Sleeping pods, transit hotels and showers at Dubai airport (DXB)

Updated 2026-10-21

Short answer: yes, you can sleep inside Dubai International Airport (DXB) without passing through immigration. There are paid Sleepover pods and cabins (the brand was formerly called sleep 'n fly) in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, the airside Dubai International Hotel in Terminal 3, and free showers in Terminal 3 between gates B13 and B19. All of them are in the transit area, so they suit connecting passengers who stay airside. The one rule that matters most: pick the option in the terminal your next flight leaves from.

We checked every location below on the official Dubai Airports website (dubaiairports.ae) and the operators' own sites on 21 October 2026. Gate locations and services can change, so confirm when you book.

Which option fits your connection?

For lounges, see our separate Dubai airport lounges guide.

Sleeping pods: Sleepover at DXB

Dubai Airports lists Sleepover in four places, all on the departures side, and describes it as suitable for anything "from a 1-hour power nap to a full night's stay". The operator's DXB page says every location is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is open to transit and connecting passengers only.

What you get depends on the location. The B gates site is the largest. According to the operator it offers single FlexiSuite capsules, double cabins, bunk cabins, a family cabin for up to four guests and a "recharge" seating area. The A gates site lists nap pods and double cabins.

Prices: Sleepover publishes "from" prices per person on its own booking pages. When we checked on 21 October 2026, these were from USD 29 at the B gates, USD 50 at the D gates and USD 65 at the A and C gates. The price you pay depends on the room type, the date and how long you stay. Book on the operator's site to see the real price for your time slot.

Tip: the operator warns that Terminals 1 and 3 are not easily reached from each other airside. Your gate number is often only released close to departure, so book by terminal rather than by gate.

The airside transit hotel: Dubai International Hotel

The Dubai International Hotel (the airport calls it "DXB Hotel") sits in the departures area of Terminal 3, just above the duty-free level. The hotel lists its entrances as:

• Concourse A: gates A1 and A24
• Concourse B: gates B14 and B22
• Concourse C: gate C13

Points from the hotel's own FAQ and travel notice that are worth knowing before you book:

• It is for transit passengers. You need a valid onward boarding pass, and the hotel is aimed at passengers departing from Terminal 3.
• Arriving at Terminal 1 or 2? Go to the Connections desk and take the free airport shuttle to Terminal 3. You'll need your onward boarding pass and your hotel confirmation.
• Do not go through immigration. The hotel is reached only from the transit area. If you clear passport control into the city, you can't get back airside without a valid boarding pass for your next flight.
• No transit visa is needed to stay, because the hotel is inside the departures area.
• Maximum stay is 24 hours. Any extension needs immigration approval.
• Rooms are bookable by the hour, so you don't pay for a whole night if you only need a few hours.

We haven't quoted room rates. They change with demand and aren't shown as a fixed public price, so check the hotel's booking page for your dates.

Showers at Dubai airport

Free showers. Dubai Airports lists free shower facilities in Terminal 3 between gates B13 and B19. Bring what you need, such as a towel and toiletries, in your hand luggage, because you can't reach checked bags while you're airside.

Paid showers. The DXB Health Club runs paid shower rooms in Terminal 3, Concourses A and B. The operator says towels and toiletries are provided, the showers are open 24 hours, and they are only for passengers departing from Terminal 3. Sleepover can also add a shower for an extra fee at its B gates and D gates locations: ask on arrival. Dubai Airports also notes that Be Relax spa guests can use the shower facilities at the spa near gate A1 in Terminal 3.

Lounges. Many lounges at DXB have showers too. Our lounges guide covers the main ones.

Can you sleep in Dubai airport for free?

Yes. DXB runs around the clock, and connecting passengers can stay airside between flights. Resting in the public seating areas costs nothing. They are public spaces, though, so expect light, announcements and people passing through the night. If you want to sleep properly, a pod or the hotel is worth paying for. If you're out at night, our late-night layover guide covers what's open after midnight.

A few practical points:

• Stay in your departure terminal. Moving between terminals airside means using the airport shuttle, so settle where your next flight leaves.
• Set two alarms, and leave enough time for the walk to your gate and for boarding to close. Sleepover says its lounges can be up to a 30-minute walk from the departure gates in the same terminal.
• Keep valuables on you. Pods and hotel rooms lock, but public seating doesn't.
• Bags: if your bags are checked through to your final destination, you only have your hand luggage. If you plan to leave the airport and want to drop a bag first, see luggage storage at Dubai airport.

Rest at the airport, or see Dubai?

On a short connection, staying airside is usually the right call. Our guide to how long you need for a connecting flight in Dubai explains the timings. On a longer layover, you have a real choice. If your passport lets you into the UAE, or you've arranged a transit visa in advance, you can see the city and still sleep later. Our page on whether you can leave the airport on a Dubai transit visa covers the entry rules.

A common plan on a long overnight layover is a few hours in the city, then back through security to rest before your flight. Our private Dubai layover tour runs from 2 to 10 hours, from USD 140 for one traveller. It includes pickup and return at your DXB terminal and a return timed around your next flight. Booking our tour doesn't include a Sleepover or hotel booking: you'd book those directly with the operator.

Frequently asked questions

Are there sleeping pods at Dubai airport?

Yes. Sleepover (formerly sleep 'n fly) has pods and cabins at four airside locations: Terminal 3 at the A, B and C gates, and Terminal 1 at the D gates. They are open 24/7 for transit and connecting passengers.

Is there a hotel inside Dubai airport?

Yes. The Dubai International Hotel is inside the Terminal 3 departures area, with entrances in Concourses A, B and C. It is for transit passengers with an onward boarding pass, and you don't need a visa to stay there.

Can I use the DXB transit hotel if my flight leaves from Terminal 1 or 2?

The hotel is in Terminal 3. Its FAQ says passengers departing from Terminals 1 and 2 can still reach it with a valid boarding pass and hotel confirmation, using the free airport shuttle from the Connections desk.

Are there free showers at Dubai airport?

Yes. Dubai Airports lists free showers in Terminal 3 between gates B13 and B19. Paid showers with towels supplied are available at the DXB Health Club in Terminal 3.

How much do the sleeping pods at DXB cost?

Sleepover publishes "from" prices per person on its website. On 21 October 2026 these started at USD 29 (B gates), USD 50 (D gates) and USD 65 (A and C gates). The final price depends on room type, date and length of stay.

Can I sleep in Dubai airport overnight for free?

Yes. The airport operates through the night, and connecting passengers can rest in the airside seating areas at no charge. For real sleep, book a pod or the transit hotel.

Do I need a visa to sleep at Dubai airport?

Not if you stay airside. The pods, the transit hotel and the free showers are all in the transit area, before passport control. You only need to qualify for entry if you want to leave the airport.