Yes, London Heathrow Airport (LHR) has designated outdoor smoking areas at every terminal. Terminals 2 and 4 offer airside outdoor smoking enclosures accessible after security — Terminal 2 near Gate A1 on the ground floor and Terminal 4 near the Gate 7 exit past Burberry. Terminals 3 and 5 have no airside access, but all terminals have outdoor areas at ground level before security.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is officially smoke-free under British law, which bans smoking in all enclosed public spaces. The airport’s own policy states that smoking is only permitted in designated areas outside the terminal buildings. In practice, Terminals 2 and 4 each have an outdoor airside smoking area that departing passengers can reach without leaving the secure zone. Terminals 3 and 5 have no airside smoking access at all. This guide covers every terminal so you know exactly what to expect.
Terminal 2 — Smoking Area (Confirmed Open)
Terminal 2 has a clearly signposted outdoor smoking area on the ground floor (Level 0) in the A Gates area, near Gate A1. This is the most accessible airside smoking spot at Heathrow and was confirmed open as of late 2025.
How to find it: Look for the official “Smoking Area” sign next to Gate A18 on the first floor. Take the escalator down between Gates A26 and A17 to the ground floor. At the bottom, turn right and walk through to the outdoor enclosure.
The area itself is an outdoor covered cage with seating, offering protection from wind and rain. It is maintained with ashtrays and has enough space for several smokers at once. Because it is technically outdoors, it complies with British smoking regulations while remaining accessible from the airside departures area.
Terminal 3 — No Airside Smoking
Terminal 3 previously had an airside smoking cage that appeared on official Heathrow airport maps. This area has been decommissioned and no longer operates. There is no smoking area after security at Terminal 3.
If you are flying from Terminal 3 and need to smoke, your only option is to do so before entering the terminal. The outdoor smoking areas at ground level outside the building are available to all passengers before clearing security.
Terminal 4 — Smoking Area (Confirmed Open)
Terminal 4 has an outdoor airside smoking area accessible to departing passengers after security. It is located near the Gate 7 exit area and was confirmed open as of late 2025.
How to find it: After passing through departure security, turn left toward the duty-free shopping area. Walk past the Burberry store on your left. Shortly after Burberry, you will see an escalator going down with a small “Smoking Area” sign. Take two sets of escalators down to the lower level, then exit through the double doors into the outdoor enclosure.
The smoking area is a caged outdoor space equipped with heating lamps for colder weather and a Costa coffee vending machine. It is only accessible to departing passengers who have already cleared security. The enclosure is covered and provides reasonable shelter from the elements.
Terminal 5 — No Airside Smoking
Terminal 5 has no designated smoking area after security. A vape lounge once operated in T5 but was closed by regulators and has not reopened. This makes Terminal 5 the most challenging Heathrow terminal for smokers.
Some passengers take the free inter-terminal bus from T5 to Terminal 4 to use the smoking area there. Be aware that this is a significant time commitment:
Bus travel time from T5 to T4 is approximately 20-30 minutes each way
You will need to clear security again when returning to T5
Allow at least 1.5 hours for the entire round trip
If your flight departs from Terminal 5, the most reliable option is to smoke in the outdoor area outside the terminal before entering and clearing security.
Pre-Security Outdoor Areas (All Terminals)
Every Heathrow terminal has outdoor smoking areas at ground level outside the building, typically near the arrivals exits. These are available to all passengers, meeters-and-greeters, and staff before entering the terminal or after collecting luggage.
To use these areas, you must step fully outside the terminal building. Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the terminals, including entrance foyers, covered walkways, or car parks. The outdoor areas are not formally enclosed, so they are usable in all weather though not always comfortable during winter.
For connecting passengers, reaching these outdoor areas requires exiting through passport control and re-entering the terminal through security. This is only feasible if you have a long layover of several hours.
Vaping at Heathrow
Vaping and e-cigarettes are subject to the same rules as smoking at Heathrow Airport. They are not permitted inside any terminal building. Vapers must use the same designated outdoor areas or the airside outdoor enclosures at Terminals 2 and 4.
E-cigarettes and vape devices can be carried in hand luggage on most airlines, but check with your carrier for specific rules regarding batteries and liquid quantities. Vape devices should not be packed in checked luggage due to lithium battery regulations.
How Heathrow Compares
Heathrow is more restrictive than most major European and international hubs. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport offers outdoor terraces accessible from all terminals, making it far more convenient for smokers in transit. Frankfurt Airport provides enclosed indoor smoking cabins throughout both terminals, available after security in every concourse. If you are connecting through Heathrow to Dubai International Airport, you will find well-ventilated indoor smoking lounges at every terminal there.
Among UK airports, Heathrow is typical in offering only outdoor areas. The key advantage at LHR is that Terminals 2 and 4 provide airside outdoor access, which is uncommon at British airports.
Summary
| Terminal | Airside Smoking Area | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 2 | Yes | Outdoor covered enclosure near Gate A1, ground floor. Signposted from Gate A18. |
| Terminal 3 | No | Previously available but decommissioned. No airside access. |
| Terminal 4 | Yes | Outdoor enclosure with heating lamps near Gate 7. Two escalators down past Burberry. |
| Terminal 5 | No | No airside area. Vape lounge closed. Bus to T4 takes 1.5 hours round trip. |
| All Terminals | Landside only | Outdoor areas at ground level outside each terminal building. |
Tips for Smokers at Heathrow
If you have a choice of terminal, book flights from Terminal 2 for the easiest airside smoking access
At Terminal 4, the smoking area is a long walk from most gates, so allow 15-20 minutes each way
Carry a lighter in your pocket rather than checked luggage, as lighters are permitted through Heathrow security in limited quantities (one per person)
Do not attempt the T5-to-T4 bus trip unless you have at least 2 hours before your boarding time
Smoke before entering the terminal if you are at T3 or T5, as there is no airside option
