Free Airline Stopover Programs - Two Places for Price of One

With travel cost rising, finding ways to see more without paying more is a goal for many travel hackers. One of the best flight hacks right now is taking advantage of airline stopover programs — these let you extend a layover into a few nights in another city without extra airfare, so you can basically get two trips in one.

Below we explain exactly how airline stopovers work, why they’re worth using, and which carriers currently offer free stopovers that let you stay for multiple nights with no added cost to your flight.

What is an airline stopover?

An airline stopover is when your connection in a hub city turns into a short visit — usually a couple of days or more — before you continue on to your final destination.

Here’s how stopovers help you save:

• Stay multiple nights in another city without adding to your base airfare.
• Explore a second city on the same ticket you already booked.
• Some airlines even include hotel deals or extras to make the stopover easier.

Who offers free stopovers right now?

Here are the top airlines with stopover programs that allow you to stay 1 night to multiple nights in their hub city — and won’t charge extra airfare just for adding those days.

Copa Airlines Stopover Program

Copa’s stopover program lets you add Panama City, Panama as a bonus destination on many itineraries—without paying extra airfare. If you’re flying through Panama anyway, this is one of the easiest ways to turn a connection into a mini trip and see more of Central America on the same ticket.

• Stopover city: Panama City
• Stopover length: 1 night to 6 nights/7 days
• Best for: travelers headed to South America, the Caribbean, or Central America who want a “two trips in one” setup
• Why it’s worth it: Panama City is a fun mix of skyline views, historic neighborhoods, and quick day trips—so even a short stopover feels like a real vacation

Iberia Stopover (Hola Madrid)

Iberia’s Hola Madrid stopover is a super clean way to add Madrid without changing your airfare—especially if you’re flying from the U.S. to Spain or connecting onward to Europe. Madrid also makes a great base for quick side trips, so a few nights here can stretch your trip in a big way.

• Stopover city: Madrid, Spain
• Stopover length: 1 night to 9 nights/10 days
• Best for: Europe-bound travelers who want to add Spain without paying for a separate flight
• Why it’s worth it: Madrid is one of those cities that’s easy to enjoy fast—food, neighborhoods, day trips, and late nights all come naturally here

Icelandair Stopover Program

Icelandair is famous for it's stopover program—because it’s a classic way to see Reykjavík and Iceland while flying between North America and Europe. If you’ve ever wanted to visit Iceland but didn’t want to pay for a dedicated trip, this is the “add it on the way” play.

• Stopover city: Reykjavík, Iceland
• Stopover length: 1 night to 6 nights/7 days
• Best for: transatlantic flyers who want a bucket-list stop without extra airfare
• Why it’s worth it: Iceland is perfect for a short stopover—hot springs, waterfalls, black sand beaches, and dramatic scenery packed into a small window

TAP Air Portugal Stopover

TAP’s stopover program lets you add Portugal with a stop in Lisbon or Porto, which is huge if you’re already connecting through Portugal. This is an easy win for anyone trying to build a Portugal trip into a bigger Europe itinerary without stacking more flight costs.

• Stopover cities: Lisbon or Porto, Portugal
• Stopover length: 1 night to 9 nights/10 days
• Best for: travelers heading to Europe who want to add Portugal without a separate round-trip
• Why it’s worth it: Portugal is easy to do in bite-sized chunks—great food, walkable areas, and plenty to do even if you only have a couple nights

SWISS Stopover Program

SWISS makes it possible to add time in Zurich or Geneva without increasing your airfare—great for breaking up a long itinerary or adding Switzerland in a realistic way. Switzerland can feel pricey when you plan it as a full trip, but a stopover makes it way more approachable.

• Stopover cities: Zurich or Geneva, Switzerland
• Stopover length: 1 night to 4 nights/5 days
• Best for: travelers who want a quick Switzerland experience without building a whole itinerary around it
• Why it’s worth it: Switzerland is ideal for a short stay—lakes, scenic trains, mountain towns, and postcard views that don’t require a long trip to enjoy

LOT Polish Airlines Stopover Program

LOT’s stopover program lets you add Warsaw, Poland into an international itinerary—without inflating the airfare. Warsaw is one of those cities that surprises people in the best way, and it’s a smart stop if you want something different from the usual Western Europe loop.

• Stopover city: Warsaw, Poland
• Stopover length: 1 night to 7 nights/8 days
• Best for: travelers heading across Europe (or beyond) who want a cheaper, less touristy stop
• Why it’s worth it: Warsaw is affordable, easy to get around, and packed with history and great food—plus you’ll get that “I went somewhere different” feeling fast

Stopover Travel Tips

Pick the right connection: Not all routes offer the stopover option — make sure the itinerary you’re booking shows the stopover as an option in the airline’s booking tool.

Plan your nights: Stopovers usually count nights as stays of 24 hours or more, so be sure to schedule flights accordingly if you want the full stopover window.

Check perks: Some programs include deals with hotels, tours, and local transport — even though the airfare itself doesn’t change, these extras can save you money on the ground.

Stopover FAQs

Is a stopover the same as a layover?
No. A layover is usually short (a few hours). A stopover is intentional — built for overnight stays or multi-day exploring.

Do stopovers always cost extra?
No. Many stopover programs let you add days without extra airfare, that's why they are so appealing and a favorite among the travel hacking community. However, there are a few stopovers are offered as hotel/transfer bundles you pay for separately.

Can I have a stopover on both the way there and back?
In many cases, yes — but it depends on the airline and fare rules. Some programs let you add a stopover outbound and return.

Are stopovers allowed on award tickets?
It varies by program. Some airline rewards programs let you add a stopover for free or for a small points fee — TAP, Icelandair, and others offer options like this.

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