Jazmin Li
If you're looking to smoke at Heathrow Airport, you'll need to head to one of the designated smoking areas outside the terminal buildings. These are located in Terminals 2, 4 and 5, with Terminal 3's smoking cage having been removed. If you're catching a connecting flight, you won't be permitted to smoke during the connection process, but if you have time, you can go through passport control to access the smoking areas and then go through security control again to return to the departure lounge. For those with longer layovers, it may be possible to leave the terminal and smoke outside the main building, but check with security first as rules vary by terminal and nationality.
Where to smoke at Heathrow Airport
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smoking areas inside the airport | Terminal 2, Terminal 4, Terminal 5 |
| Requirements to access smoking areas | Go through passport control, Go through security control |
| Time required to access smoking areas | 1 hour 30 minutes for a round trip |
| Other options | Go through immigration, exit the terminal, and smoke outside |
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What You'll Learn
Smoking areas in Terminal 2 and Terminal 4
If you are catching a connecting flight through Heathrow, you will not be permitted to smoke or vape during the connection process. If you want to smoke, you will need to go through passport control to visit the designated smoking areas outside the terminal building.
Terminal 2
To find the smoking area in Terminal 2, head to the A Gate area near Gate A1. Go downstairs, and once you reach the ground floor, turn right to find the entrance to the smoking area. This will take you around the corner inside a caged-off area and into the actual smoking room.
Terminal 4
To find the smoking area in Terminal 4, follow the smoking signs after you've passed through security. Walk towards the end of the terminal, head downstairs via two sets of escalators, exit via double doors, and you will find yourself in an enclosed outdoor cage. Alternatively, turn left and follow the overhead signs. Use the lift to avoid taking luggage down several flights of stairs.
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Secret smoking spots in Terminals 2 and 5
If you are catching a connecting flight through Heathrow, you will not be permitted to smoke or vape during the connection process. However, if you have at least three hours left before boarding time, you can go through passport control to visit the designated smoking areas outside the terminal building. You would then need to go through security control to return to the departure lounge.
For Terminal 2, you can locate the smoking area in the A Gate area near gate A1. Head downstairs to the smoking area, and once you reach the ground floor, turn right and you’ll see the entrance to the smoking area, which will take you around the corner inside a caged-off area and into the actual smoking room.
For Terminal 5, the closest designated smoking area is in Terminal 4. It will take you about half an hour to get there, including waiting for the bus. Once you are past security, follow the smoking signs. You’ll walk toward the end of the terminal, head downstairs via two sets of escalators, exit via double doors, and come out in an enclosed outdoor cage.
Unofficial smoking spots in Terminal 2 include the toilets, but you will likely be asked to stop and, at worst, be asked to leave. If you are flying first class with British Airways, you can ask the lounge staff if you can step out for a quick smoke, and they might be accommodating.
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Smoking in Terminal 3
Smoking is not permitted inside Terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport, in line with UK law. However, there are designated smoking areas outside the terminal building. These outdoor smoking areas are clearly marked with signage for easy identification.
If you are a connecting passenger, you will not be permitted to smoke during the connection process. You will need to go through passport control to visit the designated smoking areas outside the terminal building. After smoking, you will need to go through security control to re-enter the departure lounge.
In 2019, Terminal 3 used to have a cage in the transit area, but this has since been removed. In 2023, passengers reported a smoking area after the security check between Gate 6 and Gate 9, or between the 6B gate and Gate 7 downstairs. This area is not officially recognised by the airport.
If you intend to carry cigarettes in your hand luggage, check with your airline to ensure they are permitted on board the aircraft.
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Smoking in Terminal 5
Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport does not have a smoking area on the secure side. However, passengers can smoke in designated outdoor smoking areas outside the terminal building. These areas are clearly marked with signage for easy identification.
If you are catching a connecting flight through Heathrow, you will not be permitted to smoke or vape during the connection process. If you would like to smoke or vape, you will need to go through passport control to visit the designated smoking areas outside the terminal building. You would then need to go through security control to return to the departure lounge.
Heathrow security may allow passengers, at their discretion and provided there is enough time, to transit to another terminal to smoke. This is usually for passengers with extended layovers. The transit time from Terminal 5 to Terminal 4 is approximately 30 minutes, including waiting for the bus. Passengers will need to clear security on arrival in the new terminal and then again in Terminal 5 when returning. Therefore, it is recommended to allow at least 1 hour and 30 minutes for this round trip.
Some sources suggest that if you are flying first class with an airline such as British Airways, you may be able to ask lounge staff if you can step out for a quick smoke, and they may be accommodating. However, it is important to note that once you have passed through security control, you will not be able to smoke anywhere in the departure lounge.
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Leaving the airport during a connection to smoke
If you are catching a connecting flight through Heathrow, you will not be permitted to smoke or vape during the connection process. However, if you have a long layover and would like to smoke, you can leave the airport during your connection.
To leave the airport during a layover, you will need to go through passport control and security to exit the terminal building. It is recommended that you allow up to 90 minutes to get through these processes and exit the airport. You will need your passport and boarding pass for your next flight to re-enter the airport and go through security. Keep in mind that you will need to factor in time to return to the airport and go through security again, which can be slow, especially when transporting through Terminals 3 and 5. Therefore, it is advised to return to the airport with at least one to two hours to spare before your onward flight.
If you have checked baggage, you may need to collect and re-check it when leaving the airport during a layover. However, if you have a through-ticketed connection, your hold luggage will be automatically transferred without your involvement. It is important to check with your airline to confirm the requirements for your specific situation.
Once you have exited the terminal, you can smoke outside the airport building. There are also designated smoking areas outside the departures and arrivals sections before security, which you can use if you do not wish to fully exit the airport.
After smoking, you will need to go through security control to return to the departure lounge for your connecting flight. It is important to manage your time effectively and allow sufficient time to navigate through security and reach your departure gate.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are catching a connecting flight, you will not be permitted to smoke or vape during the connection process. If you would like to smoke, you will need to go through passport control to visit the designated smoking areas outside the terminal building. You will then need to go through security control again to return to the departure lounge.
There are no indoor smoking areas at Heathrow Airport. All smoking areas at Heathrow Airport are outside the main terminal.
There are no longer any smoking areas in Terminal 5. However, passengers with extended layovers may be allowed by security to transit to another terminal to smoke. The closest smoking area is in Terminal 4, which is about a 30-minute trip by bus from Terminal 5.
