Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ)

Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ) in Astana does permit smoking, but only in clearly designated areas. Smoking is restricted to specific rooms and outdoor zones; lighting up anywhere else inside the terminals is not allowed. The airport has designated spots both before and after security, which is better than many regional hubs, though the airside options are basic.

Before Security

Landside smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas outside the terminal buildings. No specific named outdoor zones are documented in available sources, but the airport officially confirms that smoking areas exist in the departure halls. Head outside through the main entrance doors and look for the designated smoking spots, which are typically marked with signage.

After Security

• Terminal 1 (International): A smoking room is located on the ground floor, behind the large staircase leading to the upper floor, roughly in the middle of the terminal. As of a June 2021 traveler report, the room is very basic: no seating, no windows, and no frills. It is an enclosed space, so ventilation may be limited. The signage is in Kazakh, Russian, and English, reading "Smoking Room."

• Terminal 2 (Domestic): A smoking area is located on the 2nd floor in the departure zone. This is the area most domestic travelers will use before boarding.

Smoking Room in Terminal 1

The Terminal 1 smoking room is the main airside option for international passengers. It sits past passport control and security, so once you are through, you do not need to exit the sterile zone to use it. The room is functional but spartan: expect a standing-only setup with no seating or natural light. It is worth finding before your gate is called, as it may not be immediately obvious from the main corridor.

Vaping Rules

No specific vaping policy for NQZ is documented in the available sources. Given Kazakhstan's general tobacco regulations, it is safest to treat vaping the same as smoking and use only the designated smoking areas.

Transit and Layovers

Terminals T1 and T2 are connected by a transition gallery opened in November 2019, so transit passengers can move between the international and domestic terminals without going outside. Both terminals have their own smoking facilities, so you should be able to find a designated area regardless of which terminal your connection is in.

Bottom Line

NQZ offers basic but functional smoking rooms in both terminals after security, so you are not forced to exit and re-enter. The facilities are no-frills, so manage your expectations and find the room early rather than rushing before boarding.