# Airline Stopover Programs: Add a City to Your Trip URL: https://emptvl.vercel.app/travel-guides/stopover-programs Publisher: Empyrean Travel (https://emptvl.vercel.app/) Last reviewed: 2026-10-19 Airline stopover programs let you add Reykjavík, Lisbon, Istanbul, or Dubai to your trip, often at no extra airfare. See how they work and how to book them. **Quick answer:** An airline stopover program lets you break a long journey in the airline’s hub city for a day or more, often at no extra airfare and sometimes with hotel discounts, free nights, or tours. Well-known examples include Icelandair in Reykjavík, TAP Air Portugal in Lisbon or Porto, Turkish Airlines in Istanbul, and stopover packages in Doha, Dubai, and Singapore. - What it is: A planned break of 24+ hours on an international route - Typical cost: Often no extra airfare; perks vary - How to book: On the same ticket as your main trip - Check first: Entry rules for the stopover country ## What is an airline stopover program? On international itineraries, a stopover is generally a break of more than 24 hours at a connecting city, while a layover is a shorter connection. Stopover programs are airline offers that make that break easy, and often free in terms of airfare. Airlines and their home countries use these programs to turn transit passengers into visitors, so many add perks such as discounted hotels, free city tours, or complimentary nights on eligible tickets. ## How do you book an airline stopover? Most programs let you add the stopover through the airline’s booking engine, often in a dedicated stopover tool or a multi-city search, so the whole journey stays on one ticket. Some perks, like free hotel nights, must be requested separately after booking. Your advisor can build the stopover into a complex itinerary, check that fare rules allow it, and arrange hotels and transfers for the stop. ## Is a stopover worth it? Often, yes. A stopover breaks up very long journeys, gives your body time to adjust to new time zones (see how to beat jet lag), and adds a second destination for little or no extra airfare. The costs are time, hotel nights, and some logistics: you may need to collect and recheck bags, and you’ll need to meet the stopover country’s entry rules. ## Which stopovers work for trips to Africa and the South Pacific? For East and Southern Africa, Gulf and Turkish hubs are natural break points: Doha, Dubai, and Istanbul all connect well to safari gateways. Lisbon works for some African routes and pairs naturally with a Europe extension. See our first safari guide. French Polynesia is different: most US travelers fly nonstop from Los Angeles or San Francisco, so a stopover rarely makes sense. See how to get to Tahiti from the US. ## What should you check before planning a stopover? Program terms change, sometimes with little notice, so confirm details with the airline at booking. - Entry requirements for the stopover country, such as a visa or electronic authorization - Whether your fare class and route are eligible - How checked bags are handled during the stop - Hotel location relative to the airport and city center - How the stopover affects your arrival time at your final destination ## Well-known airline stopover programs - **Icelandair Stopover** (Iceland · Reykjavík): On flights between North America and Europe, Icelandair has long let travelers stop in Iceland for up to seven days at no additional airfare (as of 2026). Terms vary by route, so confirm when booking. - **TAP Air Portugal Stopover** (Portugal · Lisbon or Porto): Stop in Lisbon or Porto for up to 10 days at no extra airfare on eligible TAP itineraries, with partner discounts on hotels, restaurants, and tours (as of 2026). - **Turkish Airlines** (Türkiye · Istanbul): Eligible connecting passengers can join free Touristanbul city tours on longer layovers, and qualifying itineraries may include complimentary hotel nights. Eligibility depends on fare, route, and connection time. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/destinations/world/istanbul - **Qatar Airways** (Qatar · Doha): Qatar Airways offers Doha stopover packages with hotel stays at reduced rates, a convenient break between the US and Africa, the Indian Ocean, or Asia. Check current packages when booking. - **Emirates** (United Arab Emirates · Dubai): Emirates sells Dubai stopover packages that bundle hotels and transfers, making it easy to add a few days of city, desert, and dining en route to the Indian Ocean, Africa, or Asia. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/destinations/dxb - **Singapore Airlines** (Singapore): Singapore Airlines’ Singapore Stopover Holiday packages pair hotel stays with extras, ideal for breaking a journey between the US and Southeast Asia, Australia, or the Indian Ocean. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/destinations/sin ## Frequently asked questions **Q: What is the difference between a layover and a stopover?** A: On international itineraries, a layover is a connection of less than 24 hours, while a stopover is a planned break of more than 24 hours at a connecting city. Domestic definitions can be shorter. Stopovers may change your fare or require a specific booking method, so plan them deliberately rather than simply booking a long connection. **Q: Does a stopover cost extra?** A: Many airline stopover programs add no extra airfare, though taxes can change slightly. You’ll still pay for hotels, meals, and activities unless the program includes perks like free nights or tours. Some regular fares allow stopovers for a fee, while the cheapest fares may not allow them at all. Check the fare rules before booking. **Q: Do I need a visa for a stopover?** A: Possibly. A stopover means entering the country, so you must meet its entry rules, which may include a visa or electronic travel authorization. For example, a stopover in London requires a UK ETA. Check requirements for every stopover country early in planning, using the State Department’s country pages and the destination’s official site. **Q: Are checked bags transferred during a stopover?** A: Usually not automatically. On stopovers longer than 24 hours, bags are typically checked only to your stopover city, so you collect them and check in again when you continue. Some itineraries allow different handling, so confirm with the airline at check-in. Packing a small overnight bag for the stopover saves opening your main suitcase. **Q: Can I add a stopover to an award ticket?** A: Sometimes. Some frequent flyer programs allow stopovers on award tickets, and airline stopover programs may apply to award bookings, but rules vary widely and change often. Check your program’s current routing rules before you book, or ask your advisor to compare options. Paid and award tickets often have different stopover rules. ## Sources - [TAP Air Portugal: Stopover](https://www.flytap.com/en-us/stopover) - [US Department of State: Travel.State.Gov](https://travel.state.gov/)