Different options to sleep a few hours before a transfer between flights.

Airport Sleeping Pods.
A futuristic phenomenon is taking root at airports worldwide: sleeping pods! After decades of travelers sprawled out across chairs and aisles, ingenious and entrepreneurial individuals are finally beginning to invent comfortable ways to nap while in transit – but with a cost. From reclining cocoon chairs to queen sized luxury beds with a TV, airport layovers are taking a step towards becoming a little more bearable for those of us who are willing to pay. While these pods are far from universal, the following airports have made the initial investment into varying models, providing a safe haven for the weary traveler.

Hanoi Airport Sleep Pods
Sleep Pods (Hanoi) Located in Terminal 2, with prices beginning at approximately $7/$9 per hour for single/double occupancy.
After a few hiccups with the initial July opening, Noi Bai International in Vietnam has officially opened 14 4m2 sleep pods. Single and double-person pods are decked out with a bed, a drawer, a clock, some plugs and hangers. During your stay, you are also given access to complimentary snacks, drinks and Wi-Fi! Bookings can be made online in advance with a 50% deposit, and you can rent out the pods for any amount of time between an hour (approx USD 7-9) and 8 hours (USD 35). Kids under 6 do stay for free, while those between 6 – 12 years pay a discounted rate. Considering all that is included in your stay, this seems like a pretty good rate! We hope it lasts this time around…

Go Sleep Pods at Abu Dhabi Airport
Go Sleep (Abu Dhabi) Located in Terminal 3, 2nd floor, Transit Area, $9-14/hour depending on the time of day
Hop into an ultramodern cocoon to grab some shuteye on your layover through Abu Dhabi. Developed in Finland, the GoSleep pods consist of a chair that reclines into a flat-bed seat with a partial or full sliding shade for privacy. Walking through the field of prototype chairs gives off allusions of a sci-fi experiment – but those lucky enough to snag one say it is fantastic! Comfortable, quiet and dark, these pods are in use for roughly 9 hours every day, with full house occupancy between 11pm – 6am. The sleeping pods include a generously sized place for luggage storage, a charging station and a tablet PC using the airport’s free public WiFi, with more features to follow. A full range of branded amenity items are available for sale including blankets, pillows (rental), snooze/shower/dental/shaving kits, as well as memory foam neck pillows with matching eye shades. While they currently have only 20 nap pods, there are plans to add another facility in Terminal 3 for summer 2014 – so, stay tuned! These pods are currently on a first-come first-serve system.

NapCabs at Munich Airport
Nap Cabs (Munich) Located in Terminal 2 (Level 4 & 5), $13 – 20/hour depending on time of day, with a $30 minimum
While these 4 square meter nap pods look more like vending machines than they do a room, inside travelers are surprised to find fresh white sheets, a work space with a multimedia touch screen, charging stations, internet access, air conditioning and mood lighting for relaxation or invigoration. Payable by credit card at arrival, this model of sleeping pod also is equipped with an alarm clock and up-to-date flight information, ensuring you do not overstay. Upon checking out, the pods are automatically locked until cleaned by airport staff. So far, the only negative of these cabs is that they are first-come-first-serve and there quite simply are not enough! Also – fun fact: students developed these cabs as part of an Innovation Competition hosted by the Technical University of Munich back in 2007. Inventive!

Minutes Suites are located at Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth and Philadelphia Airports
Minute Suites (Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta, Philadelphia International and Dallas/Fort Worth), $34/hour or $125/night, with discounts available for longer stays
Atlanta: Concourse B at Gate B15
Philadelphia: 13 suites at the A/B Link
Dallas: Terminal D at D23
Minute Suites are cropping up across American airports, offering relief to domestic and international travelers. Each suite is equipped with a daybed sofa, pillows and blankets, HDTV with access to DIRECTTV, Internet and the airports flight tracking system. This company takes the napping experience incredibly seriously. They have gone so far as to soundproof every unit, and provide a unique guided power-nap audio track for each guest. The newer units in Dallas also offer a hot shower to guests for an extra luxurious layover experience. This company has partnered with local tourism university students who staff aspects of the business, gaining work experience at this innovative travel company.

Sam’s Snooze at My Space at New Delhi Airport
Sams Snooze at My Space (New Delhi) Located in Terminal 3 (International Flights) Departures Lounge, $10/hour
You are in for a real treat if you end up with a layover in Delhi. India’s sleeping pods are outfitted impeccably with the usual bed/table/plugs/Wi-Fi/storage combination, but also a flat screen TV, DVD players and a fridge all for a very low hourly rate! Unlike other pods, Sams takes online reservations, guaranteeing a bed during your layover. The 24-hour reception always has newspapers available, and it is worth asking about specials. Often, a stay of over three hours will entitle you to a free meal!

Snooze Cube at Dubai Airport
Snoozecube (Dubai) Terminal 1 Gate C22, $18/24 per hour for single/double cube
With Dubai’s new status as the fourth busiest airport in the world, layovers here are becoming inevitable and the airport is consequently making this experience as pleasant as possible. Dubai’s spotless and soundproof sleep cubes are equipped with a twin bed, a touch screen TV and Wi-Fi access and are basic but get the job done. Airport bathrooms are located just across the hall and a pub is conveniently located a few steps further. There are rumours circulating that new cubes will also be built with nature inspired murals – but that seems to be pure nap-pod speculation at the moment.

Yotel is available at London Gatwick, Heathrow and Amsterdam Schiphol Airports
Yotel (Amsterdam, London Gatwick, and London Heathrow) Prices vary greatly depending on length of time, airport and time of day. Ranges from $40 for 4 hours – $100 for a full night.
London Heathrow: Terminal 4 beside baggage claim
London Gatwick: South Terminal across from baggage reclaim exit
Amsterdam Schiphol: Departures terminal across from passport control
Yotel is the Four Season’s of airport sleep cubes. Every 7 – 10 square meter room is equipped with an en-suite bathroom, decked out with towels, body wash AND a fabulous monsoon rain shower. Extra comfortable mattresses with high quality linens make for a delightful nap, while the workstation and free WiFi allow you to be productive as well. Best of all? Guests are able to order Food to Go at any time from ‘Mission Control’, where complimentary tea, coffee and hot chocolate are always available. Yotel has also opened its first non-airport miniature hotel in New York City!