Sleeping in Airports

Canberra Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Canberra Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

Luckily a politician or business man type took pity on me and invited me into the Qantas lounge for a free breakfast. – a traveller

CBR Airport Overview

canberra airport guideTo help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Canberra International Airport.

What to Expect

Canberra Airport (code: CBR) has an ultra-modern terminal with two concourses (Southern and Western), 14 departure gates, and a half-dozen eateries and shops. After these services close for the night, vending machines are the only food/drink option, so plan accordingly if you intend to spend the night. WiFi is available to help pass the time. For additional comfort, economy-class passengers can pay to access the airport’s private lounge. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and rates.

Sleeping in Canberra Airport

We have only had one sleep-related airport review, and the traveller reported sleeping in the Uber waiting room without any problems of note. For uninterrupted sleep, there is a hotel on site and several hotels nearby. See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read traveller airport reviews for more tips.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Canberra Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

Airport Hours

The airport is open from 5:00 AM until 30 minutes after the last flight.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there is a hotel near Canberra Airport:

  • Vibe Hotel – Located 50m from the new terminal entrance.  » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Canberra Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter through a lounge membership program (ie. Qantas Club or Virgin Australia). Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!

  • Qantas Club – Location: Opposite service desk, which is located next to gate 11. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
  • Virgin Australia Lounge – Location: Airside, Level 3, Western Concourse Terminal Terminal Circuit. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door with proof of Virgin Australia Airlines ticket • Lounge membership programs.

Related Pages: Canberra Airport Lounges

Rest & Relaxation Zones

There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Food & Drinks

Food concessions throughout the airport operate on varying schedules, with some opening as early as 5:00 AM. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options. Food options include Airport Taproom • Go Convenience • Limestone Café & Bar • Noodles XO • Baker’s Cut.

Drinking Water

Information is unavailable. Does the airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

Mobile Charging

Available in the International Departure lounge and the Office Fit For You.

Showers

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available in the Express Pick-Up waiting lounge, the International Departures lounge and the “Office Fit For You” in the Departures lounge. Connect to the “Fly CBR” network.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Arrivals Hall (next to Travelex) • Departures Hall (next to Tuk Chop).

Baby Care Facilities – Available airside on Departures / Upper Level, next to the restrooms at Gates 5 and 12, or landside on Arrivals / Lower Level, next to the restrooms at Gate B.

Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available. Rate: $2 per cart, payable in cash or coins. Upon arrival into Australia from an international flight, baggage trolleys are available and free of charge.

Currency Exchange – Foreign exchange cash machines are available. Location: Departures concourse. Hours: 24 hours.

Duty-Free & Shopping – JR/Duty-Free is currently closed. Relay newsstand sells books, magazines, newspapers, SIM cards, and more from locations in the Departures concourse.

Information Desk – A customer service office located next to Budget in the baggage claim area may be able to assist.

Medical Services – First aid services are available if you feel unwell or injured yourself. Locations: Arrivals Area, Ground Floor, next to Gate A • Arrivals Area, Ground Floor, next to Gate B.

Prayer Room – Lower level, across from Gate B.

SIM Cards – Relay newsstands sell SIM cards. You will also find them in Relay vending machines throughout the International terminal.

Workspaces – Head to the Departures lounge to use the airport’s mini-offices, An Office Fit For You, which offer free WiFi and charging points.

Airlines
Canberra Airport is served by the following airlines: Fly Pelican • Jetstar • Link Airways • Qantas/Link • Qatar • Rex Airlines• Virgin Australia.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Buses

Bus No. 3  connects CBR airport to the city centre seven days a week. The adult fare is AUD$ 3.22 using a MyWay card ( cash fares at the bus driver are currently not accepted). You may purchase a ticket using cash at the ticket vending machine on the ground floor in the arrival area. For information on fares, routes, and schedules, visit the Transport Canberra website.

Car Rentals

The following car rental agencies are available onsite: Avis • Budget • Europcar • Enterprise • Hertz • Thrifty. Location: arrivals hall of the terminal, across from the baggage collection belts.

Hotel Shuttles

At the time of this update there were no hotels providing airport shuttle service. See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxi

Taxis are readily available from a taxi rank located on the ground floor, just outside of the Arrivals area, within a short walk of the baggage carousels. If, for some reason, no taxis are available, visit the customer service office, and they will arrange one for you. For a fare estimate, visit the airport website.

Last updated: 2024-08-26

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.