Flight Deals & HacksAugust 8, 2026·6 min read
How to Book a Free Airline Stopover and Visit Two Cities for One Price
Turn a layover into a second vacation by leveraging free airline stopover programs worldwide.
What Is a Free Airline Stopover?
A layover is a short connection between flights lasting under 24 hours. A stopover is an intentional pause in your journey lasting anywhere from 24 hours to several days in the connecting hub city of your airline before you continue to your final destination. Many international airlines allow you to add a stopover for free or for a minimal tax fee.
Top International Airlines with Free Stopover Programs
- TAP Air Portugal: Allows stopovers up to 10 days in Lisbon or Porto at no extra airfare cost on transatlantic routes.
- Icelandair: Stay up to 7 days in Reykjavik on flights between North America and Europe, giving you time to explore glaciers and hot springs.
- Qatar Airways: Offers free stopovers in Doha along with heavily discounted luxury hotel packages (starting around $14 USD per night).
- Turkish Airlines: Provides free stopovers in Istanbul, including free hotel accommodations for layovers exceeding specific time thresholds.
- Copa Airlines: Offers a free stopover program in Panama City on connecting routes through Central and South America.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Book a Stopover Flight
- 1Visit the airline's official website. Booking engines like standard third-party OTAs do not always handle stopover routing cleanly.
- 2Select Multi-City search. Instead of choosing “Round Trip,” click on the “Multi-City” search tab.
- 3Build your itinerary. Leg 1: Origin to stopover city (e.g., New York to Lisbon on May 1st). Leg 2: Stopover city to final destination (e.g., Lisbon to Rome on May 6th). Leg 3: Return flight home (e.g., Rome to New York on May 15th).
- 4Compare fares. Verify that the total fare matches the standard round-trip price for your final destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a stopover cost more money than a direct flight?
No, official airline stopover programs are designed to let you pause in their hub city without adding extra base airfare to your ticket price.
Do I need to recheck my luggage during an airline stopover?
Yes, because a stopover lasts longer than 24 hours, you must claim your checked bags in the stopover city and re-check them when departing for your final destination.