Airport Transit Hotels: Where to Rest Between Flights

When your flight gets delayed, you have an 8-hour layover, or your next plane leaves at 5 a.m., airport transit hotels, short-term lodging designed for travelers stuck between flights. Also known as layover hotels, these are the quiet, clean, and often surprisingly affordable spots tucked inside or just outside terminals that let you sleep without leaving the airport. They’re not luxury resorts—they’re practical solutions for people who need rest, not a vacation.

What makes a good airport transit hotel, a place built for travelers with tight schedules and limited time? It’s not the pool or the spa—it’s proximity, security, and speed. You want to walk from security to your bed in under 10 minutes. You want 24-hour check-in because your flight landed at 2 a.m. You want a quiet room, a decent shower, and maybe a free breakfast if you’re catching an early flight. Some even offer nap pods if you only need 90 minutes. These aren’t just hotels—they’re sleep stations for the modern traveler.

And they’re not just for international flights. Domestic travelers with long connections in hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru use them too. You don’t need a visa to stay in one if it’s inside the transit zone. Some even have shuttle buses that run every 15 minutes to nearby terminals. The real trick? Booking ahead. These places fill up fast, especially during holiday season or flight chaos.

There’s a difference between an overnight airport stay, a planned stopover where you rest before your next flight and a full hotel night. The former is about efficiency: quick check-in, no baggage claim, no need to re-clear security. The latter? That’s when you’re staying because your flight got canceled. The best transit hotels handle both.

And if you’re wondering whether it’s worth the cost—yes, if you’re tired, stressed, or just need to reset before your next leg. A $50 night beats a 4-hour sleep on a bench with a backpack for a pillow. Plus, you’ll arrive at your next gate alert, not groggy and frustrated.

Below, you’ll find real advice from travelers who’ve been there—how to pick the right one, what to pack, when to skip it, and which ones actually deliver on their promises. No fluff. Just what works when you’re stuck between flights.