Smoking at Iceland Airports (KEF)

English

Iceland keeps its one big international gateway comfortable for smokers: Keflavík Airport designates open-air smoking areas airside, and the operator Isavia publishes an official map of the airport’s smoking and e-cigarette areas. Travellers find the airside spots near gates A and C and near gate D. That matters because KEF is a major Icelandair/PLAY transatlantic stopover point, where many passengers connect without leaving the secure zone.

For international travel through Iceland, Keflavík (KEF) is the airport that matters.

How Icelandic Airport Smoking Works

Iceland bans smoking in enclosed public spaces, so Keflavík’s airside facility is open-air rather than an indoor room:

Designated open-air smoking areas airside, after security, on the departures level — Isavia’s official map marks them, and travellers report the two spots as near gates A and C and near gate D (through a marked door)
Outdoor smoking landside outside the terminal entrances
E-cigarettes are restricted in public places like smoking; Isavia designates e-cigarette areas (use those, not the gates)
The airport is mid-expansion, so exact spots may move — follow signage

The Hub

Keflavík International Airport (KEF). Iceland’s main gateway, about 50 km from Reykjavík. Isavia publishes a map of the airport’s smoking and e-cigarette areas; travellers report the airside areas near gates A and C (behind the escalator up to the Saga lounge) and near gate D, plus one by the restrooms in the main departure hall past duty-free. Outdoor smoking is landside.

Tips for Smokers at Icelandic Airports

Keflavík has airside smoking areas near gates A/C and gate D — handy for Icelandair/PLAY stopovers without leaving security
The airport is expanding; if you can’t find an area, ask staff or check the signage
E-cigarettes have their own designated areas — vape there, not at the gates
Outdoor smoking is landside, outside the terminal

Iceland Airports Compared: Indoor, Outdoor & After Security

Airport	After security	Indoor room	Outdoor area
Keflavik International Airport (KEF)	Yes	–	Yes

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you smoke at Keflavík Airport (KEF)?

Yes — Keflavík Airport designates smoking areas, including open-air areas airside after security on the departures level, which travellers report near gates A and C and near gate D, plus outdoor space landside. The operator Isavia officially publishes a map of the airport’s smoking and e-cigarette areas.

Is there smoking after security at Keflavík Airport?

Yes — the designated areas sit airside on the departures/shopping level, so Icelandair and PLAY transatlantic-stopover passengers can smoke without leaving the secure zone. Travellers report one near gates A and C and one near gate D. The airport is mid-expansion, so exact locations may shift — follow the signage.

Are e-cigarettes and vapes allowed at Icelandic airports?

Only in the designated e-cigarette areas. Iceland restricts e-cigarette use in public places like smoking, and Isavia’s map covers both smoking and e-cigarette areas — so vape there, not at the gates. E-cigarette sale is legal (18+).

Where can I smoke at Keflavík Airport?

Airside on the departures level: travellers report one area near gates A and C, behind the escalator up to the Saga lounge, and one near gate D through a marked door by the stairs to the restrooms, plus a designated area by the restrooms in the main departure hall past duty-free. Landside, use the outdoor areas outside the terminal entrances.

Does Iceland's law allow airport smoking rooms?

Iceland bans smoking in enclosed public spaces, so there are no public indoor airport smoking rooms; Keflavík’s designated smoking areas open to the outside air and are shown on Isavia’s official map, alongside designated e-cigarette areas.