Yes, Alexandria Borg El Arab International Airport (HBE) has designated smoking areas for passengers. There is a designated outdoor area near the terminal entrance before security, and airside the Pearl Lounge — on the 2nd floor opposite the international departure gates — has a separate smoking room.
Borg El Arab International Airport is Alexandria’s main commercial airport, about 40 km southwest of the city. It took over as the city’s primary gateway after the older El Nozha (Alexandria) Airport closed for redevelopment, and it handles EgyptAir domestic, regional and international scheduled and charter traffic in a single distinctive boat-shaped terminal.
Airport Layout
Borg El Arab has a single passenger terminal built in the shape of a boat, with three floors. The upper floors house domestic and international departures and immigration; lower floors handle arrivals and processing. Because all traffic moves through one terminal, smoking provision centres on the marked outdoor entrance area before security and the airside Pearl Lounge after security.
Smoking Areas
Departures (Airside)
Airside, the Pearl Lounge has a separate smoking room. The lounge sits post-security on the 2nd floor, opposite the international departure gates, and is open 24 hours. Access is via Priority Pass, Mastercard, or pay-at-door entry, so it is open to any eligible passenger rather than VIP cardholders only — making the indoor smoking room a reliable after-security option at this terminal.
Outside Terminals
The reliably documented option is the designated outdoor smoking area near the terminal entrance, before security, and on the arrivals forecourt, fitted with ashtrays. Alexandria’s Mediterranean climate is milder than Upper Egypt — outdoor smoking is comfortable for most of the year, with hot but less extreme summers than the Red Sea airports.
Summary
| Area | Smoking Allowed | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal entrance / arrivals | Yes | Outdoor | Designated area; most reliable option |
| Pearl Lounge (2nd floor, airside) | Yes | Indoor room | Separate smoking room; Priority Pass / Mastercard / pay-at-door, open 24h |
| General terminal areas | No | — | Fines for violations |
For Egypt airport smoking rules, vaping rules, and other general info, see our Egypt smoking guide.