Keflavík International Airport (KEF)

Keflavík International Airport (KEF) does allow smoking, but only in clearly designated areas both before and after security. Smoking inside the terminal building is strictly prohibited under Icelandic law, so all options are either outdoor covered areas landside or enclosed/semi-enclosed smoking rooms airside. The airport has put real effort into providing multiple spots across both levels, which is better than many European airports of similar size.

Before Security

Landside, smoking is only permitted outside the terminal building. There are covered outdoor smoking areas accessible from the departures level. These are semi-sheltered corridors with wooden slatted screens, brick paving, and multiple freestanding ashtray bollards. They offer reasonable protection from Iceland's wind and rain, though temperatures can be cold.

• The covered outdoor area is accessible from the main terminal exterior, before you enter the building or after you exit.

• Once you go through security, you cannot return landside, so use these spots before check-in if you want a free, open-air smoke.

After Security

This is where KEF genuinely surprises. There are at least two dedicated airside smoking areas, one on each level of the departures zone:

• Upper level (Level 2, near Jomfrúin restaurant): A signed smoking area is located past the Jomfrúin cafe in the upper departures hall. Overhead signage clearly reads "Smoking Area / Reykingasvæði" with a directional arrow. The area itself is a small enclosed room with an automatic sliding door, waste bins, and no seating. It is compact but functional.

• Lower level (Gate D area): A second smoking room is located near the stairs leading down to the toilets, close to the ATMs and opposite the D15-16 gate corridor. Look for a white door with a small smoking symbol and bilingual label ("Smoking Area / Reykingasvæði"). A blue overhead sign with a smoking icon marks the corridor leading to it.

• Between Gates A and C (Schengen area): Traveler reports from 2019 onward describe a smoking area behind the escalator access to the Saga Lounge, next to the elevator, between gates A and C, directly opposite passport control.

The official Isavia operational map confirms smoking areas exist on both Level 1 and Level 2 of the terminal, in both the Main Terminal (Aðalbygging) and South Terminal (Suðurbygging).

Icelandair Saga Lounge

The Icelandair Saga Lounge is located airside in the North Building near Gate D20. It is not open to general public walk-ins or Priority Pass holders at this time. Access is limited to Icelandair Saga Class and Economy Comfort passengers, Saga Gold and Silver card members, and select American Express, Mastercard, Alaska Airlines, and Lufthansa Elite/Gold status holders. No pay-per-use option is currently confirmed. The lounge itself is well-regarded, but its smoking policy is not separately documented in available sources.

Vaping Rules

The official Isavia operational manual covers both smoking and e-cigarette areas together under the same map, suggesting vaping is treated similarly to smoking and is only permitted in the same designated zones.

Transit and Layovers

KEF is a common transatlantic stopover. If you are connecting and staying airside, the Gate D and Gate A/C smoking rooms are your best options. You cannot exit to landside and re-enter without going through security again, so plan accordingly.

Bottom Line

KEF is genuinely one of the more smoker-friendly European airports, with multiple signed airside smoking rooms on both levels. Use the outdoor covered area before security if you want fresh air; head to the Gate D room or the upper-level room near Jomfrúin once you are through.