The Complete Guide to Booking Stopovers: Maximize Your Itinerary with Free and Low-Cost Stopovers

Why settle for just one destination when you can explore two (or more) for the price of one? Stopovers are one of the most underutilized travel hacks that allow you to add an extra destination to your trip, often at no additional airfare cost. With the right planning and strategies, you can turn a layover into an adventure. Here’s your complete guide to booking stopovers and making the most of them, whether you’re paying cash or using points and miles.

1. What Is a Stopover?

A stopover is a planned stop in a connecting city for more than 24 hours on international flights (or more than four hours on domestic flights). Unlike a layover, which is a brief pause between flights, a stopover allows you to explore another destination without booking a separate ticket.

Example: Flying from New York to Bangkok via Doha? With Qatar Airways, you can turn your layover into a multi-day stopover to explore Doha.

2. Benefits of Booking Stopovers

Adding a stopover to your trip offers numerous advantages:

• Maximize Your Travel: Visit an extra city without additional airfare.

• Break Up Long Flights: Enjoy a rest day between long-haul flights.

• Cultural Enrichment: Experience multiple destinations in one trip.

• Savings: Many airlines offer free or low-cost stopovers, saving you money on separate itineraries.

Pro tip: Check if your airline offers complimentary hotel stays or perks for stopover passengers.

3. Airlines Offering Stopover Programs

Many airlines actively promote stopover programs. Here are some of the best:

• Qatar Airways: Offers a free stopover in Doha, including discounted hotel stays through their Discover Qatar program.

• Turkish Airlines: Provides free stopovers in Istanbul with complimentary hotel accommodations for business and economy class passengers.

• Icelandair: Allows stopovers in Reykjavik for up to seven days at no extra cost.

• Singapore Airlines: Offers a stopover package in Singapore, including discounted hotel rates and attraction passes.

• Finnair: Promotes stopovers in Helsinki for up to five days, with hotel deals and activities available.

Pro tip: Explore airline websites or contact customer service to learn about specific stopover policies and perks.

4. How to Book a Stopover

Booking a stopover can be simple, but it requires a bit of research and strategy:

• Use the Multi-City Tool: Instead of booking a round-trip ticket, use the multi-city option on the airline’s website to add a stopover.

• Check Stopover Policies: Research airlines that allow free or low-cost stopovers on your route.

• Leverage Award Tickets: Many frequent flyer programs allow stopovers on award bookings. For example:

  • Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan allows a free stopover on one-way awards.

  • Aeroplan lets you add a stopover for 5,000 points.

• Work with an Agent: If booking online is tricky, contact the airline’s reservations team for assistance.

Pro tip: Look for stopover-friendly hubs, such as Doha (Qatar Airways), Reykjavik (Icelandair), or Singapore (Singapore Airlines).

5. Stopover-Friendly Destinations and Activities

Here are some of the most popular stopover destinations and what to do while you’re there:

• Doha, Qatar:

  • Explore the Souq Waqif for traditional shopping and dining.

  • Visit the Museum of Islamic Art.

  • Take a desert safari to the stunning sand dunes.

• Reykjavik, Iceland:

  • Relax in the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.

  • Explore the Golden Circle’s geysers and waterfalls.

  • Go on a Northern Lights tour (seasonal).

• Istanbul, Turkey:

  • Tour the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque.

  • Indulge in Turkish delights at the Grand Bazaar.

  • Cruise the Bosphorus Strait.

• Singapore:

  • Visit Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark.

  • Enjoy hawker center delights like chili crab and Hainanese chicken rice.

  • Stroll through the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

• Helsinki, Finland:

  • Wander through the Design District.

  • Explore Suomenlinna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • Warm up in a traditional Finnish sauna.

6. Tips for Making the Most of Your Stopover

Maximize your stopover experience with these tips:

• Plan Ahead: Research visa requirements, transportation options, and must-see attractions in your stopover city.

• Pack Smart: Keep essentials like a change of clothes and toiletries in your carry-on for quick access.

• Use Airport Storage: Many airports offer luggage storage services, so you can explore without hauling your bags.

• Check Layover Tours: Some airlines and airports offer free layover tours for transit passengers.

Pro tip: Schedule your flights to allow ample time for exploration without feeling rushed.

7. Combining Stopovers with Points and Miles

Stopovers are an excellent way to stretch the value of your points and miles:

• Sweet Spots:

  • Use Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan to book a stopover on Cathay Pacific flights to Asia.

  • Redeem Aeroplan points for multi-city itineraries with stopovers on Star Alliance partners.

  • Add a free stopover with ANA Mileage Club for round-trip bookings.

• Maximize Transfer Bonuses: Transfer credit card rewards to airline programs during promotional periods to boost your balance.

Pro tip: Use tools like Point.me or AwardHacker to find routes that include stopovers.

Conclusion: Double the Destinations, Double the Fun

Stopovers are a fantastic way to add value, adventure, and cultural richness to your travels. Whether you’re using points and miles or booking with cash, a well-planned stopover can transform your itinerary into an unforgettable multi-city experience.

Have you ever booked a stopover? Share your favorite stopover destinations and tips in the comments, or tag us in your travel photos on Instagram at @roaming.cactus. Let’s explore the world, one stopover at a time!