Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ)

Sarajevo International Airport has a surprisingly smoker-friendly reputation compared to most European airports, though the situation is somewhat contradictory and has changed over time. The official policy bans smoking inside the terminal, but a designated smoking area exists airside after security, and enforcement of the broader law has historically been lax. Traveler reports from as recently as 2024 paint a mixed picture, so read on before you plan your smoke break.

Before Security

Landside, the official position is that smoking is only permitted in designated areas outside the terminal building. You'll need to step through the main entrance doors and find a spot outside before you check in or pass through passport control. No specific outdoor zone is named in available sources, but the area directly in front of the departures entrance is the practical option.

• Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the landside terminal, including check-in halls and waiting areas.

• Head outside the terminal building before going through security if you want to smoke landside.

• One traveler report from 2018 described ashtrays on every table at the cafe in the middle of the airport, suggesting enforcement was very relaxed at that time, but this should not be relied upon in 2024 and beyond.

After Security

This is where SJJ stands out from most European airports. There is a designated smoking area airside, located just after the duty-free shop past security. Multiple traveler reports confirm its existence, including a March 2023 update describing it as a "nice smoking lounge" and a December 2024 report noting a small smoking area just after duty free (though that same report flagged a confusing "no smoking" sign on the door, so look carefully for the correct entrance).

• The airside smoking area is accessible to all passengers who have cleared security, with no lounge membership required.

• It is described as a reasonably sized space, though the 2024 report suggests it may be smaller than it once was.

• Reports from 2018 described a large smoking area after security with only a very small area for non-smokers, making it one of the most smoker-friendly airports in Europe at that time. The current situation appears more restricted.

VIP Lounge

There is a VIP Lounge at SJJ that has ashtrays and permits smoking. Access costs over 50 euros for 30 minutes and must be booked in advance. The lounge does not advertise smoking as a feature, so you need to ask specifically before booking. This is a paid option and not practical for most travelers given the cost and the requirement to pre-book.

Vaping Rules

Vaping in non-designated areas is explicitly prohibited. The airport levies a 200 euro fine for smoking or vaping in non-designated locations inside the terminal building. Do not vape in the general terminal areas.

Transit and Layovers

Sarajevo is a single-terminal airport, so transit passengers clear the same security and have access to the same airside smoking area after duty free. There is no re-entry option described in available sources, so plan accordingly if you are connecting.

Bottom Line

You can smoke airside at SJJ in the designated area just past duty free, which is unusual for Europe, but a confusing sign on the door and changing reports mean you should ask airport staff if you cannot find it. The 200 euro fine for smoking elsewhere is a real deterrent, so stick to the designated spot.