Maybe you have complicated connections at an airport - either to another flight or involving ground transportation - and you want a place to sleep free from cyclical airport announcements and concerned fellow travelers? You would undoubtedly want a transit hotel or at least a sleep pod.
Back in 2017, I arrived very early at Bellingham International Airport (BLI) from the last northbound Airporter at 02:30 before my 06:30 flight to Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA); I am sure wish I could have had a sleeping pod for a power nap. Instead, I attempted to sleep on the airport furniture waiting for the TSA to open, only to get automated announcements denying me any sleep.
A much better choice would have been a transit hotel, which can be found at most major airports.
What's a transit hotel?
Photo: YotelAir
A transit hotel inside an airport will accept bookings without a visa for some rest and sleep before the next transportation connection—typically billing by the hour to sleep once past security or to remain airside to avoid going through security again waiting for a connecting flight.
These aren't the Ritz - facilities tend to be compact and rather basic. But you'll usually find them to be clean, comfortable and just what is needed for some rest along your journey.
Alternatives to transit hotels
Photo: GoSleep
As well as transit hotels, you may find your airport has a capsule hotel. These are smaller versions of transit hotels but still allow for a place to rest while making connections. Then there are sleeping pods.
One manufacturer of sleeping pods, GoSleep.fi, offers a pay-by-the-minute pod with a luggage compartment, charging spots and a lay-flat recliner complete with a retracting cover.
Where are transit hotels?
Below is a table compiled of where the transit hotels will be found worldwide with some relevant details. This is not a perfect list, but should give you some guidance on where to find these facilities.
|
Location |
Brand(s) |
Notes |
|
Abu Dhabi |
GoSleep |
|
|
Amsterdam Schiphol |
GoSleep, Mercure & YotelAir |
For YotelAir, 4-hour stays start from £47, overnight stays start from £98, and shower cabins for 1-hour €15. |
|
Atlanta |
Minute Suites |
Each unit has a daybed, a workspace, DirectTV, and a power nap audio track. Rates: US$ 42 (1 hour) and US$ 10.50 each additional 15 minutes until 2 hours • US$ 84 (2 hours) and US$ 8.00 each additional 15 minutes after that • US$ 155 (Overnight). US$ 30.00 shower only rate (at participating locations). |
|
Bangalore |
GoSleep |
|
|
Baku |
GoSleep |
|
|
Beijing |
Aerotel and GoSleep |
|
|
Cebu |
Aerotel |
|
|
Charlotte |
Minute Suites |
Like Atlanta, but also comes with a hot shower. |
|
Dallas |
Minute Suites |
Like Atlanta, but also comes with a hot shower at the Terminal D location. |
|
Dubai International Airport |
Dubai International Hotel & GoSleep |
Also has a business center and G-Force Health Club & Spa available |
|
Hangzou |
GoSleep |
In the resting room on the 1st floor. |
|
Helsinki |
GoSleep |
|
|
Istanbul Ataturk Airport |
Istanbul TAV Airport Hotel and YotelAir |
“Airside” rooms for customers making connections and “landside” rooms for those who cleared customs but still need a hotel facility. |
|
Johannesburg – OR Tambo International Airport |
Protea Hotel Transit |
Stand-alone showers and rooms available. |
|
Kuala Lumpur International Airport |
Airside Transit Hotel and Aerotel |
|
|
London’s Gatwick |
YotelAir |
£42 for 4 hours or more in a Standard Cabin |
|
London’s Heathrow |
Aerotel and YotelAir |
The Aerotel in-terminal hotel is in Terminal 3 but within walking distance of the other Heathrow terminals. YotelAir is in Terminal 4. |
|
Munich |
Nap Cabs |
In a transit hotel design unique to Munich, 4 locations in Terminal 2 are there. Prices are 15,00€/hr from 6:00AM – 10:00PM, 10,00€ /hr from 10:00PM – 6:00AM with a minimum charge of 30,00€. Note, charged to the minute. |
|
Muscat |
Aerotel |
|
|
New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport |
||
|
New York City |
GoSleep |
Sleeping pods available in the JetBlue Lounge, Terminal 5 |
|
Paris’ Charles de Gaulle |
YotelAir |
Premium Cabin is £75 for 4 hours or from £118 for an overnight stay, Family Cabin from £86 for 4 hours or £136 for overnight, and ‘Wash and Go’ in a shower cabin is €15 per person for 45 minutes. |
|
Perth |
GoSleep |
Terminal 1, International |
|
Philadelphia |
Minute Suites |
Like Atlanta |
|
Prague |
Hotel Holiday Inn |
Stand-alone showers and rooms available. |
|
Qingdao |
Aerotel |
|
|
Guangrhou |
Aerotel |
|
|
Rio de Janero |
Aerotel |
|
|
San Francisco International |
Freshen Up |
Inside the SFO international terminal, $40/hour to sleep. |
|
Seoul Incheon International Airport |
||
|
Singapore – Changi Airport |
Aerotel, Ambassador Transit Hotel & YotelAir |
|
|
Tallin |
GoSleep |
Gate 9 and Nordea Lounge |
|
Tokyo Haneda |
GoSleep |
Terminal 1 and 2 |
Even with this table, one should be encouraged to plan and make outreach to the transit hotel before finalizing travel plans as prices, amenities, and suchlike can change.
Will you consider using a transit hotel at an airport? Let us know in the comments.
Sources: GoSleep.fi, MyAerotel.com, SleepingInAirports.Net and Steemit.com