Photo submitted by Bugra Seth
One of the biggest concerns for solo airport sleepers is being robbed while they sleep. So how does one sleep in an airport and not have their belongings stolen? With more than 8100 reviews here I’ve only read two reviews of missing items and where did they happen? Delhi, Moscow, Pyongyang, Jakarta?? No, try Hong Kong and Phoenix. Lunny wrote of her Hong Kong experience:
It wasn’t bad actually sleeping here, because there was some nice comfortable seats you could move around. BUT I fell asleep listening to my minidisc and when I awoke it was gone! I suspect airport cleaners.
A more costly loss was this nameless reviewer who writes of his experience at Phoenix Airport:
Deciding to sleep in the airport was a big mistake. As I fell asleep on a couch outside the terminal, WITH my laptop bag strap around me, I awoke to NO LAPTOP BAG. I immediately knew what had happened. Just a strap left. Obviously, one or several professionals work this airport. In my bag was everything I didn’t trust to check-in to the airline (ie. Laptop, PDA, Prescriptions, Check book, some extra credit cards, Passport, and some hard copy files).
I’m no expert on incidents of theft while sleeping in an airport, but I’d say they are rare judging by people’s experiences here on the site. Here are precautions you can take anyways:
- Leave excess bags in storage if you can. The hours of operation are often unfavourable and most airports won’t allow overnight storage. Check out our Airport Guides for your airport before you stay to see if there are storage facilities.
- Lock your bag and close all pocket zippers, duh.
- Music may block out the terminal sounds, but it could also block out the sound of someone opening your bag.
- Place valuables under your head or on your body. Place the laptop/camera bag under your head with a sweater or coat over it for padding. Keep smaller valuables such as passports, money, credit cards, music players in your pants or under your shirt.
- Build a luggage cart fence around yourself. That way if anyone is trying to get to you or your bags, they will have to move the carts, thus creating a sound that will likely wake you.
- Turn your bags with zippers facing you.
- Place bags under your seat if they will fit and place the luggage cart in front of you as a “shield”
- If you are on a bench, sleep with your suitcase facing you and your hand or leg on your bag. If you think you might move, tie a scarf/strap to connect your hand/leg and the luggage handle.
These are just a few of the things I have done, seen and read. If you have any other tips, please share them in the comments…
When I was stranded in Detroit (not recommended), I had too much luggage to protect, put under the chair, or sleep on. I used a luggage strap to thread through the handles of the bags, then held onto that. Also, I had the strap obscured, otherwise someone could have unhooked it easily enough. I figured if the strap was hidden, someone would be more likely to just stroll past and grab a bag, which would have woken me up. No attempts were made on my luggage, as far as I know.
Another strategy, if sleeping on the floor, is to sleep near a wall (or in a corner is better), and put the bags between yourself and the wall.
Except for my laptop, I don’t bring anything that’s worth stealing. The risks from common thieves are pretty low. I’ve heard too many stories of ipods and other gadgets being stolen by baggage handlers to truat anyone in an airport.
I have to put in a plug for Minneapolis airport. I was stranded there last week w/ many others, due to T-storms. They put out piles of sleeping mats. You just grab one and take it to wherever you want to sleep. Quite civilized, compared with Detroit.
I travelled through Kuala Lumpur and felt very safe there. Long comfortable padded benches to stretch out on, quiet arms of the terminal for sleeping and these were frequently visited by airport police – always keeping a close eye out. Of course, I also slept with my purse as a pillow and covered. Carry on luggage with nothing irreplaceable in it.
My flight from US to Malaysia transit in Singapore arriving at about 11.45 pm. My next flight is at 7.00 am. Where should I wait safely since Im an old lady traveling alone
Bring a gigantic, crisp plastic bag and put everything you own in it. If anyone tries to access that bag, loud alarming crunches will be emitted.
OR. Sleep in front of the security desk.
OR. Find a camera and sleep in it’s view.
OR. Form a group of other sleepers, and take turns staying awake, and mintaining the perimeter.
OR. Dress like someone from the Hells Angels.
OR. Prop yourself up against a wall while standing, and make it appear that you are awake(whilst you are really sleeping(albeit in a very very uncomfortable position))
@Hajah Rofiah
@Hajah Rofiah
@Hajah Rofiah
We have same connections on a future trip—what did you do? Did you have to claim your luggage or did the Airlines take it from plane to plane. Can you access the hotels or lounge areas—any thing you can share would be appreciated.
@Hajah Rofiah
There is a cheap transit hotel in Changi T2. Book it for a few hours (about SGD$50 last time I did it.) and you can rest in a proper, albeit spartan room for a few hours.
Once I had my 2 huge luggages and my backpack, My flight was delay for hours! I was solo. So I took my 2 luggages I place them flat on the ground one beside another and I slept on it with my backpack as a pillow. I had my winter long coat for more comfort! ^_^
I have a 4 foot metal cable lock that is retractable. You can pay $20 for one on Amazon or Magellians, but I picked mine up for under $2 from Big Lots. I loop it through all major tie down points on my luggage, as well as through zipper loops, and then run it around or over something immobile – the center post of a chair/bench row – and then finally lock it. In this way, I ensure that if someone wants my luggage or their contents, the only thing they can do is use a blade to cut through the material my luggage is made of. I operate under the assumption that a thief will just go looking for easier pickings rather than go to all that trouble.
Also, since the metal cable is the thickness of a headphones cord, it isn’t flashy and doesn’t say, “There is something worth stealing, here!” as something like a PackSafe might.
If travelling with someone else, or you can spy anyone else in need of a snooze with a similar dilemma, have them keep an eye on you while you nap, then return the favour!