Stopovers are an excellent way to turn one trip into two. Rather than flying straight to your destination, stopovers give you the chance to leave the airport, see a new city, and continue your journey the next day or even days later.
Many airlines make it easy to add a stopover to your booking, often at little to no extra cost. There are often plenty of discounts and freebies included, so you can stay and experience the city for less.
This is part 1 of our stopover and layover series, covering intentional stopovers you can add to your ticket to see a new city or break up a long journey. From complimentary accommodation and discounted luxury stays to sightseeing discounts and free bonus flights, stopovers can work out surprisingly good value.
In Part 2, we’ll look at layover benefits, including free hotel stays, discounts, city tours and other benefits available for long layovers.
Here are the top stopover programmes to keep in mind and what they offer:
In this post:
The World’s Best Airline Stopover Programmes
While plenty of airlines let you easily add a stopover to your booking and some provide discounts on stays, tours and more, some stopover programmes really stand out.
Here are the world’s best options:
1. Turkish Airlines – Stopover Istanbul
Criteria: A layover of at least 20 hours and no more than 7 days between international flights.
Turkish Airlines has one of the best stopover programmes in the world. You can choose between TourIstanbul and StopoverIstanbul depending on how long your connection is, but you can easily add more time to your connection via the booking page.
TourIstanbul is aimed at layovers and provides free city tours (we’ll cover this in part 2), whereas StopoverIstanbul includes a hotel stay. You can only opt for one of these on one of your legs if you’ve booked a return flight, and you can’t do both:
You’ll get a free hotel stay for your stopover without tours. The hotel standard depends on cabin class, including:
- Business – 2 nights in a 5* or boutique hotel + breakfast
- Economy – 1 night in a 4* hotel + breakfast
The hotels you’ll be placed in are usually well-known chains in good locations.
Some routes are eligible for 2- or 3-night stays instead (e.g., the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mexico, and more).
How to Book: This option must be booked at least 72 hours before your flight via the dedicated StopoverIstanbul email or application page, and your flights must be on a single ticket. Each flight will display the StopoverIstanbul or TourIstanbul logo on the booking screen if the connection is long enough.
2. Etihad – Abu Dhabi
Criteria: An eligible Etihad itinerary via Abu Dhabi with a stopover of at least 24 hours. You can choose a longer connection when booking to take advantage of the programme.
Etihad is another stopover programme well-worth considering if you want to spend some time in Abu Dhabi. You’ll receive up to two complimentary hotel nights, which is exceptional value, especially since there’s no extra airfare to pay.
Unlike many programmes, you can choose where you stay from a list of partner properties. There’s a great range, too, including Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Park Rotana, and Andaz Capital Gate. There are also plenty of airport hotel options if you want to book a short stopover with free accommodation.
As well as accommodation, you’ll receive an Abu Dhabi Stopover Pass, which gives you a range of discounts in the city plus a local SIM card with 10GB of mobile data and access to city shuttle services.
How to Book: The stopover is very easy to book when you book your flight. You can also add it onto an existing booking, but it must be at least 72 hours before arrival, and award tickets are not eligible.
Update: Etihad has just announced free medical insurance for Etihad flights via Abu Dhabi from July to December 2026, covering up to 15 days, including the stopover programme.
3. Qatar Airways – Doha
Criteria: A stopover of 12 to 96 hours in Doha on an eligible Qatar Airways or codeshare ticket.
Qatar Airways has a great value stopover programme in partnership with Discover Qatar. It’s easy to book either when booking your flights or afterwards, up to 72 hours before your flight, and you can stay up to 4 nights.
This is another programme that lets you choose your hotel, and prices start at just $14 per person for a night in a 4* hotel, so even if you wanted a quick airport stopover, it’s well-worth looking into. There are also optional add-ons available through Discover Qatar, ranging from city tours to beach club access.
Unlike many programmes, you can also book a stopover on a cash-and-Avios booking.
How to Book: You can book via Discover Qatar either while booking your flights or afterwards, as long as it’s at least 72 hours before departure. Discover more here.
4. Malaysia Airlines Bonus Side Trip
Criteria: An eligible international Malaysia Airlines booking connecting via Kuala Lumpur. You can only do this on one leg of your journey.
Though this isn’t a traditional stopover, it’s one of the best deals out there. You can add a free ‘side trip’ to your Malaysia flight, and they will give you a complimentary return side-trip flight to explore another destination, with you only paying taxes.
Eligible side trip destinations include:
- Kuching
- Langkawi
- Penang
- Johor Bharu
- Kota Bharu
- Kuantan
- Alor Setar
- Kuala Terengganu
How to Book: When booking your flight directly, there’s a ‘Bonus Side Trip’ button when building your itinerary. You’ll then be directed to the multi-city booking tool to book your return flight and side trip together.
5. Iberia – Hola Madrid
Criteria: Connecting in Madrid between two international flights.
Spend 24 hours to 9 nights/10 days in Madrid at no extra cost, plus access to discounted hotel stays with Melia, a complimentary 2-day transport card and extra discounts on transfers and attractions. You can use it on your outbound and return trips.
How to Book: You must add it at the time of booking; otherwise, it’s hard to change it via customer service.
6. TAP Air Portugal – Lisbon or Porto
Criteria: An international flight connecting with TAP
TAP Air Portugal has one of the easiest stopover programmes. Nothing is funded here, but you can add a stopover in Portugal for up to 10 days without any extra fees.
You can do this with one-way, return and multi-city tickets, but only on one leg of your trip. There are also great discounts from over 500 partners, with up to 50% off. You can also get a 25% discount on a domestic TAP flight during your trip.
How to Book: It’s very easy to add a stopover. When booking direct, you can tick ‘add stopover’ and select the number of nights during your search.
Other Excellent Stopover Programmes and Customisable Options
7. Saudia – Riyadh or Jeddah
Criteria: Eligible Saudia itineraries connecting via Riyadh or Jeddah.
Stopovers of up to 96 hours can easily be added when booking your flight. Eligible passengers are also issued with a complimentary transit eVisa as part of the booking process.
How to Book: Click ‘Select Stopover City’ and select the number of nights when searching for flights.
8. Air France-KLM – Paris or Amsterdam
Criteria: Flying on a Flying Blue reward ticket paid for with Flying Blue miles
One of the lesser-known benefits of the Flying Blue programme is the ability to add a complimentary stopover to an award booking. Flying Blue permits stopovers on many award itineraries, including a number of partner-operated flights
How to Book: Contact customer service after booking your reward flight. Keep in mind that taxes and fees may increase slightly.
9. Icelandair
Criteria: A transatlantic Icelandair itinerary between Europe and North America.
You can add a stopover in Iceland for up to 7 nights. If you’re travelling on an Economy Flex or Saga Premium Flex fare, the permitted stopover can increase to between 8 and 21 nights.
How to Book: Stopovers are easy to add when booking. Select the stopover option when searching for flights and choose how many nights you’d like to spend in Iceland
10. Oman Air – Muscat
Criteria: A connection in Muscat between two international Oman Air flights
Stopovers in Muscat can be added on one leg or both legs of your trip for up to 4 days/3 nights.
Once you add a stopover, a range of paid stopover packages are available to book. There’s a choice of 3*-5* hotels for up to 3 nights, including breakfast. You can also add transfers, experiences and tours such as a Desert Safari and a tour of Jabal Akhdar.
How to Book: Add a stopover when booking or after via the stopover platform. You can then opt for a wide range of stopover packages (or book an independent trip).
11. LOT Polish Airlines – Warsaw
Criteria: An eligible return ticket with LOT via Warsaw.
You can spend 1-8 days in Poland at no extra cost. You’ll also be eligible for discounts, including a 25% discount on domestic LOT flights, plus discounts at selected attractions, restaurants and tourism partners across Warsaw.
How to Book: Select the multi-city option, enter Warsaw as your stopover point, then add your final destination.
12. Emirates – Dubai Stopover
Criteria: Any eligible Emirates itinerary connecting via Dubai. Stopovers can be added on either the outbound or return journey and are available on both cash and many reward bookings
This is the paid version of the Emirates stopover, which can be added to your itinerary.
You can choose from a wide range of hotels, from budget options to luxury resorts, and bundle extras such as airport transfers, tours and attractions into your booking. The packages can often work out cheaper than booking flights and hotels separately. You can also add it to an Emirates Holidays booking.
How to Book: Use the multi-city or advanced search options. You can also add a stopover later on via ‘Manage my Booking’.
13. Singapore Airlines and Scoot – Singapore
You can easily add a stopover in Singapore when booking through Singapore Airlines and Scoot. This also gives you access to the Singapore Stopover programme, which offers discounted hotels plus attraction and transport bundles to help you make the most of your stay.
Stopovers can also be included on selected KrisFlyer award bookings. Advantage awards include complimentary stopovers, while Saver awards have more limited stopover options depending on whether you’re booking a one-way or return itinerary.
How to Book: This is the same as a multi-city booking would usually be. You input your departure point to Singapore, then your final destination from Singapore, on your preferred dates.
14. SATA Azores Airlines – São Miguel or Terceira
Criteria: Eligible itineraries travelling between Europe, North America and the Azores
Due to the Azores’ remote location in the middle of the Atlantic, visiting them as part of a stopover is a great idea. Stopovers of up to 7 days can be added at no additional airfare.
How to Book: Select the stopover option when searching for flights.
15. Air Canada – Toronto
Criteria: Eligible Air Canada international itineraries connecting via Toronto, or Aeroplan reward bookings that permit stopovers.
Air Canada lets you add a stopover in Toronto on selected international itineraries for up to 7 nights.
Aeroplan members can also add stopovers of up to 45 days on many reward bookings for just 5,000 extra points. These can’t be in Canada or the US.
How to Book: Use the multi-city booking option and enter your dates. For Aeroplan reward bookings, select the ‘Multi-city/Stopover’ option, tick ‘Book with Aeroplan points’, and add your stopover city and dates.
More details about the Toronto stopover here
16. Copa Airlines – Panama City
Criteria: Eligible Copa Airlines itineraries connecting via Panama City.
Add a stopover from 24 hours to 7 days to 1 leg of your return trip. You can also benefit from discounts on hotels, restaurants, attractions and tours through the stopover portal.
How to Book: Tick ‘Add a stopover in Panama’ when searching for flights.
Discover Panama stopovers and discounts here.
17. Lufthansa – Munich
Criteria: Be on a connecting flight from the US or Singapore via Munich.
Lufthansa allows stopovers of between 24 hours and 7 days on routes to and from the US and Singapore.
While Munich may not seem like the obvious place to break up a long-haul journey, it can work out as a cheaper way to see Munich, as Lufthansa has some amazing accommodation, car hire and attraction discounts such as 20% off Leonardo Hotels and 20% off Rosewood if you add within 24 hours of booking.
How to Book: It’s easy to add a stopover in Munich; tick ‘add a stopover in Munich’ when booking. The only issue is that pricing can be higher when adding a stopover, but with a little searching and flexibility, you can still save.
18. Fiji Airways – Nadi
Criteria: Eligible Fiji Airways itineraries connecting via Nadi between Australia, New Zealand, Asia and North America.
A stopover in Nadi is an easy way to break up a long journey and experience Fiji without needing a separate trip. It’s simple to book, and you can then add accommodation packages, island tours and other experiences
How to Book: Use the multi-city search tool or opt for a flight with a longer connection in Nadi.
19. Qantas
Criteria: Eligible Qantas international fares that permit stopovers.
There is no set destination for this one, but it’s a useful stopover when flying from the UK to Australia. Top options include Perth and Singapore. If you’re travelling to New Zealand or the Pacific, there are also extra destination options in Australia.
How to Book: Use the multi-city search tool
20. Air New Zealand
Criteria: International itineraries booked with Air New Zealand that include a connection in an eligible stopover city.
Air New Zealand lets you build stopovers into many international itineraries. Your flight can include a stopover in each direction, potentially adding two extra destinations to your trip. Popular stopover cities include Auckland, Los Angeles, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Most destinations are free to add, but some come with an extra charge. The length of the stopover allowed also depends on your ticket type.
How to Book: Book via the multi-city search tool and add your preferred stopover city.
Final Words
There are some fantastic stopover options, and if you have the time, it’s always worth checking whether your chosen airline or route offers a stopover programme.
While there are some very cheap or fully funded options, most notably StopoverIstanbul, Etihad stopover programme and Qatar offerings, there are some fantastic hidden gems too, from Malaysia Airlines’ free Bonus Side Trip to some great discounts with many stopover options and even without discounts, the flexibility of adding a stopover adds many possibilities to your trip.
Have you experienced any of these stopovers? Let us know in the comments below!
