Sleeping in Airports

Sleeping in Quito Airport

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Quito 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.

we arrived at the airport and found nothing but metal seats with armrests -dot

UIO Airport Overview

quito airport guideTo help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down of what travellers have reported to us during their time at Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport.

What to Expect

Quito Airport (code: UIO) comprises a single terminal with National and International Departures sections.  Services are limited, but free WiFi is available near the gates. Economy class passengers can purchase entry to three airport lounges (two have showers).

Sleeping in Quito Airport

Seating is plentiful, but there’s a hitch: most seats are metal and come with armrests, so they aren’t sleep-friendly. Try contorting yourself into a sleep position or opt for the floor like other travellers – a sleep mat or blanket will provide some much-needed cushion. A few travellers have reported putting chairs together for a makeshift bed in the food court, only for security staff to let them know it’s not allowed. The terminal is cold and bright, so come prepared with eye shades, warm clothes and a blanket.  It is quiet, with few interruptions overnight.

For uninterrupted sleep, there is a hotel on the airport grounds and several nearby hotels. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations.

Read the latest 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 Quito 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 hoursAirport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

rest zonesRest & Relaxation Zones

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

airport hotelsAirport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Quito Airport:

  • Wyndham Quito Airport – Located on airport grounds. A free airport shuttle is available. » Check Rates
  • Holiday Inn Quito Airport – A free airport shuttle is available.  » Check Rates
  • Quito Airport Suites – A 24-hour airport shuttle is available for a fee. Send the hotel your flight details to arrange pick-up. Day-use rooms are available for stays from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Quito, search for deals, and read traveller reviews.

airport loungeAirport 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 by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!

  • Sala VIP (International) – Location: International Departures, Airside. Showers are available. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs. » Buy Lounge Pass
  • Sala VIP (Domestic) – Location: National Departures, Airside. Hours: the hours are listed as 24 hours, but a reader in February 2023 wrote to us to tell us the lounge was not open 24 hours.  If you know the hours, click here. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs. » Buy Lounge Pass
  • Layover Stay – Location: Quito Airport Center, Landside, 2nd Floor, in front of the arrival gates. Showers and reclining chairs for sleeping are available. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs. » Buy Lounge Pass

Related Pages: Quito Airport Lounges

water bottle refillsDrinking Water

A reader tells us “There is a water fountain landside next to the bathrooms that is on the south side. There is a water fountain airside in the middle of the gates for international departures.” (July 2024)

foodFood & Drinks

When you get the midnight munchies or give up trying to sleep and need a coffee to stay awake, 24-hour food concessions are available. Check out these vendors:

  • Domestic Departures: Amazonia Cafe
  • Domestic Arrivals: Amazonia Cafe • De Volada / To-Go
  • International Departures: Amazonia Cafe • De Volada / On The Fly • Famous Famiglia • Johnny Rockets • Outback Steakhouse
  • International Departures Hall (landside): Johnny Rockets

Luggage StorageLuggage Storage & Lockers

Bag Parking Custodia offers luggage storage in the Arrivals Hall. Cash only. Hours: Open 24 hours.

mobile chargingMobile Charging

Charge your mobile devices for free at charging units in all departure lounges.

showersShowers

Freshen up (and loosen those stiff muscles) with a shower before your flight. Shower facilities are in two pay-to-use lounges: the Salon VIP (International) and Layover Stay. See the Airport Lounges section above for locations.

wifiWiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available at Quito Airport near the gates.  A reader tells us, “the wifi in the airside gates area is very poor (i.e. not just slow like in the landside public terminal, but often non-existent).” (July 2024)

Alternatively, Carsa offers pay-per-use internet and telephone kiosks. Cash only. Location: Domestic Arrivals Hours: Open 24 hours.

alertSecurity & Safety

Airport staff seem generally tolerant of sleepers, even overnight campers. Depending on your location, they may ask for boarding passes and IDs or let you know that seats cannot be moved around for napping.

Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

  • Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
  • Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
  • Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
  • Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.

more airport infoMore 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 daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Location: Landside, Arrivals and Departures levels • Airside, Domestic and International Departures.

Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available free of charge in the International and Domestic Arrivals areas. Rate: unknown – Cash only.

Children’s Play Area – There is an area set up in the Domestic Departures area with games for children to burn off some energy before their flight.

Currency Exchange – Global Exchange – Location: International Departures. Hours: Open 24 hours.

Duty-Free & Shopping – Attenza has three duty-free shops and a specialized duty-free boutique. In addition to duty-free shopping, a wide variety of shops are available, most of which are open 24 hours a day!

Information Desk – Location: Landside, Arrivals /Departures Hall – Hours: open 24 hours.

Luggage Wrapping – Secure Wrap offers luggage wrapping service in the Departures Hall (landside). Cash only. Hours: Open 24 hours.

Massage – Fly Massage operates in the Domestic Hall, International Hall and VIP Lounge. Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily.

Medical Services – If you require medical assistance, there is a Medical Center. Fees are applicable. Location: unknown.

SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

Layover Sightseeing

Do you want to make the most of your stopover or long layover by leaving the airport for sightseeing?  Check out our Quito Airport Layover Sightseeing guide.

Airlines
Quito airport is served by the following airlines: Aeroméxico • Air Europa • Air France • American Airlines • Avianca • Copa Airlines • Delta Air Lines • GOL • Iberia • JetBlue • KLM • LATAM • Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas • TAME • United Airlines • Wingo.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

The travel time between the new UIO airport and Quito can be 60-90 minutes, depending on traffic.

Buses

  • Aeroservicios is a shuttle bus service that provides transportation from Quito directly to the New Mariscal Sucre International Airport 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, without intermediate stops. For more details on times, schedules and costs, visit the Aeroservicios website.
  • The airport is connected to the public transportation system via bus routes connecting to the city’s South and North. As of this update, rates are $2, and buses operate between 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM (approximately and depending on the route). For more information and to plan your route, visit the Quito Airport website.

Car Rentals

The following car rental companies can be found in the public area of the Arrivals Hall: Avis • Budget • Enterprise • Europcar • Localiza • Sixt.

Hotel Shuttles

See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxi

La Cooperativa de Taxis Aeropuerto Mariscal Sucre # 34 and La Asociación de Cooperativas del Valle provide service 24/7, 365 days a year.

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.