• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Wanderlustingk

  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT US
  • TRAVEL
    • The Netherlands
    • New York State
    • France
    • Belgium
    • Other European destinations
  • EXPAT LIFE
  • CONTACT
    • Work With Me
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy
    • Jeju SEO Tool: Free SEO Writing Tool
  • English
  • German
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
You are here: Home / Travel / North America / Sleeping in JFK Airport: Survival tips for your overnight JFK layover

Sleeping in JFK Airport: Survival tips for your overnight JFK layover

October 15, 2019 by Karen Turner 11 Comments

Travel is not always glamorous.  On my recent trip back to the US, we had an overnight layover at JFK between disconnected flights.  The gap was long enough that I wondered if it was worthwhile, but we decided to try out sleeping at JFK airport.  Keep reading for tips for surviving this lovely JFK layover.

  • Do I recommend sleeping in JFK?
  • Where to go in JFK overnight
  • …Lounges in JFK?
  • 24 hour food in JFK
  • Tips for staying overnight at JFK
  • Hotels near JFK Airport

Contents

This post may contain affliate links. Please see my disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases (if applicable).
  • 1 Do I recommend sleeping in JFK?
  • 2 Hotels near JFK Airport
  • 3 Where to go in JFK overnight
    • 3.1 …Lounges in JFK overnight?
    • 3.2 Wifi at JFK?!
    • 3.3 Toilets in JFK
    • 3.4 Showers in JFK Airport
  • 4 24-hour food in JFK
    • 4.1 Dunkin Donuts
    • 4.2 Korean ramen / snacks
    • 4.3 McDonalds
  • 5 Terminal 4: Central Diner
    • 5.1 …Other food options
    • 5.2 Cross Bay Diner
    • 5.3 Korean food along Northern Boulevard
  • 6 Tips for staying overnight at JFK
  • 7 Have you stayed at JFK overnight?

Do I recommend sleeping in JFK?

Girl sitting on the ground of JFK preparing to sleep overnight at JFK between flights
If you are looking for more in-depth travel advice about Belgium and the Netherlands, I created a guidebook on behalf of Moon Travel about Amsterdam, Brussels, and Bruges. You can find this book on Amazon!

Although there are some options for where to sleep in JFK day-time, overnight at JFK is a very different story, especially before security.  If you’re flying internationally and need to go through border control (like I did), you may not have the option of staying overnight in JFK.  Similarly, you’ll want to pick up your bags, which lay after border control. 

I generally would not recommend sleeping in JFK, however our tight budget flying from the Netherlands to reach Charlotte, North Carolina meant that it wasn’t realistic to get a hotel for just five hours.  We had an eight-hour layover between disconnected flights.  Although my parents live in New York, I was too worried about the traffic to JFK in the morning and I didn’t want to force my dad to pick us up at 1am.  It seemed more pragmatic to stay in the airport.

If you’re considering sleeping in JFK, it’s deeply uncomfortable and there are dividers, so you can’t lay down. My husband managed to sleep with his head on a table near the Dunkin Donuts, but there was too much going on for me to sleep well.  When I found a quieter spot in our destination terminal, we were told that it was closed and there was nowhere to sleep.  Another terminal had an out of service toilet.  Simply, it was pretty miserable. 

Hotels near JFK Airport

If you’ve read this already and you’re thinking NO, I completely understand.  I wish that I had booked a hotel, so that we could have gotten some proper rest.  

READ MORE  Your insider guide to New York's Chinatown by a native New Yorker

You’ll find most of the major chains near JFK: Courtyard by Marriott, Hilton, Wyndham, and Hampton Inn.  Book as far ahead as possible to get a good rate.    I’d expect to pay around $150 per night. 

Where to go in JFK overnight

Food Court at Terminal One In JFK during an overnight layover at JFK

Terminal One is the only terminal in JFK with things open all night.  You’ll find some booths with dividers, limited options for food (detailed below), and some toilets.  Nobody said sleeping in JFK was glamourous…

…Lounges in JFK overnight?

….Not overnight as of the time that this article was published. 🙁

Wifi at JFK?!

Luckily, there is fast reliable Wifi at JFK at this available overnight.  You’re not allowed to use it for Netflix, but I was able to catch up on the news as well as get some work done while waiting for my flight in the food court. 

Toilets in JFK

The toilets at JFK are free and are generally cleaned overnight.  Next to a number of toilets, you’ll find a machine where you can refill bottles for free with cold water.  I recommend saving an empty bottle for this!

Showers in JFK Airport

…Sorry.  If you’re feeling dirty, you can wash your face in the restroom.  Otherwise, you’ll need to wait until you get through airport security in order to access one of the lounges with a shower.  This is not possible overnight.

24-hour food in JFK

Terminal One has a lackluster food court. It’s the main twenty-four-hour food option within JFK for now.  Update: You can also go to Terminal 4 for 24/7 American diner fare at Central Diner.

Dunkin Donuts

Man waiting near Dunkin Donuts at Terminal One at JFK overnight

Dunkin Donuts is an American staple.  Whether you intend to sleep or not, there’s something fitting about eating donuts at 3 am when you’re too groggy to worry about the calories.

Korean ramen / snacks

In the back of the food court, you’ll find a small Korean stand.  It’s pretty far from what you’ll find in Flushing, but they serve ramen with tofu, a welcome change from the average airport food.  They also had various nice ice teas and assorted soft drinks.

McDonalds

Not really surprising, but you’ll find a McDonald’s here.  I ended up caving for a Diet Coke and a cookie at some point in the night.  Save the cup to refill your cup with water later! 

Terminal 4: Central Diner

Looking for something hearty, delicious, and American? Central Diner is open 24/7. This diner before security at Terminal 4 has places to charge up your phone, pancakes, and burgers. Reviews aren’t great online, so don’t have too high expectations.

READ MORE  Rainbow Springs State Park, the most beautiful day trip from Orlando Florida

…Other food options

If you’re looking for something less overpriced and something far tastier, consider taking a cab elsewhere to one of these options for fine dining past midnight that isn’t too far away from JFK.  Just be aware that many diners and casual restaurants in New York may be cash-only, so take out some cash at the airport beforehand! 

Cross Bay Diner

There’s nothing like New York’s 24 hour diners and watching the world pass you by as you sip on unlimited (weak) coffee and snack on fries.  Just around the corner from JFK, a short taxi ride away, you’ll find the Cross Bay Diner if you’re itching for a change from sitting in Terminal One. 

Korean food along Northern Boulevard

Delicious Korean soup at a 24 hour Korean restaurant near JFK!

For something further away from JFK and delicious, consider taking a taxi (or bus) towards Flushing.  Along Northern Avenue, you’ll find a number of Korean restaurants that are open twenty four hours.  I’ve been to SGD Tofu House and if you’re looking for a meal to make this layover less miserable with, consider stopping off here.  Their kimchi silky tofu soup was phenomenal. 

Tips for staying overnight at JFK

If you’re staying at JFK overnight, be sure to bring a neck pillow with you to ensure that you can sleep standing up without giving yourself a significant amount of neck pain.  An inflatable travel pillow would work too. 

JFK tends to be on the colder side, so be sure to avoid wearing shorts (if possible) and to have a blanket or a pair of pants to put on over your clothes.  I ended up layering up my clothes as I was cold and didn’t have a jacket with me.

Expect your sleep to slightly impacted as the employees will be cleaning around you.  I managed to fall asleep for a little bit, however it wasn’t so easy with the noise that began around 5-6am as shops started opening up.  Security didn’t seem to care too much and even said hello to us at one point. 

I’d recommend keeping a close eye on your stuff as this is a public place.  Although everyone kept to themselves in my case, you never know and it might be worth investing in a padlock.  I ended up looping my handbag underneath my arm. 

Think carefully about your layover before you do this.  We saved around $1,000 total by doing our trip this way, however it was fairly rough.  If you’re with children, I believe that this journey will be considerably harder on them as it wore on us considerably as we each had a small amount of sleep….

READ MORE  Your insider guide to Downtown Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights by a native New Yorker

Have you stayed at JFK overnight?

  • Click for my one day guide to New York City!

Filed Under: Airline Reviews, Airport Reviews, and Flying Tips, New York City, New York State, North America

About Karen Turner

New Yorker–born and raised. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats.

Previous Post: « Coney Island: Your guide to New York’s famous seaside resort
Next Post: Your insider guide to celebrating Christmas in New York by a New Yorker »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa Domer

    May 24, 2019 at 4:24 am

    I have a flight that arrives from Heathrow at 11:10 pm and departs to Denver at 08:00 am. Female, traveling alone and hoping for a good, safe overnight in the airport. Any recommendations would be great!

    Reply
    • Landi

      October 10, 2019 at 3:00 am

      Hey Lisa,
      Did you ever manage to find a descent spot to overnight at the airport? I’ll be in pretty much the same situation in a few weeks so looking for advice – thanks

      Reply
  2. Shea

    October 28, 2019 at 5:57 am

    For reference there is a new 24 hour diner at the ground floor of terminal 4. It’s incredible, people are super nice, places to charge your phones and a full menu (including breakfast and burgers) available all the time. It’s called The Central Diner.

    Reply
    • k.

      October 28, 2019 at 10:01 am

      Thanks Shea. Hope your layover was good. I’ll stop by when I next fly out of Terminal 4 🙂

      Reply
  3. Ioraga

    December 8, 2019 at 11:57 pm

    Arriving at 20:30 and leaving at 06:00. Not sure what to do but sure sounds lime taking a hotel room is not worth it. Thanks Shea! Will definitely look into hanging out in T4!

    Reply
  4. Brandon

    March 12, 2022 at 2:26 am

    I am prospecting to travel from Guyana, South America to Los Angeles for some vacation but I will have to spend a night at JFK. I’m so glad I read this article because it helped me gain extensive knowledge since I’m going to be on a budget. Thank you for covering every possible areas on this topic. It’s was super helpful.

    Reply
  5. Kristin

    September 28, 2022 at 4:19 pm

    Hello!! I am looking at an 8 hour layover in NY coming up soon. Female traveling alone from Germany, on a budget. I will actually land at LaGuardia but depart from JFK… As it’s been a few years since this post I was hoping you might have more suggestions? Thanks!

    Reply
    • k.

      December 1, 2022 at 8:51 pm

      I would recommend getting to JFK as quickly as possible! Going through security can also take time, so it is not as much time as you think it is.

      Reply
  6. Sheila Meadows

    November 3, 2022 at 7:47 pm

    Thanks for info. Travelling on my own and glad for info. LHR to NY with overnight stay for early flight to F .

    Reply
  7. Yvonne

    December 4, 2023 at 9:11 pm

    This was so very, very helpful. I’m travelling from NYC to Charlotte, North Carolina on Christmas day 2023, and my flight is early in the morning. The subways and trains are inexpensive, but I don’t want to take the subways and trains so early in the morning at 4 or 5am on Christmas day. And the Ubers and taxis etc., are all so very expensive, close to $100.00 or more. I cant afford that. My flight, with hotel resevations, is already about $1000.00; so I am glad I came across your article. It was a very nice read, and packed with a lot of very helpful information. You covered every questions and concerns that I might have had. Thank you so very, very much. I will be taking the subway and trains to JFK the evening of December 24, Christmas Eve. I will then stay over in Terminal one or four, and wake up early the next morning to catch my flight the next morning in my departing terminal. Thanks again, so very much, you have saved me time, energy, and stress,

    Reply
    • Claudia

      December 12, 2023 at 3:39 pm

      Hi Yvonne,

      I’m glad the article could assist you in making informed decisions and ease some of the potential stress associated with your journey.

      Safe travels and have a wonderful trip to Charlotte!

      Your Wanderlustingk Team

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

About

Authors of Wanderlustingk

Karen. American expat and cat lover from New York City who lived in Amsterdam…. Then, Paris. Now, living in The Hague, the Netherlands. Happily married to Jacob.

Guidebook Author to Moon Amsterdam, Brussels, and Bruges, published March 2022.

 

Search

Categories

Popular Posts

First Time Guide to Amsterdam: Three Days in Amsterdam itinerary by a resident

Secret New York: 30+ off the beaten path spots in New York City to love

20 Things Nobody Tells You About Visiting New York by a native New Yorker

The most beautiful temples in Kyoto, the city of a thousand temples

Covered Passages of Paris: A free self guided walking tour of Paris arcades with map

Privacy Policy

Here you find our Privacy Policy.

Disclosure

Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please check our disclosure page for more information.

  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT US
  • TRAVEL
    • The Netherlands
    • New York State
    • France
    • Belgium
    • Other European destinations
  • EXPAT LIFE
  • CONTACT
    • Work With Me
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy
    • Jeju SEO Tool: Free SEO Writing Tool
  • English
  • German

Subscribe

You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

Address

TreasureHunter USA Inc.
251 Little Falls Drive Wilmington,
Delaware 19808
+1 (915) 4632387
EIN 88-2174128

TreasureHunter

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS Feed

Disclosure

www.wanderlustingk.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also participate in other affiliate programs

Find out more

www.wanderlustingk.com all rights reserved © 2023 | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy |