Posted 25 April 2023
10 Airline stopover programs + free or discounted hotel stays / experiences - 2024
Update 1
12/01 - Thread updated for 2024
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
1. 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.
2. 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, plus perks including 24-hour check-in and free wifi.
Stop over in Abu Dhabi for free at selected 3* and 4* hotels in Abu Dhabi.
Get up to 40% off Abu Dhabi’s premium 4* and 5* star hotels.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5.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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
Terms
8. 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
9. 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.
10. 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.
Related discussions / useful links
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
1. 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.
2. 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, plus perks including 24-hour check-in and free wifi.
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
Get up to 40% off Abu Dhabi’s premium 4* and 5* star hotels.
- Stay for up to four nights
- 24-hour check-in
- Buffet breakfast
- Choice of room types
- Complimentary in-room Wi-Fi
3. 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.
4. 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.
5.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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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
Related discussions / useful links
Community Updates
100 Comments
sorted byAnnoyingly we arrived at 0030 so couldn't claim the 1st night as technically we didnt arrive when we would have checked in so I paid (2 rooms came to £150 with breakfast) but Etihad covered the 2nd night (2 rooms as no family rooms). Hotel was spot on - short walk from the airport to the hotel (which was brilliant as we have a 5 and 7 year old). Hotel was clean, excellent customer service, not noisy and even had a rooftop pool. They also provide a shuttle bus to key locations which was a bonus as we didn't have to spend money on taxi's and saw downtown and Yas Island. Booking was easy - once the flights were booked, you book through the Etihad website and get a confirmation.
Kids loved it and really helped to break up the 24 hour journey to Australia. So nice to walk from hotel to checkin in less than 10mins.
Would use again. Also Etihad was fantastic with kids - they got goodie bags and the food for them was brilliant, a lot of choice so even if they were fussy, they got enough. Also loads of kids films and games.
We are likely to go for the one more downtown, but useful to know the hotel has shuttles (surprising for a Premier Inn...)
I have done this in the past but unfortunately now it is A to B not necessarily to save time but due to advancing age. Thanks OP it was a pleasure to read. (edited)
csair.com/en/…ns/
There's also the possibility of a longer visa free stopover I believe. (edited)
would be good to see people share their actual practical experiences
With some airlines if a connecting flight to your onward destination is available then the terms are different (for free stopovers which include hotels)
It might be worthwhile manually creating a layover rather than taking an "offer" especially if the airline isn't giving you anything. Eg. buy a ticket from A -> B, then buy a seperate ticket from B-> Final Destination.Potentially lots of flaff thou'
These layovers are marketed as a feature, but for airlines it gives them more flexiblity/options when it comes to selling you the entire journey.
You have to buy the visa with the ticket which is about £20 each.
saudia.com/en-…isa
I stayed in Al Andalus Mall Hotel which was surprisingly good quality this month on my way back from Bangladesh. (edited)
The only airline with a discounted stay is Qatar which is half way down the post. You could say ethihad offer upto which is not the same as Qatar which offers at £20 per person.
so unless the author can provide an explanation I think this is a sponsored post
It's called Dubai Connect
emirates.com/au/…ct/
Could not use it as it did not fit in plan, but will see if it’s still available when I travel next.
My flights were Heathrow - Istanbul, Istanbul- Delhi (edited)
- what time did you get your room?
- did you have to pay anything? The link gives me a cost but then says 0 on checkout. But it still wants credit card details.
- what did you do for the day?
The stopover is a good idea but not sure the free or discounted hotels will meet our expectations. It would only work if I booked the hotels myself but that's going to cost.
I then factor in the additional cost of a decent stopover hotel as well as living expenses compared to paying a little more for a shorter journey time to ultimate destination.
It sounds good on paper, but...
One thing to remember with the stop over flights you might have stop over on the first leg of journey too. My first leg of the journey I flew from LDN had a 2hr stop off in DXB and then flew to Bangkok.
With Qatar, I managed to get a 5* hotel for a night for £30.