Free stopover in
Abu Dhabi
Grand mosques and mangrove coasts on the Arabian peninsula.
Etihad AirwaysAccepting bookingsVerified 17d ago
Abu Dhabi Stopover
4.2(345 reviews)
What You Get
Free Hotel Stay
2 nights at a 4-star hotel
Eligibility
Duration:24h - 96h layover (2 days max)
Classes:
EconomyBusinessFirst
Routes:All Etihad-operated international flights transiting via AUH
Book by:72 hours before travel
Full terms▾
- Up to 2 complimentary 3-or-4-star hotel nights (breakfast NOT included, $9.99 reservation fee + 15 AED/night tourism fee apply)
- Stopover is available in ONE DIRECTION only (outbound OR return leg, not both)
- Both arriving and departing flights must be Etihad-operated (EY/607 ticket stock) OR JetBlue (279) ticket stock; non-EY/non-279 codeshares do NOT qualify
- Round-trip ticket required
- AWARD tickets are NOT eligible
- Must book at least 72 hours (3 days) before travel
- Passenger must be 21+
- Blackout dates: WFES, ADIPEC, IDEX, F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Dec 3-6, 2026), UAE Public Holidays, Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Christmas, New Year's
- Includes Etihad 'Stopover Pass' with 15% off Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Watan, 15% off Yas Island (up to 5 guests per boarding pass, 30-day validity), free 10GB UAE SIM card, unlimited public bus access, 24h hop-on-hop-off tourist bus, and dining offers; additional discounts listed on theabudhabipass.com
- Attractions are DISCOUNTED, not free
- UAE standard visa/visa-on-arrival rules apply
- New US routes feeding the stopover: Charlotte (CLT) launched Mar 20, 2026; Atlanta (ATL) launches Jul 2, 2026. (Transit Connect Premier Inn tier was discontinued Jan 2025.)
How it Works
- 1
Book an eligible Etihad Airways itinerary
Your trip must route through AUH (Abu Dhabi) with a 24–96 hour layover. Eligible classes: Economy, Business, First.
- 2
Request the stopover
Book through etihad.com/stopover.
- 3
Receive your voucher
The airline confirms your hotel and any included tours via email, usually within a few business days.
- 4
Enjoy Abu Dhabi
Make your own way to the hotel (most cities have cheap metro/airport taxis). Take any included tours, then continue your journey.
Things to do in Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
One of the largest mosques in the world — modest dress, free entry.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Jean Nouvel’s domed gallery on Saadiyat Island.
Corniche
8km of waterfront walkways and public beach.
Traveler Reviews
4.2/5.0
345 reviews aggregated
weighted composite
79% positive8% negative
Based on reviews fromFlyerTalk (2)YouTube (1)TripAdvisor (2)Trustpilot (1)
Rating Breakdown
Hotel Quality30%
4.4/5Is the free hotel actually decent or a dump?
Perks Value25%
4.3/5How much is all the free stuff actually worth?
Ease of Claiming20%
4.1/5Will the airline actually respond to my email?
Destination Appeal15%
4.0/5Is this city worth visiting for 1-2 days?
Top Quotes
“You can walk through the airport to the hotel, and there's a free bus to major attractions.”— TripAdvisor ↗
“Unless you receive a separate email confirmation from the hotel, the booking is not valid.”— Trustpilot ↗
“No hotel at all was available, 10 months in advance.”— FlyerTalk ↗
Pro Tips
- -Visit Sheikh Zayed Mosque at sunset - stunning
- -Louvre Abu Dhabi is worth half a day minimum
- -November-March is the best time to visit
- -Yas Island has theme parks if you have extra time
Recent Reviews
FlyerTalk Etihad forumFlyerTalk ↗
Negative(60%)Purchased a ticket with a stopover in Abu Dhabi for May of next year and immediately tried to book the hotel. No hotel at all was available, 10 months in advance. Fine print contains many blackout dates.
hotel availabilityblackout dates
FlyerTalk Etihad forumFlyerTalk ↗
Neutral(10%)Luck booking five-star hotels with the AD Stopover has been reported as difficult. Confused on how booking works when stopover duration doesn't align with hotel stay length.
5-star hotelsbooking mechanics
Leader Of No OneYouTube ↗
Positive(50%)Tested Etihad Airways' stopover deal firsthand — picking a hotel from the list at booking, trying the free shuttle and Stopover Pass.
stopover passfree hotel
TripAdvisor Abu Dhabi ForumTripAdvisor ↗
Negative(50%)Booked a flight from Vienna to Singapore in December 2024 and chose Etihad because of the 2-day Abu Dhabi stopover. The hotel reservation was stated to be 'in progress' at booking, but confirmation never came.
hotel confirmationcustomer service
Traveled: Dec 2024
TripAdvisor Premier Inn reviewerTripAdvisor ↗
Positive(80%)Had a 20-hour layover and used the Etihad stopover package at Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport. Very happy with the room, location and food — you can walk through the airport to the hotel.
Premier Innairport walkability
Trustpilot Etihad reviewerTrustpilot ↗
Negative(70%)Selected the Abu Dhabi stopover hotel during booking but found no trace of any hotel reservation upon arrival. Told that unless you receive a separate email confirmation from the hotel, the booking is not valid.
hotel confirmationeligibility
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Etihad Airways stopover program really free?
Yes. Etihad Airways covers a 2-night stay at a 4-star hotel in Abu Dhabi for eligible passengers. You pay only for extras like meals, additional nights, and any tourist taxes.
Who is eligible for the Abu Dhabi Stopover?
Passengers flying Etihad Airways with a qualifying layover in AUH between 24 and 96 hours. Eligible booking classes: Economy, Business, First. Up to 2 complimentary 3-or-4-star hotel nights (breakfast NOT included, $9.99 reservation fee + 15 AED/night tourism fee apply). Stopover is available in ONE DIRECTION only (outbound OR return leg, not both). Both arriving and departing flights must be Etihad-operated (EY/607 ticket stock) OR JetBlue (279) ticket stock; non-EY/non-279 codeshares do NOT qualify. Round-trip ticket required. AWARD tickets are NOT eligible. Must book at least 72 hours (3 days) before travel. Passenger must be 21+. Blackout dates: WFES, ADIPEC, IDEX, F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Dec 3-6, 2026), UAE Public Holidays, Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Christmas, New Year's. Includes Etihad 'Stopover Pass' with 15% off Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Watan, 15% off Yas Island (up to 5 guests per boarding pass, 30-day validity), free 10GB UAE SIM card, unlimited public bus access, 24h hop-on-hop-off tourist bus, and dining offers; additional discounts listed on theabudhabipass.com. Attractions are DISCOUNTED, not free. UAE standard visa/visa-on-arrival rules apply. New US routes feeding the stopover: Charlotte (CLT) launched Mar 20, 2026; Atlanta (ATL) launches Jul 2, 2026. (Transit Connect Premier Inn tier was discontinued Jan 2025.)
How do I claim the stopover in Abu Dhabi?
Book through etihad.com/stopover.
What is the maximum stopover length?
Up to 2 days. You can extend your layover without paying additional airfare, as long as it fits within the program's rules.
Do I need a visa to leave the airport in Abu Dhabi?
Visa requirements depend on your passport. Many travelers qualify for visa-free transit, visa-on-arrival, or e-visa options. Select your nationality on this page to see the specific requirement for United Arab Emirates.
Is there a booking deadline?
Yes. You must request the stopover 72 hours before travel.
Quick Info
- Hub Airport
- AUH
- Layover window
- 24h – 96h
- Booking classes
- Economy, Business, First
- Book by
- 72 hours before travel
- Official page
- View →
Visa Info for Abu Dhabi
Choose your passport to see if you can leave the airport.
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