Have you ever wanted to squeeze in an extra destination on your trip without breaking the bank? Or maybe you just want to take a sneak peak at another country without fully committing? Well, let me let you in on a little secret: airline layover programs or forcing a layover can be your golden ticket to exploring more places for less money. I’ve done it multiple times, and it’s a game-changer.

So, What’s the Deal with Layovers?

Instead of breaking up your tickets and paying more, you can use layover programs offered by various airlines to stop over in a new city for a few days—sometimes up to a week—without any additional airfare cost. It’s like getting two trips for the price of one!

Of course, there are pros and cons. For instance, if you’re flying with discount airlines like Iberia’s LEVEL Airlines, you might run into delays. I got delayed by a whole day once and missed my trip to Perpignan, France. I still look at my sad Omio tickets of what could have been. However, the flight attendants were amazing and actually made up us for sleeping overnight at Boston Logan Airport by providing white-glove service on the airline.

Pro Tip: When booking discount airlines, do not use Iberia’s LEVEL Airlines if you have tight connections or important plans.

So, How Do You Do This?

Some airlines have more robust services in place. For instance, Turkish Airlines has a very robust program called Touristanbul. If you have a connection that’s at least 20 hours, you can stay free of charge in a hotel. They even offer free city tours, giving you a chance to explore Istanbul without extra costs. You can check out more details here.

Others airlines might require a bit of DIY planning. Let’s dive into both.

Gear Used

Upload Image...

Upload Image...

Upload Image...

Upload Image...

Airlines Offering Layover Programs

Here’s an itemized list of airlines with layover programs, complete with destinations and how to make the most of them.

1. Iberia Airlines

• Stopover City: Madrid, Spain
• Details: Explore Madrid for up to six nights without additional airfare cost. Wander through the historic Plaza Mayor, visit the Royal Palace, or indulge in tapas at local markets.
• How to Book: When booking your flight on Iberia’s website, select the “Stopover in Madrid” option.
• Link: Iberia Stopover in Madrid
• Note: Avoid using Iberia’s LEVEL Airlines due to potential delays, especially if you have connecting flights or time-sensitive plans.

2. Icelandair

• Stopover City: Reykjavik, Iceland
• Details: Offers stopovers in Iceland for up to seven days. Perfect for exploring the Golden Circle, relaxing in the Blue Lagoon, or chasing the Northern Lights (seasonal).
• How to Book: Select Icelandair as your carrier when flying between North America and Europe, and choose the stopover option during booking.
• Link: Icelandair Stopover Adventures
• Tip: Even with just 24 hours, you can take a half-day Golden Circle Tour to see Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall. Don’t forget to visit famous Hallgrímskirkja Church, an iconic landmark in Reykjavik and even check out Einstök Brewery next to Rainbow Road.

3. Turkish Airlines

• Stopover City: Istanbul, Turkey
• Details: Their Touristanbul program lets you explore Istanbul on layovers over 6 hours. Visit iconic sites like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar.
• How to Book: If your layover is between 6-24 hours, you can join a free city tour. For layovers over 20 hours, they might provide free hotel accommodation.
• Link: Turkish Airlines Stopover Program
• Must-See: Don’t miss a cruise along the Bosphorus Strait to see the city from the water.

4. TAP Portugal

• Stopover Cities: Lisbon and Porto, Portugal
• Details: Offers stopovers for up to five nights. Explore Lisbon’s Alfama district, ride the famous Tram 28, or taste port wine in Porto.
• How to Book: Use the stopover option when booking your flight on TAP Portugal’s website.
• Link: TAP Portugal Stopover
• Insider Tip: TAP often offers exclusive hotel deals and discounts on local experiences for stopover passengers.

5. Air France / KLM

• Stopover Cities: Paris, France (Air France) and Amsterdam, Netherlands (KLM)
• Details: You can arrange extended layovers in these iconic cities. Stroll along the Seine River in Paris or explore the canals of Amsterdam.
• How to Book: You may need to call customer service to arrange an extended layover or use the multi-city booking option online.
• My Experience: On my way to India, I extended my layover in Paris. This allowed me to visit the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and enjoy some delicious croissants with my family.

6. SATA Azores Airlines

• Stopover City: Azores Islands (São Miguel or Terceira)
• Details: Allows stopovers up to seven days in the stunning Azores. Think hot springs, volcanic lakes, and lush landscapes. My Experience:
• Link: SATA Azores Stopover
• My Experience: Since I was visiting my brother in Boston and headed to Europe, I thought, why not see if I can do a stopover in the Azores?

Here’s How I Did It:

I used JetBlue miles for both myself (flying from the West Coast to Boston) and my mom (flying from Chicago to Boston). We reunited in Boston and, of course, stayed at my favorite hotel—Hotel 1868.

Knowing that the Azores are a group of beautiful Portuguese islands in the middle of the Atlantic, I wanted to see if I could include a stopover there on our way to Europe. Here’s how you can do it too:

How to Book:

1. Visit the SATA Azores Airlines Website: Go to SATA Azores Airlines Stopover.
2. Choose Your Origin and Destination: In my case, I selected Boston (BOS) as the origin and Barcelona (BCN) as the destination.
3. Look for the Stopover Option: When you select certain popular destinations like Barcelona, the website automatically offers a stopover in the Azores.
   • Important: Not every destination will trigger the stopover option. It may require some trial and error with different destinations.
4. Select Your Stopover Preferences:
   • You can choose to stopover in São Miguel (Ponta Delgada) or Terceira (Lajes). I chose São Miguel.
   • Your stopover can be up to seven days, giving you ample time to explore.
5. Finalize Your Booking: Complete the booking process with your desired dates. Tip: You can book this as a one-way trip or a round-trip, depending on your travel plans. I selected one way, since this was part of our multi-country Euro trip.

Why This Works:

• Seasonal Availability: The stopover option can be seasonal and may depend on the airports involved. Boston to Barcelona is a route that often triggers the stopover feature.
• Triggering the Stopover Screen: When you select the right combination of origin and destination, the booking screen changes to include the stopover option. It’s like unlocking a hidden feature!

Screenshot Walkthrough:

• After selecting Boston to Barcelona, a new option appeared on the booking screen, allowing me to add a stopover in the Azores.
• The screen provides options to choose the duration of your stopover and preferred island.

My Time in the Azores:

• Explored Natural Wonders: We visited the stunning Sete Cidades, a twin lake situated in the crater of a dormant volcano.
• Relaxed in Hot Springs: Enjoyed the thermal waters at Furnas, known for its geothermal activity.
• Experienced Local Culture: Tasted delicious local cuisine and experienced the hospitality of the Azorean people.

Benefits and Considerations:

• Cost-Effective: Including the stopover didn’t add extra airfare costs, making it a budget-friendly way to see an additional destination.
• Scheduling: Be aware that flight schedules can vary, and some flights may not be daily.
• Seasonal Factors: The availability of the stopover option may change depending on the time of year.

How You Can Do It:

• Be Strategic with Destinations: If you’re flying from North America to Europe, consider starting your journey from cities like Boston, which have direct flights with SATA Azores Airlines.
• Experiment with Routes: It may take some trial and error to find the right combination of destinations that trigger the stopover option. Try different European destinations in your booking to see which ones trigger the stopover option.
• Plan Ahead: Since not all routes offer the stopover, planning in advance gives you more flexibility.

7. Finnair

• Stopover City: Helsinki, Finland
• Details: Offers stopovers up to five days. Experience the unique Finnish sauna culture, explore the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, or enjoy the vibrant design district.
• How to Book: Use Finnair’s stopover booking tool on their website.
• Link: Finnair Stopover

8. Emirates Airlines

• Stopover City: Dubai, UAE
• Details: Explore Dubai’s futuristic skyline, visit the Burj Khalifa, or shop in the world’s largest mall.
• How to Book: During the booking process, choose Dubai as a stopover.
• Link: Emirates Dubai Stopover

9. Singapore Airlines

• Stopover City: Singapore
• Details: Offers stopovers to explore this modern city-state. Visit Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa Island, or enjoy world-class street food at Maxwell Food Centre.
• How to Book: Select the stopover option when booking your flight.
• Link: Singapore Airlines Stopover Holiday

Not Really Stopovers, But Worth Mentioning

All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL)

• Stopover City: Tokyo, Japan
• Details: While not formal stopover programs, you can arrange long layovers to explore Tokyo. Visit the Shibuya Crossing, Asakusa Temple, or enjoy sushi at Tsukiji Fish Market.
• How to Book: Use the multi-city booking option or select flights with longer layovers.
• My Experience: I did this with ANA, and the rest of my family did with JAL. With 12 hours to spare, we got a taste of Tokyo’s vibrant culture.

Why Do Airlines Offer This?

It’s beneficial for both the airline and the country. For the airline, it’s a way to promote tourism and get you to spend money in their hub city. You’re already going to your final destination, but now you’re stopping in their city and spending money on hotels, excursions, food, and more. It’s a win-win!

How to Force a Layover Yourself

Even if an airline doesn’t advertise a layover program, you can still create your own extended layover. When booking flights, look for options with longer connections or call the airline to arrange an extended layover.

Examples:

• Flying from the West Coast to Guam: Choose Korean Air (part of SkyTeam), and you can get a layover in Seoul, Korea. It gives you 12-24 hours to explore Seoul before heading to Guam.
• Flying from Boston to Portugal on Aer Lingus: Opt for the 16-hour layover in Dublin. You get to explore Ireland without paying for an extra trip.

Think of Layovers as Appetizers Before the Main Course

They give you a sneak peek of a place, and sometimes that’s all you need to decide if you want to go back for a full trip. Plus, you get to experience different airlines, services, and cultures.

When I was on my way to India, that extended layover in Paris with Air France allowed me to have an unforgettable experience with my family. It was like getting a bonus trip within our main journey. 

Then on the way back, I had a 12-hour layover in Tokyo, I was able to:

• Visit the Meiji Shrine
• Shop in Harajuku
• Try authentic ramen in a local eatery

This brief experience convinced me to plan a longer trip Japan, where I visited Osaka and Kyoto.

Which Stopover Program Should I Try Next?

I’m thinking about exploring these amazing stopover programs for my upcoming trips:

• Singapore Airlines – To visit Singapore
• Qantas – For a stopover in Sydney, Australia
• Finnair – To explore Helsinki, Finland (for round 2!)
• Copa Airlines – For a layover in Panama City, Panama

Airline Layovers

Tips, Tricks, and Logistics

• Visa Requirements: Some countries require transit visas even for short layovers. Always check visa requirements for the layover country.
• Airport Amenities: Some airports offer free city tours for transit passengers (e.g., Changi Airport in Singapore). Research what amenities are available.
• Travel Light: If possible, pack a carry-on to avoid dealing with checked luggage during your layover.
• Local Currency: Have some local currency or a credit card with no foreign transaction fees for small purchases.

Trip Soundtrack

Because every adventure needs a soundtrack, each of my trips comes with a theme song. And for this trip's anthem? Well, it's...

Conclusion

I encourage you to check out layovers as much as possible, either through actual sponsored programs by airlines or by forcing a layover yourself. It’s a fantastic way to see another country and culture on the same ticket with no additional airfare cost. You never know what adventures await!

Sometimes, you don’t have to fully invest in another country. An extended layover gives you that sneak peek without the commitment. It’s like adding extra chapters to your travel story.

Got any other thoughts or tips? Feel free to send me a message. Safe travels!

Check out the locations section to find more travel itineraries, including my in-depth guide to Guam and my comparison of VPN services for remote work!

About Homson Travels

At Homson Travels, I share authentic travel experiences, tips, and guides to inspire your next adventure. From bustling cities to hidden gems, join us as we explore the world one destination at a time.