There are perks to booking a direct flight, but there is also a bonus to booking a flight with a stopover on the way to or from your destination. Many airlines offer free layovers for travellers who want to visit an entirely new city at no extra cost when extending their flights.

Layovers vs. stopover flights

A stopover refers to a longer period between flights. A stopover flight is essentially a long layover, where you physically get out of the airport during your layover and visit the city. This can be anything from a 12-hour visit to a three-day layover.

Airlines that offer free stopovers in 2026

Some airlines encourage people to book a single- or multi-day layover (AKA stopover) in certain cities, usually where the airline is based. There’s no extra airfare cost for these extended layovers, and some include travel perks like complimentary hotel stays. Other stopover programs offer some discounts on tours and other travel costs. Some airports and airlines also offer free city tours for long layovers.

Here are some of the top airlines with free layovers:

How to book a multi-day layover for free

Search for flights with long layovers with Skyscanner. Using the flight search engine on the Skyscanner App or desktop, there are a few ways to squeeze in an extra destination on your trip and see a new city for free.

1. Search for flights on Skyscanner

On the Skyscanner App or on desktop, enter your departure and destination locations, desired travel dates, and the number of people travelling.

If you’re not sure where to travel, you can get inspiration from searching "Everywhere" via the search engine. This will automatically search everywhere in the world for the best flight deals.

2. Research the common connecting points between cities

Lots of travel itineraries will have layovers in certain cities with large international airports. To discover your perfect multi-day layover, check to see if any of these common connecting points inspire your curiosity to explore more.

Whether it’s to break up a long-haul flight from Toronto to Thailand with a layover in Istanbul with Turkish Airlines or a planned stopover in Iceland on an adventure through Europe, the sky is the limit.

3. Find the longest layover option

Using Skyscanner on the app or desktop lets you customize your search for flight deals. On the homepage, don’t select the "Direct flights" option when choosing your travel preferences, and all options with a layover will appear on the next page. On the next flight search page, filter by fastest and cheapest itineraries.

Once you’ve applied those filters, scroll through the search results to find the flights with the longest layovers. If you find a flight that really catches your eye but can’t book it right away, set up a Price Alert and get notified when the flight price changes.

4. Narrow your search

Consider other factors about flight itineraries and layovers to choose a stopover that matches your travel preferences:

• Length: Your stopover flight should be long enough for you to leave the airport, explore some of the city, and return to the airport with enough time to go through security.

• Time: There's no real benefit to a long overnight layover when everything is closed. The layover length might be tempting, but make sure it has a decent number of daylight hours.

• Location: Some airports are far away from the city centre, so account for that long travel time. Check how to get downtown from the airport before you book a long layover flight.

• Visas: Some countries require a tourist visa to leave the airport, even if you plan to stay for less than 24 hours.

5. Use the Skyscanner multi-city search tool

If you don’t see a good layover option when searching for flights, try the Skyscanner multi-city search tool. This handy tool and travel hack lets you book several flights that don’t start or finish at the same airports, so you can book as many stopover days as you want.

To keep the cost of the flight relatively the same as with a short layover, do a multi-city search that includes a stopover through one of the major connecting cities found in the regular flight search results.

Stopover flight destination spotlight: Porto

With Portuguese destinations like Lisbon and the Algarve quickly becoming busy tourist hubs, travellers are starting to head north to discover more of Porto. If you’re able to swing a stopover with TAP Air Portugal, there’s plenty to see and do in northern Portugal's biggest city.

Porto is known for its architecture, so spend the first day of your stopover wandering the city and taking in the beautiful views and vibes. Join a free walking tour that leaves daily from the Almeida Garrett by Porto City Hall for an ideal guide to the city.

Plan a relaxing afternoon crossing the famous Luís I Bridge and gaze at the Porto skyline from the other side of the Douro River. While you’re there, wander the waterfront and stop at one of the many restaurants and cafes for a glass of port and a bolinho de bacalhau, a bite-sized local specialty that features warm croquettes and salted cod. This part of town is also home to the infamous port wine cellars, and you can book a nighttime tour of several of the cellars and sample the best of Porto’s notorious namesake libation.

How to book a multi-day layover for your next trip

Next time you're planning a trip, don’t just think about the destination—plan for the journey, too. With Skyscanner’s search tools, booking a multi-day layover is an easy way to see more of the world without paying more for your flight. Use this simple travel hack that can turn one holiday into two.