13 Stopover Flights to Help You Get the Most Out of International Airfare

Adding an airline stopover to your next flight itinerary is one of the best ways to maximize your airfare and stretch your vacation time. Many international carriers offer these free mini-visits as a way to entice travelers to visit their home country or city.

Stopover programs are often booked as an extended layover and can offer stays from 24 hours all the way up to 15 days. Plus, they’re completely free to add during the flight booking process. Even with airfares getting more expensive across the industry, there’s still no extra charge for adding a stopover to your itinerary. A handful of airlines even include complimentary stays at five-star hotels, discounted sightseeing tours, savings at local restaurants, and more. The free perks are usually coordinated with the destination’s tourism board, which wants to impress travelers and garner repeat visits. Whether your carrier offers numerous free amenities or just allows you to add time to your connection, the stopover program is likely still worth taking advantage of, if only for the opportunity to explore an intriguing destination for the night.

Here, we’ve rounded up 13 airline stopover programs that are worth booking and will allow travelers to explore Paris, Madrid, Dubai, Istanbul, Reykjavik, Lisbon, Panama City, Munich, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Helsinki, Osaka, and more—all for no additional charge in airfare.

This story has been updated with new information since its original publication date.

Air France recently launched a new Paris stopover option in July 2026.

Harald Nachtmann

Air France

Just launched in July 2026, Air France’s new Paris Stopover program allows passengers connecting through Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG) to add up to a four-night stay in the City of Light. Stays can be added on either outbound or return legs, and fliers can also add travel packages curated by Extime Travel. As part of the travel deal, visitors get a stay in a four-star or five-star hotel located in Central Paris (or near Disneyland Paris), transfers, and “hand-picked local experiences,” all starting at about €400 per person. The “Paris Must-See” package includes access to some of the city’s most famous sites, like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and a cruise on the Seine, while the “Disneyland Paris” travel package includes entry to the Disneyland and Adventure World Parks.

When booking a flight with a connection through Paris, travelers will see a box that says “Paris Stopover” above the search results. After you book your airfare, you can then choose from among the Extime Travel packages available on the Air France site under “My Bookings.” Packages are tailored to the length of each stopover and are available to book until 48 hours before departure.

Lufthansa passengers can book a free stopover in Munich on select flight routes.

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Lufthansa

Travelers can spend up to seven days among the fairytale castles, historic beer halls, and Gothic architecture in Munich at no extra cost, thanks to Lufthansa’s new stopover program in the Bavarian capital. An option to add a stopover on the outbound or return journey will be displayed automatically during the flight booking process if one is available on the itinerary. When booking is complete, travelers can opt into receiving information on activities, benefits, and special offers from Lufthansa’s travel partners, including discounted hotel stays and tours of iconic landmarks in the region. Among the offers are 20% off the flex room rate at the Rosewood Munich, 25% off tours of Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace, 25% off a hop-on, hop-off bus tour of Munich, and more.

Wide high view over Nanuya Balavu Island looking towards Drawaqa and Naviti Islands in the Yasawa Islands, a volcanic archipeligo located northwest of the Fiji mainland, renowned for scuba diving and snorkelling

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Fiji Airways

If you’re traveling to Australia, New Zealand, or another destination in the Pacific, why not add a free 48-hour pitstop in the tropical paradise of Fiji to your itinerary? Fiji Airways allows passengers transiting through its hub in Nadi the option to explore the islands for a couple of days before continuing with their journey. Take time to enjoy some of the world’s best snorkeling, surfing, and coral sand beaches. To book, travelers can visit the carrier’s dedicated Fiji Stopover page and purchase their airfares with the “Multi-City / Fiji Stopover” toggle on. (Fiji Airways operates four gateway cities in the US: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, and Dallas.)