Almaty International Airport (ALA)

Almaty International Airport allows smoking only in designated areas, both landside and airside. The most important thing to know is that once you clear passport control in the international terminal, your only free-access smoking option is a dedicated smoking room on the lower level near Gate 302, reached by going downstairs. Landside, you are limited to outdoor designated zones outside the terminal buildings.

Before Security

Smoking before security is restricted to outdoor designated areas outside the terminal buildings. There are no indoor smoking rooms in the public landside zones of either Terminal 1 (domestic) or Terminal 2 (international). Follow signage from the terminal exits to find the designated outdoor spots.

After Security

International Terminal (Terminal 2):

There is a designated smoking room on the lower (ground) floor of the international departures area, near Gate 302. A September 2025 traveler report confirms this location is active. An older October 2022 report placed a smoking area downstairs near Gate 1, at the bottom of the stairs on the right. These may refer to the same general lower-level zone, or the location may have shifted with the 2024 terminal renovation. Head downstairs in the international departures hall and follow the "Place for Tobacco Products Consumption" signage (labeled in Kazakh, Russian, and English on frosted-glass doors).

The Extime Business Lounge (Terminal 2, mezzanine level above the main concourse, turn left after passport control and take the lift) has a dedicated smoking room inside the lounge. Walk-up access costs 35,000 KZT (about US$75) at the reception desk. You can also get in via LoungePair from around US$51 for 3 hours, Plaza Premium for US$70, eligible DragonPass or LoungeKey cards, or TAV Passport membership. The smoking room is shared between the Extime Business Lounge and the adjacent Extime VIP Lounge (International Departures), which costs 95,000 KZT (about US$204) to access.

The Extime VIP Lounge for International Arrivals also has a smoking room, but requires advance booking (at least 1 hour before landing) at 80,000 KZT (about US$172).

Domestic Terminal (Terminal 1):

A smoking room was opened in the domestic terminal in 2019 according to CAPA news. The Extime VIP Lounge for Domestic Departures (entrance from street level between Terminals 1 and 2) also lists a smoking room among its amenities. Access to this VIP lounge is paid; pricing is not published in the sources reviewed.

Vaping Rules

No specific vaping policy for ALA is mentioned in any source. Kazakhstan's general indoor smoking regulations apply, so treat vaping the same as smoking and use only designated areas.

Transit and Layovers

If you are transiting internationally and staying airside, the smoking room near Gate 302 (lower level) is your free option. Exiting and re-entering the secure zone is not practical for a quick smoke, as there is no fast-track lane in the main terminal for security or passport control.

Bottom Line

Free smoking airside is possible in the lower-level room near Gate 302 in the international terminal. If you want a more comfortable setup, the Extime Business Lounge smoking room is the most accessible paid option at 35,000 KZT walk-up.