Yes, you can smoke at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in the designated outdoor areas on the arrivals (lower) level of the Main Terminal, near curbside pickup and ground transportation. The indoor lounges that once served the midfield concourses closed in June 2023, so smoking at Dulles is now an outdoor, landside activity.
Main Terminal (Landside)
The designated smoking areas sit outdoors on the arrivals level (the lower roadway) near the curbside pickup and ground transportation zones. Step out through the exit doors and follow the signage along the curb to the nearest marked spot. The areas are positioned away from building entrances, so allow a short walk from the door before lighting up.
Because all smoking is landside, this is the spot to use whether you are arriving, departing, or connecting — there is no smoking once you pass the security checkpoint.
Midfield Concourses A, B, C and D (Airside)
Dulles routes most departing passengers to the midfield concourses, which are linked to the Main Terminal by the AeroTrain people mover. None of the concourses has a smoking area inside. To smoke from a midfield gate you must ride the AeroTrain back to the Main Terminal, exit through security, use the outdoor curbside areas, and then re-clear the TSA checkpoint. The AeroTrain ride alone runs about 10 minutes each way.
Dulles previously operated indoor smoking lounges in the concourses — near Gates B37, B38, B73, B75, C4, and D30. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority closed all of them permanently on June 1, 2023, ending indoor smoking at the airport.
Connecting Flights
Dulles is a major United Airlines hub with heavy international traffic, so connections often land you deep in a midfield concourse. If you want to smoke between flights, plan ahead: the round trip from a remote gate back to the Main Terminal to reach the outdoor area and re-clear security typically takes 45 to 60 minutes. On a tight connection it is usually not worth the risk.
Summary Table
| Area | Smoking area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Main Terminal | Outdoor curbside on the arrivals (lower) level | Marked spots near ground transportation, away from entrances |
| Concourses A/B/C/D | None airside | Take the AeroTrain to the Main Terminal, then go outside |
| After security | None | Exit and re-screen to use the outdoor areas |
Flying via the other main D.C. airport? See our guide to smoking at Reagan National Airport (DCA).
For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.