Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport is one of the most smoker-friendly major airports in Asia. All three terminals have designated indoor smoking rooms after security, and there are also outdoor smoking facilities landside. The rooms are free to enter, well-signposted in English and Hindi, and open 24/7 at the international terminal. Every room is equipped with wall-mounted electric lighters, since personal lighters are confiscated at security.

Before Security

Landside smoking options exist at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3:

• Outside Terminal 1: A glass-walled smoking room is located near the parking entrance outside T1, accessible to anyone before entering the terminal.

• Outside Terminal 3: A small enclosed smoking room sits next to the multilevel car parking (MLCP), on the route to the app-based taxi pickup points (Uber, Ola, Bharat Taxi). Convenient for a quick smoke on arrival before booking a cab, or before entering the terminal at the start of your trip. A cigarette shop is attached.

After Security

Terminal 3 International Departures has the most extensive smoking infrastructure of any terminal at DEL:

• Opposite Gate 15: Described by travelers as the best smoking zone at the airport. It is a covered outdoor-style area with plenty of space, built-in electric lighters, and a cigarette sales kiosk right next to it. Well signposted.

• Opposite Gate 6: In the right wing heading toward gates 1-14, a few meters across from the restrooms, after the duty-free shops.

• Across from Gate 17: Another room in the main departures hall.

• First Floor Food Court: Near the Encalm Lounge and the bars area, opposite the children's play area. A glass-fronted smoking area with seating.

• Near Dilli Street Restaurant: Opposite WH Smith, just before the entrance to the boarding gates. A glass-walled room with a "Smoking Zone" sign in English and Hindi.

• Gate Entrance Area: At the entrance to the boarding gates corridor.

Terminal 3 Domestic Departures has three smoking areas after security:

• First floor between the eateries and the lounges

• Left side before the ramp toward the gates, at the end of the food stalls

• Behind the flight display screens between the left and right concourses

Terminal 3 International Arrivals: A smoking zone is available on the first floor before immigration, before the escalator going down. Transit passengers connecting to another flight can use this without clearing immigration. A cigarette shop is attached.

Terminal 3 Domestic Arrivals: A large, air-conditioned smoking room is located just before the escalators that go down to the baggage belts. Travelers rate it as one of the more comfortable rooms at DEL.

Terminal 1 Departures: Smoking zones post-security in the food court area and near Gate 13 (close to the crew security area). A smoking zone is also available in the T1 arrival hall after baggage claim.

Terminal 2 Departures: A smoking zone is available at the food court after security.

Electric Lighters

All smoking rooms at DEL have wall-mounted electric lighter machines. The trick: wait for the red indicator light to turn on, press the red button (the light goes off as the coil heats), wait up to a minute, then hold your cigarette tip against the amber coil for 3-5 seconds. Do not press the button when the red light is already off or nothing will happen.

Vaping Rules

Vaping is completely illegal in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) 2019. This covers all e-cigarettes, vapes, IQOS-style heat-not-burn devices, and accessories. Do not bring any vaping device into India. Customs actively scans for them. Penalties include imprisonment up to one year and fines up to Rs 1 lakh for a first offence.

Transit and Layovers

Transit passengers in T3 can access the pre-immigration smoking zone on the first floor of the arrivals area without clearing immigration. This is a genuine convenience for long layovers.

Bottom Line

DEL is one of the best airports in the world for smokers: free, well-equipped smoking rooms in every terminal both before and after security, with cigarette kiosks nearby. Just leave your lighter at home and never bring a vape.