✈️ Turning a layover into a bonus destination
When we booked our flights to Thailand, we intentionally chose the option with a 24-hour layover in Istanbul — not just because it was cheaper, but because we knew about Turkish Airlines’ Stopover Program.
It’s one of the easiest travel hacks out there: if your connection in Istanbul is long enough, Turkish Airlines gives you a free hotel stay. You don’t even need to apply or email anyone. Once you book, you can see the offer right in the Turkish Airlines app, choose from the available hotels, and add it using your booking confirmation code.
So we did exactly that — and it turned what could’ve been a long, exhausting travel day into an entire bonus destination.
🏨 Our stay at the Hyatt Regency Ataköy
We picked the Hyatt Regency Ataköy, and it was perfect — modern, peaceful, and right by the water. After nearly 10 hours of flying, stepping into a real room with a hot shower, crisp sheets, and a free breakfast buffet felt like absolute luxury.
Getting a proper night’s sleep halfway through our journey made all the difference. Instead of spending another 10 hours in the air feeling drained, we woke up refreshed and actually excited to keep traveling.
🕌 A mini adventure in Istanbul
With a full day to explore, we wandered through local markets, sipped Turkish coffee, tried fresh baklava, and watched the sunset over the mosques and the sea.
It didn’t feel like a layover — it felt like we got a free mini trip built into our itinerary. And we’d do it again in a heartbeat.
💡 How you can do it too
If you’re flying Turkish Airlines internationally, check their Stopover in Istanbul program when booking. You might already qualify — all you need is a long connection and your booking code to choose your hotel.
Ours even made the flight cheaper, and the hotel and breakfast were completely free. A true win-win.
🌍 Travel beautifully, for less
That 24 hours in Istanbul didn’t cost us anything extra — but it gave us one of the best memories of our entire trip.
This is what we mean when we say travel smarter, not richer. Follow @thehabitoftravel for more ways to travel beautifully, for less.
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— The Habit of Travel