Turkish Airlines runs one of the most generous stopover programmes in the world. If you have a long layover in Istanbul on an eligible Turkish Airlines ticket, you can get a free hotel night, plus free guided city tours through the airline’s TourIstanbul service. Terms change, so confirm the current rules on turkishairlines.com before you plan.
The Stopover programme offers eligible passengers a complimentary hotel stay in Istanbul, typically one night in economy and two nights in business class, when your connection is long enough. Separately, TourIstanbul runs free guided tours of the city’s highlights for passengers with a qualifying layover, from short morning tours to full-day itineraries.
Eligibility generally depends on flying Turkish Airlines on a qualifying international connection through Istanbul, with a layover above a minimum length, often more than 20 hours for the free hotel and a few hours for TourIstanbul. Fare class and routing matter, so check the conditions and arrange it in advance.
Request the Stopover hotel when you book or through Turkish Airlines afterwards, and reserve TourIstanbul online ahead of time or at the dedicated desk in the arrivals area. Spaces are limited and the popular tours fill up, so organise it early.
Even a short layover is enough to see the old city. Our Istanbul layover and stopover guide covers what is realistic in a few hours, from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia to the Grand Bazaar and a Bosphorus view.
Crew VIP gives airline staff member rates on hotels, lounges and transport in over 6,000 cities, Istanbul included. Make every layover work for you.
The TourIstanbul guided tours are free for eligible passengers, and the Stopover programme can include a free hotel night for long enough layovers. Confirm current terms with Turkish Airlines.
The free hotel typically requires a longer connection, often more than 20 hours, while TourIstanbul tours need only a few hours. Exact thresholds depend on the current programme.
TourIstanbul is Turkish Airlines’ free guided tour service for transit passengers, showing the city’s main sights during a qualifying layover.
You need to be eligible to enter Turkey to leave the airport. Many nationalities can enter visa-free or with an e-visa, but check your own requirements first.