How to Get Free or Cheap Stopovers on Your Next Flight

When booking a long-haul flight, many travelers focus solely on getting to their final destination as quickly and affordably as possible. However, what if you could turn your layover into a mini-vacation without significantly increasing your travel costs? Many airlines and cities offer free or cheap stopovers, allowing travelers to explore an additional destination en route to their final stop. 

This comprehensive guide will explore the best ways to get free or budget-friendly stopovers, the airlines that offer them, the best stopover destinations, and how to maximize your experience. 

What Is a Stopover and How Does It Differ from a Layover? 

Before diving into the details, it’s important to distinguish between a stopover and a layover 

• Layover: A short connection between two flights, usually lasting less than 24 hours for international flights and less than four hours for domestic flights. 
• Stopover: A longer break between flights, usually lasting more than 24 hours internationally or more than four hours domestically. Stopovers allow travelers to explore another city before continuing to their final destination. 

Some airlines and travel programs offer free or cheap stopovers, turning a routine transit into an exciting travel opportunity.  

How to Get Free or Cheap Stopovers on Your Next Flight 

1. Choose Airlines That Offer Free Stopover Programs

Several airlines offer free or heavily discounted stopovers to encourage tourism in their home countries. Here are some of the best airlines with such programs: 

a. Qatar Airways Stopover Program 

• Location: Doha, Qatar 
• Details: Qatar Airways offers a free stopover in Doha for up to four days, including heavily discounted hotel stays starting at $14 per night. 
• How to Book: Select a multi-city booking on Qatar Airways’ website or use their official stopover program page. 

b. Turkish Airlines Stopover in Istanbul 

• Location: Istanbul, Turkey 
• Details: Turkish Airlines provides a free hotel stay for economy class passengers (one night) and business class passengers (two nights) in Istanbul. 
• How to Book: Book through Turkish Airlines’ stopover program and apply via email at least 72 hours before departure. 

c. Emirates Dubai Connect 

• Location: Dubai, UAE 
• Details: Emirates offers a free hotel stay, meals, and transfers for travelers with a layover of 8-24 hours in Dubai. 
• How to Book: Eligible passengers can apply for Dubai Connect when booking a flight through Emirates. 

d. Finnair Stopover in Helsinki 

• Location: Helsinki, Finland 
• Details: Finnair allows stopovers in Helsinki for up to 5 days with discounted hotels and activities. 
• How to Book: Use Finnair’s stopover booking tool to select a stopover option. 

e. Icelandair Stopover in Reykjavik 

• Location: Reykjavik, Iceland 
• Details: Icelandair offers a free stopover in Iceland for up to 7 days with special travel perks. 
• How to Book: Use Icelandair’s stopover search tool when booking your flight. 

f. TAP Air Portugal Stopover Program 

• Location: Lisbon & Porto, Portugal 
• Details: TAP Air Portugal allows passengers up to 10 days in Portugal with discounted hotels and tours. 
• How to Book: Use TAP’s stopover booking tool when reserving flights.

2. Use Multi-City Flight Search Options

If your airline doesn’t offer a stopover program, you can still plan an extended stopover using a multi-city flight search. Here’s how: 

1. Use Google Flights: Select “multi-city” instead of a round-trip ticket and manually add a long stopover at an interesting city. 
2. Check Budget Airlines: Some routes allow you to book separate budget flights to extend a layover. 
3. Compare Costs: Sometimes, adding a stopover reduces the total flight price compared to a direct ticket. 

For example, if you’re flying from Lagos to New York, you might find a cheaper fare with a long stopover in Amsterdam rather than a direct flight. 

3. Book Open-Jaw Tickets

An open-jaw ticket allows you to fly into one city and depart from another. For example, you can 

• Fly into Dubai, spend a few days there, and continue to London. 
• On your return, fly back from Paris instead of London. 

This method works well when using budget airlines or rail services to connect your stopover city to your final destination. 

4. Take Advantage of Stopover Hotels and Tours

Even if an airline doesn’t explicitly offer a stopover program, many major hubs provide transit hotels and free or cheap city tours for long layovers. 

a. Free City Tours 

Some airports provide free transit tours, including: 

• Singapore Changi Airport (Free tour of Singapore for layovers over 5.5 hours) 
• Seoul Incheon Airport (Free transit tour for layovers of 3+ hours) 
• Doha Hamad International Airport (Qatar Airways’ Discover Qatar tour for long layovers) 

b. Budget-Friendly Airport Hotels 

If you want a rest during your stopover, some airports offer cheap capsule hotels, lounges, or transit hotels, such as: 

• YOTELAIR (Located in London, Amsterdam, and Singapore airports) 
• Aerotel (Found in Abu Dhabi, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur airports) 
• Capsule Hotels (Popular in Tokyo, Beijing, and Seoul airports) 

 5. Use Airline Stopover Packages for Additional Perks

Beyond free hotel stays, some airlines offer discounted activities, tours, and meals to make stopovers more attractive. Examples include: 

• Qatar Airways Discover Qatar: Offers guided city tours, desert safaris, and cultural experiences. 
• Icelandair Stopover Buddy: Pairs you with a local guide to explore Iceland. 
• TAP Air Portugal Stopover Perks: Discounts on food, museums, and shopping in Lisbon and Porto. 

By taking advantage of these packages, you can turn your stopover into a mini vacation without breaking the bank. 

Best Stopover Cities for Budget Travelers 

While many airlines offer great stopover deals, some cities are cheaper and more exciting than others. Here are the best budget-friendly stopover destinations: 

1. Istanbul, Turkey

• Free Turkish Airlines hotel stay 
• Affordable public transport and food 
• Incredible sites like Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar 

2. Dubai, UAE

• Emirates free stopover package 
• Free public beaches and affordable street food 
• Visit Burj Khalifa or take a desert safari 

3. Bangkok, Thailand

• Affordable hotels and street food 
• Free temples and cultural sites 
• Stopover-friendly budget airlines (AirAsia, Thai Airways)

4. Singapore

• Free Changi Airport tour 
• Budget-friendly hostels and food courts 
• Attractions like Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands 

5. Lisbon, Portugal

• TAP Air Portugal stopover program 
• Cheap tram rides and local cuisine 
• Stunning viewpoints and historic neighborhoods 

Tips for Getting the Best Stopover Deals 

1. Book Early: Some stopover programs require advance booking, so don’t wait until the last minute. 
2. Check Visa Requirements: Some stopovers may require a transit visa, so research in advance. 
3. Use Stopover-Friendly Airlines: Choose flights with stopover perks instead of only looking at the cheapest direct option. 
4. Pack Smart: Bring essentials in your carry-on if you have a long stopover outside the airport. 
5. Explore Local Transit Options: Use public transport to maximize your stopover without overspending. 

A stopover is a fantastic way to explore an extra city without adding much to your travel costs. Whether you use airline stopover programs, book multi-city tickets, or take advantage of free transit tours, there are plenty of ways to turn a layover into a memorable adventure. 

By strategically planning your flights, choosing stopover-friendly airlines, and using airport hotel deals, you can make the most of your next trip while saving money.