Yes, Amritsar Airport (ATQ) has a smoking area in the car parking lot outside the terminal. There are no indoor smoking zones and no post-security smoking access, so you must finish your cigarette in the parking area before entering the building.
Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport is the gateway to the Golden Temple and one of the holiest cities in Sikhism. It draws heavy NRI traffic from the UK and Canada, along with domestic pilgrims and tourists heading to the Punjab region. If you smoke, you need to plan ahead here — this is one of the more restrictive Indian airports for smokers due to its tiny departure layout.
Inside Terminals
There is no smoking area anywhere inside the terminal at Amritsar Airport. The departure area is remarkably small — once you clear the security checkpoint, the boarding gates are practically right in front of you. There is no corridor, no separate lounge wing, and no tucked-away room. The domestic departure side has been consistently confirmed by travelers as having zero indoor smoking access. The international departure section is similarly compact and offers no designated smoking spot.
One of our readers who flew out of ATQ in March 2020 put it plainly: the departure area is so small that the gates sit right next to the security check. There is simply nowhere to set up a smoking room, and the airport has not attempted to create one.
Outside Terminals
Your only option is the car parking area in front of the terminal building. This is an open-air space where smoking is tolerated before you enter the airport. The key thing to understand is that once you walk through the entrance and join the check-in queue, there is no way to step back out for a cigarette after clearing security. The terminal design does not allow re-entry from the secure side.
If you need one last smoke, the strategy is straightforward: finish your cigarette in the parking lot, then head inside at the last reasonable moment before your check-in counter closes. Keep in mind that queues at ATQ can be unpredictable, especially during peak pilgrimage seasons and on UK/Canada-bound international flights when large family groups are checking in.
Tips for Smokers at Amritsar Airport
- Smoke in the car parking area before entering the terminal. Once you are inside, there is no way to step out again without abandoning your check-in process.
- Time your arrival carefully — finish your cigarette, then head straight to the check-in counter. The entire security-to-gate journey takes only minutes because of how compact the airport is.
- During peak seasons like Baisakhi and Gurpurab, expect longer queues at both check-in and security. Give yourself extra buffer time so you are not rushed.
- Buy your cigarettes in the city before coming to the airport. The small terminal has limited retail options inside.
- Do not carry e-cigarettes or vaping devices. They are banned across India and airport security at ATQ will confiscate them.
India Smoking Regulations
Smoking in public places across India falls under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. The law bans smoking inside all airport buildings and public spaces, with an on-the-spot fine of ₹200 for violations. Designated smoking areas, where they exist, must be positioned at least 10 feet from building entrances. India also enforces a complete ban on e-cigarettes and vaping devices under the 2019 Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act — using, storing, or selling them carries penalties including potential imprisonment for repeat offenders.