Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)

Smoking at Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport

Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport is one of the easier airports in Europe for smokers, but not every smoking area is equally pleasant. There are several places to smoke before and after security, including enclosed smoking rooms, restaurant-linked smoking areas, and lounge-based options.

Smoking is still only allowed in designated areas. Do not smoke freely inside the terminal, near gates, in toilets, corridors, restaurants, shops, or lounges unless the area is clearly marked as a smoking area.

Before Security

Before security, smoking is generally limited to outdoor areas outside the terminal building.

This is the simplest option if you arrive early, if you are waiting before check-in, or if you want to smoke before entering the secure departure area. Once you pass security, avoid going back outside unless you have enough time to pass through airport checks again.

After Security

After security, OTP has more smoking options than many European airports. Several smoking rooms are located inside the departure areas, and some are connected to cafes, bars, lounges, or restaurant spaces.

The airport is fairly smoker-friendly in terms of availability, but the quality can vary. Some smoking rooms are enclosed glass boxes, and traveler reports suggest that ventilation is not always great. This means you may find a smoking room easily, but it may feel smoky, crowded, or poorly maintained.

Arrivals Area

There is a reported smoking lounge near baggage belt 1 in arrivals. This can be useful after a long flight, especially if you want to smoke before leaving the airport.

Another smoking option has also been reported inside the Segafredo area in arrivals. Treat this as a useful location to check, but still follow current airport signs on the day you travel.

Departures Area

In the public departures area, several food and coffee locations have been reported with smoking facilities, including Lavazza Cafe, Take Off in the food court, Brioche Dorée, and Route 96.

These are useful before you move deeper into the gate area, especially if you want a cigarette while also getting a drink or waiting before boarding. Some of these spaces may be linked to the business itself, so conditions can vary.

International Departures

For international departures, OTP has several smoking options around the gate areas.

Near Gates 7-11, Momenti Peroni has been reported as having a smoking area. It may be useful because of its location, but recent traveler feedback described it as being in poor condition and not especially clean. It may also be intended mainly for customers.

A newer update from 08 May 2026 reports a smoking area after the Schengen passport check, before going downstairs to Gates 34/35. This is an important location to check if your flight uses that part of the airport.

Domestic Departures

For domestic departures, smoking has been reported at Expressamente.

Another smoking facility has also been reported near Burger King around Gates 24-29. This can be helpful if your domestic departure gate is in that section of the airport.

Lounge Smoking Options

Passengers with lounge access may have additional smoking options.

The TAROM / Dacia Business Lounge has been associated with lounge access for premium passengers, and some third-party lounge/VIP service references mention smoking areas in airport lounge facilities. Access is not public, so this depends on your ticket, airline status, lounge eligibility, or paid/VIP access rules.

Closed or Less Reliable Areas

Bucharest OTP has many reported smoking areas, but not all of them should be treated as equally reliable.

The most important thing to remember is that availability is generally good, but condition can be inconsistent. Some rooms may be smoky, poorly ventilated, crowded, or attached to a cafe or restaurant where the rules are less obvious.

If one smoking room looks too crowded or dirty, it is worth checking the next nearby option rather than assuming it is the only one.

Vaping at OTP

OTP does not clearly separate vaping from smoking for passengers. The safest approach is to treat vaping the same as smoking.

Do not vape inside the terminal, near gates, in toilets, restaurants, shops, lounges, or corridors unless you are in a marked smoking area or airport staff clearly confirms that it is allowed.

Practical Advice

Bucharest OTP is one of the more convenient European airports for smokers, but it is not always one of the cleanest or most comfortable.

Before security, use the outdoor areas outside the terminal. After security, check the cafe-linked smoking areas, the arrivals option near baggage belt 1, Momenti Peroni near Gates 7-11, Expressamente for domestic departures, Burger King near Gates 24-29, and the newer smoking area after Schengen passport control before going down to Gates 34/35.

Smoking is allowed only in designated areas. Follow airport signs and leave enough time to return to your gate before boarding.