I'm planning to fly to Germany with my wife and my infant son in May. As he's not an easy baby at all, we were thinking of trying to have a night somewhere halfway to make it a little bit less stressful.
We want a stop both ways.
Are there any ways of doing that for free? If I look for multi-city itinerary, it always seems to be a fair bit more expensive.
Also any recommendations about what airline and stopover location?
I was thinking Thai and BKK if I can get it for the same price as direct, but I'm open to suggestions.
How to Get Free Stopovers to Europe?
RubenM on 18/02/2018 - 22:31
Last edited 19/02/2018 - 00:00 by 1 other user
Last edited 19/02/2018 - 00:00 by 1 other user
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Check the airline websites for stopover offers. I think Qatar is running one at the moment. Basically you have two major groups to choose from, SEA or Middle East, depending on whether you want short-long or long-short sectors. There are other options like HK or Seoul but the distances increase as they deviate more from the great circle route.
I'd be wary of suggestions to mix and match airlines unless you allow a lot of stopover time. If you make your own mix and one airline suffers delays, you risk not making the next leg. With one airline it's their responsibility to get you there.
Look for flights with a LONG connecting flight in say Singapore. Then stay at the transit hotel.
Then I could just go the cheapest flight which has an 8 hour stopover in China for under $850 return, but I'd want to have a whole day.
So needy….. a layover is different to a stopover.
So really what you're saying, is YOU want a 'day trip', not really a break for the kid
Little bit of column A, little bit of column B!
8 hours isn't enough for either parents or child to get any real meaningful sleep though.
@spludgey: You can get longer layovers if you ask say a travel agent, as most people don't like long layovers.
You can easily get a 24hr layover in changi airport if flying on singapore airlines.
Fly to Bangkok (DMK or BKK) or Singapore (SIN) with a budget airline.
Then fly the rest of the way with Norwegian Air (budget airline)
They travel BKK to either CPH, OSL, HEL (direct)
And SIN to LON (direct)
From these cities, going to Berlin is a quick, cheap flight away. Seriously look into the price on Norwegian air's website, you can't beat it.
E.G. SIN- LON on Saturday the 5th is £179
Oh and budget does't mean uncomfortable - they have the 737 dreamliners and are very comfortable IMO.
737
I believe you mean 787.
737s are in no way comfortable long haul.
Haha. Yes I mean 787 lolll. P.S. Are you stalking me?
@The Wololo Wombat: LOL no I'm not didn't even realise it was you until just then. Strange coincidence.
I'm 6'6" and all economy planes are uncomfortable to me. :(
I might give it a miss, especially travelling with an infant.
The 787 Dreamliner (787-9) has one of the most comfortable economy experiences IMHO. If you aren't comfortable on it, you won't be in any economy seat.
Your loss mate. I'd rather travel on Norwegian than many more expensive airlines. Pay the upgrade to premium economy.
Thai often has bigger legroom in economy, you can sometimes get a hotel for free on Thai stopovers. Airlines often have 1 free layover in the ticket conditions. Might be worth doing the thing I try to avoid and contact a travel agent.
I think Emirates and Etihad both allow free stopovers. Sometimes the trick is to call the airline but it should be the same price.
Emirates allow stop overs for several days at no additional cost in Dubai. We took advantage of this last month when traveling to the US.
You went to the US via Dubai ??
Why would you subject yourself to that ?
For free?
No - you would always need to pay for the accommodation for that night. I flew to London recently & stopped off at Hong Kong, landing about 7pm HK time, and departing for Heathrow at around 9am the following morning. Nice bed in the airport hotel.I could just roam the streets endlessly!
I flew recently to Europe via Qatar and had a hotel provided for free. The return trip I had all meals included in the airport whilst waiting for the next flight.
Qatar though is VERY HOT!!!! I ended up doing nothing at all apart from staying within the nice air conditioned hotel. I stayed at Crowne Plaza.
There are some opportunities and offers out there.
If you fly to Europe with Etihad, not only do you get complimentary stopovers in Abu Dhabi, they have a stay one night, get the second night free deal https://www.etihad.com/en-au/plan-and-book/book-stopovers/
Another favourite stopover of mine is Hong Kong; Cathay Pacific will give you the stopover at no extra cost. Phone customer service if you're getting higher prices online.
Lots of national airline will offer a deal if you stop in their major hub city.
book a hotel?