Can You Smoke at Heraklion Airport?

If you are travelling through Heraklion International Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis” (HER), you may be wondering whether you can smoke before your flight or while waiting at the airport.

Yes, you can smoke at Heraklion Airport, but smoking is restricted to designated outdoor areas outside the terminal. Smoking is not permitted inside the terminal building, and there is no confirmed smoking facility available after security. Independent airport information sources currently report that smoking areas are located outside the terminal on the landside.

This means smokers should plan to have their cigarette before passing through security, particularly if they have a long wait before boarding.

Is Smoking Allowed at Heraklion Airport?

Smoking is not allowed inside the Heraklion Airport terminal. Passengers can smoke in designated outdoor areas outside the terminal, before entering the secure part of the airport. This applies to the current passenger terminal at Heraklion International Airport.

The restriction covers the indoor passenger areas, including areas used for check-in, waiting and boarding. Available airport information also indicates that there are no smoking areas inside the terminal. If you are departing from HER, it is therefore better to smoke before going through security rather than waiting until you reach the departure gates.

Where Can You Smoke at Heraklion Airport?

The available information indicates that smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas outside the terminal. These areas are on the landside, meaning they are accessible before passengers pass through airport security.

Because airport facilities and designated areas can change, passengers should follow the smoking signs and airport instructions when they arrive rather than relying solely on an online description of a particular location. The important distinction is:

• Outside the terminal: Smoking is permitted in designated areas.
• Inside the terminal: Smoking is not permitted.
• After security: There is currently no confirmed airside smoking area.
• At the departure gates: Smoking is not permitted.

Can You Smoke After Security at Heraklion Airport?

No, you should not expect to be able to smoke after passing through security at Heraklion Airport. Current information indicates that HER does not have a dedicated smoking lounge or outdoor smoking area in the airside departure area.

This is particularly important if you are planning to spend a significant amount of time inside the airport before your flight.

Once you have passed security, you may not be able to simply walk outside for a cigarette and return directly to the departure area. Leaving the secure area would mean going through the relevant airport procedures again before reaching your gate.

For this reason, smokers should plan ahead and use the designated outdoor smoking area before entering the secure part of the terminal.

Is There a Smoking Lounge at Heraklion Airport?

There is no confirmed dedicated indoor smoking lounge at Heraklion Airport. Some major international airports provide enclosed smoking lounges after security, but you should not assume that Heraklion Airport offers the same facility.

Current airport information indicates that smoking at HER is restricted to designated outdoor areas outside the terminal. This is also why travellers who want to smoke should avoid waiting until they reach the departure gates.

Can You Vape at Heraklion Airport?

Vaping should not be treated as an alternative to smoking inside the terminal.

Greek rules restrict smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes in enclosed public spaces, while current information for Heraklion Airport indicates that smoking and vaping should be limited to the appropriate outdoor areas.

If you use an e-cigarette or vape, follow the airport’s designated smoking-area rules and do not use it inside the terminal or in the departure area.

Can You Smoke While Waiting for Your Flight?

Yes, but only before security in the permitted outdoor areas. If you arrive early for your flight, you can use the designated outdoor smoking area before entering the secure terminal area. Once you have completed security and entered the airside departure area, you should assume that smoking is no longer possible.

This is particularly important during the busy summer period, when queues can take longer than expected. Leaving the secure area simply to smoke could mean having to allow additional time to return through security. If you are planning how much time to allow at the airport, our guide on how early to arrive at the airport provides additional advice on planning your journey.

What Should Smokers Know Before Flying from Heraklion Airport?

If you smoke, a little planning can make your departure easier.

Smoke Before Security

If you want to smoke before your flight, it is best to do so before entering the security-controlled departure area. Look for the airport’s designated smoking area and make use of it before proceeding through security. This avoids the need to leave the secure area later in your journey.

Do Not Assume There Is an Airside Smoking Area

Passengers should not assume that a smoking facility is available after security at Heraklion Airport. If you want to smoke before boarding, check for a designated area before entering the secure departure zone. Once you are airside, follow the airport’s smoking restrictions and staff instructions.

Allow Extra Time

If you need to leave a secure area to access a permitted smoking location, you may have to pass through security screening again before returning to the departure area. During busy periods, this could add to your journey time, so plan accordingly and avoid leaving it until shortly before boarding.

Follow Airport Signs

Smoking areas and passenger facilities can change as airport operations or terminal arrangements are updated. Always follow the latest signs displayed at Heraklion Airport and ask airport staff if you are unsure where smoking is permitted.

Check Your Boarding Time

Keep your boarding time and gate closing time in mind before leaving the departure area. If boarding is already underway or your gate is about to close, it is better to remain in the secure area rather than leave for a cigarette and risk missing your flight.

Can Connecting Passengers Smoke at Heraklion Airport?

Connecting passengers should be particularly careful. If you have already passed through security and want to smoke, you should not assume that an airside smoking facility is available. Current information indicates that the smoking areas are outside the secure area.

Depending on your connection and travel circumstances, leaving the secure area may require you to complete security or other applicable procedures again. If your connection is short, it is therefore better to remain in the secure area rather than risk missing your onward flight.

Does Heraklion Airport Have One Terminal?

Yes. The current Heraklion Airport has one passenger terminal.

This is useful to know when considering the airport’s smoking arrangements because there is not a separate terminal where smokers can simply relocate after security.

If you want more information about the airport layout, see our guide on Heraklion Airport terminals.

Can VIP Airport Services Help With the Airport Experience?

Passengers who prefer a more organised airport experience can arrange Heraklion Airport VIP services.

VIP airport assistance can help passengers navigate the airport and its procedures more efficiently. However, VIP services do not override airport smoking restrictions, so passengers must still use smoking areas permitted by the airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Yes, you can smoke at Heraklion Airport, but only in designated outdoor areas outside the terminal. Smoking is not permitted inside the passenger terminal, and there is currently no confirmed smoking area after security.

If you are a smoker travelling from HER, the safest approach is to smoke before passing through security, then proceed to the departure area once you are ready for your flight. Always follow the airport’s current signs and instructions because designated smoking areas can change.