Updated 2026
Many airlines offer free or cheap stopovers on long-haul flights. This lets you visit an additional city without extra airfare.
How it works: instead of flying directly NYC to Bangkok, fly NYC to Dubai (free stopover), stay 2-5 days, then continue to Bangkok on your existing ticket.
Airlines offering stopovers:
- Middle East carriers (Emirates, Qatar, Etihad): generous 3-7 day stopovers
- Scandinavian carriers (SAS): 1 free stopover
- Some Asian carriers (Singapore Airlines, Thai): depending on route
Benefit: visit an extra destination for free. Your flight costs the same.
Limitations:
- Must be included in your ticket routing (can't add stopovers after purchase)
- Some destinations don't offer stopovers
- You must stay the minimum/maximum duration
- Visa requirements apply
Strategy: when booking RTW tickets or long-haul flights, ask explicitly about stopover options. Book routing that includes stopovers in places you want to visit.
Example: NYC-Dubai-Bangkok-Singapore gives you Dubai stopover free. Instead of flying directly, you get an extra city for routing the same cost.
This is an underutilized RTW strategy. Ask about it when buying flights.