Yes, Dublin Airport (DUB) has a designated outdoor smoking area accessible after security. The Garden Terrace in Terminal 1 is located on the upper level near gates 101-224, behind Starbucks, and features a small bar serving draught beers. Both terminals also have outdoor smoking areas before security near the entrances.
Smoking Policy at Dublin Airport
The airport has established designated outdoor smoking areas both before and after security to accommodate travelers. Smoking, vaping, and heated tobacco products are permitted in these designated smoking areas.
Terminal 1 – The Garden Terrace (After Security)
Terminal 1 is where smokers want to be at Dublin Airport. The main after-security smoking area is located at The Garden Terrace, an outdoor beer garden on the upper level of the departures area. This is one of the best airport smoking spots in Europe – spacious, partially covered, and well-maintained.
How to find it:
After clearing security, head towards gates 101-224
Look for signs pointing to “Food Court 2”
Take the escalator up one level
The Garden Terrace is located behind Starbucks
The terrace features a small bar serving draught beers (including Guinness), ciders, and bottled drinks. You can enjoy a pint while having a smoke – prices are around €6-7 per pint. Tables and seating are available, and staff keep the area clean throughout the day.
Terminal 2 – No Smoking Area After Security
Terminal 2 does not have its own smoking area after security. If you’re departing from Terminal 2, you have two options:
Smoke before entering Terminal 2 – Use the outdoor smoking areas near the departures entrance
Walk to the Terminal 1 smoking area – The terminals are connected airside, so you can access The Garden Terrace from Terminal 2
The walk from Terminal 2 to the T1 smoking terrace takes approximately 10-15 minutes each way. Follow signs for “lounges” on the lower floor and continue past the DAA, Aer Lingus, and Etihad lounges. Plan for about 30 minutes round trip.
Before Security Smoking Areas
Both terminals have designated outdoor smoking areas before security:
Terminal 1: Outside the arrivals area, clearly marked with signage
Terminal 2: Outside the departures entrance
These are the safest option if you have time before checking in or going through security.
US Pre-Clearance Warning
Dublin Airport is one of the few European airports with US Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance. Important: If you’re flying to the United States and proceed through US pre-clearance, you will not be able to access any smoking areas. There are no smoking facilities in the US pre-clearance zone, and once you enter, you cannot exit back to the regular departures area.
Tip: Have your last smoke at The Garden Terrace before heading to US pre-clearance.
Vaping at Dublin Airport
Vaping and heated tobacco products (like IQOS) are permitted in the same designated smoking areas. Use The Garden Terrace after security or the outdoor areas before security; the terminal buildings themselves are smoke-free.
News: New Smoking Area Planned for 2026
In January 2026, Dublin Airport operator DAA announced plans for a new smoking area inside the terminal, a facility passengers have asked for over several years. Nothing further has been confirmed since: Dublin Airport’s own passenger FAQ still names Terminal 1’s Garden Terrace as the airside smoking area, so plan around the Garden Terrace until the new one opens. We will update this page when it does.
Summary
| Area | Smoking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 airside — The Garden Terrace | Yes | Outdoor beer garden, upper level near gates 101-224, behind Starbucks |
| Terminal 2 airside | Yes, in Terminal 1 | The terminals connect airside; allow 10-15 minutes each way to the Garden Terrace |
| Before security, both terminals | Yes | Outdoor areas at the Terminal 1 arrivals and Terminal 2 departures entrances |
| US pre-clearance area | No facilities | Smoke at the Garden Terrace first; there is no way back out once inside |
| Vaping and heated tobacco | Yes | Same designated smoking areas as cigarettes |
For Ireland airport smoking rules, vaping rules, and other general info, see our Ireland smoking guide.