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Planning a trip with Etihad Airways? If your journey includes a layover in Abu Dhabi, you could score a free one- or two-night hotel stay with Etihad’s stopover program. This deal provides a great way to explore the UAE without extra accommodation costs.
How does it work, and what's included in the free hotel stay? Here’s everything you need to know to take advantage of Etihad’s stopover offer.
Page Contents
Why Stopover In Abu Dhabi?
If you haven't been yet, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a small country in the Middle East. It resides on the southeast side of the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia and west of Oman. It's very safe, relatively friendly, and offers some great food. It's the kind of country I feel everyone should visit at least once in their life (I've been three times).
Just in case there's any confusion about Abu Dhabi, here's a quick summary. Contrary to some misconceptions, Abu Dhabi, not Dubai, is the capital of the UAE. Dubai is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai — one of the seven emirates that comprise the UAE. Many people head to Dubai for the Burj Khalifa, the Burj Al Arab, and many other attractions, but Abu Dhabi has its own gems.
Although smaller than Dubai, Abu Dhabi has plenty to do. The biggest highlight is the Grand Mosque, the second-largest mosque in the world and the very definition of opulent. You can also visit Ferrari World, Emirates Palace, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. In other words, you will have a full itinerary with an Etihad stopover.
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How To Get a Free Hotel via Etihad Stopovers
Etihad Airways — one of the two flag-carrying airlines of the United Arab Emirates, alongside Emirates — is currently offsetting accommodations in Abu Dhabi for one- or two-night stopovers.
This deal has been around for years, but Etihad newly “announced” it in May 2024. Then, in January 2025, the program significantly changed. The option for a 24-hour transit package and the heavily discounted three- and four-night stopover packages at a premium hotel were dropped.
Etihad stayover accommodations
If you choose a stopover package with your flight, Etihad will put you up in a hotel for free. Here's the list of participating hotels:
- Al Ain Palace
- Aloft Abu Dhabi
- Andaz Capital Gate
- Bab Al Qasr
- Capital Suites Hotel Apartments
- Centro Al Manhal
- Centro Capital Centre
- City Seasons Al Hamra Hotel
- Copthorne Downtown Abu Dhabi
- Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi
- Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi
- Grand Millennium Al Wahda Hotel
- Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham
- Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi
- Ibis Abu Dhabi Gate
- Jannah Burj Al Sarab
- Millennium Al Rawdah Hotel Abu Dhabi
- Millennium Downtown Abu Dhabi
- Novel Hotel Abu Dhabi
- Novotel Abu Dhabi Al Busta
- Park Rotana Hotel Abu Dhabi
- Pearl Rotana Capital Center
- Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport Hotel
- Premier Inn Capital Center
- Ramada Corniche
- Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
- Southern Sun Abu Dhabi
- Traders Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
Terms and conditions
- Hotel stays are valid 24 hours from check-in. Check-in is open 24 hours.
- Hotel stays can be booked for up to three people (three adults or two adults and one child).
- Book the hotel through Etihad.com, not directly with the hotel.
- Must have a pre-arranged visa to enter the UAE or are eligible for a visa on arrival (U.S. citizens get a free 30-day visa on arrival).
- Connect to and from an Etihad-operated flight.
- Stopover packages must be booked three days before arrival.
- The lead booker must be 21 years or older.
- See the Etihad website for further terms and conditions.
Booking the Etihad Stopover Package
Booking the Etihad Stopover is relatively simple, though not straightforward. You won't get to see what hotels are available for your dates until you've paid for your flights.
After purchasing your flights, Etihad will provide a list of available free hotels you can book. Note that some hotels are close to the airport, some are in the “city center,” and some are close to Corniche Beach.
This is where things are confusing. It looks like you have to pay for the hotel, as the full price is listed. It's only when you book the hotel and get to the payment page that you can apply your “stopover coupon” to drop the price down to zero.
On your final confirmation page, you will see the hotel is booked for $0 USD. The coupon applies to the full price of the stay and does not have a limit, as long as you choose a hotel on the list and book directly through Etihad.com. But the coupon does not cover breakfast or any other meal, activities, tours, etc. — only the price of the room.
Is the Free Etihad Stopover Package Actually Free?
In previous years, while the Etihad Stopover package was promoted as a free option, a comparison of flights with and without the package showed a small fee was included with the flight.
However, as of 2025, there really is no difference in costs whether you book with or without the stopover package. In other words, the package is now truly free.
However, note that the stopover hotel does not include complimentary breakfast or any other benefits. Travelers get discounts on tours and activities, but nothing else is free. In other words, only the hotel nights are free. Compare that to what you'd spend on a hotel if booking independently and potentially getting complimentary breakfast at other accommodations.
Abu Dhabi Stopover Tips
Take some time to look at where each hotel is and what activities are available nearby. My recommendation is to stay closer to the beach, but you might prefer to stay closer to the airport. Make sure to visit Yas Island and all the theme parks, plus relax on the sunny beach for the perfect vacation. Well… the perfect stopover on your vacation.
To get from the airport to the city center, get the A19 airport bus. Sadly, this shuttle used to be free for all travelers but now costs 35 dirhams (~$10). The bus stop is just outside the terminal, but you must purchase your tickets inside. Please ignore taxi scams at the airport that charge a fortune.
Award flights aren't eligible for the free stopover hotel with Etihad. If you want to book awards, don't forget that there's a Hilton hotel you can book with points in Abu Dhabi and receive complimentary theme park tickets.
Bottom Line
If you’re flying Etihad and have time for a layover, this stopover program is a no-brainer — offering a free hotel stay in Abu Dhabi at no additional flight cost. While it doesn’t include extras like breakfast or airport transfers, it’s still an excellent way to experience the UAE’s capital. Whether you explore the Grand Mosque, visit Yas Island, or just relax on the beach, this stopover can turn a routine connection into a memorable travel experience.
If this offer doesn't work for you, you can get a hotel room from $14 in Doha if you're flying with Qatar Airways. And Emirates has a stopover program in nearby Dubai as well.
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