Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport (TBS)

Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) has a genuinely workable setup for smokers, with options both before and after security. The most important thing to know is that airside smoking rooms exist in the departures area, so you do not need to exit and re-enter security for a smoke. That said, the situation has evolved over the years, so read the specifics carefully before you plan your layover around them.

Before Security

Landside, smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor areas outside the terminal building. There are no indoor smoking facilities before security. You will need to step outside through the main entrance or exits and find the marked smoking zones, which are typically equipped with ashtrays. Keep in mind that re-entering the terminal means going through security again, so factor in extra time if your flight is soon.

After Security

This is where TBS is more accommodating than many regional airports. There are at least two dedicated smoking booths in the airside departures area:

• Near Gate 101 (to the left): A small enclosed smoking booth with ventilation, confirmed by traveler reports from October 2021 and a photo from November 2021.

• Near Gate 103 (to the right): Another small smoking booth in the same area, also confirmed by the same reports. The airport operator TAV Georgia installed these booths with a ventilation system following changes to Georgian tobacco control law.

• Near Gate 102: At least one additional smoking room has been reported next to Gate 102, confirmed by multiple traveler updates.

In addition, as of April 2024, there is a smoking room at the Tickerdaze bar, located opposite the duty-free area airside. This is a bar/cafe setting rather than a standalone booth, giving you the option to grab a drink and smoke at the same time.

Primeclass Lounge

The Primeclass Lounge on the airside 1st floor (International Terminal, open 24 hours, pay-at-the-door access) is mentioned in connection with a smoking area on the departures floor. Walk-in pricing is not confirmed in available sources, but the lounge is open to any passenger willing to pay the entry fee, regardless of travel class. It is worth checking their current rate at the door. The arrivals-floor Primeclass Lounge (landside) may or may not have a smoking section; sources are unclear on this point.

Vaping Rules

No specific vaping policy for TBS has been confirmed in available sources. Treat vaping the same as smoking and use the designated smoking rooms to be safe.

Transit and Layovers

If you are transiting airside, the gate-area smoking booths near Gates 101, 102, and 103 are your best bet. You will not need to exit and re-enter security. If you do go outside before security for a smoke, you will need to clear security again before boarding.

Bottom Line

TBS is reasonably smoker-friendly airside, with several small ventilated smoking booths near the gates and a smoking room at the Tickerdaze bar opposite duty free. Smoke outside before security only if you have plenty of time to clear it again.