Yes, Adelaide Airport (ADL) has designated outdoor smoking areas around its single terminal — on Level 2 departures at both ends, at the ground-level southern end, and in a larger covered area on Level 1 near International arrivals.
Adelaide runs one integrated terminal (T1) for both domestic and international flights, so every smoking area is landside and shared by all passengers. The terminal is smoke-free indoors under South Australian tobacco law, and each designated area sits outside, past the marked setback line.
Smoking Areas at Adelaide Airport
Level 2 (Departures): Outdoor smoking areas at both the northern and southern ends of the departures level, just outside the terminal doors. These spots have little overhead cover, so expect to get wet if it is raining.
Ground Level (South): A designated area at the southern end of the terminal, near WHSmith. Handy if you are arriving by car or waiting kerbside.
Level 1 (North): The most comfortable option — a larger, covered smoking area at the northern end near International arrivals, with picnic tables to sit at. Good if you have a long wait or are meeting an arriving passenger.
South Australia raised its terminal-entrance setback to 10 metres in March 2024, so stand well past the painted line and away from doorways; signage marks each area.
Departures and Arrivals
Because everything is landside, the flow is simple. Departing passengers should have their last cigarette before clearing security — there is no smoking area airside, so once you are through the checkpoint you cannot smoke until you fly. Arriving passengers have the covered picnic-table area on Level 1 (north) right by International arrivals, which is the easiest spot to reach straight off a flight.
Connecting and Transit Passengers
There is no airside or indoor smoking facility at Adelaide, so transiting between flights means leaving the secure area. International connecting passengers must clear customs and immigration, smoke at one of the outdoor areas, then re-clear security for the onward flight — allow 30–45 minutes. Domestic connections work the same way: exit, smoke, re-screen.
If an airside cigarette mid-journey is essential, the only Australian airport that offers one is Brisbane — see Brisbane’s Level 3 Smoking Balcony after security. Every other Australian airport, Adelaide included, is outdoor-only and landside.
Vaping at Adelaide Airport
Vaping is allowed in the same outdoor designated areas as smoking, past the setback line. Australia’s 2024 vaping reforms put supply in pharmacies only — the Therapeutic Goods Administration allows strengths of 20 mg/mL nicotine or less to adults 18 and over without a prescription, and higher strengths on prescription — so no shop at the airport stocks them. Travellers arriving from overseas may bring a small personal quantity in accompanied baggage for their own use and declare it to the Australian Border Force; a prescription or doctor’s letter is not required.
Summary
| Detail | Adelaide Airport (ADL) |
|---|---|
| Indoor smoking rooms | None |
| Airside (after security) | None |
| Outdoor areas | Level 2 both ends, ground level south, Level 1 north (covered) |
| Best spot to wait | Level 1 north — covered, with picnic tables |
| SA setback | 10 metres from entrances (since March 2024) |
| Vaping | Same outdoor areas; vapes sold in pharmacies only |
For Australia-wide airport smoking rules, the vape restrictions, and cigarette costs, see our Australia smoking guide.