What Is an Airline Stopover Programme
An airline stopover programme allows travellers to stop in a connecting country for several days at little or no extra flight cost before continuing to their final destination. Instead of simply changing planes and continuing your journey, you can leave the airport, stay in a hotel, explore a city, and effectively turn one trip into two.
This is very different from a normal connection. With a stopover, the airline and sometimes the country’s tourism board actively encourage you to visit. Many stopover programmes include discounted hotels, free tours, transport passes, or attraction deals, which makes them a very cost-effective way to visit another destination.
Stopovers are most common on long-haul routes where airlines operate large hub airports. Cities such as Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, Singapore and Helsinki have become major stopover destinations because airlines want passengers to spend time and money in their country instead of just passing through the airport.
One of the biggest advantages of airline stopover programmes is that you are often already flying through these cities anyway, so adding a stopover can be far cheaper than booking a separate city break. Many travellers now deliberately plan trips around stopovers so they can visit multiple countries on one journey.
When used properly, airline stopover programmes are one of the easiest ways to see more places without dramatically increasing your travel budget.
Stopover vs Layover: What’s the Difference
Many travellers confuse stopovers and layovers, but airlines treat them very differently when booking flights.
A layover is a short connection between flights, usually under 24 hours, where you remain in transit and continue your journey the same day or the next morning. A stopover is when you intentionally stay in the connecting city for more than 24 hours before continuing your journey.
The important difference is that a layover is simply part of your journey, whereas a stopover is a planned break in the journey that becomes part of your trip. When booking flights, this is usually done using the “multi-city” option rather than the normal return flight search.
Airlines offer stopover programmes because they operate hub airports where many passengers connect between flights. Instead of passengers staying in the airport for a few hours, airlines realised they could encourage travellers to visit the city instead.
This is why cities like Reykjavik, Dubai, Doha, Istanbul and Singapore are so well known for stopovers. These airports sit between major travel routes, such as Europe to Asia, Europe to Australia, or Europe to North America, making them ideal stopover locations.
Understanding the difference between stopovers and layovers is important because stopovers must usually be booked deliberately when you purchase your flight, whereas layovers happen automatically when flights are scheduled with connections.
Why Airlines Offer Stopover Deals
Airline stopover programmes exist because they benefit both airlines and the countries where the airlines are based. Airlines operate hub airports where passengers connect between flights, and these passengers represent potential tourists who might spend money in hotels, restaurants and attractions.
Tourism boards often work with airlines to create stopover programmes because a passenger who stops for two nights may spend far more money than a passenger who simply changes planes. As a result, some stopover programmes include very cheap hotel deals, discounted attraction tickets, or even free tours.
Airlines also benefit because stopovers can make their routes more attractive. If two flights cost the same but one allows you to visit another country on the way, many travellers will choose the airline with the stopover option. This helps airlines compete on long-haul routes.
Another reason airlines offer stopovers is to fill seats on certain routes. If a flight from London to Bangkok via Doha is not full, encouraging passengers to stop in Doha for a few days helps generate additional hotel bookings, tours and tourism spending.
For travellers, this means stopovers are often excellent value. In many cases, you can visit another country for the cost of a hotel and food, without paying for another flight.
A good example of stopover programmes and airline partnerships can be seen through global airline alliances, which allow airlines to connect passengers through hub cities around the world.
How Airline Stopover Flights Work
Booking a stopover flight is usually done using the multi-city flight search option on airline websites or flight booking platforms. Instead of booking a simple return flight, you book two flight segments with a gap of several days between them.
For example, instead of booking London to Bangkok return, you might book:
London to Doha
Doha to Bangkok
Bangkok to London
This allows you to stay in Doha for a few days before continuing to Bangkok. The total flight price is often similar to a normal return ticket, especially with airlines that promote stopover programmes.
In most cases, your luggage is collected at the stopover destination and checked in again for the next flight. This means the stopover city effectively becomes a short city break within your main trip.
Some airlines also offer stopover packages that include hotels, airport transfers, tours or attraction tickets. These packages are sometimes cheaper than booking hotels independently because tourism boards subsidise stopover visitors.
Stopovers work best on routes where airlines operate major hub airports between continents. Some of the most common routes for stopovers include flights between Europe and Asia, Europe and Australia, and Europe and North America.
When travellers understand how airline stopover programmes work, they often start planning trips differently because stopovers allow you to visit multiple destinations on one long-haul journey without dramatically increasing costs.
Countries With Airline Stopover Programmes
Many airlines around the world now offer airline stopover programmes that allow you to stay in a connecting country for a few days before continuing your journey. These stopovers are usually available on long-haul routes where airlines operate major hub airports between continents.
Some stopover programmes are completely free to add to your ticket, while others include discounted hotels, free tours, airport transfers or attraction deals. In many cases, the only extra cost is your hotel and spending money, which makes stopovers one of the easiest ways to visit another country without paying for another flight.
The table below shows many of the main countries that offer stopover programmes, along with the airlines that operate them and what you can expect to see there.
| Country | Airline(s) | Minimum Stay | Typical Stopover Length | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iceland | Icelandair | 1 night | Up to 7 days | Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon, waterfalls, Northern Lights |
| Portugal | TAP Air Portugal | 1 night | Up to 10 days | Lisbon, Porto, beaches, wine regions |
| Qatar | Qatar Airways | 1 night | 1–4 days | Doha skyline, desert safari, museums |
| UAE (Dubai) | Emirates | 1 night | 1–4 days | Burj Khalifa, desert tours, malls, beaches |
| UAE (Abu Dhabi) | Etihad Airways | 1 night | 1–4 days | Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi |
| Turkey | Turkish Airlines | 1 night | 2–3 days | Istanbul mosques, bazaars, Bosphorus |
| Finland | Finnair | 1 night | 1–3 days | Helsinki, saunas, design district |
| Singapore | Singapore Airlines | 1 night | 1–3 days | Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay, food |
| Japan | Japan Airlines / ANA | 1 night | 2–4 days | Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka |
| South Korea | Korean Air / Asiana | 1 night | 1–3 days | Seoul palaces, markets, food |
| Thailand | Thai Airways | 1 night | 1–3 days | Bangkok temples, markets |
| Hong Kong | Cathay Pacific | 1 night | 1–3 days | Skyline, Victoria Peak, food |
| Taiwan | EVA Air / China Airlines | 1 night | 1–3 days | Taipei, night markets |
| Panama | Copa Airlines | 1 night | Up to 7 days | Panama Canal, Casco Viejo |
| Switzerland | SWISS | 1 night | 1–3 days | Zurich, Lucerne, Alps |
| Austria | Austrian Airlines | 1 night | 1–3 days | Vienna city break |
| Netherlands | KLM | 1 night | 1–3 days | Amsterdam canals, museums |
| France | Air France | 1 night | 1–3 days | Paris stopover |
| Spain | Iberia | 1 night | 1–3 days | Madrid stopover |
| Ethiopia | Ethiopian Airlines | 1 night | 1–2 days | Addis Ababa |
| Morocco | Royal Air Maroc | 1 night | 1–3 days | Casablanca, Marrakech |
| Canada | Air Canada | 1 night | Flexible | Toronto, Vancouver |
| USA | United / American / Delta | 1 night | Flexible | New York, Chicago, Dallas |
This list is not exhaustive, but it covers many of the most popular airline stopover programmes used by travellers flying between Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia.
When planning airline stopover programmes, the best routes are usually long-haul flights that connect through major hub cities, because these are the routes airlines design stopover programmes around.
Best Airline Stopover Programmes Around the World
Some stopover programmes are much better than others. Certain airlines actively promote stopovers and offer hotel deals, tours and transport discounts, which makes them particularly attractive for travellers who want to visit another country on the way to their final destination.
The most popular and easiest airline stopover programmes are usually in cities that sit between major flight routes. Cities such as Reykjavik, Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, Singapore, Helsinki, Tokyo and Seoul are among the most common stopover destinations because they are located between Europe, Asia, Australia and North America.
These stopover destinations are popular because you can often add them to your journey for little or no extra airfare, especially if you book your flights using the multi-city option.
Another advantage of these destinations is that they are well suited for short visits. Many stopover cities can be explored in two or three days, which makes them perfect for a short break before continuing a longer journey.
In the following sections, we will look at some of the best airline stopover programmes in more detail, including Iceland, Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, Singapore, Lisbon, Helsinki, Tokyo and Seoul.
Iceland Stopover (Icelandair)
Icelandair is one of the most famous airlines for stopover programmes, and the Iceland stopover has been popular for many years. Iceland sits between Europe and North America, which makes Reykjavik a convenient stopover location for flights between the UK, Europe and the United States or Canada.
Icelandair allows passengers to add a stopover in Iceland for up to seven days at no additional airfare, which makes it one of the best airline stopover programmes available. Travellers simply book a multi-city flight and choose Reykjavik as the stopover destination.
Iceland is particularly well suited for stopovers because many of the main attractions are close to Reykjavik. Travellers can visit waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, geothermal pools and the famous Blue Lagoon within a short distance of the capital.
Many travellers use the Iceland stopover to experience dramatic landscapes and natural scenery without planning a full separate trip, because a few days is enough to see some of the country’s main highlights.
The Iceland stopover is especially popular on routes between London and New York, London and Toronto, and other transatlantic flights where Reykjavik sits directly on the flight path.
Dubai Stopover (Emirates)
Dubai is one of the most well-known airline stopover destinations in the world, largely because Emirates actively promotes Dubai stopover packages for passengers travelling between Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.
Emirates allows passengers to add a Dubai stopover to their journey, and the airline often offers discounted hotel packages, airport transfers and attraction deals through its stopover programme.
Dubai is particularly popular for stopovers because the city is easy to visit for a few days. Visitors can go up the Burj Khalifa, visit shopping malls, relax on beaches, go on desert safaris, visit waterparks, or explore the old city along Dubai Creek.
Dubai’s location makes it ideal for stopovers because many flights between Europe and Asia or Australia already connect through Dubai, so stopping for a few days does not usually increase the flight price significantly.
For travellers flying to destinations such as Bangkok, Singapore, Bali, Sydney or Auckland, a Dubai stopover can be one of the easiest ways to add another destination to your trip.
Doha Stopover (Qatar Airways)
Doha is another major stopover destination, and Qatar Airways has one of the most well-developed airline stopover programmes in the world. The airline regularly promotes stopovers in Qatar and often offers very cheap stopover hotel packages, sometimes in four or five star hotels at heavily discounted prices.
Doha is located between Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, which means many long-haul routes naturally connect through Qatar. This makes it very easy to add a stopover without significantly increasing your airfare.
The city itself is modern, clean and easy to explore in a few days. Visitors can explore Souq Waqif, visit the Museum of Islamic Art, walk along the Corniche waterfront, or take a desert safari outside the city. Many travellers also use the stopover to experience luxury hotels at a much lower cost than in other major cities.
Qatar Airways stopovers work particularly well on routes such as Europe to Thailand, Europe to Australia, Europe to the Maldives, or Europe to Singapore. Because of Qatar’s location, Doha is one of the easiest cities in the world to add as a stopover on long-haul flights.
Istanbul Stopover (Turkish Airlines)
Turkish Airlines offers a stopover programme in Istanbul, and the airline is well known for encouraging passengers to spend time in the city instead of simply connecting through the airport.
Istanbul is one of the most interesting stopover cities because it sits between Europe and Asia and has a long history, incredible food and famous landmarks. Travellers can visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar and take boat trips along the Bosphorus.
Turkish Airlines has also offered programmes where passengers can receive free hotel nights in Istanbul depending on their ticket class and connection time, which makes this one of the more generous airline stopover programmes available.
Istanbul works particularly well as a stopover on flights between Europe and Asia, Europe and Africa, and Europe and the Middle East. Because Turkish Airlines flies to more countries than almost any other airline, Istanbul is one of the most flexible stopover hubs in the world.
Many travellers find that two or three days in Istanbul is enough to see the main attractions, eat great food and experience both the European and Asian sides of the city.
Singapore Stopover (Singapore Airlines)
Singapore is one of the easiest cities in the world for a stopover because it is clean, safe, easy to navigate and packed with attractions. Singapore Airlines offers stopover packages that often include discounted hotels, attraction tickets and transport passes, making it a very convenient stopover destination.
Singapore sits between Europe and Australia, and also between Europe and Southeast Asia, so it is a very common connection point for long-haul flights. Many travellers flying to Australia, Bali, Thailand or Vietnam choose to stop in Singapore for a few days.
The city is ideal for short visits because many attractions are close together. Visitors can explore Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa Island, Chinatown, Little India and the famous hawker food markets within a short time.
Singapore is also a great stopover because you can see a lot of the city in two or three days without rushing, and the airport itself is one of the best airports in the world, making arrivals and departures very easy.
For travellers heading to Australia or Southeast Asia, a Singapore stopover is often one of the most convenient and enjoyable stopover options available.
Lisbon Stopover (TAP Air Portugal)
TAP Air Portugal offers one of the best stopover programmes in Europe, allowing travellers to stop in Lisbon or Porto for up to 10 days when flying through Portugal. This makes it one of the longest stopover programmes available.
Lisbon is a very popular stopover because it is a relatively small city that is perfect for a short break. Visitors can explore historic neighbourhoods, ride the famous yellow trams, visit viewpoints across the city, and take day trips to Sintra or the nearby beaches.
Portugal is located on the western edge of Europe, which makes Lisbon a convenient stopover for flights between North America and Europe or between Europe and South America. Many travellers use Lisbon stopovers on routes between London and Brazil or London and the United States.
One of the advantages of the Lisbon stopover is that Portugal is often cheaper than many other Western European countries, which makes it a good destination for a short city break without spending too much money.
Lisbon stopovers work particularly well for travellers who want to combine a long-haul trip with a European city break on the same ticket.
Helsinki Stopover (Finnair)
Finnair offers stopovers in Helsinki, and the city is a popular stopover destination for flights between Europe and Asia, particularly to Japan, South Korea and China. Helsinki is located far north, which means many flights between Europe and Asia pass over Finland.
Helsinki is a smaller city than many other stopover destinations, which actually makes it ideal for a short visit. Visitors can explore the harbour area, visit markets, experience traditional Finnish saunas, and take boat trips to nearby islands.
Finland is also known for its design, architecture and clean, modern cities. Many travellers enjoy Helsinki as a stopover because it offers a calm and relaxed city break compared to larger and busier cities.
Helsinki stopovers are particularly common on routes such as London to Tokyo, London to Seoul, and other Europe to Asia routes where Finnair operates direct flights across the Arctic route.
Because Helsinki is compact and easy to explore, two days is usually enough to experience the city, making it a very convenient stopover destination.
Tokyo Stopover (Japan Airlines and ANA)
Tokyo is one of the most exciting stopover destinations in the world, and both Japan Airlines and ANA allow stopovers in Japan on many international tickets. Japan sits between Europe and Australia and also between North America and Southeast Asia, which makes Tokyo a convenient stopover city on many long-haul routes.
A Tokyo stopover allows travellers to experience one of the world’s largest and most interesting cities without planning a full separate trip. Tokyo offers a huge mix of modern and traditional Japan, from neon-lit districts and skyscrapers to temples, parks and historic neighbourhoods.
Travellers stopping in Tokyo often visit areas such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa and Akihabara. Many people also take a day trip to Mount Fuji or travel to Kyoto using Japan’s high-speed trains. Even a short stopover allows travellers to experience Japanese food, culture and city life, which is very different from most Western cities.
Tokyo stopovers work particularly well on routes between Europe and Australia, Europe and Southeast Asia, or North America and Southeast Asia. Because flights to Japan are often long-haul anyway, adding a stopover in Tokyo can make a long journey more enjoyable by breaking it into two parts.
Japan is also very easy to travel around, public transport is excellent, and cities are very safe, which makes Tokyo a very popular stopover destination for first-time visitors to Japan.
Seoul Stopover (Korean Air and Asiana Airlines)
Seoul is another excellent stopover destination, particularly for travellers flying between Europe and Asia or North America and Southeast Asia. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines both operate major hub airports in Seoul, and many long-haul routes connect through South Korea.
Seoul is a great stopover city because it offers a mix of modern skyscrapers, traditional palaces, markets and food districts. Visitors can explore Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Myeongdong shopping district and the famous street food markets.
South Korea has also offered stopover programmes in the past that included free transit tours, discounted hotels and transport deals for transit passengers, making Seoul an attractive stopover option.
Seoul works well as a stopover because the main attractions are relatively close together, and two or three days is enough to experience the city’s main highlights. The public transport system is excellent and easy for visitors to use.
Stopovers in Seoul are particularly common on routes between Europe and Japan, Europe and Southeast Asia, and North America and Southeast Asia. For travellers heading to destinations such as Bangkok, Tokyo, Bali or Sydney, a Seoul stopover can be a very interesting way to add another country to your trip.
How to Book Stopover Flights
The easiest way to book airline stopover programmes is usually directly through the airline’s own website, not through a standard flight comparison site. Many stopover deals are built into the airline booking flow, or they sit on a dedicated stopover page with hotel offers, transfers or attraction discounts that you will not always see elsewhere.
The first step is to identify which airline offers the stopover you want. Once you have done that, go to the airline’s official website and look for one of three things: the standard booking engine, the multi-city search tool, or a dedicated stopover deals page. Airlines such as Icelandair, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Turkish Airlines and TAP Air Portugal often promote stopovers directly on their websites because they want transit passengers to book these packages.
In many cases, you will book the trip by selecting a multi-city itinerary rather than a simple return ticket. Instead of searching for one outbound and one inbound flight, you break the journey into separate parts. For example, a traveller could book New York to Doha, spend two nights there, then continue from Doha to Bangkok. This is the clearest and most reliable way to force a real stopover into the booking rather than just accepting the fastest connection shown by the search engine.
It is also worth checking whether the airline has a separate stopover offer page after you have selected your flights. Some airlines first sell you the flights, then offer special stopover hotel deals or city packages as an add-on during the booking process or through a booking management page afterwards. This is important because the hotel discount may not always appear during the initial flight search.
Another point many travellers miss is that partner-airline flights may sometimes still qualify for stopovers, but this depends on the airline’s rules. In some cases, the stopover is allowed only when the long-haul sectors are marketed and operated by the airline running the programme. In other cases, the stopover can still work if part of the itinerary is flown by an alliance or codeshare partner. For example, an airline may allow a stopover if the ticket is issued by them, even if one leg is operated by a partner. This is exactly why booking direct and reading the fare conditions matters so much.
Before paying, travellers should always check four things carefully. First, confirm that the stopover city is actually included on the ticket and not just a long self-transfer. Second, check whether the stopover hotel offer must be booked separately after the flight purchase. Third, confirm baggage rules, especially if one sector is operated by a partner airline. Fourth, check visa and entry rules for the stopover country.
For most travellers, the best booking method is simple: go to the airline’s official website, search the stopover programme or stopover deals page, then use the airline’s own multi-city booking tool to price the trip properly. That gives you the best chance of seeing the real stopover fare, the correct connection rules, and any hotel or tourism extras attached to the programme.
Best Routes for Stopovers Around the World
Airline stopover programmes are not just useful for travellers flying from the UK or Europe. In fact, stopovers work best on major long-haul routes between continents, so travellers from North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East can all take advantage of them.
The key to planning a stopover is to look at airline hub cities that sit between your departure point and your destination. Cities like Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, Singapore, Helsinki, Tokyo, Seoul and Reykjavik are positioned between major global flight routes, which makes them ideal stopover locations.
For example, travellers flying between North America and Southeast Asia often connect in Tokyo, Seoul or Taipei. Travellers flying between Europe and Australia often connect in Dubai, Doha or Singapore. Travellers flying between North America and Europe may connect in Iceland or Portugal. Once you understand airline hub locations, it becomes much easier to plan stopovers deliberately instead of just taking the quickest route.
Example Stopover Routes Around the World
| From | To | Stopover City |
|---|---|---|
| New York | Bangkok | Tokyo |
| Los Angeles | Bangkok | Seoul |
| Toronto | Singapore | Tokyo |
| Chicago | Delhi | Istanbul |
| Paris | Sydney | Dubai |
| Frankfurt | Bali | Singapore |
| Amsterdam | Cape Town | Doha |
| Madrid | Rio de Janeiro | Lisbon |
| Sydney | London | Singapore |
| Melbourne | Paris | Dubai |
| Tokyo | New York | Helsinki |
| Vancouver | Bangkok | Seoul |
| San Francisco | Bali | Taipei |
| Rome | Sydney | Doha |
| Paris | Tokyo | Helsinki |
These types of routes work well because the stopover city is located between major continents and airline hub airports, so stopping there does not usually increase the ticket price very much.
Travellers from Australia and New Zealand often use stopovers in Singapore, Dubai or Doha when flying to Europe. Travellers from North America often use stopovers in Iceland, Portugal, Tokyo or Seoul. Travellers from Europe often use stopovers in the Middle East or Asia when travelling to Australia or Southeast Asia.
One of the best ways to find stopover routes is to look at a world map and identify airline hub cities located between your departure and destination, then search multi-city flights through those hubs.
Once you start planning trips this way, you will realise that airline stopover programmes allow you to turn a long-haul flight into a multi-destination trip without paying for multiple long-haul tickets, which is one of the main reasons experienced travellers use stopovers regularly.
Stopover Travel Tips and Things to Know
Airline stopover programmes are usually very easy to arrange, but there are a few important things travellers should understand before booking. A stopover is not just a long connection, it becomes part of your journey, and planning it properly will make the trip much smoother.
One of the most important things to check before booking is visa requirements. Some countries allow visa-free entry for short stopovers, others offer transit visas on arrival, and some require visas in advance. Always check entry requirements before booking flights, especially if your stopover is more than 24 hours or you plan to leave the airport.
Another important detail is baggage. On most stopovers, you will collect your luggage at the stopover destination and then check it in again for the next flight. This is usually helpful because you will want access to your luggage during the stopover, but it also means you need to allow time to re-check your bags when continuing your journey.
Timing is also important. While one-night stopovers are possible, most travellers find that two or three nights is ideal. This gives you time to explore the city, adjust to the time zone and enjoy the stopover rather than feeling rushed. A stopover should feel like a short city break, not just a long connection between flights.
It is also worth checking whether the airline offers stopover hotel deals. Airlines such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad and Turkish Airlines often have discounted hotel programmes specifically for stopover passengers, and these can sometimes be cheaper than booking hotels independently.
Transport from the airport to the city centre is another factor to consider. Some of the best stopover cities are easy to reach from the airport, which makes short stays much more convenient. Cities like Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Lisbon and Helsinki all have fast and easy transport links from the airport into the city.
Travellers should also be aware that not every flight combination will allow a stopover at the same price as a normal return flight. Sometimes adding a stopover can increase the ticket price slightly, but the increase is often much smaller than booking a separate return flight to that city, which is why stopovers are often very good value.
Finally, when planning airline stopover programmes, it is best to choose cities that are easy to explore in a short time, have good public transport, and do not require complicated visa arrangements. The best stopover destinations are places where you can see a lot in two or three days without rushing, which is why cities like Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, Singapore, Reykjavik, Tokyo and Seoul are so popular for stopovers.
Rupert’s Handy Travel Tips
If you are planning to use airline stopover programmes to visit another country on the way to your destination, these tips can make your trip much easier:
- Stay at least two nights: One night stopovers are possible, but two or three nights gives you time to actually explore the city.
- Check visa requirements first: Some countries require transit visas even for short stopovers.
- Use airline stopover hotel deals: Airlines often offer discounted hotels for stopover passengers.
- Choose easy cities: Cities like Singapore, Dubai, Reykjavik and Lisbon are ideal for short stopovers.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Frequently Asked Questions About Airline Stopover Programmes
Are stopovers free when booking flights?
In many cases, yes. Some airlines allow you to add a stopover without increasing the flight price, although you will still need to pay for hotels and spending money during the stopover.
How long can a stopover be?
This depends on the airline and country, but many stopover programmes allow stays from one night up to several days, and some allow up to a week or more.
Do I need to collect my luggage during a stopover?
Usually yes. During a stopover you normally collect your luggage and check it in again for the next flight.
Can I book stopovers through flight comparison websites?
Sometimes, but it is usually easier to book stopovers directly through the airline website using the multi-city booking option.
Are stopovers worth it?
For many travellers, yes. Stopovers allow you to visit another country for a relatively small extra cost and can make long journeys more enjoyable by breaking them into shorter flights.
Further Reading & Related Travel Guides
If you are planning long-haul trips, airline stopovers, or multi-destination travel, these guides may help you save money, earn travel rewards, and make long journeys more comfortable.
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Last Updated
This guide to airline stopover programmes was last updated in March 2026. Airlines, stopover packages and visa rules can change, so always check airline websites and government travel advice before booking flights or stopovers.
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