6 Places Where You Can Grab a Shower at the Airport

We've all had that moment at the airport: We finally made it through security, a bit ruffled from the ordeal and exhausted from lugging luggage. Walking up to the gate, it's noticeably slammed and there's not a seat to be found.

Nearby is a doorway that looks as if it’s straight out of a contemporary design magazine that reads "Lounge". Those going in and out are far less scrambled, leisurely walking to their gate — and they’re freshly showered.

Here are just a few places where you can avail yourself of a preflight rinse-off.

1. Abu Dhabi International Airport

The United Arab Emirates is one of the world capitals of bling, and at Abu Dhabi International Airport, every first and business class lounge offers showers. That includes the lounges for Etihad Airways, whose hub is in Abu Dhabi.

» Learn more: Emirates Airlines vs. Etihad vs. Qatar: What's the difference?

If you don’t have lounge access, free public showers are available at gates 32 and 37.

The cost of visiting the Etihad business class lounges in Terminals 1 and 3 starts at $100 or 14,100 Etihad Guest miles for two hours. (It's free to enter if you're flying Etihad business or first class.)

Etihad Guest miles can be transferred from Citi ThankYou points at a 1:1 ratio. Cards like Citi Double Cash® Card and Citi Rewards+® Card earn Citi ThankYou points.

2. Cathay Pacific lounges in Hong Kong

There are showers, and then there are shower suites — complete with daybeds and more. That's what you'll find at The Wing first class lounge from Cathay Pacific, whose private "cabanas" include a soaking tub, a rain shower and plenty of room to spread out and relax. The staff will even iron your clothes as you freshen up, helping you look your best after a long flight.

Cathay Pacific is part of the Oneworld Alliance, and Emerald and Sapphire members receive free entry into The Wing. The airline has several other lounges with showers as well, but none quite this fancy.

» Learn more: The guide to Cathay Pacific lounges in Hong Kong

3. Qantas lounges

One of the perks of flying from Los Angeles as a high-tier Oneworld elite is that you'll have access to Qantas' amazing first class lounge, which offers not just a la carte dining but better-than-average shower facilities.

Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members can enjoy shower suites not just at LAX, but at the airline's other lounges in Sydney, London, Singapore and more.

» Learn more: How to transfer AmEx points to Qantas

4. Some AmEx Centurion Lounges

Centurion members and those with The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express can access Centurion Lounges, which sometimes offer showers as well. Terms apply.

Example Centurion Lounges with showers include:

• Seattle-Tacoma.

• Denver.

• Las Vegas.

• New York-JFK.

You’ll even find spa services in Dallas-Fort Worth and Miami.

Access to American Express Centurion Lounges is limited to those who hold eligible AmEx cards. Cardholders can opt to pay a $50 ($30 for those aged 2-17) fee per guest for entry. Otherwise, those who spend more than $75,000 in a calendar year on an eligible card are able to bring in up to two guests free of charge.

» Learn more: Is the Centurion Lounge guest policy worth it?

5. Some Minute Suites

You don’t need to be a first class passenger to get a shower during your layover or after a red-eye. Minute Suites are slowly popping up at airports around the country to provide (as the name implies) mini-suites you can rent for a few hours.

You’ll find Minute Suites in several airports; the Dallas-Fort Worth and Charlotte locations also provides private showers. It’s $30 for a 30-minute shower or $20 if you book a shower with suite rental.

» Learn more: What's it like to stay in a capsule hotel?

6. Some Priority Pass lounges have showers

As with most lounges, Priority Pass lounges offer all the amenities to help you reset before boarding. You'll find complimentary refreshments like snacks and drinks, comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, charging stations for your devices, and, depending on availability, showers and daybeds.

This is airport luxury at its finest. Even better, it's available if your flight is domestic or international, economy, business or first class — and isn't dependent on status or airline.

Priority Pass lounge access can be purchased as a membership, a day pass or via a credit card. There are several different credit cards that will provide you with Priority Pass Select membership as a card benefit, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

You can find out if a Priority Pass lounge features a shower in a couple of ways. The first is to use the Priority Pass app.

1. Search for the airport to which you’re traveling.

2. Choose a lounge.

3. Click on Facilities and See All.

4. Scroll to find showers.

You can also check if the Priority Pass lounge has a shower on the companny's website.

1. In the top left corner search for the airport to which you'll be traveling.

2. Choose a lounge.

3. Amenities are listed on the right-hand side under Facilities.

Sometimes there will be more than one lounge for each airport, especially for the larger hubs. Be sure to check each of them for their respective facilities and proximity to your gate so you can plan accordingly.

The Priority Pass website does mention that showers can incur an extra charge. However, in our experience, showers within Priority Pass lounges have always been complimentary.

» Learn more: Reasons you should be using airport lounges

Airport showers, recapped

Finding yourself in an airport lounge is already an exceptional experience. However, there’s just something a little more special about getting into the lounge and realizing that they provide showers — especially after a long flight.

Happily, for those who hold certain travel credit cards, access to lounges with showers is both complementary and unlimited.