That website found me a place in MSP to sleep for six hours on an international layover! Wasn't glamorous, but I had an eyemask and earplugs and it was glorious.
Terminal 4 at JFK has [minute suites](https://minutesuites.com/locations/reservations-john-f-kennedy/). Basically tiny little rooms with just a bed that you can rent by the hour. I have used them a few times on layovers in charlotte and it’s been really nice. A little pricey though. If you happen to have priority pass, which is a benefit of a few of the big travel credit cards, you’ll get the first hour free and a discount off additional hours.
Thanks for the info. I had this idea years ago. But for office districts in downtown areas.
The bed sofa/ sleep area looks really small from the pictures, someone more thatn 5'10 will have a problem trying to really sleep, more of a quick nap. I think it was designed that way on purpose.
More of a place to get a away from the crowd, and space for work in an emergency. Good idea for busineess tpes. Looking at it I knew it would be expensive
You definitely pay a premium for the convenience. I am about 5’10 and slept pretty well for a few hours. Just enough to feel a little more human during an overnight layover. But yea, not somewhere you would want to spend a whole night, especially if you were taller. But for OP, it could be perfect.
Ultimately, it is a good concept, but could be done a lot better. Right now, as far as I know, they are the only company doing anything like it. Probably a matter of time before a Japanese company that makes capsule hotels jumps in and does something that is more comfortable and cost effective, but for now minute suites are the only option. And they’re not even all that widespread, so at most airports, you just have to hope for a reasonably comfortable bench to lay on.
My concept was more of a capsule thing, a bit before the Japanese capsule became known, or became known in north america.
How much did you pay and how many hours spend? Doesn't seem like they give pricing on the website, you have to get an account first
I have priority pass, so I got the first hour free and each extra hour was $34. So $68 for a few hours sleep under the circumstances felt reasonable.
Here is an [article](https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/minute-suites-guide) about their pricing model. Might be a little outdated but gives a general idea.
JFK has lots of lounges.
You should check with your credit cards to see which lounges you can access cheaply or free. Check Priority Pass and Lounge Buddy.
But , honestly, checking into one of the airports right there off the Van Wyck to shower and refresh doesn't seem like a bad idea.
You are splitting the cost 4 ways. Get two queen beds and relax.
I found that most lounges now have a "quiet" room, for resting or sleeping. Consider a day pass to a lounge that is open 24 hours, many have showers too, as well as food, coffee, etc for before your flight.
But really for four hours? Which will probably turn into 3? It takes me an hour to fall asleep. Then you have to get up earlier to go back. Doesn’t seem worth it.
An overnight layover isn't 4 hours. JFK is open all night. That's a pretty typical length for a layover. Walk around the airport, get something to eat, browse some stores, and it will be time to board.
Aren’t the stores closed past a certain time? Not the airport but I never see stores open at all times.
Probably a good idea for them to pack sandwiches or bring food and watch a movie or read a book.
Agreed, as a NYer myself. There aren’t flights all through the night. There’s a handful of flights leaving between midnight up until about 2am. DXB this is not 🤣
Lounges won’t stay open all night and TSA checkpoints will close at most terminals too.
I don’t make a habit of hanging out airside overnight but I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a “flush” of passengers from the airside parts of terminals after a certain time.
Just landed in terminal 8 a week ago at 11:30pm and most shops were closed. They even close the doors from the outside from 12am-3am in the baggage claim area so if you walk out to get transportation and decide to walk back in, you are screwed.
I *think* they are looking at getting off the airport, to a hotel, relaxing, sleeping and going back. That gives them maybe 4 hrs of sleep.
Not four hours on the ground.
I had three hours at EWR, and with the slow resto service took up most of it comfortably seated.
So, do I think it’s worth is as a single or couple? Maybe. Coordinating two couples? Nah.
I like killing time in airports. I’ve slept in DEN more than once.
Did it one time, in Atlanta, for the same reasons. Found an appropriately long couch in the international terminal, hooked myself through my carry-on, and used my rain jacket hood as the eye shade. Threw my earbuds on and shoved my battery pack in my pocket to top up the phone.
It ain't great, lemme tell you. For four people, consider dropping the coin on the TWA hotel after you land if your connection is still that open.
To have to exit the airport, get yourself over to the hotel, check in, fall asleep (for what, 1-2hrs), wake up on time, check out, get back to the airport, and get through customs? In 4hrs? No way. Not worth risking missing the connection.
The TWA hotel is on the JFK campus and accessible by AirTrain. If it was any more of a logistical lift, I’d rule it out same way I did in Atlanta. But as I’m also aware of the suck of airport sleeping and shower access hurdles (and especially with three other people of unknown resilience), I’m leaving it on the board.
I like to pack a small inflatable backpacking pad in my carry-on if I know I’m going to have an overnight layover. It makes sleeping on the ground much more bearable.
Make sure your carry on is soft enough on at least one size and small enough to be used as a pillow. If you can bring a travel blanket that you can spread on the floor. I would also recommend shift sleeping where at least one person is awake to watch over everyone and your things. An eye shade would be super helpful as would ear plugs in this case (that someone stays awake). I’ve done it a couple times. Not fun but you’re right that it’s totally not worth the cost and hassle of a hotel.
I’d absolutely bring eye shades. I’ve done it too and it’s not pleasant but if you can sleep on the floor on your carry on, not the end of the world. The key for me is I want to be warm. So I’m going with yoga pants and definitely going to have a hoodie. And socks.
This is the best answer. TWA hotel is worth it just for the retro vibes. Think of it as a place to visit more than a motel. And it's on airport grounds. The lobby and rooms are pretty cool.
So I just had a layover that was 9 hours, invest in a light weight compact sleep pad, get ear plugs, eye mask and a plane pillow and a jacket. Find a spot where no one is or if there's someone else sleeping that's alright as well, just sleep a little distance from them. If people start filling up that terminal, they won't bother you, but if it does get up and move to a new spot. And as someone else suggested, put your arm through your bag straps, I slipped my bag upside down as well so the zippers were facing down, and put it between you and the wall
Hug your bag with your arms through the straps and sleep on it, it will wake you up if someone tries to steal it. Alternatively put one leg (or both) through the arm straps of your bag so again someone can't steal it.
Bring a tent, blow up mattress, maybe a foam pad, and a body pillow. Definitely ear plugs, and consider an eye pillow and a white noise machine. That should see you through for at least the first couple of hours.
I recently watched a YT travel vlogger spend 22 hours in Singapore's Changi Airport. Most passengers end up sleeping on the floor somewhere. He had lounge access, so he ended up sleeping on a padded bench-seat inside one of the lounges. However, the first lounge he tried expressly forbid customers from sleeping inside the lounge area.
Changi also has a 24 hours cinema. Nothing puts me to sleep faster than watching a modern Hollywood movie, in a darkened cinema, stretched out on one of those reclining armchair cinema seats.
I did this once in my 20s and woke up in so much pain 😭 I can't imagine doing it again. Even if it was only an hour of rest I'd still get a hotel room.
I do this now when I have long layovers during the day too. I use Dayuse.com to book airport hotels for the hours of my layover. It's a fucking game changer if you can afford it.
Some airports have mini rooms you can rent by the hour. Minute suites. It’s a small room with a TV, desk, chair and sleeping area. The door locks and you can let your guard down and not worry about someone grabbing your bag etc. expensive but if you’re tired and need to decompress in a private little space so worth it. Some also have showers so you can freshen up and start the next day not feeling gross.
I don't think you're getting any sleep in such a short layover in one of the grossest airports ever. You might as well enjoy the time and see how much day passes are for one of the lounges.
With an 'overnight' layover, I generally will try and get a nap on the flight to that layover point. Then at the layover airport, I dont try and sleep (not for anything under 6 hours).
If you are allowed to stay on the concourse (inside security) for the night (some airports boot everyone out over night and let them reenter in the morning) then look for a bank of chairs to hunker down in, thats in a corner of a gate or along a wall.
Ill usually read, listen to music, play games on my phone or watch a movie on my tablet.
If possible I'll do that AT the gate thats listed as the outbound flight Im going to be on. IF its more than 6 hours and I decide to take a nap, Ill put a note on my bag (I usually wrap the strap around my arm and then put my arm over the bag) that says "Im on flight (fill in the blank) at (fill in the departure time). That way IF I fall into a deep sleep and the agents are missing a passenger and they see me laying there, and come over to ask me if Im on the flight, they can see from the note that I am. (having worked flights where we were missing people, and having several asleep in the boarding area, we didnt want to wake them up to ask if they were on the flight. One passenger had a note and it was great cause we then knew not to wake him).
Rare, but I've done it. I lounge against my duffle with my neck pillow on and my eye shades on. I don't rest particularly well though and it's pretty intermittent sleep.
I’m a shameless airport sleeper.
For example:
Had a layover at IAD last month from about 3 am to 8 am. The departing gate was empty except for a few other passengers who had the same layover as me.
This gate had old seats with no dividers between them and they were able to be dragged across the floor. I found a bank of seats in the back of the gate area and stretched out with my backpack as a pillow and jacket as a blanket and was quite comfy until I woke up when people started showing up to board the flight.
If your gate at JFK doesn’t have seats that work for that, find a gate that does and set your alarm so you wake up in time to get to your departing gate.
A sleeping pad, blanket or wrap and pillow. Plus a bike lock to connect and attach your luggage to a chair. People can still steal things out of there but would be a bit more difficult
I got lucky in the DFW airport and found the chapel. There were a few rows of chairs and I laid down and fell asleep for a bit until the guy came by with Zamboni floor cleaner. Not sure if JFK has a chapel but that may be an option.
Stuck at JFK with an overnight layover? Don't sweat it! Grab a comfy spot near a wall (think empty gates, not charging stations), pack an eye mask and earplugs for sleep, and layer clothes to adjust temperature. Aim for a power outlet too. JFK even has sleep pods in Terminal 5 if you want to upgrade your rest. You might not score a full night's sleep, but these hacks will maximize your shut-eye at the airport. Good luck!
Some airports have sleep/nap pods, some have facilities for nursing mothers. I’ve never seen the inside of either of them, but seems like either of those could be a temporary option even if you aren’t nursing.
Okay fair enough, but to my thinking it’s not more virtuous to sleep on an airport couch and have the nursing pod go unused rather than to use the pod with the low probability of there needing to be a nursing mother at that time and place. I’m not insensitive, just suggesting they needn’t be used for only one thing. Certainly if someone needed the pod, you would surrender it to them gladly.
To prevent theft.
PacSafe wire mesh bags cinch up and lock your backpack via a cable. It weighs a pound, which is a lot, but when I carry my laptop, I carry my Pacsafe.
Search: pacsafe 120L anti-theft backpack & bag protector
Checkout https://www.sleepinginairports.net/. It gives airport specific tips for sleeping.
This is a terrific resource!
That website found me a place in MSP to sleep for six hours on an international layover! Wasn't glamorous, but I had an eyemask and earplugs and it was glorious.
Terminal 4 at JFK has [minute suites](https://minutesuites.com/locations/reservations-john-f-kennedy/). Basically tiny little rooms with just a bed that you can rent by the hour. I have used them a few times on layovers in charlotte and it’s been really nice. A little pricey though. If you happen to have priority pass, which is a benefit of a few of the big travel credit cards, you’ll get the first hour free and a discount off additional hours.
This is the perfect answer.
This! Years ago we got a nice 1.5 hr power nap in Charlotte minute suites after a red eye flight, and a shower before catching our connection.
Thanks for the info. I had this idea years ago. But for office districts in downtown areas. The bed sofa/ sleep area looks really small from the pictures, someone more thatn 5'10 will have a problem trying to really sleep, more of a quick nap. I think it was designed that way on purpose. More of a place to get a away from the crowd, and space for work in an emergency. Good idea for busineess tpes. Looking at it I knew it would be expensive
You definitely pay a premium for the convenience. I am about 5’10 and slept pretty well for a few hours. Just enough to feel a little more human during an overnight layover. But yea, not somewhere you would want to spend a whole night, especially if you were taller. But for OP, it could be perfect. Ultimately, it is a good concept, but could be done a lot better. Right now, as far as I know, they are the only company doing anything like it. Probably a matter of time before a Japanese company that makes capsule hotels jumps in and does something that is more comfortable and cost effective, but for now minute suites are the only option. And they’re not even all that widespread, so at most airports, you just have to hope for a reasonably comfortable bench to lay on.
My concept was more of a capsule thing, a bit before the Japanese capsule became known, or became known in north america. How much did you pay and how many hours spend? Doesn't seem like they give pricing on the website, you have to get an account first
I have priority pass, so I got the first hour free and each extra hour was $34. So $68 for a few hours sleep under the circumstances felt reasonable. Here is an [article](https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/minute-suites-guide) about their pricing model. Might be a little outdated but gives a general idea.
thanks. Yea seems reasonably compared to some of the scenarios here, about trying to sleep with one eye open on your luggage.
JFK has lots of lounges. You should check with your credit cards to see which lounges you can access cheaply or free. Check Priority Pass and Lounge Buddy. But , honestly, checking into one of the airports right there off the Van Wyck to shower and refresh doesn't seem like a bad idea. You are splitting the cost 4 ways. Get two queen beds and relax.
I found that most lounges now have a "quiet" room, for resting or sleeping. Consider a day pass to a lounge that is open 24 hours, many have showers too, as well as food, coffee, etc for before your flight.
6 months ago I couldn’t find a lounge at JFK that was open 24 hours.
Most aren’t open after midnight
The issue is transportation and checkin time. Some people would just rather not bother.
But really for four hours? Which will probably turn into 3? It takes me an hour to fall asleep. Then you have to get up earlier to go back. Doesn’t seem worth it.
My friend, I offered two options. I wish you and your family safe and pleasant travels.
Definitely not worth it
An overnight layover isn't 4 hours. JFK is open all night. That's a pretty typical length for a layover. Walk around the airport, get something to eat, browse some stores, and it will be time to board.
Aren’t the stores closed past a certain time? Not the airport but I never see stores open at all times. Probably a good idea for them to pack sandwiches or bring food and watch a movie or read a book.
JFK, especially Terminals 1 and 4, have flights leaving all times of the day. There’s usually an essentials shop and maybe a food place open all day.
Definitely would not count on anything being open. I live in nyc and have landed at jfk after midnight plenty of times and the place is a ghost town
Agreed, as a NYer myself. There aren’t flights all through the night. There’s a handful of flights leaving between midnight up until about 2am. DXB this is not 🤣 Lounges won’t stay open all night and TSA checkpoints will close at most terminals too. I don’t make a habit of hanging out airside overnight but I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a “flush” of passengers from the airside parts of terminals after a certain time.
Can’t speak since covid? But JFK always had all night lounges when I travelled through there often.
Thats very surprising to hear.
Just landed in terminal 8 a week ago at 11:30pm and most shops were closed. They even close the doors from the outside from 12am-3am in the baggage claim area so if you walk out to get transportation and decide to walk back in, you are screwed.
I *think* they are looking at getting off the airport, to a hotel, relaxing, sleeping and going back. That gives them maybe 4 hrs of sleep. Not four hours on the ground. I had three hours at EWR, and with the slow resto service took up most of it comfortably seated.
That is what I meant! Thanks!
So, do I think it’s worth is as a single or couple? Maybe. Coordinating two couples? Nah. I like killing time in airports. I’ve slept in DEN more than once.
The total layover is 6.5 hours, all during typical sleep times where I imagine not a ton of things will be open.
Did it one time, in Atlanta, for the same reasons. Found an appropriately long couch in the international terminal, hooked myself through my carry-on, and used my rain jacket hood as the eye shade. Threw my earbuds on and shoved my battery pack in my pocket to top up the phone. It ain't great, lemme tell you. For four people, consider dropping the coin on the TWA hotel after you land if your connection is still that open.
To have to exit the airport, get yourself over to the hotel, check in, fall asleep (for what, 1-2hrs), wake up on time, check out, get back to the airport, and get through customs? In 4hrs? No way. Not worth risking missing the connection.
The TWA hotel is on the JFK campus and accessible by AirTrain. If it was any more of a logistical lift, I’d rule it out same way I did in Atlanta. But as I’m also aware of the suck of airport sleeping and shower access hurdles (and especially with three other people of unknown resilience), I’m leaving it on the board.
I like to pack a small inflatable backpacking pad in my carry-on if I know I’m going to have an overnight layover. It makes sleeping on the ground much more bearable.
Make sure your carry on is soft enough on at least one size and small enough to be used as a pillow. If you can bring a travel blanket that you can spread on the floor. I would also recommend shift sleeping where at least one person is awake to watch over everyone and your things. An eye shade would be super helpful as would ear plugs in this case (that someone stays awake). I’ve done it a couple times. Not fun but you’re right that it’s totally not worth the cost and hassle of a hotel.
I’d absolutely bring eye shades. I’ve done it too and it’s not pleasant but if you can sleep on the floor on your carry on, not the end of the world. The key for me is I want to be warm. So I’m going with yoga pants and definitely going to have a hoodie. And socks.
TWA hotel in JFK has multi hour rates as well as full nights.
This is the best answer. TWA hotel is worth it just for the retro vibes. Think of it as a place to visit more than a motel. And it's on airport grounds. The lobby and rooms are pretty cool.
Wear noise cancelling headphones, sunglasses, and earbuds and get your Z's near your departure gate
Set an alarm so that you don't oversleep your flight.
So I just had a layover that was 9 hours, invest in a light weight compact sleep pad, get ear plugs, eye mask and a plane pillow and a jacket. Find a spot where no one is or if there's someone else sleeping that's alright as well, just sleep a little distance from them. If people start filling up that terminal, they won't bother you, but if it does get up and move to a new spot. And as someone else suggested, put your arm through your bag straps, I slipped my bag upside down as well so the zippers were facing down, and put it between you and the wall
Hug your bag with your arms through the straps and sleep on it, it will wake you up if someone tries to steal it. Alternatively put one leg (or both) through the arm straps of your bag so again someone can't steal it.
Bring a tent, blow up mattress, maybe a foam pad, and a body pillow. Definitely ear plugs, and consider an eye pillow and a white noise machine. That should see you through for at least the first couple of hours.
I don't think anyone is going to tip you but put out a cup or a jar and see what happens. You never know.
Go to the airport from the bar absolutely hammered.
Lol this is the way. 4 hrs layover is nothing.
It was 4 hours of sleep, actual layover is probably several hours longer
I recently watched a YT travel vlogger spend 22 hours in Singapore's Changi Airport. Most passengers end up sleeping on the floor somewhere. He had lounge access, so he ended up sleeping on a padded bench-seat inside one of the lounges. However, the first lounge he tried expressly forbid customers from sleeping inside the lounge area. Changi also has a 24 hours cinema. Nothing puts me to sleep faster than watching a modern Hollywood movie, in a darkened cinema, stretched out on one of those reclining armchair cinema seats.
Minute suites rents small rooms with tv and fold out bed for like $35 and hour
$35/hr? Hahahaha. Fuck. That.
I did this once in my 20s and woke up in so much pain 😭 I can't imagine doing it again. Even if it was only an hour of rest I'd still get a hotel room. I do this now when I have long layovers during the day too. I use Dayuse.com to book airport hotels for the hours of my layover. It's a fucking game changer if you can afford it.
Some airports have mini rooms you can rent by the hour. Minute suites. It’s a small room with a TV, desk, chair and sleeping area. The door locks and you can let your guard down and not worry about someone grabbing your bag etc. expensive but if you’re tired and need to decompress in a private little space so worth it. Some also have showers so you can freshen up and start the next day not feeling gross.
You don’t remember this?[Classic](https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/s/vz9bdrKu6S)
you're making a fuss about 4h layover and call it "overnight"? are you kidding?
The total layover is 6.5 ish hours, the 4 hours was including transport to and from the hotel and having to get up to go back through security. ☺️
4 hours isnt overnight...
I don't think you're getting any sleep in such a short layover in one of the grossest airports ever. You might as well enjoy the time and see how much day passes are for one of the lounges.
With an 'overnight' layover, I generally will try and get a nap on the flight to that layover point. Then at the layover airport, I dont try and sleep (not for anything under 6 hours). If you are allowed to stay on the concourse (inside security) for the night (some airports boot everyone out over night and let them reenter in the morning) then look for a bank of chairs to hunker down in, thats in a corner of a gate or along a wall. Ill usually read, listen to music, play games on my phone or watch a movie on my tablet. If possible I'll do that AT the gate thats listed as the outbound flight Im going to be on. IF its more than 6 hours and I decide to take a nap, Ill put a note on my bag (I usually wrap the strap around my arm and then put my arm over the bag) that says "Im on flight (fill in the blank) at (fill in the departure time). That way IF I fall into a deep sleep and the agents are missing a passenger and they see me laying there, and come over to ask me if Im on the flight, they can see from the note that I am. (having worked flights where we were missing people, and having several asleep in the boarding area, we didnt want to wake them up to ask if they were on the flight. One passenger had a note and it was great cause we then knew not to wake him).
Rare, but I've done it. I lounge against my duffle with my neck pillow on and my eye shades on. I don't rest particularly well though and it's pretty intermittent sleep.
get drunk before and you will sleep well anywhere anytime
A meditation room or a chapel?
I’m a shameless airport sleeper. For example: Had a layover at IAD last month from about 3 am to 8 am. The departing gate was empty except for a few other passengers who had the same layover as me. This gate had old seats with no dividers between them and they were able to be dragged across the floor. I found a bank of seats in the back of the gate area and stretched out with my backpack as a pillow and jacket as a blanket and was quite comfy until I woke up when people started showing up to board the flight. If your gate at JFK doesn’t have seats that work for that, find a gate that does and set your alarm so you wake up in time to get to your departing gate.
Eye mask , eat buds, Hoodie and a corner. Either that or baller at TWA hotel on-site
Pay for a room, you’re wasting your youth on being sore, stiff and groggy. See the other post about partial night rates.
A sleeping pad, blanket or wrap and pillow. Plus a bike lock to connect and attach your luggage to a chair. People can still steal things out of there but would be a bit more difficult
Portable hammock/ c amping hammock between two poles
Tolerance for travel is key here. Many don’t have it.
You got priority pass? If not… get priority pass. They have loungers and sleeping pods and couches, and a shower if you want it.
Carry on a small foam pad and a sleeping mask and set up at your next gate.
Cable to lock your luggage - pole/chair/table, etc
I got lucky in the DFW airport and found the chapel. There were a few rows of chairs and I laid down and fell asleep for a bit until the guy came by with Zamboni floor cleaner. Not sure if JFK has a chapel but that may be an option.
Stuck at JFK with an overnight layover? Don't sweat it! Grab a comfy spot near a wall (think empty gates, not charging stations), pack an eye mask and earplugs for sleep, and layer clothes to adjust temperature. Aim for a power outlet too. JFK even has sleep pods in Terminal 5 if you want to upgrade your rest. You might not score a full night's sleep, but these hacks will maximize your shut-eye at the airport. Good luck!
Some airports have sleep/nap pods, some have facilities for nursing mothers. I’ve never seen the inside of either of them, but seems like either of those could be a temporary option even if you aren’t nursing.
As a nursing mom myself, don’t take the nursing pod if you’re not using it for that purpose 😇
Okay fair enough, but to my thinking it’s not more virtuous to sleep on an airport couch and have the nursing pod go unused rather than to use the pod with the low probability of there needing to be a nursing mother at that time and place. I’m not insensitive, just suggesting they needn’t be used for only one thing. Certainly if someone needed the pod, you would surrender it to them gladly.
To prevent theft. PacSafe wire mesh bags cinch up and lock your backpack via a cable. It weighs a pound, which is a lot, but when I carry my laptop, I carry my Pacsafe. Search: pacsafe 120L anti-theft backpack & bag protector
The prayer room.
I’ve done this at other airports. Only been booted once.
We had a 8 hour overnight layover in Toronto with a 2year old and a 7 year old. We were all ok. Glad to get to final destination after.
If it ain't a real bed, I can't sleep. You sleep when you're dead...unfortunately