If you’re flying on a long-haul flight, here’s a great reason to stop in Abu Dhabi: the city offers free hotel stays for those spending a day or more to explore.
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Keep in mind that to take advantage of this offer, you need to be flying with Etihad Airways. Travelers can choose from various three- to four-star hotels.
Whether you’re a family looking for fun at Warner Bros World or Ferrari World, or a solo traveler wanting to see art at the Louvre Abu Dhabi or visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, you can select a hotel near your must-see spots.
Guide to the Free Abu Dhabi Stopover Program with Etihad Airways:
Who Can Use the Offer:
- You must have a confirmed flight ticket with Etihad Airways.
- You need a layover of at least 24 hours in Abu Dhabi.
- The offer is only available for round-trip tickets; both outbound and return flights must be on the same ticket. The free stay can be used on either leg of the journey, but only once.
- Note: This offer is not available for flights to or from Oman.
How to Book:
- When booking a flight online at etihad.com, you can choose to “add a stopover” and “select a complimentary hotel.”
- If you’ve already booked your flight and missed the option to add a stopover, visit etihad.com/manage or etihad.com/en/abu-dhabi/stopover to enter your flight details and follow the steps provided.
- If you booked through the call center, you can call or chat with the airline to arrange the hotel stay.
- Bookings for the hotel must be made at least three days before your flight to Abu Dhabi.
- Check your visa eligibility to see if you can get a visa on arrival; if not, arrange a UAE transit visa before your trip.
- Note: Bookings through a travel agent do not qualify for the free (up to 2 nights) hotel stay or the paid stopover hotel stay (3 to 4 nights).
What You’ll Get:
- Free hotel stay of up to two nights at a three or four-star hotel.
- 24/7 check-in and check-out flexibility, allowing you to check in or out based on your flight schedule.
- Discounts at many attractions and dining venues in the city (just show your Etihad boarding pass, which acts as your ‘Abu Dhabi pass’ for discounts).
What’s Not Included:
- Any transport to and from the hotel.
- Meals like breakfast (note that the reservation covers only the room).
- Incidental charges such as minibar or room service costs.
- Access to any extra amenities not included in the room rate.
Other Important Rules:
- The offer is not available during certain peak travel dates, including:
- October 30, 2024 – November 12, 2024: Adipec 2024
- November 27, 2024 – December 16, 2024: F1 2024
- December 19, 2024 – January 6, 2025: Christmas and New Year’s Eve
- February 12, 2025 – February 26, 2025: Idex 2025
- Hotel check-in must match your flight arrival date in Abu Dhabi.
- Each stopover night is limited to a 24-hour stay.
- Any additional hours or late check-out may incur extra fees payable by guests.
- Depending on your flight plan, you can have up to four stopover nights, but free accommodation is only available for up to two nights.
- A maximum of two adults and one child under 11 can occupy a hotel room. Guests under 18 must be with an adult.
- A small fee applies for all bookings selecting the “Abu Dhabi Stopover” option on the website, whether the hotel was booked during the process or later.
- A tourism fee of Dh15 per night must be paid at the hotel.
- At check-in, you’ll need to show your valid Etihad Airways boarding pass and the hotel booking confirmation from Etihad Holidays, ensuring the names match.
