Whether you are waiting for an international departure or spending several hours on a layover, finding a designated smoking area at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) can make your journey easier. KLIA has two main terminal complexes, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (klia2), with designated indoor smoking rooms and outdoor smoking zones in specific locations.

If you are travelling through Kuala Lumpur Airport, this guide covers the terminal status, landside and airside smoking area locations, designated smoking facilities, and the Malaysian regulations you should know before lighting up.

Terminal Status at Kuala Lumpur Airport

Before looking for a smoking area, confirm which terminal your flight uses. KLIA Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are separate terminal complexes, and their smoking facilities are not interchangeable.

Terminal 1 (KLIA1)

Open

The main terminal complex for Malaysia Airlines and other full-service carriers. Designated smoking rooms include the Satellite Building facilities near Gates C11 and C31 and a domestic-area room near Gate B2.

Terminal 2 (klia2)

Open

A major terminal serving low-cost and other airlines. The designated smoking lounge is on Level 2 of the Satellite Building, with outdoor smoking zones outside the Main Terminal Building.

Landside Smoking Areas (Before Security)

Smoking is prohibited in general indoor airport areas unless a location is specifically designated for smoking. If you are checking in, waiting for an arrival or meeting someone, use a marked outdoor smoking zone or another officially designated area. Do not smoke at ordinary terminal entrances or along the curbside unless signs identify the location as a smoking zone.

Terminal 1 Landside

Designated outdoor smoking zones are listed along the outer curbside on Level 1, Level 3 in front of Doors 4, 6 and 8, and Level 5 between Doors 4 and 6.

Terminal 2 Landside

Designated outdoor smoking zones are located on the left and right sides outside the Main Terminal Building. A designated smoking area is also listed at the Level 2 Arrival Hall Mall Gateway; follow current signs to confirm access.

These locations are useful if you have not yet entered the secure departure area. If you have already passed immigration or security, do not leave the airside area for a landside smoking zone without checking whether you can re-enter in time for your flight.

Terminal 1 Airside Smoking Rooms (After Security)

KLIA Terminal 1 has designated smoking rooms in the Satellite Building and the domestic Contact Pier area. These facilities allow eligible passengers to use a designated smoking area without returning to the public curbside. Exact access depends on your flight, departure zone and current airport procedures.

International Departures

  • Near Gate C11: Designated smoking room on the Mezzanine Level of the Satellite Building.
  • Near Gate C31: Another designated smoking room on the Mezzanine Level of the Satellite Building.

Domestic Departures

  • Near Gate B2: Designated smoking room at the domestic passenger level of the Contact Pier Building.
  • Before walking there: Check your boarding gate and follow terminal signage to confirm that the room is accessible from your departure area.

Smoking Facilities in Premium Lounges

Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge

A designated smoking room is listed among the exceptions to Malaysia's airport smoking restrictions. Lounge admission requirements apply, and passengers should confirm current access and facility availability before relying on this option.

Check Lounge Access First

Not every airport lounge has a smoking room. Confirm the specific lounge's facilities and entry eligibility before choosing it as an alternative to the public smoking rooms.

Terminal 2 Smoking Areas (klia2)

KLIA Terminal 2 has a designated indoor smoking lounge in the Satellite Building, as well as outdoor smoking zones around the Main Terminal Building. Passengers should distinguish between public-side outdoor areas and facilities that can be reached from within the secure departure area.

Satellite Building Smoking Lounge

Level 2, Sector 6

The designated indoor smoking lounge is on Level 2 of the Satellite Building. It is reported near the Khazanah Home Decor shop and a charging station, toward a corner of the building. Follow current smoking-room signs to locate the entrance.

Main Terminal Building Outdoor Zones

Left and right sides outside the building

Designated outdoor smoking zones are available on both sides outside the Main Terminal Building. These are public-side locations and are most useful before entering the secure departure area.

Level 3 Outdoor Smoking Area

Sector 2, left and right sections

A designated open smoking area is listed on Level 3 in Sector 2 on both the left and right sides. Check the airport's current signage to identify the permitted area.

Arrival Hall Mall Gateway

Level 2

A designated smoking location is also listed at the Level 2 Arrival Hall Mall Gateway in the applicable Malaysian regulations. Follow on-site signs or ask airport staff to confirm the exact location and access.

Important: The smoking area previously reported near Caring Pharmacy at Pier L has been listed as no longer available by airport information guides. Do not rely on older directions to that location; use the designated Satellite Building lounge or confirm current facilities with airport staff.

Smoking During a Layover at Kuala Lumpur Airport

If you have a connecting flight at KUL, your options depend on your terminal, flight itinerary and whether you need to pass through immigration. Before heading to a smoking room, check whether it is accessible from your current departure or transit area.

International Connections

  • If you remain airside, look for a designated smoking room within the secure area you are permitted to access.
  • At Terminal 1, check the Satellite Building rooms near Gates C11 and C31.
  • At Terminal 2, look for the smoking lounge on Level 2 of the Satellite Building.

Terminal Transfers and Immigration

  • Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are separate complexes; confirm your transfer arrangements before moving between them.
  • Leaving the secure area may require immigration or security procedures before you can return.
  • Allow sufficient time to reach your next gate and complete any required checks.

Smoking Rules at Kuala Lumpur Airport

Malaysia restricts smoking in airport premises, with specific designated areas listed as exceptions. These rules apply to passengers using both KLIA Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Where Smoking Is Prohibited

Designated areas only
  • Do not smoke in ordinary terminal halls, boarding gate seating areas, restaurants or toilets.
  • Do not assume that an outdoor curbside or entrance is a smoking zone unless it is designated.
  • Follow airport signs and instructions from staff at all times.

Cigarettes, Vapes and E-Cigarettes

Check current rules
  • Use smoking products only where permitted by Malaysian regulations and airport signage.
  • Do not assume that a smoking room automatically permits every type of vaping or heated-tobacco device.
  • For flights, follow your airline's rules for carrying electronic smoking devices and lithium batteries; these devices generally belong in cabin baggage, not checked baggage.

Travel tip: Do not rely on older online directions alone. Smoking facilities and access routes can change, so check current signs or ask airport staff if a location is unclear.

Kuala Lumpur Airport Smoking Areas: Quick Summary

Terminal Area Location Access / Type
Terminal 1 Smoking room C11 Satellite Building, Mezzanine Level, near Gate C11 Indoor designated room
Terminal 1 Smoking room C31 Satellite Building, Mezzanine Level, near Gate C31 Indoor designated room
Terminal 1 Smoking room B2 Contact Pier, domestic passenger level Domestic-area designated room
Terminal 1 Outdoor smoking zones Outer curbside, Levels 1, 3 and 5 Outdoor, public side
Terminal 2 Satellite Building smoking lounge Level 2, Sector 6 Indoor designated lounge
Terminal 2 Outdoor smoking zones Outside the Main Terminal Building, left and right sides Outdoor, public side
Terminal 2 Open smoking area Level 3, Sector 2, left and right sections Designated outdoor area
Terminal 2 Arrival Hall Mall Gateway Level 2 Listed designated location; verify access on site

Locations are based on available airport facility information and designated-area listings. Facilities, access and signage may change. Follow current airport instructions before using a smoking area.

Kuala Lumpur Airport Smoking FAQ

Smoking is permitted only in designated smoking rooms and approved smoking zones. General terminal areas, boarding gates and other non-designated spaces are not smoking areas.

Designated smoking rooms are listed on the Mezzanine Level of the Satellite Building near Gates C11 and C31. A domestic-area smoking room is also listed near Gate B2 in the Contact Pier Building.

The designated indoor smoking lounge is on Level 2 of the Satellite Building in Sector 6, near the Khazanah Home Decor shop and a charging station. Follow the current smoking-room signs to find the entrance.

Yes. Terminal 1 has designated outer-curbside smoking zones on Levels 1, 3 and 5. Terminal 2 has designated outdoor zones on the left and right sides outside the Main Terminal Building and an open smoking area on Level 3 in Sector 2.

Designated smoking rooms are listed in the Satellite Building at both terminals, as well as near Gate B2 in Terminal 1's domestic Contact Pier. Access depends on your flight and departure area, so follow the signs within your secure zone.

You may be able to use a designated smoking room if it is accessible from your transit area. If you need to leave the secure zone, check immigration, entry and re-entry requirements before going outside, and leave enough time to return to your gate.

The terminals are separate complexes, and moving between them takes additional time. Check your transfer arrangements and boarding schedule before travelling to another terminal for a smoking break.

No. Smoking is prohibited in restaurants, toilets, boarding gate seating areas and other non-designated spaces. Use only officially designated smoking rooms or zones.

Do not assume vaping is permitted wherever smoking is allowed. Follow current Malaysian regulations, airport signage and staff instructions, and check your airline's rules for carrying electronic smoking devices.

A 24-hour schedule cannot be guaranteed for every smoking facility. Check current airport signage or ask airport staff if you need a smoking area during a late-night or early-morning layover.