Gdansk, Poland
Smoking policy at Gdansk, Gdansk Lech Wałęsa Airport (GDN)
Warnings & Caveats
Smoking is prohibited throughout the terminal building except in designated Palarnia rooms. The exact gate locations of smoking rooms have shifted over the years (Gate 21 vs. Gate 22 vs. near Relay shop). Verify current positions using in-terminal signage on arrival. No smoking room has been confirmed in the non-Schengen gate area beyond the one between passport control and Gates 1-4.
Gdansk Lech Wałęsa Airport (GDN) is one of the more smoker-friendly airports in Poland, with designated Palarnia (smoking lounge) rooms available both before and after security. The airport has enclosed smoking rooms airside in the Schengen zone, making it possible to smoke after clearing security without paying for a lounge. Reports from 2018 and 2019 confirm multiple locations, though exact gate assignments have shifted over the years, so verify on arrival.
Before Security
Landside, smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor areas outside the terminal building. There are no indoor smoking rooms on the public side before the security checkpoint. Plan to have a cigarette before you enter the terminal, as Polish law restricts smoking in enclosed public spaces.
After Security
This is where GDN stands out. There are three enclosed Palarnia smoking lounges airside, all free to use with a valid boarding pass:
Gate 14 area (Schengen zone): One of the longer-confirmed locations, reported active since at least early 2018. The terminal map (image 1) shows a smoking icon in this part of the concourse.
Gate 21/22 area (Schengen zone): A traveler update from September 2018 noted the lounge moved to the other side of departures near a Relay candy/souvenir shop around Gate 21. A 2019 update places a room near Gate 22.
After passport control, before Gates 1-4 (non-Schengen/Terminal 1 area): Confirmed by a traveler in March 2019. This is the only reported option for passengers on non-Schengen flights, and it sits between passport control and the gate area for flights 1-4.
The airport map (image 7) visually confirms smoking room markers near Gates 13/14 and near Gates 21/22 in the Schengen concourse. Directional signage throughout the terminal clearly points to "Palarnia - Smoking Lounge" (images 2, 3, 5), so you should have no trouble finding them once airside.
The Palarnia rooms are enclosed glass-walled cabins with sliding doors, ventilation, and ashtrays (image 6). They are free to enter for any departing passenger with a boarding pass. No paid lounge membership is required.
Vaping Rules
No specific vaping policy for GDN is documented in available sources. Polish law generally restricts e-cigarette use in enclosed public spaces, so treat vaping the same as smoking and use the designated Palarnia rooms only. Do not vape in the open terminal.
Transit and Layovers
If you are connecting through GDN and staying airside, you can use the Schengen Palarnia rooms near Gates 14 and 21/22 directly. If your connection involves a non-Schengen flight, head to the smoking area between passport control and Gates 1-4.
Bottom Line
GDN is a solid airport for smokers: free enclosed Palarnia rooms are available airside in both the Schengen and non-Schengen zones, clearly signposted throughout the terminal. Smoke outside before entering if you want to avoid any uncertainty about which room is currently open.
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