Cologne, Germany
Smoking policy at Cologne, Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)
Warnings & Caveats
The smoking cabin near Gate C75 in Terminal 1 is closed from midnight until morning (exact reopening time unknown) because access requires passing through a duty-free shop that closes overnight. Smoking outside designated areas in German airports can result in fines under federal and state law. Terminal 1 is undergoing renovation as of early 2025, which may affect exact cabin locations.
Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) does allow smoking, but only in clearly designated areas. Airside, you'll find enclosed smoking cabins in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, so smokers are reasonably well served once past security. Landside, smoking is restricted to outdoor designated zones outside the terminal buildings.
Before Security
Landside smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor areas outside the terminal buildings. There are no indoor smoking rooms or lounges on the public side of the airport. If you need a cigarette before checking in or going through security, you'll need to step outside to one of the marked outdoor zones.
After Security
Terminal 1 has at least two smoking cabin locations airside:
Near Gate B11: A smoking booth in the circular hallway, right next to the women's bathroom. As of March 2025, this cabin is confirmed open and operational during renovation works. Signage in the terminal directs you toward both Gate B81 (left) and Gate B11 (right).
Near Gate B71/B73: A yellow enclosed smoking lounge cabin is located behind the Cafetiero cafe, near Gates B70-B73. This area is reported to be accessible around the clock. A separate area near Gate C75 is reportedly closed from midnight until morning, as access requires passing through a duty-free shop that closes at night.
Terminal 2 has smoking facilities in the non-Schengen (non-EU) section:
Gate D80: A smoking pod or cabin is located at Gate D80. Multiple traveler reports from 2017 through February 2025 confirm two smoking cabins here after security and passport control.
Gates D10-D30 area: There is also a reported smoking area after passport control for non-EU flights in this gate range, though details on the exact location are less specific.
Renovation Note
Terminal 1 has been undergoing renovation works as of early 2025. The smoking cabin locations near B11 and B81 are confirmed active during this period, but the layout may shift as works progress. Check signage on arrival.
Vaping
No specific vaping policy for CGN is mentioned in available sources. German law generally treats e-cigarettes similarly to tobacco in enclosed public spaces, so it is safest to assume vaping is only permitted in the same designated smoking cabins and outdoor zones.
Transit and Layovers
If you are transiting through CGN and staying airside, the smoking cabins in Terminal 1 (B73 area) and Terminal 2 (D80) are your best options. The C75 area cabin has restricted hours, so do not rely on it for late-night layovers.
Bottom Line
CGN is smoker-friendly by German airport standards, with multiple enclosed airside cabins in both terminals. Plan around the C75 cabin's overnight closure, and check current signage in Terminal 1 given ongoing renovations.
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