Most travellers treat a connecting flight as dead time. But if you know what to look for when booking, your connection could turn into a bonus destination at little to no extra cost.
What Is a Layover?
A layover is a short connection between flights, typically under 24 hours. You stay in the airport, clear any necessary transfers and board your next flight. It’s purely functional, and for most people, that’s all it ever is.
What Is a Stopover and Why Does It Matter?
A stopover is a longer break in your journey, usually over 24 hours. Some airlines actively encourage stopovers and will let you add one to your existing itinerary for free or a small additional fee. Instead of spending four hours in a transit lounge, you could spend two or three days exploring an extra city (and in some cases have free or heavily subsidised accommodation) before continuing to your final destination.
Which Cities Are Worth Stopping In?
A few destinations have become particularly well known for airline stopover programs. Reykjavik is bookable through Icelandair on transatlantic routes. Doha is accessible via Qatar Airways. Istanbul works well through Turkish Airlines. Each of these cities offers enough to fill two or three days comfortably.
How to Find Stopover Programs Before You Book
This is the key step most travellers skip. Before you lock in a long-haul flight, search the airline’s website for stopover or transit programs. Not every carrier offers them, but enough do that it’s worth checking as part of your booking process. You’re already paying to fly through these cities, you may as well see them.
Have you ever done a stopover trip? Drop your experience in the comments below. Follow 5 Star Trip for more ticket hacks and travel planning tips.