Smoking at Hurghada International Airport – HRG – 2026

Looking for a place to smoke at Hurghada International Airport? HRG is the main gateway to Egypt’s Red Sea resorts and has both indoor and outdoor smoking options.

Terminal 1 (International)

Terminal 2 (Domestic)

Outside Terminals

Egypt’s Law No. 52/1981, amended by Law No. 85/2002, bans smoking in certain public enclosed spaces including government buildings, healthcare facilities, and public transport. Airport regulations fall under the Civil Aviation Authority, which requires designated smoking areas. Unlike many European countries, Egypt allows some indoor smoking rooms at airports, particularly in newer terminals. Cairo International Airport has indoor smoking rooms in Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, making it one of the more accommodating airports in the region for smokers. Fines for smoking in prohibited areas range from EGP 50 to EGP 500. E-cigarettes are legal in Egypt and widely available, with no specific restrictions beyond those applying to conventional cigarettes. Egypt has a high adult smoking rate (approximately 22% of the population), and tobacco culture is generally more accepted than in Europe.

Terminal 1 (International)

• Indoor smoking area available in the departures hall
• Outdoor smoking area outside the terminal entrance
• Terminal 1 handles most European charter flights and international services
• The smoking area is near the gate corridors

Terminal 2 (Domestic)

• Outdoor smoking area outside the terminal entrance
• Terminal 2 is smaller and primarily handles domestic flights
• Limited indoor facilities compared to Terminal 1

Outside Terminals

• Open-air smoking areas at both terminal entrances with ashtrays
• Hurghada’s hot, dry climate means outdoor smoking is comfortable but very warm in summer months
• The area near the parking lot provides some shade

Egypt Smoking Regulations

Egypt’s Law No. 52/1981, amended by Law No. 85/2002, bans smoking in certain public enclosed spaces including government buildings, healthcare facilities, and public transport. Airport regulations fall under the Civil Aviation Authority, which requires designated smoking areas. Unlike many European countries, Egypt allows some indoor smoking rooms at airports, particularly in newer terminals. Cairo International Airport has indoor smoking rooms in Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, making it one of the more accommodating airports in the region for smokers. Fines for smoking in prohibited areas range from EGP 50 to EGP 500. E-cigarettes are legal in Egypt and widely available, with no specific restrictions beyond those applying to conventional cigarettes. Egypt has a high adult smoking rate (approximately 22% of the population), and tobacco culture is generally more accepted than in Europe.

Tips for Smokers at Hurghada International Airport

• Hurghada Airport’s Terminal 1 has an indoor smoking area in the departures hall, useful for international passengers waiting for charter flights back to Europe.
• The airport is very busy during European winter holiday season (November-March) when Red Sea resorts are at peak occupancy. Security lines can be long during charter flight departures.
• Hurghada temperatures exceed 40°C in summer. If using outdoor smoking areas between June and September, keep your breaks short to avoid heat exposure.
• Cigarettes are very inexpensive in Egypt. Local and international brands are available at airport shops at a fraction of European prices.