You could just have the one holiday, or you can have two by extending your next layover and squeezing in a Middle Eastern stopover! 

Over the last few years, airlines across the region have launched a series of stopover programs that make it easier and financially viable for travellers to extend their layovers into longer stopovers. 

From Turkish Airlines to Emirates and Royal Jordanian, they’re rolling out the red carpet with enticing offers that range from free accommodation to discounted meals.

So, if you’re keen to get a taste of a Middle Eastern holiday but don’t have the time to commit to a longer stay… yet, here’s a round-up of some of the best stopover programs you can take advantage of in the Middle East: 

A free night in Türkiye with Turkish Airlines

Maybe one of the best stopover programs in the world comes from Turkish Airlines which will give its passengers a free night’s accommodation in Istanbul. 

The ‘Stopover in Istanbul’ program is available to passengers with a connection period in Türkiye’s largest city for at least 20 hours. In order to take advantage of the offer, Turkish Airlines passengers need to email the carrier 72 hours before take off with details of their trip and their preferred room type. 

It’s as easy as that! Read more about it, here.

Stay for free with Etihad Airways 

Much in the way of Turkish Airlines’ stopover program, Etihad Airways offers a free stopover in Abu Dhabi for up to two nights! 

Travellers that book a return Etihad flight connecting in Abu Dhabi can extend their trip and secure free accommodation at a range of 3-to-4 star hotels including the Aloft Abu Dhabi and Traders Hotel.

The offer can be secured via the airline’s website, here, and must be done-so at least three days before the flight. 

And if you need some ideas of what to do during your stopover in Abu Dhabi, just click here.

Appealing packages with Oman Air

While it may not be a free hotel night, Oman Air treats its passengers with special rates as well as food and beverage discounts when they choose a stopover in Muscat. 

A range of 3-to-5-star hotels are included in the airline’s stopover packages (such as the W Muscat and Grand Millennium Muscat) as well as free breakfast offers, and up to 20% off other meals and drinks. 

As an added extra, Oman Air will also assist in booking airport transfers and lounge access at the airport as well as personalised tours of the Omani city ranging from 4-to-8 hours. 

To be eligible, travellers simply need to book through the airline’s website ahead of the trip, here.

The best value stopover with Qatar Airways 

Qatar Airways entices its passengers to turn their single holiday into two with incredibly cheap accommodation in Doha. 

With hotel rates starting from $14 a night, the airline’s tagline of ‘best value stopover’ may very well be accurate. 

To be eligible, Qatar Airways’ guests need to be in transit in Doha between 12 to 96 hours. They can take advantage of discounts for up to four nights in a 4-or-5-star hotel as well as specials on tours and other memorable experiences. 

Stopover bookings need to be made at least three days prior to travel, here.  

Enjoy 24-hour hotel check-in with Emirates 

Who doesn’t want a stopover in Dubai?! Emirates is making it easier to experience the jewel of the United Arab Emirates with exclusive benefits.

Passengers can extend their layover in the high-rise city by taking advantage of the airline’s 24-hour hotel check-in offer or 10% discount on new flight bookings. Emirates also offer flexible cancellation.

Read more about it, here and then check out this list of record-breaking must-visits during a 12-hour stopover in Dubai. 

Pass the stopover expenses over to Royal Jordanian 

Royal Jordanian has ever-so-kindly offered to bear the expenses of a passenger’s stopover with a few T&Cs to consider. 

The stopover would obviously have to be in Jordan’s capital Amman for passengers travelling on Royal Jordanian’s 512 ticket where the itinerary is on a Royal Jordanian marketed and operated flight. 

Passengers flying on discounted flights will unfortunately be unable to take advantage of the offer because it’s only available on non-promo economy fares and for connecting times equal to or exceeding eights hours for economy passengers and six hours for crown class passengers. 

Check out the full T&Cs here, and then find out how you can explore Jordan like a royal, here.