A stopover is a connection between two flights of more than 24 hours. This is a great opportunity to take more advantages from your trip and to organize a mini-vacation in a city without buying extra tickets.
For example, during a 20-hours stop in Dubai I explored the whole city! Since it was a daytime, I did not need to book a hotel, I slept during the next flight.
How to Search for Stopover?
Option 1: Search multy-stop flights.
Search for a ticket on search engines. Choose an option which provides a stop in desired city for a long time.
Here is an example of a search of Tokyo -> Moscow ticket. There is a possibility of a long stop in Abu Dhabi, Ulaanbaatar, Beijing, Dubai, Istanbul or other cities.
Transit visa may be required.
If you can’t find anything suitable for your route, you can try to search for a multiple destinations route or two separate tickets (but this option is more risky). Click here to get more information about searching cheap and convenient tickets.
Time matters
Do not forget to look at the time of day for the particular ticket. In most cases, night time is not the best time to explore a city.Please be noted that in this case the stop is not actually a stopover (which is required 24 hours or more). It’s a so called layover, which is usually easier and cheaper than a stopover. If you need more time in a city of transfer, please read “Book stopover directly through airlines.”
Option 2. Book stopover directly through airlines.
First of all you buy a ticket with a stop in the desired city. And then book a stopover. To do this, you need to contact the airline company. Some airlines give you the opportunity to book a stopover by e-mail, others – by phone.
Important
In case you want to use this option, it’s better to be sure that the airline provides stopovers in the particular city. Usually you can can check it on the airline website.Stopover duration is usually 1-3 days, but it could be longer. Most often, stopovers are free in case of available tickets on the requested date, but some airlines charge a small fee for booking.
In addition, when you make stopovers in airlines hubs, they may offer special rates for hotels, free shuttle service and transit visas, city tours and so on.
Popular Cities for Stopover
The most popular cities to visit for stopover and airlines:
- Dubai – Emirates
- Abu Dhabi – Ethihad Airways
- Istanbul – Turkish Airline
- Doha – Qatar Airways
- Beijing – Air China
- Singapore – Singapore Airlines
- Hong Kong – Cathay Pacific
- Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia Airlines
- Reykjavík – Iceland Air
- Tokyo – Japan Airlines
List of Stopover Options
| Destination | Airline | Possible Stopovers |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | Emirates | Dubai |
| Africa | Etihad | Abu Dhabi |
| Africa | Qatar | Doha |
| Africa | South African Airways | Johannesburg |
| Africa | Virgin Atlantic | London |
| Asia | Jet Airways | Brussels, Mumbai, Delhi |
| Asia | American Airlines | Los Angeles, Tokyo, Chicago, Dallas |
| Asia | Air Canada | Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary |
| Asia | EVA Airways | Taipei |
| Asia | Air China | Beijing |
| Asia | China Airlines | Taipei |
| Asia | Cathay Pacific | Hong Kong |
| Asia | Emirates | Dubai |
| Asia | Etihad | Abu Dhabi |
| Asia | Japan Airlines | Tokyo |
| Asia | Qatar | Abu Dhabi |
| Asia | Singapore Airlines | Singapore, Moscow, Tokyo |
| Asia | Thai Airways | Bangkok |
| Asia | Virgin Atlantic | London |
| Europe | American Airlines | London, New York City, Dallas, Madrid, Chicago, Miami |
| Europe | British Airways | London, New York City, Dallas, Madrid, Chicago, Miami |
| Europe | Icelandair | Reykjavik |
| Europe | TAP Portugal | Lisbon |
| Europe | Virgin Atlantic | London |
| Europe | Iberia | London, New York City, Dallas,Madrid, Chicago, Miami |
| Latin America | American Airlines | Miami, Dallas, New York |
| Latin America | Taca & Lacsa | San Jose, Lima, Bogota, San Salvador |
| Latin America | Avianca | Bogota |
| Latin America | Copa Airlines | Panama City |
| Latin America | TAM | Sao Paulo |
| Latin America | LAN | Santiago, Buenos Aires, Lima |
| Middle East | Emirates | Dubai |
| Middle East | Etihad | Abu Dhabi |
| Middle East | Qatar | Abu Dhabi |
| South Pacific | Emirates | Dubai, Bangkok |
| South Pacific | Air Pacific | Nadi, Fiji |
| South Pacific | Air New Zealand | Auckland |
| South Pacific | Qantas Airways | Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne |
| South Pacific | Air Tahiti Nui | Papeete, Tahiti |
| South Pacific | Virgin Australia | Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne |