Quiet rooms at airports can be a salvation from the noise on a busy travel day. We think quiet rooms are an excellent self-care feature of airports. It’s a physical space, the ones we have seen are enclosed rooms, where conversation and interaction are usually minimal.
Not all quiet rooms at airports are built the same. Some have no denominational features while others do. But the ones we’ve seen welcome travelers from all faiths to enjoy some solitude before or after their flight.
Six quiet rooms at airports that will give your mind some room to think
1. Frankfurt Airport
We are so in love with Frankfurt Airport’s design for their Quiet Room. The room is entirely neutral and does not contain any cultural or religious characteristics. One highlight is the gold-plated undulating ceiling in combination with a unique lighting concept.
A golden gleam attracts passengers to the room. The atmosphere of the room changes with the weather and time of day: the darker it is outside, the warmer and more golden the room becomes. It’s simply a spectacular space.
Location: Terminal 1, Level 3, near Gate Z11
2. San Diego Airport
San Diego Airport has a lovely room I experienced first hand. Clear your mind, breathe, and namaste in The Spirit of Silence or Reflection Room. The room is open 24 hours a day.
Location: Post-security in Terminal 2
3. Philadelphia International Airport
The Quiet Room at PHL Airport is a non-denominational open space for those who wish to use it for some quiet time. This 315-square-foot space has two sections that are separated by a series of frosted glass panels. The pattern on the glass is made to look like dandelion seeds.
Location: D-E Connector
4. Doha’s Hamad International Airport
Doha’s Hamad International Airport even has separate quiet rooms for men and women. These tranquil areas offer a calm and softly-lit ambiance accompanied by comfortable recliners for you to rest, read or take a nap.
Location: Several rooms across the terminal
5. South Korea’s Incheon International Airport
Pray or meditate at Incheon Airport. They have several spaces to escape the noise. You can come here to pray, meditate, or just to take a quiet moment out of your busy journey to sit and rest peacefully. They’re open 24 hours a day.
Locations: Terminal 1 (2 locations) Transportation Center B1 / Near Gate 24 in Transit Area Level 3. Terminal 2 (3 locations) Center of Transit Area / Level 4, east side of Transportation Center B1 / International Business Center II B1. Concourse (1 location), east of Transit Area Level 4.
6. Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport
The airport chapel at Arlanda Airport is a place where you can find a few quiet moments and a bit of solitude before a journey. It was a very serene room with nice soothing lighting.
If you would like to speak with a priest from the Church of Sweden, they are available from Monday to Friday. There was someone there when we were passing through.
The chapel is open to all visitors, regardless of their religion. You can also get married here if you feel so inclined!
Location: Terminal 5, open 24/7
If you are fortunate enough to have a quiet room at your airport, take advantage of the opportunity by using it yourself and encouraging others to do so as well. You will find that taking time out to sit and “do nothing” for as little as 10 minutes during a hectic travel day can make all the difference between a good or bad mood.
First published Aug 27, 2018
UPDATED January 27, 2020
