Best Airports to Sleep In

[bohica]

(CNN) -- You may think airports are primarily about one thing: shopping.
That's right. Not flying -- that's what you do after you've had your credit card stretched on gallon bottles of duty free eau de parfum and single malt.
But there's yet another activity -- or, rather, inactivity -- apparently important for rating airports: sleeping.

Started 17 years ago as a guide for budget travelers on where to snooze in airports worldwide, to save on accommodation during a long layover, Sleepinginairports.net claims now to have wider relevance.

"Airport sleeping is no longer just for the cheap young backpacker," the site says.

"Nowadays, early morning flights ... flight cancellations, snowstorms and erupting volcanoes are just a few reasons why you'll see people of all ages and incomes stretched out on airport floors around the world."

Airport sleeping essentials

Sleepinginairports asked 14,600 passengers to rate airports according to four sleep-related criteria -- "the four C's."

"Comfort" includes armrest-free seating -- all the better for stretching out on -- and quiet zones.
"Convenience" encompasses 24-hour food and showers.
"Cleanliness" is more general, including clean bathrooms and food courts.
"Customer service" covers those unexpected extras that make you remember a place with affection, such as "airport workers who ... give us blankets and pillows when we're stranded."

So, how did the airports do?  Try to stay awake now!

5th Best:  Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
Some might say Helsinki itself is pretty soporific so this snooze-friendly airport should really knock you out.

"There are benches all over the place," writes one Sleepinginairports voter, the amusingly named Sleeping Around.

Never mind that that commendation sounds like something you might overhear at a tramps conference, Vantaa has a book swap, airport tours and a Relaxation Zone with a whole smorgasbord of seating types to keep the restless, or rest-seeking, passenger satisfied.

"If you can't find a way to sleep in this airport, there might be something wrong with you," concludes SleepinginAirports.

[bohica]

4th Best Hong Kong International Airport

"There are a few 'beds' made of four seats together (no armrests)," coos airport sleeper thisisme.

"Look for the lounge chairs hidden behind shrubbery," the site adds.

[bohica]

3rd Best Amsterdam Schiphol

A new entry to the site's top three, Schiphol scores for its "comfortable couches," a museum and a forest-like area between Departures 3 and 4 complete with nature sounds.

Makes you sleepy just writing about it.

[bohica]

2nd Best Seoul Incheon

"We moved two seats next to each other and had enough sleeping room for three people," writes Phtraveler of Seoul Incheon.

Travelers also loved the traditional dance performances, the site says -- although whether as a substitute for Valium isn't recorded.

[bohica]

Best Airport for Sleeping Singapore Changi Airport

The dormouse's favorite, Singapore Changi, wins top spot for the 17th year in a row.

Could that be because Changi extends Singapore's no-nonsense approach to law and order -- including banning chewing gum and arresting spitters -- to relaxation?

"Silence is mandatory in the snooze lounge," says one SleepinginAirports survey respondent approvingly.

Changi's six rest zones, with special reclining deep seats, seem to be the icing on the dream cake here.

[mindy]

no.1 nga yung sa helsinki, no need to get an accomodation if only for a night hahaha
but this one, i think is not for economy passengers but schiphol is really huge, nice & world class

3rd Best Amsterdam Schiphol

Best Airport for Sleeping Singapore Changi Airport

found one like this sa dubai but not leathered, located along with the other regular seats...

hahaha...palaboy lang sa airport...you guys should try train stations naman lol

[mitten-15]

nakita ko rin yung sleeping area sa dubai, kamukha lang siya nung sa singapore airport. super convenient

[¿m☺ÿ]

I still vote for Hongkong and Dubai International airport only because i haven't been on the other airport included on the top ten list.....

but the list looks good, thanks for sharing....

[Spurt]

thanks for sharing.... i stayed in amsterdam schiphol airport for 7 hours enroute to quito, ecuador. most of the lounges are ok, just always bring a universal plug so you may charge your gadgets.

[icarus]

sa centenial airport pagpasok nyo ng main door di ba meron upuan sa tabi ng cr? natry ko ng matulog dyan dahil 3am ang check-in ko, pumasok ako ng airport ng 10pm. dun na ko natulog, hayun sa upuan lang, natry ko na din matulog sa restaurant sa doha airport, dumating ang eroplano ko ng 10:30pm at ang connecting flight ay 06:30. sakit kaya sa katawan.

[acesnick]

Incheon, seoul south korea ako. Sarap ng tulog ko dun ksi arrive ako 4am tpos flight ko is 12pm pa. So haba ng oras at ang ganda ng ambiance.

[sniffer]

i haven't tried the snooze lounge at the changi airport.. pero sa dubai airport yes, parang ganun din isang hilera nga lang..