Smoking at Israel Airports (TLV)

Smokers flying through Israel have enclosed indoor smoking booths after security at Ben Gurion — airside in both Terminal 3 and Terminal 1 — plus designated outdoor areas outside the terminals landside. The airport’s policy flipped in recent years, so up-to-date information matters: Ben Gurion went fully smoke-free around 2020, then the Israel Airports Authority reinstated the indoor booths in September 2023 after travellers started smoking in the bathrooms.

For international travel through Israel, Ben Gurion (TLV) near Tel Aviv is the airport that matters.

How Israeli Airport Smoking Works

Israel’s public-places smoking law restricts indoor smoking; Ben Gurion provides designated booths:

Enclosed indoor smoking booths after security, reinstated in September 2023, in Terminals 3 and 1
In Terminal 3 they sit near the gates, between the Duty Free area and the boarding gates
E-cigarettes are classed as smoking products and subject to the same indoor rules — vape in the booths only
Landside, smoking is at designated areas outside the terminals

The Hub

Ben Gurion Airport (TLV). Israel’s main international gateway, between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Terminal 3 handles most international flights and has enclosed smoking booths airside — travellers report them around Gates E3, E4 and D2; the booths have moved more than once since reinstatement. Terminal 1, the low-cost terminal, also has airside smoking booths — it operates on and off, and its flights shift to Terminal 3 whenever it closes. Because the booths relocate periodically, follow the in-terminal signage to the nearest one.

Tips for Smokers at Israeli Airports

Ben Gurion has airside smoking booths again (since September 2023) — ignore older “no smoking at TLV” guides
In Terminal 3, look for the booths near the gates, between Duty Free and boarding
The booths move around — check the signage rather than a fixed gate number
E-cigarettes count as smoking products — use the booths, don’t vape openly in the concourse

Israel Airports Compared: Indoor, Outdoor & After Security

Airport	After security	Indoor room	Outdoor area
Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)	Yes	Yes	Yes

Last updated: September 5, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you smoke at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)?

Yes — Ben Gurion Airport reinstated designated indoor smoking booths after security in September 2023, after several years as a smoke-free terminal. They are available airside in Terminal 3 (travellers report around Gates E3, E4 and D2) and in Terminal 1. Landside, smoking is at designated areas outside the terminals.

Is there smoking after security at Tel Aviv Airport?

Yes — the enclosed smoking booths in Terminal 3 are airside, near the gates, so transit and departing passengers can smoke without leaving the secure zone. The booths have relocated since they were reinstated, so follow the signage to the nearest one.

Did Ben Gurion Airport ban smoking in the past?

Yes — Terminal 3 was fully smoke-free from around 2020; the Israel Airports Authority reinstated indoor smoking rooms in September 2023 after passengers began lighting up in bathrooms. Any older guide saying you cannot smoke at Tel Aviv is out of date.

Are e-cigarettes and vapes allowed at Israeli airports?

Only in the designated smoking booths. Israeli law classes e-cigarettes as smoking products subject to the same indoor restrictions as cigarettes, so vape in the booths rather than openly in the concourse.

Where are the smoking booths at Ben Gurion Airport?

In Terminal 3, the enclosed booths are near the gates — recently reported around Gates E3, E4 and D2, between the Duty Free area and the boarding gates. Terminal 1 also has airside smoking booths. The exact spots move, so check the signage.