You don’t have to be a points wizard or a budget backpacker to travel smarter. Sometimes, it’s just about knowing what’s already hiding in plain sight—like the fact that many airlines want you to spend an extra day or two in their hub cities. And they’ll even help you do it, often for free.
They call it a “stopover,” but let’s reframe that: it’s a bonus city. A mini vacation tucked between departure and destination. A chance to soak in a hot spring, wander cobbled alleys, sip something local, or just break up a marathon journey in a way that feels intentional, not just tolerable.
So instead of sprinting through an airport and living off Pringles in the lounge, you could be enjoying 24 hours in Lisbon, Tokyo, or Doha—without adding a dime to your airfare.
1. Qatar Airways — Doha, Qatar
Qatar Airways doesn’t just allow stopovers—it practically rolls out a red carpet for them. Through its Discover Qatar program, the airline offers 4-star hotel stays starting at $14 USD. You can stay in Doha for up to 4 nights and get discounted activities like desert safaris and museum passes.
This isn’t just a hotel booking either. The program can be paired with curated tours, including desert safaris, museum visits, or dhow boat cruises on the Arabian Gulf. Doha itself is modern yet steeped in tradition—a fascinating mix of glittering skylines and ancient souqs.
Triptuition: If you’ve been craving a taste of the Middle East but are unsure where to start, a 24-hour stopover in Doha could be the perfect low-commitment intro.
2. Icelandair — Reykjavík, Iceland
Icelandair pioneered the stopover game back in the 1960s, and their program is still a gold standard. On transatlantic routes between North America and Europe, you can add up to 7 nights in Iceland at no extra cost on airfare.
And it’s not a throwaway destination. Iceland is peak magical realism: black sand beaches, glacier hikes, geothermal lagoons, and waterfalls that don’t even look real. Even with 24 hours, you can drive the Golden Circle, take a dip in the Blue Lagoon, and still be back in time for your onward flight.
Trip Tale: A fellow traveler once told me she booked a flight to Paris just because it routed through Iceland. “It ended up being the best part of my trip,” she admitted. “I still dream about that hot dog stand.”
3. Turkish Airlines — Istanbul, Turkey
Turkish Airlines doesn’t just connect continents—it connects you to free hotel stays, too. If your layover in Istanbul is more than 20 hours (and you’re eligible), they’ll cover the cost of a 4- or 5-star hotel. You don’t even need to be in business class to qualify. Even better? Their Touristanbul program provides free guided city tours for layovers between 6 and 24 hours.
Istanbul is chaotic, romantic, and sensory-rich. Perfect for a fast-paced, slightly overwhelming stopover. The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar—yes, they’re touristy, but for good reason. The real gem is grabbing a simit and walking along the Bosphorus as the call to prayer echoes across the city.
4. TAP Air Portugal — Lisbon or Porto
TAP Air Portugal’s Stopover Portugal lets travelers spend up to 10 nights in Lisbon or Porto when flying onward to destinations in Europe, Africa, or the Americas. And no, there’s no hidden airfare hike—this stopover can be added during the booking flow for free.
Where this program shines is in its partnership perks. Expect deals on wine tastings in the Douro Valley, museum passes, river cruises, or stays at boutique hotels you won’t find on the big booking engines.
Lisbon feels like a city built for golden-hour strolls: hilly, sunny, slightly chaotic in the best way. Porto, on the other hand, is moodier and more romantic. You really can’t go wrong. The best part? Most attractions are walkable, and the airport is just a 20-minute drive from the city.
5. Emirates — Dubai, UAE
Dubai is so built for layovers, it’s hard to imagine the city without them. Emirates offers a Dubai Connect program that includes hotel accommodation, transfers, meals, and visa support for eligible passengers with long layovers (usually 8 to 26 hours, depending on flight class).
Here, you can ride the elevator to the top of the Burj Khalifa, hit the beach, tour the Dubai Museum, or wander Al Fahidi’s old town—all before your connection. It’s all very extra, and it works.
If your stopover is more than 24 hours, consider checking out Sharjah—a quieter, artier neighbor that feels worlds away from Dubai’s mega malls.
6. Etihad Airways — Abu Dhabi, UAE
Etihad’s stopover program is like Emirates’ cooler, quieter cousin. It offers up to two free nights in selected hotels or discounts at luxury properties. Abu Dhabi is far less frenetic than Dubai and leans heavily into art, architecture, and a laid-back pace.
Explore the Louvre Abu Dhabi (yes, they have one), the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, or take a kayak tour through the Eastern Mangroves. For long-haul travelers, this is a great reset point.
Trip Tale: I once had an unplanned 22-hour layover here and left the airport on a whim. A few hours later, I was standing barefoot in a mosque surrounded by the softest silence I’d ever heard. I still think about it.
7. Ethiopian Airlines — Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Ethiopian Airlines runs a quietly excellent stopover program for passengers connecting through Addis Ababa. The airline provides complimentary hotel stays, meals, and transfers if you qualify for a layover between 8 hours to 24 hours, especially when no shorter connection is available.
While Addis isn’t often a stopover city on most people’s radar, it should be. It's home to Africa’s largest open-air market, one of the world’s oldest Christian traditions, and a vibrant jazz scene. The National Museum, where the fossil “Lucy” resides, is just a short ride from the airport.
This is a stopover that feels different, memorable, and deeply rooted in history.
Trip Trick: Be sure to check transit visa requirements beforehand, but Ethiopian Airlines often includes assistance in navigating this as part of the program.
8. Japan Airlines — Tokyo or Osaka, Japan
Japan Airlines doesn’t shout about its stopover options, but savvy travelers know you can create one manually using their multi-city search feature. Tokyo and Osaka both have efficient transit, luggage lockers, and airport access that make them ideal for DIY layovers.
With just 8–12 hours, you can eat your way through a market, stroll a shrine, and ride a bullet train for fun. If you have 24–48 hours, the possibilities are wide open—from a tea ceremony in a quiet neighborhood to museum-hopping in Ueno Park.
Triptuition: What if your layover wasn’t just a pause, but a reset? A reminder that travel doesn’t have to start or end—it can just be.
Bonus Tips for Nailing Your Stopover Experience
Even the best stopovers can fall flat without a little planning. Here’s how to get it right:
- Check visa policies early, especially for countries that require a transit visa—even for short stays.
- Download offline maps, transit apps, and language basics before you land.
- Pack light and lock your bags in the airport. Most international terminals offer secure luggage storage for layover travelers.
- Don’t overschedule. Pick one neighborhood or theme (food, culture, nature) and explore slowly.
- Time your exit. Know when you need to be back for check-in and security. Nothing kills the layover buzz like missing your next flight.
The Magic of the In-Between
Travel doesn’t have to follow a point-A-to-point-B pattern. With just a little intention—and maybe a layover map taped to your planning wall—you can stretch a single trip into something deeper, more nuanced, and wildly more fun.
And no, you don’t need elite status or a premium fare. You just need a few hours, some curiosity, and the willingness to look at flight booking as an opportunity, not a chore.
Because that second city on your itinerary? It might just become your favorite.
