Indonesia is among the most flyer-friendly Southeast Asian countries for smokers. The world’s fourth-most-populous country has one of Asia’s highest adult smoking rates (~32% as of 2023), and tobacco regulation has stayed relatively relaxed compared to neighbouring Singapore, Malaysia, or Thailand. Indonesian airports — Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta (CGK), Bali Denpasar (DPS), Surabaya Juanda (SUB), Makassar Sultan Hasanuddin (UPG), and Manado Sam Ratulangi (MDC) — all maintain enclosed indoor smoking rooms post-security, with no signs of moving to outdoor-only.
For travellers, this matters most at Jakarta and Bali. Both are major transit airports for Australia, the broader Asia-Pacific region, and onward to Europe. Smokers transiting through Jakarta or Bali don’t need to leave the secure zone for a smoke break.
How Indonesian Airport Smoking Works
Indonesia’s national tobacco law (PP 109/2012) restricts smoking in enclosed public spaces but explicitly permits airports to designate smoking rooms. The rooms are:
- Enclosed indoor cabins or larger rooms with ventilation
- Located post-security at all major airports
- Free to use, no fees
- Often near food courts or in central concourse positions
- Available at both international and domestic terminals
Standards vary by airport. Jakarta and Bali have the most modern facilities; smaller regional airports have more basic rooms but they exist.
The Major Hubs
Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta (CGK). Indonesia’s main international gateway, named after the country’s first president and vice-president. Three terminals (T1, T2, T3) with smoking rooms in each. Terminal 3 is the newest and largest, with rooms at Gates 1, 2, 8, 12, and 18. T1 and T2 also have rooms distributed across the concourses.
Bali Denpasar (DPS). I Gusti Ngurah Rai International, the gateway to Bali tourism. Smoking rooms near Gates 4-7, with separate facilities on the international and domestic floors. Post-security and free to use.
Major Regional Airports
Surabaya Juanda (SUB). Indonesia’s second-largest city airport. Smoking rooms in both terminals, both landside and airside. The Garuda Indonesia lounge has a dedicated smoking section, and the Diplomat Cafe is a popular landside option.
Makassar Sultan Hasanuddin (UPG). Eastern Indonesia hub on Sulawesi island. Indoor smoking rooms post-security.
Manado Sam Ratulangi (MDC). North Sulawesi airport, gateway to Bunaken and other premier diving destinations. Indoor smoking rooms.
Tips for Smokers at Indonesian Airports
- All major Indonesian airports have post-security indoor smoking rooms — easy transit
- Cigarettes are inexpensive in Indonesia (~$2-3/pack) — cheaper than duty-free at most airports
- Kretek (clove cigarettes) are widely available and uniquely Indonesian
- Vaping is legal and welcome in smoking rooms
- Bali DPS is the most pleasant smoking environment thanks to tropical airport design
- Eastern Indonesian regional airports (UPG, MDC) have basic but functional rooms