Several airlines let you turn a layover into a free mini-trip. Icelandair and TAP Air Portugal let you add a multi-day stopover in Iceland or Portugal without raising the airfare. Turkish Airlines offers free Istanbul city tours (Touristanbul) and, for some long connections, free hotel stays. Etihad, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines offer stopover packages. Eligibility and entry visa rules apply, so check before booking.
A long connection doesn’t have to mean hours at a gate. Many airlines want you to see their home city, and some will even pay for your hotel. Here are the programs worth knowing.
Programs change often. Treat this as a starting point and confirm current terms on the airline’s website before booking.
At a glance
| Airline | Hub | What’s offered |
|---|---|---|
| Icelandair | Reykjavík (KEF) | Stopover in Iceland of up to several days at no extra airfare on transatlantic trips |
| TAP Air Portugal | Lisbon / Porto | Stopover of up to several days at no extra airfare, plus partner discounts |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul (IST) | Free Touristanbul city tours on long layovers; free hotel (Hotel Stopover) for some eligible long connections |
| Etihad | Abu Dhabi (AUH) | Stopover program with hotel nights on eligible bookings |
| Qatar Airways | Doha (DOH) | Discounted stopover hotel packages via Discover Qatar |
| Emirates | Dubai (DXB) | Dubai Connect hotel stays for some eligible long connections |
| Singapore Airlines | Singapore (SIN) | Singapore Stopover Holiday packages |
How to book a stopover
- Use the airline’s multi-city search rather than a simple return search.
- Add the stopover in the hub city (e.g. London → Lisbon (3 nights) → Rio).
- Compare the price with the version without a stopover. On participating airlines, it’s often the same.
- Check entry requirements. A stopover means entering the country, so you need a visa if your passport requires one. Use our transit visa checker as a starting point.
Free transit hotels for long connections
Some airlines give free hotel rooms when the connection is long and no shorter connection was available. Typical conditions:
- The connection is beyond a minimum length (often 10–12+ hours, varies by airline)
- It’s the shortest connection available on that route
- Certain fare classes may be excluded
- You must be allowed to enter the country if the hotel is outside the airport
Ask when booking, or check the “transit hotel” or “stopover” page on the airline’s site.
Free city tours on layovers
Turkish Airlines’ Touristanbul is the best-known free tour, with transport and guide included. Other airports and airlines have offered transit tours at times, so check the airport guide for your hub.
Is a stopover worth it?
✅ Yes, if the extra days fit your plans and you can enter the country easily. ❌ Skip it if you’d need a costly or slow visa, or if the stopover adds an extra long-haul day to a tight schedule.
Related: Ideas for a long layover · Sleeping at the airport
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a layover and a stopover?
A layover is a short connection between flights, usually under 24 hours on international trips. A stopover is a deliberate stay of more than 24 hours in the connecting city, which some airlines allow without increasing the fare.
Do I need a visa for a free stopover?
Yes, if your nationality needs one to enter that country. Stopover programs include leaving the airport, so you need the same entry permission as any visitor.
Is Turkish Airlines Touristanbul really free?
Yes. Turkish Airlines has offered free guided Istanbul tours to eligible international transfer passengers with long layovers. You need Turkish entry permission, and eligibility (layover length, time of day) is set by the airline.