Turkish Airlines Stopover Program — Complete 2026 Guide
The Turkish Airlines stopover program will cover your hotel in Istanbul at no cost if you extend your connection to 20 hours or more. Economy passengers get one night at a 4-star hotel. Business class passengers receive two nights at a 5-star or boutique property. Passengers departing from the United States, Canada, or Australia get an extra night on top of that. No elite status, promo codes, or loyalty membership required.
The program works because Turkish Airlines connects to over 130 countries, more than any other airline. As a result, millions of passengers route through Istanbul Airport (IST) each year. Instead of rushing a three-hour connection, eligible travelers can deliberately book the next day’s flight and let Turkish Airlines cover the hotel.
First, an important distinction: this article covers the Stopover Hotel Program for layovers of 20 hours or more up to 7 days. This is entirely separate from Touristanbul, Turkish Airlines’ complimentary city tour service for layovers of 6 to 24 hours. You cannot combine both on the same route. In short, if you want the free hotel, you need the Stopover program.
