After my trip from the US, I was heading to Namibia next, almost on the other side of the world. I had a 14-hour flight to Frankfurt, followed by a 12-hour layover, and then another 9-hour flight to Namibia. Once I landed, I had to hit the ground running, as I had to pick up my rental car and drive over 5 hours to get to my first night's accommodation.
With such a strenuous itinerary ahead, I decided to use my 12-hour layover in Frankfurt to try out Napcabs, a sleeping pod service available in several international airport terminals across Germany. In this review, I’ll share my experience, list the pros and cons, and help you decide whether it’s worth it for you or not. So, let’s begin, shall we?
Quick Summary of the Napcabs
If you are short on time, here is a quick summary of the pros and cons of using the Napcabs for long layovers and a link to book it below.
- Comfortable
- Clean
- Easy Online Booking and Access System
- Limited Availability
- Not Soundproof
- Expensive
What are Napcabs and How to Find them?
NapCabs are sleeping pod services available in 3 major airports in Germany, MUC Airport in Munich, FRA Airport in Frankfurt, and BER Airport in Berlin. They are designed for travelers who need a private, quiet space to rest, work, or freshen up during long layovers or delays.
Each pod is essentially a small, self-contained room equipped with a bed, a fold-out desk, power outlets, and air conditioning. Many also include dimmable lighting, its own WIFI, flight information screens, and charging ports so you can stay comfortable and connected.
How does NapCabs work? You can easily use their website to track down the exact location of the site, and you can see if there's any vacancy right at the pod site. Alternatively, you can pick the date and time you want from their website and see if it's available.
Once you have selected your preferred date and time, you can book it online with a credit card. They will then send you an email with access information, such as which cab is reserved for you and the PIN code you can use to access it. Your reserved name will be displayed in front of the cabin you are assigned to. It's very simple!
Wondering how they keep the pods clean? From what I observed firsthand, there’s usually a cleaner on-site who comes in after each traveler checks out. They wipe down all surfaces and replace the bedding with fresh sheets before the next guest arrives.
Munich Airport (MUC) has several NapCab locations. There are three sites inside the secure area, two for travelers heading outside the Schengen zone and one for those flying within it. In addition, there’s one site in the public area, which doesn’t require passing through security, making it perfect for travelers who arrive at the airport early.
Frankfurt Airport (FRA), where I stayed, has two NapCab locations. One is in the terminal for travelers flying outside the Schengen Area (like me, transiting in Frankfurt on my way to Namibia with Lufthansa), and the other is for those traveling within the Schengen Area. Unlike Munich, there are no NapCabs in the public area here.
Berlin Airport (BER) has one NapCab location in the public area, making it useful for travelers who arrive at the airport before their check-in time. As of now, there are no NapCabs available inside the secure area.
What I Love Most About Napcabs
Comfortable
I used to be able to sleep at airports in my 20s and early 30s without any problems, but now that I am approaching the big 4-0, it has become increasingly difficult to get proper rest on airport seats, which are neither comfortable nor designed for lying down. Not to mention the guilt of occupying several seats and the worry about leaving my belongings unattended while I sleep.
With Napcabs, I didn't have to worry about any of that. The sleeping pod comes with a 200 x 80 cm bed, which is perfect for me as I am 181 cm tall. The bed sheets are freshly cleaned and surprisingly comfortable. Each pod has its own AC which allowed me to keep the room temperature controlled, unlike the rest of the airports.
The pod also comes with a table where I can easily put my water bottle and phone, and there are spaces on the side of the bed to store my luggage safely. The door is automatically locked when you are inside, and they have blinds you can use for privacy.
The pods are usually located close to the airport bathrooms, so you can easily step out and return without worrying about your belongings. I booked a NapCab for 7 hours, and I can honestly say I slept like a baby the entire time. It was perfect, especially after a 14-hour flight from the US.
Cleanliness
When I arrived at the airport, I hadn’t booked a sleeping pod yet, as I wasn’t sure if the pods were in a location I could easily access without a valid Schengen Visa (yes, I need a visa to enter Europe). I went to the pods in Frankfurt Airport Terminal 1B, Level 3, in the relaxation area, and I was able to observe an on-site cleaner preparing the pods.
She was bringing in fresh bed sheets and thoroughly wiping every corner of the pods. It was so meticulous that I decided to book the available pod right then and there. It was as squeaky clean as a hotel room can be. The bed sheets smelled great, and I was very impressed with the overall cleanliness.
Easy Online Booking & Access System
One of the best things about NapCabs is that I could easily book a pod directly through their website using a credit card, straight from my phone, even before arriving at the airport. You can even book weeks in advance, which is incredibly convenient. Each site’s location is clearly described on the website, with helpful notes and reminders about the terminal and who can access it.
The payment and access processes were instantaneous and very convenient. I could view available time slots, check the cost per hour, and adjust my booking as needed on their website. Once I finalized my selection, I paid with my credit card, and the access information was emailed to me promptly. I had no issues entering the pod.
The doors are locked and secure once you’re inside, and you can use the same PIN to re-enter the pod anytime during your reserved hours. This makes it easy to step out to use the bathroom, grab a meal at nearby restaurants, or enjoy a cup of coffee before returning to rest. All in all, using Napcabs was pretty straightforward and extremely convenient.
What I Hate Most About Napcabs
Limited Availability
I wish these sleeping pods were more widely available, not just in terms of airport locations, but also in the number of pods at each site. NapCabs has a limited number of pods overall, and each site, often located in a separate terminal, typically offers only 2–5 pods.
For example, the non-Schengen terminal at Frankfurt Airport, where I was, has only 3 pods, while the Schengen terminal has 5. This means you either need to book well in advance or get lucky, as I did, to find an available pod when you need it.
Not Soundproof
Airports can be extremely loud, not just from constant announcements, but also from unruly children and fellow travelers. Unfortunately, these sleeping pods are not as soundproof as I had hoped. They do protect you from distractions like flashing lights or people moving with luggage, but you can still hear conversations from nearby pods or even faint snores from the next pod.
Thankfully, it’s not as disruptive as sleeping in a hostel, and you can easily drown out the noise with low-volume music or earplugs. I used earplugs and was able to block out all unwanted noise, sleeping like a baby. Still, considering the price I paid, I wish the pods were a bit more soundproof.
Expensive
NapCabs charges by the hour with two pricing tiers: 12 EUR per hour from 10 PM to 6 AM, and 17 EUR per hour from 6 AM to 10 PM. It’s reasonably priced if you’re only staying for a few hours, but costs can add up quickly if you’re looking for a longer, restful sleep.
I decided to book a pod for 7 hours, from 11 AM to 6 PM, and paid about 110 EUR. For comparison, that’s roughly the price of a double room for two people in a good hotel for nearly 24 hours, whereas here you get just 7 hours for one person. So, it’s not exactly cheap when viewed this way.
The Verdict: Great for long layovers
All in all, despite the drawbacks I mentioned, I believe NapCabs, or any sleeping pod service for that matter, is a fantastic concept that should be more widely available at airports worldwide. They provide a convenient alternative for travelers facing long layovers or extended travel hours.
While the price may seem high, these pods are still more affordable (if you only book the hours you need) than an airport hotel, which can often cost upwards of $300+ USD per night.
Of course, if you don’t need a Schengen visa to enter Germany, you could spend your layover exploring the city. But for travelers transiting through non-Schengen countries via Germany, who can’t leave the airport, NapCabs provide a small touch of luxury in an otherwise exhausting and monotonous travel experience.
Here’s a tip: book only the hours you really need! My layover was 12 hours. I spent the first 3 hours having breakfast and strolling around, about 5 of the 7 hours sleeping in the pod, and the remaining 2 hours relaxing and heading to my gate. I could have saved even more by booking just 5 hours, but I’m glad I had those extra 2 hours of alone time in the pod to just watch a movie on my laptop and unwind without having to search for a place to do so.
If you are planning to use Napcabs, be sure to check the availability, price, or book the cabin online with the link below:
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Germany
I hope you found this guide helpful in your trip planning. If you want to read more about Germany, I have written a few more travel guides, all listed here:
- Looking for a complete itinerary for Germany? 2-3 Weeks Backpacking Itinerary for Germany.
- Are you traveling to Germany as part of a bigger Europe trip? Be sure to check out my 3-month itinerary for Europe from Portugal all the way to Sweden.
- Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
- Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
- Berlin, the creative capital of Europe, has so much to offer that you can spend a week there without getting bored. If you are heading that way, be sure to check out my hipster travel guide on the top 12 things to do in Berlin.
- Munich is the capital city of Bavaria and the embodiment of the rich culture we often see of Germany in the media. If you are planning to visit Munich, check out: 10 Unique Things to Do in Munich.
- Dresden is one of those underdog cities that have the level of creativity as Berlin, but the cost of travel is lower and the number of tourists is fewer than in other famous cities in Germany. Visit my travel guide on the Top 6 Things to Do in Dresden page for more information.
- If you are going to Cologne, watch out for your bag, as I had my bag snatched from the train station there. Read about my experience getting my bag stolen in Cologne and how I dealt with it here.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- You can also watch my Germany travel video here: "Alone in Germany" travel video.
- To see all the articles about Germany, visit Germany Travel Guide page.
- Looking for a place to go after Germany? How about France, Switzerland, or Poland? Visit our France travel guide page, Switzerland travel guide page, and Poland travel guide page for more.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Western Europe Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
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