One of the few things better than a great vacation is getting a great vacation on a budget.
To make this dream come true, some airlines offer stopovers. Think layover, except you can spend days exploring a country instead of hours stuck in an airport.
These airlines will let you stop in an additional city without charge, allowing you to extend your trip. Although you’ll still have to find your own accommodations (at least for most of these airlines), free air travel is a big bonus.
So let’s see which airlines will give you a run for your money.
Copa Airlines
Copa Airlines has a stopover in Panama available for its passengers. The stopover can be between 24 hours to seven days long, and you can do it on the way to your final destination or on your way back home.
You can have a second stopover too, but it could cost up to $250 plus any taxes and fees.
To get the stopover, just book through copa.com, the Copa Airlines Reservation Center, their ConnectMiles Service Center, at one of Copa’s offices or through a travel agency.
Iberia
The stopover system of Iberia, called Stopover Hola Madrid, helps you find a flight route (outbound or return flight) that can get you to Madrid, Spain, where you can stay for up to nine nights. Customers are automatically qualified for various discounts and VIP experiences.
To get the Madrid stopover, you have to book on Iberia’s website or through their Call Centre. You’ll have to purchase a ticket that consists of two flights from any of the offered international destinations — and those tickets can’t be to or from any destinations within Spain.
Air Portugal
Air Portugal’s stopover offer was labeled best in the world by Global Traveler. The stopover is free and can last up to 10 days. Travelers booking this way will also get 25% off of their second destination in Portugal and access to hundreds of other exclusive offers.
When booking on Air Portugal’s website, just select “Add a Stopover” to see if your flight is eligible, then you can choose your stopover location.
Icelandair
The Icelandair Stopover can last for a day or a full week. Just input your destination when booking on their site and select “Stopover in Iceland.” You’ll then be able to select dates and other booking options.
If you’ve already booked but realize you want to add a stopover — it’s probably not too late. Icelandair says that stopovers can be added after a trip is booked and paid for. Just contact their service center.
PLAY
Icelandair isn’t the only group offering a free-of-charge flight to Iceland. PLAY Stayover has its own deal too. Through the airline PLAY, you can stay in Iceland for up to 10 days on each leg of a stayover booking.
It’s available to passengers booking transatlantic flights and can be used on the outbound trip, return trip or even both — with no additional costs.
Etihad Airways
Unlike the others on our list so far, Etihad Airways also offers passengers a free hotel stay at one of the 15 hotels that the airline has partnered with in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. All you have to do is book a multi-city flight and select which hotel you’d like to stay at during your stopover.
However, you’re limited to two nights if you choose the free stopover. If you book the premium, stopover then you get access to nicer hotels and can stay up to four nights.
Saudia
With the airline Saudia, you can stopover in Saudi Arabia for up to four days through a 90-day stopover visa issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
To get the visa, you’ll have to provide your passport information, occupation, place of residency and a passport-sized photo. You’ll have to apply for a stopover visa from the Seats and Extras page before booking your trip.
