A layover is a short wait between two flights (usually a few hours); a stopover is a planned stay of 24 hours or more before the next flight. Airlines draw the line in slightly different places, so check the fare rules, but the idea is the same: a layover is just the connection, a stopover is a mini-trip.
How they compare
- Layover: a few hours at the airport. Your bags are normally checked through to your final stop, and you stay in the transit area.
- Stopover: a night or more in the connecting city. You may have to collect your bags, clear immigration and book somewhere to stay.
- Price: a longer connection can make a fare cheaper, but a stopover is not a discount by itself. Some airlines and airports run stopover programs that bundle a hotel or tour.
When a stopover is worth it
- You're flying a long route (Canada to South or Southeast Asia) and a night in the middle breaks up 20 hours of travel.
- The connecting country lets Canadians in without a visa, so the stop costs only time. Check the entry rules before you book.
- You want to see a second city and the fare is within a few dollars of a normal connection.
When to skip it
- You need to be somewhere on a fixed date, such as a wedding or a visa appointment. A longer trip leaves less room for delays.
- The connecting country needs a visa or an electronic authorisation you'd have to arrange in advance.
- Your bags are checked through on separate tickets. Then a stopover usually means collecting and re-checking them.
How to book one
- Look for a stopover option or 'multi-city' search, or book two separate tickets (with extra time between them, since a missed connection on separate tickets is not covered).
- Compare the total with a normal connection on the same dates.
- Check the stopover country's entry rules for Canadians on the Government of Canada travel advice page.
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Where to stay, data and getting around
Our guides: Where to stay in Istanbul · eSIM for Türkiye · Things to do in Istanbul · Istanbul travel hub · Travel insurance for Canadians
Our guides: Where to stay in Dubai · eSIM for the United Arab Emirates · Renting a car in Dubai · Things to do in Dubai · Dubai travel hub
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Common questions
Is a layover the same as a connection?
Yes. People use layover, connection and transfer for the same thing: the time between two flights on one trip.
How long can a layover be?
There's no fixed rule, but most airlines treat a wait of more than about 24 hours on an international trip as a stopover, and fares and rules can change at that point.
Do I need a visa for a layover?
Not always. If you stay in the transit area, many countries don't require one, but some do, and some require it if you change airports or collect your bags. Check the rules of the connecting country before you book.
Sources
Checked November 9, 2026. Rules, prices and opening hours change, so confirm before you travel.