Yes, Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) has indoor smoking cabins (Raucherkabinen) airside in Terminal 1, past the security checkpoint at gates A02, A38, B02, B30/31 and C01. Almost every BER flight departs from Terminal 1, so most passengers can smoke during a layover without leaving the secure zone. Outdoor smoking areas with ashtrays are also marked at the entrances to both terminals, all open around the clock.
Airport Layout
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), named after former chancellor Willy Brandt, opened in October 2020 and replaced the city’s old Tegel and Schönefeld airports. It is built around one large main terminal, Terminal 1, with piers A, B and C spread across three levels — arrivals on level E0, the main check-in and departures hall on E1, and the upper gate area on E2. The smaller adjacent Terminal 2 handles low-cost carriers such as easyJet and Ryanair. Terminal 5 (the former Schönefeld building) is closed. The vast majority of departures use Terminal 1, which is where all of the indoor smoking is found.
Unlike Frankfurt or Munich, where cabins sit throughout every concourse, BER concentrates its indoor smoking in a handful of gate locations, so it helps to know where they are before you land.
Smoking Cabins After Security (Terminal 1)
Terminal 1 has five enclosed, ventilated smoking cabins located airside, past the security checkpoint. They are small glass booths with extractor fans, standing-room only, so expect short waits at peak departure times:
- Gate A38 (level E1) — open 24/7
- Gates B30/31 (level E1) — open 24/7, by the stairs down to gate B30
- Gate A02 (level E1) — opens depending on flight times
- Gate B02 (level E1) — opens depending on flight times
- Gate C01 (level E2) — opens depending on flight times, overlooking the apron
The A38 and B30/31 cabins are the two to rely on, since they run around the clock. The A02, B02 and C01 cabins follow the flight schedule at their piers, so they may be shut during quiet overnight and early-morning windows. Look for the cigarette symbol on the gate signage to find the nearest one.
Terminal 2 Smoking
Terminal 2 has no indoor airside smoking cabin. Passengers departing from T2 should smoke at the marked outdoor area near the entrance on level E0 before clearing security, then allow time to pass back through the checkpoint. The two terminals are separate buildings, so you cannot walk from T2 to a Terminal 1 cabin once you are airside.
Outdoor Smoking Areas
If you are landside — arriving, waiting to check in, or flying from Terminal 2 — the outdoor areas are the simplest option. All are open 24/7:
- Terminal 1 — designated smoking areas with ashtrays near the entrances on the arrivals level (E0), the departures levels (E1 and E2) and the train/station level (U1)
- Terminal 2 — an outdoor smoking area near the entrance on level E0
For a more comfortable break, the paid BER Lounge Tegel in the northern part of Terminal 1 has its own dedicated smoking area for lounge guests.
Smoking During a Layover or Transit
Connecting through BER is straightforward for smokers because almost all flights use Terminal 1 and its cabins are airside. Step out of your gate, walk to the nearest cabin — A38 or B30/31 for guaranteed 24/7 access — smoke, and return to your gate without re-clearing security. If you land at Terminal 2 and connect from Terminal 1, or vice versa, you will pass landside between the buildings and can use the outdoor areas on the way.
Summary
| Area | Smoking Allowed | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 after security | Yes | Indoor cabins | Gates A38, B30/31 (24/7); A02, B02, C01 (flight-time) |
| Terminal 1 entrances | Yes | Outdoor | Levels E0, E1, E2 and U1 |
| Terminal 2 after security | No | — | No airside cabin in T2 |
| Terminal 2 entrance | Yes | Outdoor | Level E0, landside only |
For Germany airport smoking rules, vaping rules, and other general info, see our Germany smoking guide.