How to Book Middle East Flights with Stopover Deals

Book flights with Emirates, Qatar Airways, or Etihad that include free stopovers in Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi. These carriers offer stopover packages with free hotels and activities when you have layovers of 8+ hours. Book directly through airline websites or call to add stopover packages after booking.

  1. Choose your stopover airline. Emirates offers Dubai stopovers, Qatar Airways offers Doha stopovers, and Etihad offers Abu Dhabi stopovers. Emirates has the most stopover options with 1-4 night packages. Qatar's program covers hotels for 8+ hour layovers. Etihad offers 1-2 night packages.
  2. Book your main flight first. Search for flights to your final destination on the airline's website. Look for routes that naturally route through Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi with layovers of 8+ hours. These longer layovers are required for stopover packages.
  3. Add the stopover package. After booking or during booking, look for stopover add-ons. Emirates calls it Dubai Connect, Qatar calls it Doha Stopover, Etihad calls it Abu Dhabi Stopover. You can also call the airline directly to add these after booking your ticket.
  4. Book your stopover hotel. Most programs include free hotel nights for layovers over 12 hours. You'll need to book through the airline's partner hotels. Emirates offers 1 free night for 8-24 hour layovers, 2 nights for 24+ hour layovers.
  5. Plan your stopover activities. All three airlines offer free city tours, desert safaris, and attraction tickets as part of stopover packages. Book these in advance through the airline's website. Popular options include Burj Khalifa visits, desert tours, and museum entries.
Can I book stopover deals on multi-city tickets?
Yes, but it's more complex. You'll need to call the airline directly to add stopover packages to multi-city itineraries. Online booking usually only works for round-trip flights.
How long before my flight should I book the stopover package?
Book at least 2 weeks before travel. Popular hotels and tours fill up quickly, especially during peak season (November-March). Some airlines allow booking up to 24 hours before, but availability is limited.
Do I need to collect my luggage during the stopover?
Usually no if you're on the same airline throughout. Your luggage will be checked through to your final destination. Confirm this when adding the stopover package to avoid issues at the airport.
Can I extend my stopover beyond the free hotel nights?
Yes, you can pay to extend your stay. Most programs offer discounted rates for additional nights at partner hotels. You can also book separate accommodation if you prefer different hotels.