Flights to Africa: Stopover Perks You Shouldn’t Miss

Flying to Africa from the U.S. or Canada can take many hours. However, booking your flights to Africa with a stopover doesn’t have to mean long waits in airports. Many major airlines now offer stopover perks that turn a layover into a bonus mini-vacation.

These programs can include free hotels, meals, discounted luxury stays, and even short-stay visas for sightseeing. With the right planning, your journey can be more comfortable and less expensive, and include a nice travel bonus.

This guide explains the best Africa-bound stopover hubs for 2025. You will also find tips on choosing the best one for your route.

Why Consider a Stopover on Flights to Africa?

A well-planned stopover can make a big difference in your trip. It can:

• Break up a long journey, which reduces fatigue.
• Offer you a chance to explore a second destination.
• Provide free or discounted hotels, meals, and tours.
• Sometimes reduce the cost of your ticket.

The key is knowing which hubs and airlines offer the most benefits. You can then match them to your schedule and budget.

Best Stopover Hubs for Africa-Bound Travelers

Dubai, UAE – Emirates Stopovers

Flying with Emirates Airlines? You could qualify for Dubai Connect, which includes a free hotel, meals, and airport transfers.

To be eligible for the free program, your flights must:

• Be the shortest available connection for your route. If a faster option exists, you won’t qualify.
• Have a layover in Dubai of 8–26 hours for Economy and Premium Economy, or 6–26 hours for Business and First Class.
• Meet the minimum fare requirement: at least US $700 for a one-way or US $1,000 for a return trip starting in the Americas, Africa, Europe, or Asia.
• Be booked under one ticket with Emirates or an eligible codeshare, operating through Terminal 3.
• Be booked for Dubai Connect at least 24 hours before arrival in Dubai.
• Allow you to enter the UAE (visa rules apply).

Even if you don’t meet the free program’s requirements, Emirates also sells affordable stopover packages with hotel stays, transfers, and activities. Dubai works well as a hub for East, West, and Southern Africa routes.

Doha, Qatar – Qatar Airways Stopovers

Qatar Airways offers the Discover Qatar Stopover program, which brings real value and flexibility to your layover. If your transit in Doha is between 12 and 96 hours, you can book one of their excellent stopover packages:

• Standard (4-star hotel) — starting from US $14 per person per night
• Premium (5-star hotel) — starting from US $24 per person per night
• Premium with Beach Access (5-star + beach) — starting from US $31 per person per night
• Luxury (top-tier 5-star hotel with breakfast) — starting from US $83 per person per night

Plus, you can add airport transfers and choose exciting activities—like a desert safari, a stroll through Souq Waqif, or a round of golf—at special rates to make your stopover feel like a mini-vacation.

How to Qualify

• You must hold a confirmed ticket with Qatar Airways, a codeshare partner, or an airline in the oneworld alliance.
• Your transit time must be at least 12 hours to qualify for the packages.

Visa Note

Travelers from over 100 countries can enter Qatar visa-free, but if you’re not eligible, you can easily add a Qatar Transit Visa to your stopover booking. You’ll receive help with the application and approval process through Discover Qatar.

Doha is a great choice if you’re heading to destinations like Nairobi, Johannesburg, Accra, or Lagos. It offers affordable luxury, local culture, and a seamless travel experience during your flights to Africa stopover.

Istanbul, Türkiye – Turkish Airlines Stopover & Touristanbul

Turkish Airlines makes long layovers in Istanbul rewarding. You can choose between two great options: a free hotel stay or a guided city tour.

Stopover in Istanbul (Free Hotel Stay)

• If your layover is 20 hours or more on a round‑trip ticket all operated by Turkish Airlines, you’re eligible for a free hotel stay. 
• Travelers from the U.S., Canada, and select countries get:
  • Economy class: 2 nights in a 4-star hotel
  • Business class: 3 nights in a 5-star or boutique hotel 
• From other countries:
  • Economy class: 1 night
  • Business class: 2 nights 
• To apply, email at least 72 hours before travel. Include your PNR, ticket number, travel dates, and contact info. 

TourIstanbul (Free City Tours)

• If your layover is 6 to 24 hours, you can join free guided tours of Istanbul. 
• Tours include:
  • Shuttle from the airport
  • An English-speaking guide
  • Breakfast and/or lunch
  • Museum entrance fees 
• To book:
  • Visit the Touristanbul desk at the transfer area or arrival floor
  • You must sign up at least 30 minutes before the tour starts 

Why Istanbul is great for Africa-bound travelers:

Whether you’re flying via Accra, Lagos, Nairobi, or Johannesburg, these options turn a long layover into a refreshing pause—or even a mini holiday. You can either unwind at a nice hotel or experience Istanbul’s rich culture with guided sightseeing. It’s a great bonus on your flights to Africa stopover.

Jeddah or Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Saudia Stopovers

Saudia offers a 96-hour transit Visa (Stopover Visa), allowing travelers to leave the airport and explore Saudi Arabia for up to four days. It’s a smart option if you want to turn a long layover into a mini‑trip.

What You Can Get:

• Stay up to 96 hours (4 days) in Saudi Arabia before your onward flight.
• Entry is single‑entry only, and the visa itself is valid for 3 months after issue. 
• Often, you’ll also receive one complimentary hotel night when you apply with the airline during booking.

How to Qualify

• Book with Saudia or Flynas, and your arrival and departure cities must both be outside Saudi Arabia. 
• Your layover must be no more than 96 hours, giving you enough time to explore but not exceed the visa limit. 
• Apply for the visa during flight booking—this happens seamlessly through the airline’s platform. 
• You’ll receive your digital visa by email. For eligible bookings, a hotel offer appears at booking confirmation and can be claimed at check-in. 

Why It Works for Africa-Bound Travelers

• Ideal for routes to West Africa (e.g., Lagos, Accra) or East Africa (e.g., Nairobi, Addis Ababa) when flying with Saudia or Flynas.
• A short city break or restful night can make your journey less tiring and more scenic—worth calling ASAP Tickets about.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Ethiopian Airlines Stopovers

Ethiopian Airlines turns layovers into perks. If your layover in Addis Ababa is between 8 and 24 hours, you may qualify for a free stopover package, regardless of your travel class. This includes:

• A free hotel night, typically at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, one of Africa’s largest and located near the airport.
• Free meals, a transit visa, and shuttle transport to and from the hotel.
• Vouchers are issued at your origin check-in or at the transit desk in Addis Ababa.

How to Qualify

• Your arrival and departure must be on the same ticket with Ethiopian Airlines.
• Your layover must be between 8–24 hours.
• There must be no shorter connection available at booking time.
• You don’t need to pre-book the hotel—it’s automatically included if eligible.

How It Works

• At check-in, request your stopover vouchers. If not handed over, go to the transit desk at the airport upon arrival.
• Show your voucher at immigration. Then take the shuttle bus to the Skylight Hotel.
• The Skylight offers both an in-terminal option (mostly for very short layovers) and an off-terminal hotel. You’ll likely stay in one of them.

Casablanca, Morocco – Royal Air Maroc Stopovers

Royal Air Maroc offers helpful perks during long layovers at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport. Your exact benefits depend on how long you’re between flights:

• Less than 4 hours: Staff will assist you in the transit zone to ensure smooth connections.
• 4–8 hours: You’ll receive a meal voucher valid during designated meal times (breakfast 5–10 am, lunch 11:30 am–2:30 pm, dinner 7–10 pm). You’ll also enjoy access to the Oasis Transit Lounge. 
• Over 8 hours (staying within the airport): You get a meal voucher, and if available, a hotel room in the transit area. If no room is free, there’s a shuttle to the Relax Lounge where you can rest. 
• Over 8 hours (leaving the airport): You’ll receive a meal voucher, and might be offered a hotel stay outside the airport through the Transit & Lodging agency in Terminal 2 — though this requires a transit visa or exit permit. 

Visa Note

If you plan to leave the airport, you must verify whether you need a Morocco transit visa or exit permit, based on your nationality. Otherwise, staying in the airport doesn’t typically require one. 

Why It Works for Africa-Bound Travelers

Royal Air Maroc’s service is especially useful if you’re routed through Casablanca on your way to destinations like Dakar, Abidjan, or Conakry. You may get lodging, meals, or lounge access depending on your layover length.

Which Hub Is Right for You?

• West Africa (Accra, Lagos, Abidjan, Dakar): Doha, Istanbul, Casablanca
• East Africa (Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa, Entebbe): Doha, Dubai, Addis Ababa
• Southern Africa (Cape Town, Johannesburg, Harare): Doha, Dubai, Istanbul

Choosing the right hub depends on your final destination and your priorities. For example, if you want luxury and shopping, Dubai is a good fit. If you want cultural sightseeing, Istanbul is a better option.

Stopover Tips for Africa Flights

• Check the rules: Some perks require specific fare classes or booking directly with the airline.
• Know the visa requirements: Even short stays can require a visa.
• Plan the timing: Many benefits start only after a layover of at least eight hours.
• Book early: Stopover hotels can fill quickly during peak seasons.

How ASAP Tickets Can Help

Finding the right stopover is more than picking a city. You need to match your travel dates, airline, and route with the perks that work best for you.

Our agents can:

• Suggest stopovers that give the best value for your trip.
• Make sure you meet the rules for hotels and visas.
• Book flights that save you money and add a second destination to your journey.

Call 844-300-7983 today. We’ll help you book the best flights to Africa with a stopover so you can enjoy your trip and even get a free mini-vacation along the way.