Here are 30 places you can visit while on stopover provided you fly the sponsoring airline on an eligible route. Instead of booking a devoted trip to these cities, you can tack on a visit to any of these places onto another trip and visit two destinations for the price of one noting that nominal stopover fees may apply.
Stopovers differ from layovers which are short connection between flights, whereas a stopover is long enough to spend real time in the city before continuing onto the next flight leg.
Stopover terms often change and many countries require visitors to obtain a visa prior to arrival. Always confirm details directly with the airline before you book including whether the stopover:
1. Applies to your route.
2. Applies to your fare type.
3. Must be booked through a special airline page or multi-city tool.
4. Requires a visa, transit visa, electronic travel authorization, or other entry permission.
Aer Lingus indicates that stopover itineraries can be booked using their multi-city option. A Dublin stopover with Aer Lingus is ideal for travelers between North America and Europe wanting to include time in Ireland as part of a broader trip.
Air France / KLM via Flying Blue: Paris or Amsterdam
This is an award-ticket stopover opportunity through Flying Blue (not a universal cash-fare stopover program) for travelers using Flying Blue miles, Air France and KLM may allow stopovers of more than 24 hours on eligible award itineraries. If you are booking with cash, points, or a partner program, check the exact rules before assuming it applies.
Azores Airlines can be a standout for travellers flying between North America and Europe. Instead of simply connecting through the mid-Atlantic, you may be able to stop in the Azores and experience volcanic landscapes, coastal viewpoints, hot springs, hiking, and a quieter island pace.
The strongest options are usually São Miguel, through Ponta Delgada, and Terceira. This is one of the more interesting stopover ideas because the destination feels very different from the mainland Europe or North America trip it may be attached to.
Hong Kong is a practical stopover city for travelers between North America, Asia, and long-haul trans-pacific destinations. Hong Kong great for a short stay with quick transit between the airport and city. Cathay stopover and broader multi-city booking rules can vary by fare and route.
China Airlines offers Taipei stopovers with preferred hotel booking options (at traveler’s expense) and a half-day transit-tour offers. Layover windows and exact hotel promotions vary by route. Check China Airlines’ Taipei stopover and transit-tour details before booking (link above).
Copa Airlines: Panama City
Stopover cities: Panama City
Stay up to: 15 days
Cost / key terms: No additional airfare on eligible itineraries. Local entry and exit taxes apply. See airline terms for details.
Emirates Dubai stopover offering is better described as a structured ‘Dubai Experience’ stopover package with packaged experience options to choose from.
Etihad Airways: Abu Dhabi or Al Ain
Stopover cities: Abu Dhabi or Al Ain
Stay up to: 2 complimentary hotel nights currently promoted
Eligible travelers can get up to 2 complimentary hotel nights at select properties. Abu Dhabi is has the Louvre Abu Dhabi, beaches, desert experiences and theme parks on Yas Island. Check hotel eligibility, booking channels, taxes, and whether the stopover applies to your exact itinerary.
This is more of a layover-services opportunity than a simple multi-day city break. Exact offerings vary by itinerary and stopover services may involve city tours, transfers, lounges, or accommodation-related benefits. Confirm current requirements with Ethiopian Airlines before planning time outside the airport.
This is more of a multi-city stopover opportunity than a clean clear, formal, fixed-length stopover program. Check the terms of a multi-city booking carefully to understand options and limitations for your exact desired itinerary.
Even short visits to Reykjavik are enough to visit either geothermal baths, waterfalls, lava fields, black-sand beaches, northern lights in season or a Golden Circle route.
Madrid works well for a short stop with world-class museums, late-night dining and royal history. Check Iberia’s stopover page for eligible itineraries and terms before booking.
Japan Airlines supports multi-city and stopover-style bookings for a number of flight routes through Tokyo or Osaka before continuing onward. Even a short stay in Japan can feel like a complete travel experience.
Rather than simply flying into one city, Qantas’ stopover policy enables travelers to combine flights to two (2) Australian gateways as part of one itinerary.
Eligible travelers connecting through Doha can book low-cost hotel packages for up to 4 nights. A Doha stop over can work well for travelers wanting a comfortable break between long-haul flights.
Allows eligible travelers to enter Saudi Arabia for up to 96 hours when connecting through the country. Make sure you understand visa requirements and eligibility before you book.
Singapore Airlines: Singapore
Stopover cities: Singapore
Stay up to: 30 days for certain privileges or booking contexts
Singapore is a premier city to experience on stopover. Changi airport is heralded by many as the world’s most fascinating airport. Transit into the city is efficient and there is a plethora of memorable experiences to choose from for a short stay including Hawker centres, Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay, Little India, Chinatown and the city’s arts scene.
Lisbon offers viewpoints, trams, tilework, seafood, neighbourhood wandering, and easy day trips. Porto offers river views, port wine lodges, historic streets and strong value.
Turkish Airlines: Istanbul
Stopover cities: Istanbul
Stay up to: 7 days
Cost / key terms: Layover must generally be between 20 hours and 7 days; Additional hotel benefits are contingent on eligibility. See airline terms for details.
Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul stopover enables eligible travelers to experience a truly historic city while passing through. Check origin, cabin, fare, and advance-booking requirements before relying on the hotel benefit.
WestJet: Calgary
Stopover cities: Calgary
Stay up to: 7 days
Cost / key terms: No extra cost on eligible stopovers arriving from London Heathrow and Edinburgh. See airline terms for details.
WestJet’s Calgary stopover is a pilot program initially available to arrivals from London Heathrow and Edinburgh at no extra charge.
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