Whether you are planning a layover or choosing a connecting airport, knowing which airports actually accommodate smokers can make or break your trip. This ranking is based on the number of smoking rooms, post-security access, indoor availability, and overall convenience.
Top 20 Airports for Smokers — 2026 Ranking
| Rank | Airport | Code | Indoor | Rooms | Post-Security | Why It Ranks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tokyo Haneda | HND | Yes | 69 | Yes | Most rooms in the world |
| 2 | Tokyo Narita | NRT | Yes | 33+ | Yes | Rooms in all 3 terminals |
| 3 | Sapporo New Chitose | CTS | Yes | 19 | Yes | 4 floors, Super Lounge |
| 4 | Nagoya Centrair | NGO | Yes | 15 | Yes | Rated 9/10, plug lighters |
| 5 | Dubai International | DXB | Yes | 10+ | Yes | Lounges in all terminals |
| 6 | Las Vegas Harry Reid | LAS | Yes | 5+ | Yes | Gaming lounges with bars |
| 7 | Stockholm Arlanda | ARN | Yes | 9 | Yes | Glass booths, 3 terminals |
| 8 | Moscow Vnukovo | VKO | Yes | 8 | Yes | IQOS lounge, modern rooms |
| 9 | Johannesburg OR Tambo | JNB | Yes | 3+ | Yes | 360sqm Dunhill Lounge |
| 10 | Osaka Kansai | KIX | Yes | 6+ | Yes | BAT premium lounge |
| 11 | Fukuoka | FUK | Yes | 7-10 | Yes | Domestic + international |
| 12 | Delhi IGI | DEL | Yes | 10+ | Yes | All 3 terminals covered |
| 13 | Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta | CGK | Yes | 8+ | Yes | Rooms in all terminals |
| 14 | Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji | BOM | Yes | 4+ | Yes | Both terminals, lighters |
| 15 | Miami International | MIA | Semi | 1 | Yes | Open-air atrium loophole |
| 16 | Cape Town | CPT | Yes | 2 | Yes | Smokers Lounge + Bidvest |
| 17 | Nashville | BNA | Yes | 1 | Yes | Rare US indoor exception |
| 18 | Los Angeles LAX | LAX | No | 3 patios | Yes | Outdoor patios post-security |
| 19 | Gothenburg Landvetter | GOT | Yes | 3+ | Yes | 5-min guarantee |
| 20 | Brisbane | BNE | No | 1 balcony | Yes | Rare Aus post-security |
The Best by Region
Asia — The Gold Standard
Japan dominates this list because smoking rooms are standard at Japanese airports, not exceptions. Every major Japanese airport has enclosed, ventilated rooms with wall-mounted electric lighters and regular cleaning. Tokyo Haneda alone has 69 rooms — more than most countries combined. Terminal 2 even has a Cafe & Smoking Lounge where you can order drinks and snacks.
Beyond Japan, India and Indonesia stand out. Delhi has 10+ designated zones across all three terminals, and Jakarta has rooms in every terminal including inside the Garuda Indonesia Lounge. Other notable Asian airports include Hyderabad (rooms at 4 gate clusters), Bangalore (both terminals), and Bali (air-conditioned rooms at international and domestic gates).
Middle East — Premium Lounges
Dubai International sets the standard in the Middle East with branded smoking rooms (Winston, Camel) and multiple lounge options across all three terminals. If you are transiting through DXB, you are never more than a few minutes from a smoking area.
North America — Limited but Notable
The US is tough for smokers, but three airports break the mold. Las Vegas has indoor gaming lounges in all four Terminal 1 concourses thanks to Nevada’s gaming exemption — you can smoke while playing slots and having a beer at Barney’s Lounge or the Bud Track Lounge. Nashville has the Travelers Post on Concourse B, one of the only dedicated indoor smoking lounges at a US airport ($10 entry, full bar). Miami exploits a Florida law loophole with its open-air atrium near TGI Friday’s — four walls and a roof with a gap at the roofline that technically classifies it as outdoors.
For outdoor options, Los Angeles LAX is the best in the US with three post-security outdoor patios (TBIT Gate 130, Terminal 2, Terminal 7) and airside connections between most terminals.
Europe — Mixed Picture
Russia treats smoking rooms as standard airport infrastructure — Moscow Vnukovo has 8 rooms plus a modern IQOS lounge, Domodedovo reopened its rooms in 2024, and Saint Petersburg Pulkovo has rooms on multiple floors.
Sweden is the surprise in Western Europe. Stockholm Arlanda has 9 glass-enclosed smoking rooms across three terminals, and Gothenburg guarantees you are never more than 5 minutes from a smoking area after security. Lyon has a rare indoor room near Gate B02 — one of the only indoor options in France.
Most Western European airports offer outdoor terraces only. Paris CDG and Frankfurt have outdoor areas in each terminal, while London Heathrow has outdoor zones that some passengers can access from the airside in Terminals 2 and 4.
Africa — Premium Experience
South Africa offers the most upscale smoking experience. Johannesburg has the 360-square-meter Dunhill Smoking Lounge — the largest dedicated airport smoking lounge in Africa — plus Lounge 27 and the SAA Lounge. Cape Town has a Smokers’ Lounge in international departures that was renovated in 2022.
Oceania — Outdoor Focus
Australia and New Zealand are strict, but Brisbane stands out with a post-security smoking balcony on Level 3 of the international terminal — rare for the region. Auckland has a post-security outdoor terrace in the international terminal (4 AM to 1 AM). Sydney has outdoor areas at Terminal 1 that are accessible from within the terminal.
Airports to Avoid
If smoking is important to your travel planning, avoid connecting through these airports:
- Honolulu (HNL) — Total ban. Zero smoking areas anywhere on airport property under Hawaii’s cabin-to-curb law.
- San Francisco (SFO) — Outdoor only, all before security. A round trip to smoke and re-clear TSA takes 30-45 minutes.
- Denver (DEN) — Outdoor only at the main terminal. The three concourses are underground-train-connected with no smoking access. Budget 45-60 minutes.
- Seattle (SEA) — Outdoor only before security. No airside access.
How This Ranking Works
Each airport is scored on four factors:
- Indoor access — Does the airport have enclosed, ventilated smoking rooms? Indoor access matters most during long layovers and bad weather.
- Post-security availability — Can you smoke without leaving the secure zone? Exiting and re-clearing security can take 30-60 minutes at busy airports.
- Number of facilities — More rooms means shorter walks and less crowding. Tokyo Haneda’s 69 rooms mean you are never far from one.
- Quality and amenities — Ventilation, cleanliness, seating, bar service, lighters provided. Las Vegas gaming lounges and Nagoya’s 9/10-rated rooms score highest here.