McSherry opens her Web site with these words:
"Many airports are actually better than local lodging. And to top it off - it's free!"
Her Guide to Sleeping in Airports, might be the Web's most comprehensive airport sleeping review. It's organized by continent and country. This resource has been around so long that there are nearly six thousand airport reviews posted here.
Here's a typical review of one airport: "They turn the lights off in the gate area and the lights are on in the hallway and center area...The gates closer to the center are darker than the others, until 5 a.m. when all the lights go back on..."
In short, lots of practical information about choosing your spot, and your chances for shut-eye.
Airports are rated for the availability of little-used hallways, sympathetic security, and even 24-hour coffee shops.
Because anyone can post anything on sites like this, the standard "grain of salt" warning is in order. But patterns develop that can be helpful.
Just keep in mind that the review you're reading of tomorrow's destination airport might have been written several years ago. The comfy sofas that are referenced might be gone. Security policies might be far more strict now -- or perhaps less so.
But the 24-hour coffee shop is likely to be there, and the warning about a small-town airport that closes for the day probably remains valid, too. Look for comments such as these that are likely to remain over time and pay less attention to posted observations about when the security guard on rounds is likely to pass the comfortable chairs at a given airport.
It also pays to consult the airport's Web site.
World Airports A-Z is an example of the on-line tools available to help you plan a snooze. Here, you'll glean information on hundreds of major and mid-sized airports. You can download and print information about accommodations nearby--helpful if you find yourself trying to decide whether to book a room or sleep in the airport itself.
Some airports rent couch-like seats for sleeping, or offer quiet lounges.
Virtually every medium-sized or major airport now has a Web site. Find it and use it to your advantage.
Think Carefully about Sleeping at Airports.
Not unlike hitch-hiking, it's important to remember that no one can should "recommend" you sack out in the terminal. Will you be safe? Is it against local laws? Is there anyone who will wake you if actually manage to achieve deep sleep?
For many travelers, the answers to these questions will prompt other alternatives.
The standard rule of all budget travel techniques is that safety and sanitation come first. Don't risk injury or legal trouble to save the relatively small cost of an overnight stay. Please put safety and common sense first!
Acquire a cozy but highly-portable sleeping bag..
Most backpackers already have this equipment, but it can come in handy for others who plan to "rough it" a few nights to save money. Sleeping bags are great for hostels, cheap motels, campgrounds and yes, the airport.
The bench-style seating that once was popular in bus stations and airports is virtually extinct. Fixed armrests and contoured seats are standard fare in most waiting areas. This is why you might have to hit the floor to get some sleep.
ArtOfTravel.com offers an excellent primer on choosing the best bag for your style of travel. Remember: light and relatively inexpensive are the goals.
We've already mentioned Donna McSherry's Web site, but there are other places to gather information, too. Many Internet travel message boards will have a few comments about this subject. Do a search and you'll be surprised how frequently it appears.
Keep in mind that this type of information is very perishable. The airport that might have been perfect for sleeping this time last year might have changed its policies or closed off a once-forgotten section.
Seek Help from the Airlines.
Those who do not choose to spend the night at the airport are usually forced to do so because of an airline mistake. If the layover is too short to warrant getting a room, at least insist on some meal money or a visit to their VIP lounge. These considerations are reasonable, and yet many employees fail to offer them unless asked.
