---
title: "Smoking at Wellington Airport – WLG"
canonical: "https://www.airportsmokingzones.com/new-zealand/wlg-smoking-at-wellington-airport/"
language: "en-us"
description: "Smoke at Wellington Airport (WLG) in two outdoor areas: a covered spot at departures Door 5 and an open-air area at arrivals Door 11. See the map."
lastmod: "2026-10-02T00:00:00Z"
---

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# Smoking at Wellington Airport – WLG

Yes, Wellington Airport (WLG) has two designated outdoor smoking areas just outside its single terminal, one on the departures level and one on arrivals.

## Smoking Areas at Wellington Airport

Wellington Airport (“Wellywood”) runs a single compact terminal that handles both domestic and international flights from the same building. New Zealand’s Smoke-Free Environments Act bans smoking and vaping inside all enclosed terminal areas, so both designated areas sit outdoors on the ground-level curbside, set away from the main doors.

**Designated Outdoor Areas:**

1. **Departures Level — Outside Door 5:** Near Check-in Zone C. This spot is roofed, giving some cover from Wellington’s famously windy, wet weather — the more sheltered of the two in a southerly.
2. **Arrivals Level — Outside Door 11:** Near McDonald’s and the rental car desks. This area is uncovered, open-air with no shelter.

**Vaping:** E-cigarettes and heat-not-burn devices follow the same rule as cigarettes, so use the Door 5 or Door 11 areas; vaping inside the terminal is not permitted.

**Before Security Only:**

There is no airside (post-security) smoking area at Wellington Airport. Both areas are outside the terminal, before you pass through security — so smoke before you head to your gate. Once airside, you cannot smoke until you land at your destination; on a connecting flight you would clear back out to the curbside area and re-screen for your onward departure.

For New Zealand airport smoking rules and vaping rules, see our [New Zealand smoking guide](https://www.airportsmokingzones.com/new-zealand/).

## Useful Links

- [Wellington Airport – official website](https://www.wellingtonairport.co.nz/)

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Can I smoke at Wellington Airport (WLG)?

Yes, in two designated outdoor areas just outside the terminal: a covered spot at departures Door 5 (near Check-in Zone C) and an open-air area at arrivals Door 11 (near McDonald’s and the rental car desks). Smoking and vaping are banned inside the terminal.

### Where are the smoking areas at Wellington Airport?

Two designated outdoor areas: outside Door 5 on the departures level (covered, near Check-in Zone C) and outside Door 11 on the arrivals level (uncovered, near McDonald’s and the rental car desks).

### Is there a smoking area after security at Wellington Airport (WLG)?

Smoke at the outdoor areas by Doors 5 and 11 before security — both of Wellington’s designated areas are landside, with no airside option. Once past security, you cannot smoke until you land at your destination.

### Can I vape at Wellington Airport (WLG)?

Vaping is treated the same as smoking under NZ law. Use the designated outdoor areas outside Doors 5 and 11 only — vaping is banned inside the terminal.