2024 Airline stopover programs + free or discounted hotel stays / experiences

This is the updated Airline stopover thread, had pulled together something similar previously. A number of airlines offer free stopover programs giving you the ability to explore another destination for no additional cost as part of your flight ticket in 2024. Some airlines even offer free or heavily discounted hotel / experience deals in the stopover destination e.g. Etihad, Qatar, Turkish Airlines etc. This post discussion gives a high level overview of some of the current deals and policies.


What is a stopover?

A stopover is defined as a connection or stop that lasts for 24 hours or more for international travel and four hours or more for domestic travel (shorter connections are layovers). You can use the downtime between transit to explore, with some airlines offering stopover packages including free or heavily discounted hotel stays and experiences e.g. Etihad, Qatar etc

Do I need a Visa for a stopover?

It is worth checking if you need a Visa for any planned stopovers. Sometimes you need to ask for temporary visas in certain countries that might be different from your destination visa. Most countries issue transit visas to help passengers who will only be transiting in that specific country. More info here

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1. Turkish AIrlines stopover deals



During your trip with Turkish Airlines, you can stopover in Istanbul and enjoy free accommodation and the opportunity to explore the city.

• Economy-class passengers will stay at a four-star hotel for one day — for free. Your stopover must be longer than 20 hours to qualify for a free hotel room.
• Business-class passengers with a stopover of 20 hours or more will stay in a five-star hotel in Turkey for up to two days.
• If your stopover is between six and 24 hours, you can explore Istanbul with a free city tour including bus transportation and meals. You don’t need to reserve ahead of time. Just head to the Touristanbul desk upon arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST) to register. More info here

Terms

• Stopover in Istanbul is only available for passengers connecting from Istanbul Airport (IST); departure and return flights must be via Istanbul.
• Stopover in Istanbul provides free accommodation for our passengers. The service may only be used once during the journey.
• Stopover Accommodation Service is available for round-trip tickets and passengers' outbound and inbound flights need to be on the same ticket. Free accommodation can be used on the outbound or inbound journey and one time only.
• Stopover in Istanbul is only available for flights operated by Turkish Airlines.
• Passengers can take advantage of free accommodation using their ticket number only if issued by Turkish Airlines stock number starting 235.
• To benefit from Stopover in Istanbul, there must be at least 20 hours of transit time between the two flights.
• In order for the Stopover in Istanbul right to be valid, the trip must start and end in the same country.
• To take advantage of this service, passengers must apply at least 72 hours before the first flight via the e-mail address of the country of departure from which the journey began taking into consideration office working days/hours, or book with their PNR and surname information via the booker on this page.
• Within the scope of this service, Economy Class passengers can stay 1 night free of charge in a 4-star hotel and Business Class passengers can stay 2 nights free of charge in a 5-star hotel.
• The hotel options provided are subject to the availability of Turkish Airlines contracted hotels.
• Visa fees, travel costs around the city, and travel costs between the airport and hotel are borne by the passenger.
• Stopover Accommodation Service is not offered to passengers connecting to domestic flights in Türkiye.
• Economy Class passengers starting their journey from the United States can benefit from our Stopover service for 2 nights; Business Class passengers can benefit from our Stopover service for 3 nights.
• Stopover accommodation is offered to passengers arriving from the USA to all international destinations via an İstanbul airport transfer. Stopover accommodation service is not offered to passengers with domestic flight connections in Türkiye.
• To take advantage of this service, all flights must be made to the destinations listed in the departure & destinations table above.
• All departure and arrival points of the flight are taken into account in order to benefit from this service. For example: On a trip itinerary of Kazan - Istanbul - Munich / Chisinau - Istanbul - Kazan, passengers cannot benefit from free accommodation between the Kazan - Munich route because Chisinau is not included in the table of departures & destinations above.
• Provided that Pakistan Stopover rules apply: Passengers traveling on codeshare flights with Pakistan International Airlines can benefit from our Stopover service.
• Provided that the United States Stopover rules apply: Passengers traveling to/from the United States of America on our codeshare flights with Indigo Airlines can benefit from our Stopover service.
• Free accommodation is not available (N and R classes) for free tickets.
• Turkish Airlines awards (Miles) ticket available.
• All expenses other than accommodation are the responsibility of the passenger.
• Passengers without a hotel voucher are not eligible for free accommodation.
• Please note that the hotel voucher and boarding pass must be presented to the hotel upon check-in.
• The hotel voucher cannot be changed after it has been issued by the system.
• After receiving the hotel voucher for extra accommodation, you can contact the hotel directly and benefit from Turkish Airlines' special rates.
• Passengers who use Stopover in Istanbul cannot benefit from t

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2. Emirates stopover deals




Emirates offers a Dubai (UAE) stopover programme. To take advantage of the airline’s Dubai stopover program use the advanced search feature on the airline’s website and ensure you have built a stopover into your itinerary. You can do this by building a multicity itinerary with a stop in Dubai

Please note there are no offers on free or discounted hotel travel as part of the stopover deal, so this cost would need to be factored in.

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3. Etihad Airways stopover deals





Etihad is currently offering free stopovers in Abu Dhabi through 24 December 2024 The one- or two-night packages include free stays at either a three-star or four-star hotel in the city.

Stop over in Abu Dhabi for free at selected 3* and 4* hotels in Abu Dhabi.

• Stay for up to two nights
• 24-hour check-in
• Complimentary in-room Wi-Fi

Check the terms on the page

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4. Finnair stopover deals



Finnair offers free stopovers in Helsinki when you travel through Helsinki airport (HEL). You can stop for up to 5 nights on your way to your final destination. You can also stop on your way home.

Please note there are no offers on free or discounted hotel travel as part of the stopover deal, so this cost would need to be factored in.

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5. Iberia Stopover deals



If you fly with Iberia you can do a Madrid stopover. Stay from one to six nights in the capital of Spain with no additional cost to your ticket. With Stopover Hola Madrid you get discounts on accommodation, transport, shopping, leisure and cultural activities. You also get a free public transportation card valid for two days that can be picked up at the airport.

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6. .Icelandair Stopover deals



When you fly transatlantic with Icelandair, you can choose to add a 1 to 7 day stopover in Reykjavik Iceland at no additional cost when you book with IcelandAir. When booking your flights, simply click the “Stopover in Iceland” button and choose how many days you'd like to stay.

Please note there are no offers on free or discounted hotel travel as part of the stopover deal, so this cost would need to be factored in.

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7. Japan airlines Stopover deals





Japan Airlines allows passengers to schedule a free stopover in Tokyo or Osaka, Japan. This is not a formal stopover program. To make a stopover, simply use the multi-city booking page or call the airline. You can stop in Tokyo (NRT or HND) or Osaka (KIX) at no additional cost.

Please note there are no offers on free or discounted hotel travel as part of the stopover deal, so this cost would need to be factored in.

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8. Qatar Airways Stopover deals



Make the most of your journey with these packages by Discover Qatar, including up to four nights discounted hotel in Doha, as well as discounted tours. Pricing is from £11 per person based on double room share for 1 night based on a 4* hotel.

How to book a Stopover?

1. Choose "Qatar Stopover" in the flight search panel above and enter your origin and destination

Do not enter Doha or Qatar in the origin or destination fields.

2. Select your stopover timing and duration

Select your preference for planning your stopover, either on the departing or returning flight journey, and how many days you would like to stopover in Qatar.

3. Select your flight and stopover package

For flights departing from the following countries, you can book your flights and hotel packages together.

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. For flights departing all other countries, you can book your flight first, then visit Discover Qatarto book your hotel and selection of Tours and Services.

Terms

• Price is $14 per person based on double room share for 1 night.
• Prices on this page are in USD.
• The price of a stopover varies based on the hotel star-rating and the duration.
• Prices listed are per person based on double room share.
• Additional fees apply if breakfast is included.
• The Stopover offer is only valid for Qatar Airways confirmed ticket holders with a minimum transit time of 12 hours in Doha.
• All Stopover bookings are subject to availability.
• A valid visa is required to enter the country. Find visa information here.
• A hotel booking made with Discover Qatar is mandatory for visitors from certain countries. Find more information here.
• Not all flight bookings are eligible for stopover packages.

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9. Oman Air Stopover deals



Oman Air offers free stopovers in Muscat International Airport (MCT). You can book a stopover for 1-3 nights. There are a number of stopover packages to choose from. Most packages include discounted hotel rooms and free breakfast. You can choose from 3, 4, and 5 star hotels. There are also tours available.

If you have a long layover of 8 hours or more, you can take a full-day Muscat city tour. The tour is offered at a discounted rate. This tour also includes airport lounge access.

Terms accommodation

• Passenger may book 1 night, 2 nights or 3 nights stopover in Oman.
• Room rate includes:
• Daily buffet breakfast
• Hotel taxes and service charges
• VAT
• All prices mentioned in the price list are subject to change without prior notice
• Stay must be with consecutive nights without division.
• Rooms are subject to availability at time of booking.

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10. Tap Air Portugal stopover deals


With Portugal Stopover, you can add a free stopover in Lisbon or Porto from 1 to 10 days for no additional cost (although no discounted hotel travel). You can opt for this stopover on an outbound or returning trip. There are also discounted experiences

To book you need to choose your travel dates, departure city, and destination as usual, then click the “Add Stopover” button.

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Related discussions / useful links

• How to plan a free stopover on your next trip abroad - Points Guy

• 20 Airlines with Free Stopovers - Where the Road Forks

• Transit visa

• Fly Right: A Round-Up of Luggage Rules for Flights 2024 + Some Packing Tips

• Cancellation and refund rights for trains / hotels / event tickets

• Cost of Living