Imagine you're on your way to your long-awaited vacation in Thailand, but before you reach the sandy beaches, you spend an exciting day among the futuristic skyscrapers of Dubai. Or, while flying to New York, you take a 24-hour flash visit to the fairytale Iceland. Sounds good, right? This isn't an expensive trick, but a smart use of a stopover, or a long layover. With a little planning, you can discover an extra city without having to buy a separate plane ticket. We'll help you how to do it!

What is a stopover and why is it worth it?

Many people confuse a short layover with a stopover. While an average layover usually involves a few hours of waiting inside the airport, a stopover is a deliberately longer break, typically lasting more than 24 hours. This gives you the opportunity to leave the airport and embark on a flash city tour. Why is this a brilliant idea? Because you can pack two experiences into the budget of a single trip. This not only saves you money on a separate city visit, but can also break up long, tiring flights. After a day of rest and exploration, you can arrive at your final destination much fresher.

How to search for these flights on unifly.hu?

Finding stopover flights is easier than you think, the secret is to use the multi-destination search. Most travelers only know the “round trip” option, but the “Multi-city” button holds the real treasures. You can also find this option in the unifly.hu search engine. Instead of searching for a Budapest - Bangkok - Budapest trip, break down your trip into sections. For example:

  1. Flight: Budapest (BUD) → Istanbul (IST)
  2. Flight: Istanbul (IST) → Bangkok (BKK) (one or two days later)
  3. Flight: Bangkok (BKK) → Budapest (BUD) (on the original planned return date)

This way, the system will offer combinations that allow for a one- or multi-day stay in the layover city. Experiment with dates and cities! Sometimes you can come out even cheaper than if you bought a simple round-trip ticket.

Popular stopover cities and airlines

Certain airlines specifically encourage travelers to explore their hub cities, and sometimes offer special packages. Here are some popular combinations for inspiration:

  • Istanbul (Turkey): With Turkish Airlines flights, a stopover in Istanbul is a natural fit. The city is located on the border of two continents and offers an immersive experience in just a few hours.
  • Doha (Qatar): The Qatar Airways hub is a modern wonder in the desert. Explore the Souq Waqif market or the stunning Islamic Art Museum.
  • Dubai (United Arab Emirates): When traveling with Emirates, a Dubai stopover is almost a must. The world's tallest building and gigantic plazas await.
  • Reykjavik (Iceland): Icelandair offers a unique opportunity for travelers between Europe and North America. With an Icelandic stopover, you can catch the Blue Lagoon or even the Northern Lights.
  • Lisbon (Portugal): TAP Air Portugal makes Lisbon accessible. Taste the local gastronomy and enjoy the city's relaxed atmosphere before continuing your journey.

Practical tips for your mini-adventure

Before booking your dream stopover trip, there are a few things to keep in mind. The first and most important is the visa issue. Always check if you can enter the layover country with your Hungarian passport, or if you need a visa. Another key question is baggage. For longer stopovers, you usually need to pick up your luggage and re-check it for the next flight. Always agree on this with the airline. Finally, plan your time wisely! A 12-hour layover in practice means about 6-7 hours of free time in the city, once you factor in entry and exit, and airport transfer. Plan ahead, check out the transportation options, and make the most of your bonus adventure!