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To arrange a multi-city stopover holiday without doubling your ticket price, look for official airline stopover programmes that let you spend extra time at a connection hub, sometimes without paying more for the airfare. Booking all your long-haul flights together through a multi-city search can also help you compare fares and avoid the risks of separate tickets.
TravelApp's flight search has a multi-city option, so you can plan trips with more than one stop. For trickier routes, our team can help you build a trip that works.
Want us to build your multi-city itinerary?
Most long-haul flights pass through a major airport called a hub. For example, Qatar Airways flies through Doha, while Emirates flies through Dubai. Instead of spending only a few hours waiting for your next flight, you may be able to stay in the city for a few days and explore another destination.
Some airline programmes allow an extended stay without adding extra airfare. Others offer discounted hotels or free accommodation when your ticket meets specific conditions. Your final cost will depend on your route, dates, fare type, hotel and any taxes or entry requirements.
A layover is a short wait between flights. A stopover is a longer stay, usually more than 24 hours on an international journey, when you may have time to leave the airport and explore.
On a layover, you might have time to eat and walk to your next gate. On a stopover, you can stay in a hotel and see the city, as long as you are allowed to enter the country.
The 24-hour rule is common on international flights, but airline and ticketing rules can vary. Check the conditions of your ticket before booking.
Use a stopover offer: Choose an airline that lets you stay in its hub city.
Book a multi-city ticket: Enter each flight in a multi-city search to compare the total price.
Try an open-jaw trip: Fly into one city and return from another, such as arriving in Rome and flying home from Milan.
Choose the right hub: Look for a stopover city that fits naturally into your route.
Plan your visa early: Check whether you need a visa to leave the airport and enter the stopover country.
Airline stopover programmes can help you add another destination to your trip. The best option depends on your route, how long you want to stay and whether you need a hotel.
The table below compares five well-known airline programmes. Offers and eligibility rules can change, so check the airline's official website before booking.
|
Airline |
Stopover city |
Maximum permitted stay |
Main programme benefit |
|
TAP Air Portugal |
Lisbon or Porto |
Up to 10 days |
No extra airfare for the stopover, plus savings from participating local partners |
|
Qatar Airways |
Doha |
Up to 4 nights |
Discounted stopover hotel packages, subject to eligibility and availability |
|
Emirates |
Dubai |
Eligible long connections |
Hotel, meals, airport transfers and visa assistance where applicable through Dubai Connect |
|
Etihad Airways |
Abu Dhabi or Al Ain |
Up to 2 nights |
Complimentary hotel nights on qualifying bookings |
|
Icelandair |
Keflavík, Iceland |
1 to 7 days, with longer stays available on eligible fares |
Stop in Iceland on qualifying transatlantic itineraries without additional airfare for the stopover |
Programme details checked on 20 October 2026. Rules, dates, prices and availability can change.
See the full rules on each airline's website:
The right programme depends on your final destination, preferred stopover city and budget.
For a European city break: TAP Air Portugal lets eligible travellers stop in Lisbon or Porto for up to 10 days. The programme also offers discounts with participating local partners.
For a short break in the Middle East: Qatar Airways offers hotel packages in Doha at reduced prices for eligible travellers. Check the minimum connection time and booking conditions before choosing your hotel.
For a long connection in Dubai: Emirates Dubai Connect may include a hotel, meals and transfers when your itinerary meets its eligibility rules. It is designed for qualifying connections rather than flexible holiday stays.
For hotel nights in Abu Dhabi: Etihad offers hotel benefits on qualifying bookings. Check the booking channel, fare conditions and available dates before relying on a free stay.
For a transatlantic trip: Icelandair lets eligible passengers add a stop in Iceland to qualifying journeys between Europe and North America, subject to its programme rules.
For travellers planning a journey through the Middle East, combining a spiritual trip with a city break can make the most of their time away. TravelApp offers packages that pair Umrah with leisure destinations, including Dubai, Doha and Turkey.
Explore the available options:
If you need help comparing routes, hotels and flight options, speak to our team about your travel plans.
Booking multi-city flights as separate one-way tickets is not always cheaper. A single multi-city ticket may offer better value and can provide stronger protection if a connecting flight is delayed or cancelled, depending on the ticket conditions.
Airline prices change frequently, so compare the options for your dates, cabin class and baggage needs before deciding.
|
How you book |
Benefits |
What to consider |
|
One multi-city ticket |
Flights are booked together, and the airline generally has responsibility for eligible disrupted connections |
The fare may cost more than separate tickets |
|
Separate one-way tickets |
You can mix airlines, airports and dates |
If one flight is delayed, another airline may not help you |
|
Airline stopover offer |
May add a destination without extra airfare or offer discounted hotel nights |
Eligibility rules, taxes and other costs still apply |
|
Open-jaw ticket |
Lets you arrive in one city and depart from another |
You need to arrange and pay for travel between the two cities |
To find the best value for a multi-destination trip, compare the total cost rather than the headline airfare.
For example, if you are flying from London to Bangkok and want to spend three nights in Doha, compare these options:
A standard return ticket with a short connection in Doha.
A multi-city ticket with a three-night stop in Doha.
Separate one-way tickets purchased from different airlines.
For each option, add the base airfare, baggage fees, hotel, airport transfers and any visa costs. The best option is the one that adds the extra destination at the lowest overall cost while giving you enough time to make each connection.
To get a complimentary hotel stay, book a flight that qualifies for an official airline offer and arrange the hotel through the required booking channel. Free and discounted accommodation comes with conditions, so check the rules before paying.
Pick your route: Find an airline that flies through a city you want to visit.
Check eligibility: Review the ticket type, connection time and booking conditions.
Add the stopover: Use the airline's stopover booking option if one is required.
Check your hotel: Confirm the number of nights, room arrangements and any extra charges.
Check entry rules: Make sure you can leave the airport and enter the country.
Plan for changes: Check what happens to your hotel booking if your flight changes or is cancelled. Suitable travel insurance may help with certain unexpected costs, depending on the policy.
Some offers require you to book directly with the airline. Always read the latest conditions before making your reservation.
Want help planning the flights around your stopover? Speak to our team.
A multi-city trip can look affordable at first but cost more than expected once you add the details. Check these five things before booking.
Your baggage arrangements depend on your ticket, airline and stopover. On some itineraries, bags go straight to your final destination. On others, you may need to collect them during the stop.
Baggage limits: Check the allowance for every flight.
Baggage collection: Confirm where your bags will be available.
Cabin bag: Keep medicine, travel documents and essentials with you.
Separate tickets: Check whether you must collect and recheck your bags between flights.
Airlines often work together through alliances or other partnerships. These arrangements can make connections easier, but they do not automatically guarantee a lower fare or protection for every flight.
The key question is whether your flights are booked on one ticket or on separate tickets. A single ticket generally provides better protection for eligible connecting journeys if a flight is disrupted. Always check the fare conditions and which airline is responsible for helping you.
A stopover does not automatically include a free visa. Your entry requirements depend on your passport, destination and length of stay.
Before booking, check the latest GOV.UK entry guidance for your stopover country:
Some low-cost itineraries arrive at one airport and depart from another. This can mean extra travel, collecting your bags and going through security again.
Check the airports and terminals on your itinerary. Allow enough time to travel between them, especially if you are travelling with children or carrying several bags.
A stopover with no extra airfare does not mean the whole stay is free. You may still need to pay for accommodation, meals, local transport and activities.
If you are travelling with children or older relatives, consider arrival times, hotel distance and how tiring the journey may be.
Start with the destination you most want to visit, then compare the different ways to build your trip.
Choose your main destination: Decide where you want to spend most of your holiday.
Find a suitable stopover city: Look for an airline hub that fits your route.
Compare fares: Check a standard return ticket against a multi-city ticket for the same dates.
Review stopover offers: Compare free or discounted airfare arrangements, hotel deals and complimentary nights.
Add every cost: Include baggage, hotels, visas and transport between airports.
Read the booking conditions: Check the rules for changes, cancellations and missed connections.
Looking for a ready-made trip instead? Explore our holiday packages or search flights to compare your options.
Once you have chosen your destinations, the next step is to build an itinerary that works for your dates, budget and travel needs.
A simple multi-city search may be enough for a two-city trip. For longer journeys involving different airlines, open-jaw tickets, stopover offers or flights and hotels, it can help to speak to a travel specialist.
Tell our team where you want to go, your travel dates, how many people are travelling and your budget. We can help you compare available options and review the fare, baggage rules and connections before you book.
Contact Our Travel Team to Build Your Stopover Vacation
Ready to turn one trip into two holidays? Send us your plans and we will help you explore routes that fit your budget.
Quick answers to common questions. Reach out if you need more help.
A layover is a short wait between connecting flights, usually less than 24 hours on an international journey. A stopover is generally a longer break of more than 24 hours, giving you time to stay in the city and explore before your next flight. Whether you can leave the airport depends on the country's entry rules and your passport.
Booking separate one-way tickets can sometimes cost less, but a single multi-city ticket may offer better value and protection if a connecting flight is delayed or cancelled. Compare the total cost of each option, including baggage, hotels, transfers and any additional fees, before booking.
Choose an airline with a stopover accommodation programme, such as Etihad Airways or Qatar Airways, and check whether your route and ticket qualify. Follow the airline's booking instructions to reserve your hotel, and confirm the number of nights included, any extra charges and the deadline for booking. Free accommodation is subject to eligibility and availability.
Whether you need to collect your checked luggage depends on your ticket, airline and stopover arrangements. For some itineraries, your bags may be checked through to your final destination. For others, you may need to collect and recheck them. Confirm the baggage arrangements with your airline before departure.
It depends on your destination, passport and whether you plan to leave the airport. Some travellers can remain in the international transit area without a visa, while others need a transit visa or permission to enter the country. Check the latest GOV.UK foreign travel advice for your stopover destination before booking.
Yes. TravelApp can help you explore multi-city flight options and plan journeys with several destinations. For complex routes, open-jaw tickets or stopovers involving hotels and transfers, contact our travel team to discuss your dates, budget and itinerary.
