5 Airlines with Almost Free Stopover Programs

You can turn your layovers into mini vacations with special stopover programs some airlines offer. These programs let you add a free stop in the airline's hub city, ranging from 24 hours to 10 days. They include free or discounted hotel stays and savings on city tours, museum visits, and dining.

TAP Air Portugal offers a flexible stopover program where you can stay in Porto or Lisbon for up to 10 days. Booking is easy and part of the regular booking process. Choose your dates and destinations, then click 'Add Stopover' to set your preferences. TAP provides discounted hotel stays, with 10–20% savings, and discounts on dining, museums, and tours. After your stopover, you get a 25% discount on flights to another destination in Portugal, like the Azores.

Etihad's 'Stopover on Us' package offers free stopovers in Abu Dhabi, including one or two nights at a three-star hotel. Guests enjoy benefits like 24-hour check-in and free in-room Wi-Fi at partner hotels. To use this offer, book a flight connecting through Abu Dhabi in any cabin class, then select your stopover package and check hotel availability on the airline's stopover page. Note that hotel availability depends on flight reservations and bookings must be made at least 72 hours before travel.

Turkish Airlines has a 'Stopover in Istanbul' program for travellers flying from the US with a layover of at least 20 hours in Istanbul. Economy class passengers get two nights at a four-star hotel, and business class passengers get three nights at a five-star hotel, all for free. Extra nights can be booked at discounted rates, starting at $49 per night. You can book this stopover through the 'Stopover in Istanbul' button on the airline's booking page.
Turkish Airlines has also launched its stopover program in India, allowing passengers to explore Istanbul during layovers. The program offers free accommodation at partner hotels, letting travellers experience Istanbul's rich history, culture, and shopping.

Qatar Airways offers a great stopover program with hotel bundles in Doha. Travelers can stay up to four days at discounted rates, starting at $14 for four-star hotels and $23 for five-star hotels. Booking is easy through Qatar Airways' dedicated stopover page, with no extra airline fees for the stopover.

IcelandAir offers free stopovers in Reykjavik for one to seven days for transatlantic passengers. Simply choose the 'Stopover in Iceland' button when booking your flights and select your stay duration. While there is no extra airfare, the program doesn't include free or discounted hotel stays, so plan for this cost. The airline’s stopover page offers affordable sightseeing tour suggestions.