Incheon, South Korea
Smoking policy at Incheon, Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Warnings & Caveats
Smoking outside designated areas is a violation of South Korea's National Health Promotion Act. Fines range from KRW 100,000 to KRW 200,000 (approximately USD 85 to USD 170). Vaping in a regular smoking room that is signed as vape-only is also prohibited. Security personnel and surveillance systems actively monitor compliance.
Incheon International Airport is one of the most smoker-friendly major hubs in Asia, with designated indoor smoking rooms available 24 hours a day in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, as well as outdoor smoking areas before security. Smoking is strictly prohibited anywhere outside these designated zones, and South Korean law backs this up with real fines.
Before Security
Landside smoking is limited to outdoor designated areas outside the terminal buildings. In Terminal 1, there are two smoking locations on the 1st floor (1F) of the Passenger Terminal in the public area, plus one location in the Domestic Airline Offices on the 2F. In Terminal 2, outdoor smoking spots are found near several exits on the 1F and 3F, including near Exits 1, 3, and 6 on 1F and near Exits 2, 4, and 7 on 3F. These are open-air spots, so plan for weather.
After Security
This is where ICN really stands out. Once you clear security, you have access to a large network of enclosed, well-ventilated smoking rooms across both terminals and the concourse.
Terminal 1 has historically offered up to eight smoking rooms in the International Departure area on the 3rd floor (3F), open 24 hours. Confirmed locations include rooms near Gates 10, 12, 15, 23/30, 32/40, and 45, as well as concourse rooms near Gates 106, 110, 123, and 127/128. A traveler confirmed the room near Gate 45 was open as recently as August 2024.
Terminal 2 has confirmed smoking rooms near Gates 235, 247, 254, and 264, all on 3F, all open 24 hours. Gate 235 accepts both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes. The concourse also has smoking areas on 2F (two locations) and 3F (four locations).
Vaping Rules
Vaping is treated similarly to smoking: only permitted in designated areas. ICN has introduced a separate Vape Lounge concept in Terminal 2, where electronic cigarettes are the only option (regular cigarettes are not permitted in those specific rooms). The signage is bilingual and clearly distinguishes vape-only rooms from combined smoking/vaping rooms. Gate 235 in Terminal 2 is confirmed for both as of May 2025, while at least one other nearby room is vape-only.
Room Quality
The smoking rooms at ICN are genuinely well-designed compared to most airports. They feature non-flammable wooden floors, marble walls, and double air-curtain systems for smoke control and air purification. Some rooms have views of the tarmac. Seating is provided, and the rooms are reported to be spacious and clean.
Transit and Layovers
If you are transiting through ICN and staying airside, you have solid options in both terminals. The 24-hour availability means even red-eye layovers are covered. Just check the gate map on arrival for the nearest room to your gate.
Bottom Line
ICN is genuinely one of the best airports in the world for smokers: clean, spacious, 24-hour indoor rooms are spread throughout both terminals after security, and landside outdoor spots cover you before you go through.
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