Czech Republic Airport Smoking Areas

By , Author, Air Travel Writer · Updated

The Czech Republic’s main airport is straightforward: Prague is fully non-smoking indoors. It closed all of its transit-zone smoking corners on 1 May 2018, so the only place to smoke is one of the 14 designated outdoor areas in front of the terminals. Any older guide that describes indoor smoking rooms at Prague is out of date.

For international travel through the Czech Republic, Prague (PRG) is the airport that matters; Brno and Ostrava handle limited regional traffic.

How Czech Airport Smoking Works

The Czech Anti-Smoking Act (in force since 2017) bans smoking in indoor public spaces, and Prague Airport applies it fully:

  • No indoor smoking anywhere in the terminals — the transit-zone corners closed on 1 May 2018
  • 14 designated outdoor smoking areas directly in front of the terminal buildings, before security
  • E-cigarettes and heated tobacco are treated the same as smoking — use the same outdoor areas
  • One narrow exception: the Mastercard Lounge (Terminal 1) has a private outdoor smoking terrace for lounge guests only

The Hub

Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG). The main Czech gateway, north-west of the city, with Terminal 1 (non-Schengen) and Terminal 2 (Schengen). There is no general smoking area after security in either terminal. The only smoking option is the 14 signposted outdoor areas in front of the terminals — so transit smokers must exit and re-clear security. Lounge guests in Terminal 1’s Mastercard Lounge have access to a private outdoor smoking terrace.

Tips for Smokers at Czech Airports

  • Prague has no airside smoking — budget time to exit, smoke at the outdoor areas, and re-clear security
  • The 14 outdoor areas are right in front of the terminal entrances and clearly signposted
  • E-cigarettes and IQOS follow the same rule as cigarettes — outdoor areas only
  • On a tight connection, it may be easier to wait until your destination than to leave and re-clear security

Czech Republic Airports Compared: Indoor, Outdoor & After Security

AirportAfter securityIndoor roomOutdoor area
Vaclav Havel Airport Prague (PRG)––Yes

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you smoke at Prague Airport (PRG)?

Only outdoors. Václav Havel Airport Prague is entirely non-smoking inside — it closed all its indoor transit-zone smoking corners on 1 May 2018. You can smoke or vape at the 14 designated outdoor areas directly in front of the terminals, before security.

Is there smoking after security at Prague Airport?

No — there are no general smoking areas after security at Prague Airport. To smoke you must use the outdoor areas in front of the terminals, which means re-clearing security to return to your gate. The one narrow exception is the Mastercard Lounge in Terminal 1, which has a private outdoor smoking terrace for lounge guests only.

Are e-cigarettes and vapes allowed at Czech airports?

Only at the designated outdoor areas. The Czech Anti-Smoking Act (2017) treats e-cigarettes and heated tobacco the same as smoking and bans them in indoor public spaces, including the airport. Use the 14 outdoor areas in front of the terminals.

Where exactly can I smoke at Prague Airport?

At the 14 designated outdoor smoking areas located directly in front of and outside the entrances to Terminals 1 and 2. They are signposted. There is no indoor smoking room anywhere in the airport.

Did Prague Airport used to have indoor smoking rooms?

Yes, but they are gone. The airport closed all of its transit-zone smoking corners on 1 May 2018 and has been fully non-smoking indoors since. Any older guide describing indoor smoking rooms at Prague is out of date.