The shortlets closest to Lagos airport are in Ikeja, where Murtala Muhammed International Airport is. Ikeja GRA, Allen Avenue, Opebi and Maryland are the usual choices for an early flight, a late arrival or a stop between flights. Pick a home near your terminal, check the host’s check-in and check-out times, and plan the road trip with plenty of spare time.
You can see what is available now in shortlets in Ikeja. This guide helps you choose the right area and plan the timing.
Why stay near the airport
Lagos traffic is hard to predict. A trip that is quick at dawn can be slow at rush hour or in heavy rain. Staying close to the airport takes most of that worry away. It makes sense when:
- You have an early flight and do not want to cross the city in the dark.
- You land late at night and want a bed close by, not a long drive.
- You are between flights, for example landing on an international flight and taking a domestic one the next day.
- You are visiting from abroad for a short trip and want to start and end near the airport.
- Your work is on the Mainland, such as in Ikeja, Alausa or Oregun.
- You are seeing someone off or meeting them, and want to be close by if the flight changes time.
The airport has more than one terminal. International and local (domestic) flights do not use the same building, so check which terminal your flight uses before you choose where to stay.
Areas close by
| Area | Why guests pick it | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Ikeja GRA | Quiet, leafy streets with larger homes and many restaurants | Suits business travellers and families |
| Allen Avenue | Busy, central, with shops, banks and food close by | Lively in the day and evening; ask about noise |
| Opebi | Central Ikeja, between Allen Avenue and the main roads | Handy for both the airport and Mainland offices |
| Maryland | On the main road between Ikeja and the rest of the Mainland | Good if you also need to get to Yaba, Gbagada or the bridges |
| Adeniyi Jones and Oregun | A mix of homes and offices in Ikeja | Ask how busy the street is at night |
| Ajao Estate and Isolo | On the other side of the airport from Ikeja | Check the route to your terminal; it depends on which one you use |
If you are staying longer and want more space, Magodo and Gbagada are further out but still on the Mainland side. Read our full guide to shortlets in Ikeja for more on each area, or see Isaac John Street in Ikeja GRA.
One-night and early-flight stays
An airport stay is often short. A few things are worth checking first:
- The minimum stay. Some hosts take one night; others ask for two or more, especially at weekends.
- One-off fees. A cleaning fee is charged once per stay, so on a one-night stay it is a bigger part of the bill. Compare the full price, not just the night price.
- The caution deposit. It is refundable, but you pay it up front even for one night.
- A very early flight. You can leave before check-out time. Tell the host the night before, and agree where to leave the keys.
- A late landing. Tell the host your landing time before you book, and check they can let you in at that hour.
A stop between flights still counts as a night. If you land in the evening and fly the next morning, you book one night: check in on the day you land, check out on the day you fly.
On Cabans, a shortlet that takes online bookings shows its minimum stay and the full price, with any cleaning fee and caution deposit, before you pay. You pay online through Paystack, and Paystack’s processing fee is paid by you and shown before you pay; that fee is not refunded. The booking box also shows until when you can cancel for a full refund; refunds reach you within 14 days at most, usually in about 5 days. See how to check dates and the price for a stay.
Check-in and check-out times
Shortlets usually let you check in from the afternoon and ask you to leave by late morning. You pay for each night, not each 24 hours. So if you land at 22:00 on Thursday and fly at 06:00 on Saturday, you book two nights: Thursday and Friday.
What to ask the host for an airport stay:
- Can I check in late at night, and who will let me in?
- Can I leave very early, and where do I leave the keys?
- Is there an early check-in or late check-out, and does it cost extra?
- Is there power and hot water through the night?
- Is there a safe place to leave bags if my flight is late in the day?
Our guide to shortlet check-in and check-out times explains the usual rules and how to ask for more time.
On Cabans, check-in is from 14:00 and check-out by 11:00 unless the host has set other times, and the booking box shows them. You can tap “I have arrived” from the day before check-in. Your door code and Wi-Fi password appear once the host approves your check-in, so for a late arrival, agree with the host beforehand how they will let you in. When you leave, tap “I am leaving”. See how to check in when you arrive.
Before you land: a short checklist
A little planning makes a late or early airport stay much easier:
- Send the host your flight number and landing time, and tell them if it changes.
- Save the host’s number, the full address and the arrival steps on your phone, so you have them without data.
- Charge your phone and carry a power bank.
- Sort out your phone line before you fly: a local SIM, or roaming that works in Nigeria.
- Book your ride from the airport, or agree the pick-up with the host.
- Keep some naira in small notes for tips and small purchases.
Travelling with family or lots of luggage
Airport stays often come with big suitcases, tired children or older relatives. Ask the host a few extra questions:
- Is the flat on the ground floor, or is there a lift?
- Is there parking inside the compound for a bigger car or a van?
- Is there a cot or an extra bed, if you need one?
- Is there somewhere to leave bags safely if you check out long before a late flight?
A two-bedroom flat can be better than two hotel rooms when you arrive late with a family. Everyone stays together, and you can make a simple meal before bed. Browse two-bedroom shortlets in Ikeja.
Getting to the terminal
We do not quote journey times, because they change so much. The same short trip can be quick at dawn and slow at rush hour, in the rain, or when a road is being repaired. Instead:
- The day before, check a live map app at the same hour you plan to leave.
- Follow your airline’s advice on how early to be at the airport.
- Add spare time on top, more on weekday mornings and evenings.
- Book your ride the night before if you can.
Ways to get there:
- A ride-hailing app. Check the car and the driver’s name match before you get in.
- A taxi booked through your host or a firm you trust.
- The host’s own driver. Some hosts can arrange a pick-up or drop-off. Agree the price in advance.
On arrival, only go with a driver you arranged. Do not accept rides from people who approach you in the terminal, and keep your bags and phone close.
On Cabans, hosts can sell extras, such as an airport run. You can order extras from your stay page only while you are checked in, so an airport drop-off on your last morning can be ordered there if the host offers one. For a pick-up when you land, arrange it with the host by message before you arrive.
Find a place near the airport
See Ikeja shortlets and choose one close to your terminal. You can also browse one-bedroom shortlets in Ikeja for a short stay on your own. Or find a shortlet you can book anywhere in Nigeria. Own a flat near the airport? List your short let in Ikeja and reach travellers looking for a bed before or after a flight.
Frequently asked questions
Which area is best for a shortlet near Lagos airport?
Ikeja. The airport is in Ikeja, and Ikeja GRA, Allen Avenue, Opebi and Maryland are the usual choices. Ajao Estate and Isolo, on the other side of the airport, are also close.
Can I book a shortlet for one night near the airport?
Yes, if the host’s minimum stay is one night. Check the listing, because some hosts ask for two nights or more, especially at weekends.
What if my flight lands late at night?
Tell the host your landing time before you book. Agree who will meet you, how you will get the keys and what to tell security at the gate. Keep the host’s number handy in case your flight is late.
How early should I leave my shortlet for the airport?
It depends on the time of day, the traffic and the weather. Check a live map app the day before at the same hour you plan to leave, follow your airline’s advice for arrival time, and leave spare time on top.
Can the host pick me up from the airport?
Some hosts can arrange it. Ask before you book, agree the price, and get the driver’s name and car details in advance. Do not accept rides from strangers who approach you at the terminal.
Is it safe to arrive at a shortlet late at night?
It can be, with planning. Book a home in a secure compound, agree in advance who will let you in, travel with a driver you booked yourself, and share your trip with someone you trust.
Is Ikeja a good base for a longer stay?
Yes, especially for work on the Mainland. It has shops, restaurants and offices close by, and you are near the airport when it is time to leave.
Related guides
Shortlets in Ikeja · Shortlet check-in and check-out times · How long is a shortlet? · Best areas for a shortlet in Lagos · Lagos without a car · Relocating to Lagos · Booking a shortlet in Nigeria from abroad
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