Istanbul Airport (IST)

Istanbul Airport (IST) is one of the most smoker-friendly major international airports in Europe and the Middle East. The airport has more than 13 dedicated smoking terraces spread across both the domestic and international sides, so you are rarely more than a 6-8 minute walk from a designated spot. Smoking inside the terminal building is prohibited under Turkish law, but the enclosed glass-and-steel terrace structures built right into the terminal floor mean you never have to go far.

Before Security

Landside smoking options are more limited than airside, but they do exist:

• Check-in Area A and Check-in Area S (or C): two terraces are located near the main check-in halls on the departures floor, accessible before you clear security.

• Outside the terminal after baggage claim: arriving passengers who have just collected their bags can step outside the building to smoke. One traveler report from November 2022 confirmed you cannot use the airside terraces on arrival and must exit after baggage claim.

• Near the 8th Exit Gate in the arrivals zone: a designated outdoor smoking point.

• Domestic side: two zones inside the food court area (one at the entrance, one inside) and one near baggage claim belt 1.

After Security

This is where IST really stands out. Every concourse wing (A through G) has at least one enclosed glass terrace labeled "Teras / Terrace" in bilingual signage. The terraces are built into the terminal structure, with seating and views of the apron. Key airside locations include:

• Gate A11 (near check-in area A, international)

• A-B Gourmet Trilogy area (between A and B gates, indoor smoking area)

• Gate B1 (Fresh Air Terrace, international)

• Gate B18 (international)

• Gate C1, next to Napzone

• Gate D16 (the only dedicated terrace in the D concourse)

• Gate F13 (between F12 and F13, confirmed by multiple traveler reports from 2019-2023)

• Gate F8 (Fresh Air Terrace, across from F8, international)

• Gate G11 (domestic side)

• Transfer Zone, next to Transfer Desks

• Baggage claim belt 25 (international arrivals)

The Gate F wing serves many flights to the US and Europe and has a secondary security check before the gate area; the terrace between F9 and F10 is accessible before that second check.

IGA Lounge and Smoking

The IGA Lounge is located airside after passport control on the Mezzanine Floor (turn left after passport control, then right). It includes a smoking terrace. Access is available via Priority Pass (and similar lounge membership programs) or a walk-in fee. Exact walk-in prices are not confirmed in current sources, so check the lounge desk on arrival. This is the most comfortable airside smoking option if you want food and drinks alongside your smoke break.

Vaping Rules

IST officially treats vaping the same as smoking. E-cigarettes and vaping devices are restricted to the same designated terrace areas. Using a vape anywhere else in the terminal can result in staff intervention.

Transit and Layovers

If you are on an international transit and staying airside, you can use the airside terraces without any issue. Exiting the secure zone to use landside smoking areas and then re-entering through security is possible but adds time; allow at least 30-45 minutes to account for security queues, especially during peak hours. The airport does not publish an official re-entry policy for transit passengers, so check with your airline if your layover is short.

Bottom Line

IST is genuinely one of the best airports in the world for smokers: multiple free, well-signed terraces are available airside in every concourse, so you can smoke after security without paying for a lounge. Plan your last smoke before the second security check at Gate F if you are flying to the US or Europe.