Iceland Airport Smoking Areas

By , Author, Air Travel Writer · Updated

Iceland keeps its one big international gateway comfortable for smokers: Keflavík Airport designates an open-air smoking area airside, confirmed by the operator Isavia’s own published map of smoking and e-cigarette areas. 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:

  • A designated open-air smoking area airside, after security, accessed via a marked door (per Isavia’s official map)
  • 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 smoking area in the departures/duty-free hall near the restrooms. Outdoor smoking is landside.

Tips for Smokers at Icelandic Airports

  • Keflavík has an airside smoking area — handy for Icelandair/PLAY stopovers without leaving security
  • The airport is expanding; if you can’t find the 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

AirportAfter securityIndoor roomOutdoor area
Keflavik International Airport (KEF)Yes–Yes

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you smoke at Keflavík Airport (KEF)?

Yes — Keflavík Airport designates smoking areas, including an open-air designated smoking area airside after security (accessed via a marked door, per Isavia’s official map), 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 — there is a designated smoking area airside in the departures/duty-free hall, so Icelandair and PLAY transatlantic-stopover passengers can smoke without leaving the secure zone. The airport is mid-expansion, so the exact location 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?

In the designated airside smoking area in the departures hall (travellers report it near the restrooms/duty-free), and at outdoor areas outside the terminal landside.

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 area is open-air, shown on Isavia’s official map, alongside designated e-cigarette areas.