Travellers, listen up. European airline Turkish Airlines is providing a two-night stay in a 4-star hotel for economy class travellers – and a three-night stay in a 5-star hotel for business class passengers – completely free when taking advantage of their ‘stopover program.’
This latest offering, usually only reserved for those flying in business or first class, might sound too good to be true. But trust us, it’s totally legit.
The program, initially launched in 2017, extended accommodations to US travellers this year. Passengers choosing to add a few days in Istanbul will receive a hotel voucher that can be redeemed on the airline’s website after their flight ticket purchase.
Turkish Airlines General Manager Bilal Ekşi commented, ‘We aim to show the Turkish hospitality and unique wonders of Istanbul to our passengers opting for stopover accommodation service, while contributing to tourism in Türkiye and increasing the number of transfer passengers flying Turkish Airlines.
‘Travellers can also increase the length of their initial free-of-charge accommodations with advantageous Turkish Airlines prices at contracted hotels to discover even more of Istanbul.’
The airline also gives you a few tips on tours to take and places to visit during your time in Istanbul. If you want a fast but thorough overview of the city, they recommend booking a tour with Istanbul Tour Studio. Wanna check out one of the newest rooftops in town? Head to Okra for drinks with a 360-degree view of the city. (While you’re here, check out our guide to the best things to do in Istanbul.)
The updated stopover program is valid on all itineraries from the carrier’s US gateways. Exciting news for travellers who want to check off another city from their bucket list, as Turkish Airways flies to more countries than any other airline. But don’t forget that Türkiye itself is full of beautiful places to visit, from party capital Bodrum to the tranquil Alaçatı.
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