It’s not allowed to smoke inside Schiphol airport and in parking garages nearby. From 1 April 2020 Schiphol airport is completely non-smoking. This also applies to e-cigarettes. There is only one smoking zone at Schiphol, before security, at Jan Dellaertplein.
Last verified: August 2026
Is smoking allowed at Schiphol airport?
There’s no smoking area anywhere inside the terminal, whether before or after security. Smoking in the parking garages is also no longer been permitted since 1 August 2020. These are the consequences of a Supreme Court decision to close all smoking zones in the hospitality sector in the Netherlands.
Where is the Schiphol smoking area?
Dutch laws also prohibit indoor smoking in public spaces.
There is only one smoking zone at Schiphol, before security. Travellers can still smoke at the designated locations in Jan Dellaertplein, the square outside Schiphol Plaza.
Smoking rules for transfer passengers
This rule also applies to the transfer passengers. If you are waiting for a connecting flight and want to smoke, you’ll also need to go to Jan Dellaertplein. Please take into account that you will need to go through security again, which can be time-consuming. In some cases, you may also need a visa to enter the Netherlands.
If you’d rather not carry your hand luggage through security twice, Schiphol’s luggage lockers are available 24/7, both before and after security, so you can store your bag and travel light. Read more about luggage storage at Schiphol.
If you’d rather skip the hassle of a second security queue altogether and just relax before your flight, consider Aspire Lounge access at Schiphol instead, a comfortable place to unwind, with food, drinks and Wi-Fi, without leaving the terminal.
Have a few hours before your flight? Here’s how to spend them
If you’re not just passing through but actually have some time before or after your flight, Amsterdam city centre is only around 15-20 minutes away by train. Here’s how to make the most of it:
Getting to the city centre
See our full guide on how to travel from Schiphol to Amsterdam city centre.
What to do with a few hours in Amsterdam
- What to see: if it’s your first time, start with our 2-day Amsterdam itinerary or browse our full things to do in Amsterdam guide.
- A canal cruise: the classic 1-hour Lovers cruise from Central Station is a good fit for a layover: it’s affordable, departs frequently (every 15-30 minutes, depending on the season), so you don’t need to plan around a fixed time slot, and it brings you right back to the same spot near the station.
- Museums: the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum are both near Museumplein, reachable directly from the airport on bus 397 (Amsterdam Airport Express). Tickets for both museums need to be booked in advance, they regularly sell out, so reserve a slot before you land if you want to fit one in.
- Visiting in spring? Check out the seasonal direct bus from Schiphol to Keukenhof, useful if your layover overlaps with tulip season.
FAQ about smoking at Schiphol
Can you smoke after security at Schiphol?
No. There is no smoking area anywhere inside the terminal, before or after security. The only place to smoke is outside at Jan Dellaertplein, in front of Schiphol Plaza, which is before security.
Can you vape or use e-cigarettes at Schiphol?
No. The smoking ban at Schiphol applies to e-cigarettes as well as regular cigarettes. The only place to vape is the same outdoor smoking zone at Jan Dellaertplein.
Do transfer passengers need to go through security again to smoke?
Yes. If you’re waiting for a connecting flight and want to smoke, you’ll need to go to Jan Dellaertplein and pass through security again afterwards, which can take time. In some cases you may also need a visa to enter the Netherlands.
For the official, most up-to-date policy, you can also check Schiphol’s own smoking information page.
Have a nice travel from Schiphol!
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