Flying long-haul can feel daunting, but a savvy stopover strategy can turn a marathon journey into a more enjoyable adventure. Major MENA hubs like Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh aren’t just places to change planes, they’re opportunities to rest, recharge, and even explore a new city.

In fact, many seasoned flyers deliberately plan stopovers to break up long trips and sneak in a mini-destination. A well-timed layover offers the best of both worlds, the convenience of splitting a long flight into manageable legs, the comfort of a mid-journey respite (some travellers arrive more refreshed after a stopover than on any non-stop flight), and the excitement of discovering an extra destination along the way.

1. Use Emirates’ Dubai Connect for free hotels on long layovers

If you fly Emirates and have a long transit in Dubai (typically 8 to 26 hours), take advantage of their Dubai Connect program. Emirates will provide a complimentary hotel stay, meals, ground transportation, and even a free UAE transit visa for eligible long layovers. This means instead of killing time in the terminal, you can sleep in a hotel and shower,  a huge perk for economy travellers on long trips.

Just be aware that you have to book the service at least 24 hours before departure. Check your eligibility here. Waking up to catch your onward flight after a proper rest in Dubai can make a world of difference.

2. Double-check visa requirements for your destination and stopover

Before you jet off, make sure you’ve sorted out entry requirements not just for your final destination, but for any layover country too. The good news is many MENA countries have become visa-friendly for travellers. 

• Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer visa-on-arrival to dozens of nationalities.
• Qatar now allows visa-free entry for citizens of over 80 countries.
• Saudi Arabia’s new transit visa is easy to do during booking.

That said, always verify what’s needed for your passport, especially if you’re planning on stepping out during a layover as you may need additional visa requirements booked in advance. 

3. Explore the airport attractions

MENA airports are known for being destinations in themselves, don’t hesitate to go sightseeing within the airport during your layover! Many have impressive architecture, art installations, and unique features worth checking out. 

• Doha’s Hamad International Airport has the famous 23-foot Lamp Bear sculpture in the duty-free hall and also hosts over 20 permanent art pieces around the terminal.
• Dubai International has a zen garden area in Terminal 3, complete with trees and benches.
• Abu Dhabi’s Midfield Terminal promises even more art and innovation.
• Istanbul airport features a gallery of art installations.
• Some airports also have mini-museums or cultural displays like Dubai and Cairo which showcase local heritage. 

The key is not to just sit at the gate for hours, take a stroll and discover what the airport has to offer. It makes the time fly by and gives you a flavour of local culture even in transit.

4. Take advantage of Qatar Airways’ transit perks in Doha

Qatar Airways offers one of the best stopover packages in the region. If you have a layover in Doha between eight and 24 hours and there’s no shorter connection, Qatar Airways provides a complimentary transit accommodation package including a free hotel room, airport transfers, and a free transit visa.

If you want to plan a longer stopover up to four nights, the airline have partnered to create Discover Qatar packages which include city tours of Doha with various level of hotel options at affordable rates. Be sure to register for the transit hotel online at least 72 hours in advance, or head to the transfer desk on arrival if you qualify. It’s a fantastic way to refresh and experience Doha en route to your final stop.

5. Leverage your boarding pass for discounts

Don’t throw away your boarding pass stub. In the Middle East it can be more than just a travel document. Airlines like Emirates have partnerships that turn your boarding pass into a discount voucher at your destination. For instance, My Emirates Pass unlocks savings at hundreds of restaurants, attractions, and shops in the UAE simply by showing the pass.

This could mean up to 20% off at a fine dining restaurant in Dubai or reduced entry fees to theme parks and spas. Qatar Airways and Etihad have also run similar offers with local businesses. Even airports themselves sometimes have promotions (e.g. duty-free raffles you can enter with your stub). So, keep that boarding pass handy in your wallet. 

6. Enjoy Etihad’s free stopover in Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways also promotes stopovers by offering free hotel nights for transit passengers. In fact, Etihad has run programs providing up to two complimentary nights in 3 or 4 star hotels for a stopover in Abu Dhabi. This means you could explore the UAE’s capital, visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque or Louvre Abu Dhabi, without paying for accommodation. Even when you don’t qualify and have to pay for the stopover, Etihad often has discounts on hotels or experiences for stopover guests. 

7. Unwind with airport amenities

If you need to freshen up, most MENA hubs have shower facilities, often inside lounges, but some airports have pay-to-use showers too. Airports like Doha and Dubai have spas offering everything from quick back massages to full body treatments. In Bahrain’s airport, there’s a luxurious spa right in the terminal. Fitness enthusiasts can sometimes find gyms, for example Doha’s airport hotel has a pool and gym that transit passengers can pay to use.

Some terminals also have entertainment zones, such as gaming rooms or kids’ play areas, and often prayer rooms for those who wish to pray. The point is, use these facilities! Instead of feeling like you’re “stuck” in an airport, you can actively rejuvenate, take a shower, get a foot rub, have a meal, even do some quick yoga or exercise.

8. Join Turkish Airlines’ free Touristanbul on long layovers

If your route to MENA connects via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, don’t sit bored at the airport, join their Touristanbul program. Turkish Airlines offers complimentary guided city tours for transit passengers with 6 to 24 hour layovers in Istanbul. These tours, operated daily, cover major sights like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Grand Bazaar, and even include meals, all free of charge. 

To join, you simply find the Touristanbul desk in the transit area and register (ensure you arrive at least 30 minutes before the tour starts, and that you meet visa requirements for entering Turkey).

Read: Middle East stopover programs: turn your next layover into a mini holiday

9. Get good quality sleep 

Shorter stopover? Plenty of MENA airports offer amenities designed for passenger comfort. 

• Abu Dhabi has free quiet rooms for napping
• Dubai has Snooze Cubes you can rent
• Istanbul offers private sleeping pods for a fee
• Doha has a quiet yoga room in one of the lounges if you’re not able to sleep at the airport

Catching even an hour nap can significantly help on long journeys. 

10. Try a mini break with Saudia’s 4-day free stopover visa (and hotel night)

Through Saudia (or Flynas), you can get a free transit visa for up to 96 hours to enter Saudi Arabia, plus one night of complimentary hotel for eligible bookings. This stopover program allows you to visit Riyadh, Jeddah, or even perform an Umrah in Mecca during a layover.

The digital visa is issued quickly (the airline integration claims under 3 minutes to apply) and lets you remain in the country for up to four days. All travellers (business or leisure) can apply as long as your connecting flights are with Saudia and your layover is within 90 days of booking. Just remember that you must book the stopover option during your flight reservation to qualify.

11. Make use of the airport lounges (yes, even in economy)

Long layovers are infinitely more bearable if you can spend them in an airport lounge. If you’re flying business or first class, you likely get access automatically and the Middle East’s flagship lounges are world-class. Enjoy the free hot meals, showers, nap rooms, and business facilities these lounges offer.

But even economy passengers have options as pay-per-use lounges are common in MENA airports. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, and others in the region have independent lounges where, for between $30-50, anyone can enter. These usually provide comfy seating, buffet snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, and often shower facilities, a worthwhile investment on a 5-hour layover.

Riyadh and Dammam have Marhaba lounges you can pay to enter, with quiet spaces, refreshments, and even prayer rooms and showers. Note that if you have a membership like Priority Pass via a credit card, you may already have lounge access in many MENA airports. 

Three more quick tips

1. Don’t forget simpler perks: free Wi-Fi is standard in most Middle Eastern airports (Dammam, for example, offers unlimited free Wi-Fi), and charging stations are everywhere to boost your devices. 
2. Dress appropriately for your stopover: Be mindful of your destination or stopover country’s cultural norms. If you’ll be stepping out in conservative countries make sure you have options in your hand luggage. 
3. Consider the season: If your flight or layover coincides with Ramadan (the holy month of fasting), know that in many Muslim-majority countries it’s illegal or frowned upon to eat or drink in public during daylight. Airports are more lenient (transit areas will have screened-off dining for non-fasters), but you should still be discreet.

The Middle East’s airlines and airports are geared toward hospitality and convenience, and with a bit of planning on your part, a short or a long stopover can become an adventure in itself.