A stopover destination lets you pause your journey in a connecting city for days or weeks instead of rushing through during a standard layover. Airlines encourage these extended breaks at their hub cities by waiving the usual fees for route changes, and many sweeten the deal with free hotels, discounted attractions, and simplified visa processes. TAP Air Portugal allows up to 10 days in Lisbon or Porto, while Emirates provides complimentary accommodation and meals for qualifying connections through Dubai. The practice transforms what would be a tedious airport wait into a chance to explore places like Reykjavik, Panama City, or Singapore at minimal cost.
Most programs require booking through the airline’s multi-city tool or calling their reservations desk. The stopover city must be the carrier’s main hub, and your final destination typically needs to be on a different continent or region. Budget carriers rarely offer these arrangements, making full-service international airlines your best option for maximizing a single plane ticket.
Best stopover programs by airline in 2026
Airlines compete for long-haul passengers by promoting tourism at their home hubs through stopover incentives. The benefits range from basic routing flexibility to comprehensive packages with accommodation and transportation. Understanding which carriers offer the most value helps you select flights that deliver two destinations for the price of one.
| Airline | Stopover city | Duration allowed | Hotel included | Key benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAP Air Portugal | Lisbon or Porto | 1-10 days | No, but 20% discount | 50% off 150+ restaurants and tours |
| Emirates | Dubai | 6-26 hours | Yes, free with meals | Free transfers and visa processing |
| Icelandair | Reykjavik | 1-7 days | No | No extra airfare on transatlantic routes |
| Singapore Airlines | Singapore | Up to 7 days | No | Free Singapore Stopover Holiday packages |
| Copa Airlines | Panama City | 1-7 days | No | Partner hotel and attraction discounts |
| Finnair | Helsinki | 5 hours to 5 nights | No | Free on Flex/Classic fares |
| Iberia | Madrid | 1-9 nights | No | Discounts on transport and attractions |
Etihad Airways offers 1-2 complimentary hotel nights in Abu Dhabi for passengers flying from the US, Canada, Europe, or Australia to destinations like the Maldives, Bangkok, or Manila. The hotel selection rotates, so availability varies by booking date. After purchasing an eligible return ticket through Abu Dhabi, you retrieve your booking on etihad.com and claim the stopover benefit directly through their portal.
Qatar Airways does not provide free hotels but heavily discounts four- and five-star properties through its Discover Qatar program. Passengers can stay 12 to 96 hours at rates well below market prices, making Doha one of the most cost-effective luxury stopover options. The program targets travelers who want premium accommodations without the $200-400 per night price tags typical of Gulf cities.
Programs with complimentary accommodation
Free hotel stopovers represent the highest-value programs since accommodation costs in hub cities often exceed $100 per night. These deals work best for travelers flexible with connection times, as airlines impose strict eligibility windows.
- Dubai Connect (Emirates): Economy and premium economy passengers qualify with 8-26 hour connections, while first and business class need only 6-26 hours. The catch is your layover must be the shortest available connection when booking. You cannot deliberately select a longer stopover to trigger the benefit, though the system sometimes offers extended connections as the only option on certain routes.
- Saudi Arabia Transit Program: Saudia and Flynas passengers receive free instant e-visas with health insurance for stopovers between 8 and 96 hours in Riyadh or Jeddah. Launched in January 2024, the program serves passengers from North America, Europe, and select Asian countries. The visa costs $10.50 in application fees plus $3.45 for mandatory medical insurance, but qualifying travelers get complimentary hotel stays through the 96-hour transit program.
- Korean Air: Offers up to 72 hours in Seoul, Incheon, or Gyeonggi-do province with discounted hotel partnerships. While not completely free, rates drop to 40-60% below standard prices for properties near Incheon International Airport.
How to book a stopover flight
Booking a stopover requires using multi-city search tools rather than standard round-trip options. Airlines price these itineraries based on total distance and routing, which means adding a stopover often costs the same as a direct connection or slightly more depending on dates and fare class.
Start by visiting the airline’s website and selecting the multi-city or multiple destinations option in the booking interface. Enter your origin city, stopover destination, and final destination as separate legs with your preferred dates. The system calculates whether the routing qualifies for stopover benefits, which appear during checkout or in the fare rules. Some carriers like Finnair automatically include stopover options when you search for eligible routes, while others require manual date adjustments to extend the connection beyond a standard layover.
| Booking method | Best for | Limitations | Typical cost difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airline website multi-city tool | Straightforward routes on single carrier | May not show all fare classes | $0-60 vs direct flight |
| Phone booking with airline | Complex itineraries or fare questions | Possible phone booking fees ($15-35) | Same as online |
| Third-party sites (Kayak, Google Flights) | Comparing multiple airlines | Cannot always complete purchase | Varies widely |
| Travel agent | First-time stopover bookers | Service fees ($50-150) | Higher if agent lacks access |
Google Flights allows you to build multi-city itineraries by clicking the multi-city tab and entering each segment. After finding your preferred routing, the platform often redirects you to the airline’s website to complete the purchase. This approach works well for comparing prices across carriers before committing. Yet some promotional stopover rates only appear when booking directly with the airline, especially for programs like TAP’s Portugal discounts or Qatar’s subsidized hotels.
Common booking mistakes to avoid
- Selecting the wrong fare class: Many airlines restrict stopovers to mid-tier or flexible fares. Basic economy tickets on Finnair, for instance, do not permit Helsinki stopovers, while Classic and Flex fares include the option at no charge.
- Booking separate tickets: Purchasing your journey as two one-way tickets eliminates stopover benefits and increases total costs by 30-80%. You also lose baggage through-checking and protection if the first flight delays.
- Ignoring connection time minimums: Airlines set minimum stopover durations, typically 24 hours. Anything shorter counts as a layover and may not qualify for program perks like hotel discounts.
- Missing visa requirements: A stopover requires clearing immigration, unlike an airside transit. Check whether your nationality needs a visa for the hub city, even if staying only 48 hours.
Free hotel stopovers and accommodation deals
Accommodation represents the largest expense when adding a stopover, often costing $80-300 per night in popular hub cities. Programs that include lodging or steep discounts can save $200-900 on a single trip, justifying slightly higher airfare or longer travel times.
Emirates’ Dubai Connect stands out for including not just the hotel but also meals and airport transfers. The program applies automatically when your connection meets the time requirements and no shorter option exists. After check-in, Emirates emails a voucher listing your assigned hotel, typically a four-star property 10-25 minutes from the airport. Shuttle service operates 24 hours, and you receive meal vouchers for breakfast and dinner at the hotel restaurant.
| Program | Accommodation type | Cost to passenger | Booking process |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates Dubai Connect | 4-star hotel near airport | Free | Automatic if connection qualifies |
| Etihad Abu Dhabi | 4-5 star rotating selection | Free for 1-2 nights | Claim via etihad.com after ticket purchase |
| Saudi Arabia Transit | Partner hotels in Riyadh/Jeddah | Free with 8-96 hour layover | Apply for transit visa, hotel voucher included |
| Qatar Discover Qatar | 4-5 star luxury hotels | $70-150/night (50-70% discount) | Book through Discover Qatar portal |
| TAP Portugal partners | 3-4 star hotels | 20% off standard rates | Use promotional code from confirmation email |
Hawaiian Airlines permits unlimited stopover duration in Honolulu when flying between the US mainland and Asia-Pacific destinations like Tokyo, Seoul, or Sydney. The airline charges an additional $20-60 compared to a direct routing, but this increase is far below booking separate tickets. You can stop in Hawaii on both the outbound and return legs, effectively getting four destinations for one ticket price. Hotels are not included, though competition among Waikiki properties keeps rates around $100-180 per night year-round.
Stopover visa requirements and free transit programs
Clearing immigration at your stopover city requires appropriate travel documents, which vary dramatically by destination and nationality. Some countries offer visa-free transit for 24-144 hours, while others demand full visitor visas regardless of stopover length.
China permits 144-hour visa-free transit in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Chongqing for passport holders from 54 countries including the US, Canada, EU nations, and Australia. You must arrive and depart via the same airport or designated city cluster, and your onward ticket must be to a third country rather than your origin. Immigration officers require printed confirmation of your exit flight and hotel reservation. Shanghai’s program attracts the most stopover traffic due to direct connections with over 200 international cities.
| Destination | Visa-free duration | Eligible nationalities | Requirements | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi) | 96 hours | Most Western nations | Confirmed onward flight | Free |
| Singapore | 96 hours | Citizens of select countries | Onward ticket, sufficient funds | Free |
| Turkey (Istanbul) | 72 hours | Many nationalities | International connection ticket | Free |
| South Korea (Seoul) | 30 days | North Americans, Europeans | Onward flight to third country | Free |
| Japan (Tokyo/Osaka) | 72 hours | Limited countries | Shore Pass application at airport | Free |
| Iceland | Schengen rules apply | 90 days for visa-exempt | Standard Schengen requirements | Free for eligible passports |
| Panama | No visa needed | Many nationalities get 180 days | Return ticket, proof of funds | Free for eligible passports |
Saudi Arabia’s instant e-visa system processes applications in under 10 minutes when you book flights with Saudia or Flynas. The online form requires passport details, flight information, and payment for the $10.50 processing fee plus mandatory health insurance starting at $3.45. The visa permits a single entry for up to 4 days within 90 days of issuance, covering stopovers in either Riyadh or Jeddah. Travelers from North America, Europe, and select Asian countries qualify, with the full list available on the Saudi e-visa portal.
Documents to carry for immigration
- Printed onward flight confirmation: Immigration officers in Singapore, China, and UAE routinely request physical proof of your departure flight. Mobile phone screenshots may not suffice at all airports, particularly during night shifts when fewer English-speaking staff are available.
- Hotel reservation: Even if staying with friends or in an Airbnb, having a hotel confirmation avoids questions about your accommodation. Many travelers book a refundable hotel reservation for immigration purposes, then cancel it after clearing passport control.
- Proof of sufficient funds: Some countries require $1,000-2,000 in available funds, shown via bank statements, credit cards, or cash. Turkey and South Korea occasionally check this for budget travelers arriving on low-cost carriers.
- Visa for final destination: When using visa-free transit, authorities verify you hold the proper visa for your ultimate destination if required. A US citizen flying Tokyo-Beijing-New York needs no special documents, but someone routing Manila-Dubai-London must show their UK visa at Dubai immigration.
Stopover costs and savings compared to direct flights
The price difference between direct flights and stopover routings depends on your origin, destination, and travel dates. Transatlantic routes via Icelandair often cost the same whether you fly straight through Reykjavik or stop for five days. Yet adding a stopover to a discounted mistake fare or promotional rate may not be possible, as airlines restrict changes to the cheapest tickets.
When TAP Air Portugal sells Lisbon stopovers, the typical premium is $30-70 compared to a direct US-to-Europe routing. You gain up to 10 days exploring Portugal plus 25% off a domestic TAP flight to Porto, Algarve, or the Azores. The math works strongly in favor of the stopover when you factor in 50% discounts at 150+ partner restaurants and 20% off hotels. A three-night Lisbon stay saves $150-400 in accommodation and dining costs, far exceeding any airfare increase.
| Route example | Direct flight cost | Stopover flight cost | Stopover benefits value | Net savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYC to Bangkok via Doha (Qatar) | $820 | $850 | $210 (3 nights hotel discount) | +$180 |
| LA to Sydney via Honolulu (Hawaiian) | $950 | $985 | $0 (pay own hotel) | -$35 |
| London to Singapore via Dubai (Emirates) | $780 | $780 | $320 (free 2-night hotel + meals) | +$320 |
| Toronto to Rome via Lisbon (TAP) | $650 | $695 | $280 (restaurant/tour discounts) | +$235 |
| Chicago to Tokyo via Reykjavik (Icelandair) | $1,100 | $1,100 | $0 (no hotel included) | $0 |
Budget your stopover by researching daily costs in the hub city. Dubai hotel rooms average $120-200 per night, but the Dubai Connect program eliminates this expense entirely. Food runs $30-60 daily for mid-range restaurants, while metro passes cost just $2.50 for unlimited same-day travel. Activities like visiting the Burj Khalifa ($40-100 depending on deck level) or desert safaris ($60-90) add up quickly, making free accommodation crucial for keeping total trip costs reasonable.
Multi-city booking tips for complex itineraries
Advanced stopover strategies involve multiple stops or combining different airlines through alliances. Star Alliance, oneworld, and SkyTeam partnerships let you mix carriers while maintaining through-check baggage and unified ticketing. A oneworld ticket might route Vancouver-Tokyo (Japan Airlines stopover)-Bangkok (JAL)-Delhi (Cathay Pacific)-Vancouver, visiting three Asian cities on a single round-trip fare.
Building these itineraries requires understanding alliance rules and using specialized search tools. ITA Matrix by Google shows every possible routing and fare combination but cannot complete purchases. You take the flight numbers and dates it generates and recreate the booking on the airline’s website or through a travel agent. This process uncovers hidden stopover opportunities that don’t appear in standard searches.
- Alliance circle fares: Round-the-world tickets through alliances permit up to 16 flight segments and multiple stopovers. These tickets cost $3,000-8,000 depending on class and total distance, working best for sabbaticals or extended trips where you visit 6-10 countries over several months.
- Open-jaw tickets: Flying into one city and out of another often enables a free stopover at the airline’s hub. A New York-London ticket returning from Paris via Lisbon on TAP gives you a Lisbon stopover without backtracking. The fare typically matches a simple round-trip to London.
- Double stopovers: TAP and Finnair allow stopovers in both directions. You might stop in Lisbon when flying from Boston to Athens, then again on the return leg, effectively getting two Portugal trips. Finnair permits a Helsinki stop both ways when connecting North America to Asia, though Classic fares charge €75 for the second stopover.
- Positioning flights: Sometimes flying to a different departure city to access better stopover programs saves money overall. A traveler in Philadelphia might buy a $90 Spirit flight to New York to catch an Icelandair deal with a Reykjavik stopover, paying less than a direct Philadelphia-Europe routing on another carrier.
Verify baggage policies when booking multi-city itineraries. Most airlines check bags through to your final destination even with a stopover, but you must confirm this during check-in. If staying more than 24 hours in the stopover city, some carriers require you to collect and recheck luggage, though this varies by airport and program. Emirates and Etihad typically through-check bags for stopover passengers regardless of duration.
Frequently asked questions about stopover destinations
What is the difference between a layover and a stopover?
A layover is a connection under 24 hours where you remain in the airport or briefly exit without breaking your journey. A stopover exceeds 24 hours and requires booking intentionally as part of your itinerary. Airlines price layovers as part of standard routings, while stopovers may cost extra or come free depending on the carrier’s program. Stopovers require clearing immigration and often involve booking separate accommodation.
Do I need a visa for a stopover if I have a visa for my final destination?
Yes, you need proper authorization for every country where you clear immigration, regardless of your final destination visa. A stopover requires leaving the airport and entering the country legally. Many nations offer visa-free entry or special transit visas (UAE, Singapore, Turkey) while others demand full visitor visas. Check requirements for your specific nationality and stopover destination, as rules differ widely even within the same region.
How much does adding a stopover to my flight typically cost?
Stopover costs range from free to $100 extra depending on the airline and route. Icelandair, TAP Air Portugal, and Copa Airlines add little or no surcharge to base fares. Emirates and Etihad’s free hotel programs come at no airfare increase when qualifying connection times apply. Budget $20-60 for Hawaiian Airlines Honolulu stopovers and $50-100 for airlines without formal programs. Third-party bookings or separate tickets eliminate savings and often cost 30-80% more than single-ticket stopovers.
Can I book a stopover on a budget airline ticket?
Budget carriers rarely permit stopovers as their pricing models charge per flight segment separately. Airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet, and Spirit sell point-to-point tickets without through-check baggage or connection guarantees. You would book and pay for each leg independently, making this more expensive than using a full-service carrier’s stopover program. Low-cost long-haul airlines (Norwegian, AirAsia X) occasionally allow multi-city bookings but charge standard fares for each segment rather than offering stopover benefits.
Which airline offers the longest free stopover?
TAP Air Portugal offers the longest free stopover at up to 10 days in Lisbon or Porto. Hawaiian Airlines technically allows unlimited stopover duration in Honolulu but charges a small premium ($20-60) over direct routings. Among programs with complimentary hotels, Emirates permits 6-26 hour connections in Dubai, while Etihad covers 1-2 nights in Abu Dhabi. Icelandair allows 1-7 days in Reykjavik at no extra airfare, making it the longest free stopover for transatlantic travel specifically.
What happens if I miss my connection during a stopover?
If you book your entire journey on a single ticket and miss the connection due to delays on the first flight, the airline rebooks you at no charge. When you deliberately extend your stay as a stopover and miss your scheduled departure, you forfeit the remaining ticket segments. Airlines consider no-shows as voluntary itinerary changes requiring rebooking fees of $200-500 plus fare differences. Travel insurance rarely covers missed flights from stopovers since these are planned extensions rather than forced delays. Always build buffer time and set multiple alarms before your departure from the stopover city.
Do children and infants qualify for stopover programs?
Children traveling on paid tickets receive the same stopover benefits as adults, including free hotels where offered. Infants under two flying as lap children typically do not get separate hotel accommodation through programs like Emirates Dubai Connect, as they share the parent’s room. Some airlines provide rollaway beds or cribs upon request. Family rooms or connecting rooms may be available through programs like Etihad Abu Dhabi, but availability is limited and should be confirmed when claiming your stopover benefit. All travelers, including infants, need appropriate visas or must meet visa-free transit requirements for the stopover destination.
Can I leave the airport during a long layover without a stopover program?
Yes, if your layover exceeds 6-8 hours and you have proper entry documents for that country. You do not need a formal stopover program to exit the airport, though you miss out on free hotels, discounted attractions, and simplified booking. Check visa requirements for your nationality, as some countries require transit visas even for short airport exits. Luggage usually remains checked through to your final destination on the same ticket, but confirm with your airline. Plan to return to the airport at least 2-3 hours before departure to clear security again. Cities with efficient airport transit like Singapore, Seoul, and Dubai make 8-12 hour layover explorations feasible even without official programs.
