Yes, Cape Town International (CPT) has a dedicated Smokers’ Lounge airside in international departures — located after passport control, opposite Icons restaurant, just before the stairs to the B gates, with internet access and strong air extraction (reopened April 2022). Domestic passengers have a smoking room inside the Bidvest Premier Lounge on the 4th floor, plus the designated outdoor smoking areas outside the terminal. As the main gateway to the Western Cape and South Africa’s second-busiest airport, CPT keeps the rest of its terminals smoke-free under South African law.
Smoking Policy at Cape Town Airport
Under South African law, smoking is prohibited in the general areas of airports, so Cape Town Airport confines smoking to designated areas for both domestic and international travelers.
International Departures
International travelers have access to a smoking lounge after passport control:
Smokers’ Lounge – Located in the international departures terminal, opposite Icons restaurant, before the stairs to B gates
Amenities: Internet access, elegant surroundings, excellent air extraction
The international smoking lounge reopened in April 2022 after being closed for renovation since February 2020.
Domestic Terminal
Domestic passengers smoke airside in the Bidvest Premier Lounge, which has a smoking room inside. From domestic departures, turn right after the security checks, follow the corridor to the end, turn right again and take the lift on the right up to the 4th floor; the lounge is about 20 metres ahead on the right. It opens 04:30 to 19:30, and the maximum stay is two hours.
Before security, and for anyone arriving on a domestic flight, the option is the designated outdoor smoking areas outside the terminal. The domestic halls themselves are smoke-free, so plan a stop outside before you check in.
Lounge Options
The smoking room sits inside the Bidvest Premier Lounge in the domestic terminal. Access is available through:
Pay at the door
Priority Pass
Lounge membership programs
Summary
| Area | Smoking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Smokers’ Lounge (international departures) | Yes | Airside, after passport control; opposite Icons restaurant |
| Bidvest Premier Lounge (domestic terminal) | Yes | Airside, 4th floor; smoking room inside; 04:30-19:30 |
| Outside the terminal (forecourt) | Yes | Landside; designated outdoor smoking areas |
| General terminal areas | No | Smoke-free under South African law |
For South Africa airport smoking rules, vaping rules, and other general info, see our South Africa smoking guide.