The Art of Sleeping in Airports
Most people cringe at the idea of having to spend a night on an airport floor or bench, but a surprising number of travelers around the globe are utilizing airports as overnight camping grounds in an effort to cut travel costs. There's even a website that has sprung up to provide and share information from experienced airport campers - the SleepingInAirports website posts tips and reviews of airports for those wishing to do a little snoozing while en route to far-flung destinations. Even though most of us are more likely to rent a Gatwick hotel room, for instance, rather than actually sleep on the floor in that horrid place, the site does offer some very useful general information for negotiating almost all the world's major airports.
There's even a Top 10 Best and Worst Airports list compiled from a contributors poll which is broken down into geographical categories. If you're curious (and I know you are) which are the latest picks for best and worst airport worldwide, here are the answers:
Singapore Changi Airport won the 2011 Golden Pillow Award for the World's Best Airport. And for the 15th year in a row. What's so special about Singapore Changi? From the descriptions it sounds a bit like heaven: "...snooze chairs and napping areas in transit, city tours, a swimming pool and Jacuzzi, 24 hour massage and spa facilities, video games, music lounges, live bands, gardens, pay-in lounges for us poor economy passengers and free movies..." And apparently, it's a great place to camp out. The site even recommends staying there a few nights rather than renting a hotel room.
The world's worst airport? Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport (Terminal 3). According to one of SleepingInAirport's contributors, "It is run by thieves and extortionists neatly dressed in uniforms." The recent ceiling collapse hasn't helped Manila Airport's reputation, either.
Closer to home, London airports don't seem to rate very well but are not among the worst, except for Luton, which made the Top Ten Worst Airports Worldwide list. Personally, I usually choose the Hilton Hotel T5 when I pass through Heathrow, for instance. I hate sleeping on floors...
There's even a Top 10 Best and Worst Airports list compiled from a contributors poll which is broken down into geographical categories. If you're curious (and I know you are) which are the latest picks for best and worst airport worldwide, here are the answers:
Singapore Changi Airport won the 2011 Golden Pillow Award for the World's Best Airport. And for the 15th year in a row. What's so special about Singapore Changi? From the descriptions it sounds a bit like heaven: "...snooze chairs and napping areas in transit, city tours, a swimming pool and Jacuzzi, 24 hour massage and spa facilities, video games, music lounges, live bands, gardens, pay-in lounges for us poor economy passengers and free movies..." And apparently, it's a great place to camp out. The site even recommends staying there a few nights rather than renting a hotel room.
The world's worst airport? Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport (Terminal 3). According to one of SleepingInAirport's contributors, "It is run by thieves and extortionists neatly dressed in uniforms." The recent ceiling collapse hasn't helped Manila Airport's reputation, either.
Closer to home, London airports don't seem to rate very well but are not among the worst, except for Luton, which made the Top Ten Worst Airports Worldwide list. Personally, I usually choose the Hilton Hotel T5 when I pass through Heathrow, for instance. I hate sleeping on floors...
