Stopover Travel: How to Turn One Trip Into Two
Stopover travel is an underrated flight hack in turning one trip into two without paying for extra airfare. By using the multi-city booking option, you can add an additional destination to your itinerary, often at little to no extra cost.
Most people book a return flight and head straight to their final destination. But what if you could explore another city along the way without doubling your flight budget?
Stopover flights let working professionals maximise travel, use annual leave strategically, and see more of the world. I used to book point-to-point flights on different occasions, which meant using more leave and spending more. However, on my recent trip to Sri Lanka via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific, I realised this is a fantastic way to see more of the world and break up long-haul flights.
What Is a Stopover Flight?
A stopover is an extended layover where you leave the airport and explore the connecting city for 1-7 days before continuing to your final destination. Many travellers overlook the stopover option when booking international flights.
Imagine flying from Melbourne to London with a 3-hour layover in Singapore. Instead of waiting in the airport, you could spend a few days in Singapore to break up the trip and enjoy a fantastic destination – all using the same ticket booked as a multi-city flight at approximately the same cost. Example:
- Instead of: Melbourne → London (direct, 24 hours travel)
- You book: Melbourne → Istanbul (stay 3 days) → London
- Same ticket. Same approximate flight cost. Bonus: 3 days exploring Istanbul.
The layover differs because you don’t leave the airport, that’s just a normal connection. Stopovers do incur extra costs for accommodation, food, transport, and activities in the additional city, but that’s still a significant saving compared with paying for a separate airfare.
How to Book a Stopover Flight (Step-by-Step)
Here’s exactly how to book a multi-city ticket with a stopover.
Step 1: Select ‘Multi-city’
When searching for flights on Google Flights, airline websites, or Skyscanner, you’ll typically see three options: Round trip, One way or Multi-city. Click ‘Multi-city’ to build a custom route with multiple stops.
Step 2: Enter your route with the dates
For my recent trip to Sri Lanka, I selected:
Flight 1: Melbourne → Hong Kong (depart 20 December)
Flight 2: Hong Kong → Colombo (depart 22 December)
Flight 3: Colombo → Melbourne (depart January 10)
This allowed a 2-day stopover in Hong Kong. The key is the “gap” between Flight 1 and Flight 2 – that’s your stopover period.
Step 3: Compare prices
Check the combined cost for all flight legs. It’s often similar to the return flight you initially planned.
Step 4: Book as ONE ticket
Book all flights as one ticket with a single confirmation code.
Do not book flights separately (Melbourne → Hong Kong, then Hong Kong → Sri Lanka). If you miss a connection on separate bookings, the airlines won’t rebook you. On a single ticket, they are responsible if delays occur.
For the most flexibility, book directly on the airline’s website.
Popular Stopover Routes from Australia
Most long-haul flights from Australia to Europe or North America pass through major Asian or Middle Eastern hubs. Here are some excellent options:
- Singapore (Singapore Airlines), Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific): great food, easy navigation
- Doha (Qatar Airways), Abu Dhabi (Etihad Airways), Dubai (Emirates): architecture, Middle Eastern culture, modern museums, souqs, and food
- Istanbul (Turkish Airlines): rich history, amazing food, iconic sights
- Bangkok (Thai Airways): food, temples, culture; most budget-friendly option
Airlines That Offer Stopover Programs
Bonus: Some airlines actively encourage stopovers and even provide hotel discounts or complimentary accommodation for short stays. This makes it even easier to turn one trip into two.
Examples include:
- Qatar Airways – Doha stopover packages
- Emirates – Dubai stopover options
- Etihad Airways – Abu Dhabi stopovers
- Turkish Airlines – Istanbul stopover program
- Singapore Airlines – Singapore stopover holiday packages
These programs can include discounted hotels, transit visas, airport transfers, or curated city experiences.Before booking, check the airline’s website under “Stopover,” “Transit,” or “Discover [City Name]” to see what is currently available.
When a Stopover Is Worth It (And When It’s Not)
The goal of a stopover is to enhance your trip, not exhaust you before you reach your main destination. Stopovers aren’t always the right choice. Consider them when:
- You’re flying long-haul or facing unavoidable layovers
- The hub city is somewhere you want to visit anyway
Avoid stopovers if:
- The city isn’t on your list of places to visit
- It adds stress or requires complex re-routing
- Visa requirements are difficult for a short stay
- You have limited flexibility or need to reach your destination quickly
My stopover travel route: Melbourne to Sri Lanka via Hong Kong
The Route: Melbourne → Hong Kong (2-day stopover) → Colombo → Melbourne
Booking: Direct through Cathay Pacific using the multi-city option – $0 extra for Hong Kong
Costs (1 night/2 days in Hong Kong):
- Hotel (Kowloon budget hotel): $220
- Food (2 people, mix of street food & restaurants): $150
- Transport (Star Ferry $1, Uber airport transfers $60 each way)
Day 1: Landed at 6am, dropped luggage at hotel, explored Kowloon and found breakfast. Evening spent at Tsim Sha Tsui & Victoria Harbour enjoying the incredible skyline.
Day 2: Star Ferry to Central, wandered around, visited Kowloon Park, then headed back to the airport for evening flight to Sri Lanka.
Was 1 night enough?
A bit short, but Hong Kong is compact and well-connected. You can do as little or as much as you like.
Practical Stopover Travel Tips
Check visa requirements first: Most major hubs offer visa-free transit for short stays, but verify for your nationality.
Book 3–6 months in advance: Multi-city tickets have more limited availability than simple return tickets.
Pay attention to arrival/departure times: Morning arrivals and evening departures maximise your time.
Stay near public transport: In Hong Kong, Kowloon near MTR stations reduces travel time.
Enjoy the city at your own pace: Don’t rush. Eat local, explore like a local, and soak in the culture. A few practical tips to make your stopover smooth.
Use your carry-on: If your stopover is very short, pack what you truly need in your carry-on to minimise unpacking and make your transfer stress-free. Check out my full carry-on guide for packing tips & essentials.
Conclusion: Stopover Travel Is About Design
Stopovers let you turn one trip into two without extra annual leave or doubling your flight budget.
The strategy is simple:
- Identify a long-haul destination.
- Check which hub cities are on the route.
- Compare multi-city flight options.
- If timing and cost are reasonable, consider a stopover.
It’s a smart way to see more of the world, make the most of limited annual leave, and travel intentionally – without quitting your job.
Have questions about stopovers or a specific route? Leave a comment below.
Interested in more? Join the list for early access to the newsletter and receive a free carry-on packing list.
