Berlin-Tegel Otto Lilienthal Airport (TXL)

Berlin-Tegel Airport (TXL) permanently closed on November 8, 2020, and all commercial flights were transferred to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). There is no active smoking policy at TXL because the airport no longer operates. The information below reflects the policy that was in place when TXL was open, for historical reference only.

Before Security (Historical)

When TXL was operational, smoking inside the terminals was not permitted. Smokers were directed to designated outdoor areas located outside each terminal entrance. Because of TXL's unique hexagonal layout (Terminal A), each gate had its own check-in, security, and waiting area, and doors opposite each check-in entrance led outside where smoking was permitted.

• Terminal A: Outdoor smoking was possible via doors opposite each check-in and security entrance area. A visitors' terrace on the 2nd floor (open Monday to Friday, 5:15 am to 9:15 pm) also served as a public smoking area, though it required passing through an additional security check.

• Terminal B: Same arrangement as Terminal A (Terminal B was a small annex to Terminal A).

• Terminal C: A semi-open beer garden operated by Hermann's near Gate C89 served as a smoking area for non-Schengen passengers after passport control. This was the most-cited airside smoking spot at TXL.

• Terminal D: A designated smoking area existed after security in Terminal D (used primarily by Eurowings passengers).

After Security (Historical)

Airside smoking options at TXL were limited. The main confirmed option was the Lufthansa Senator Lounge in Terminal A (above the main hall), which had smoking rooms. Both Lufthansa lounges in Terminal A reportedly had smoking rooms as of early 2020. Access required Lufthansa Senator or HON Circle status, or equivalent Star Alliance Gold status.

For non-lounge passengers, the Terminal C beer garden near Gate C89 was the only widely reported airside smoking spot accessible without lounge membership, and it was restricted to non-Schengen departures.

Vaping Rules (Historical)

No specific vaping policy for TXL was documented in available sources. General German airport rules at the time typically treated e-cigarettes the same as tobacco, restricting use to designated smoking areas only.

If You Are Traveling Through Berlin Now

All Berlin flights now operate from BER (Berlin Brandenburg Airport, Willy Brandt), located in Schonefeld about 18 km southeast of central Berlin. BER has designated outdoor smoking areas at terminal entrances (landside) and enclosed smoking lounges airside in Terminal 1 near Gates A02/A03, between Gates B02/B03, near Gate B30 (Terminal 2), and a large smoking area near Gate D1.

Bottom Line

TXL is closed and no longer relevant for travelers. Head to BER, where airside smoking lounges are available past security in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.