Turn your layover into a holiday: Middle East stopovers

By the Nexara Holidays travel desk · 2 min read

Many flights from India to Europe, Africa and the Americas connect through Gulf hubs. Instead of a long layover in the airport, why not stay a couple of nights?

Dubai

With two nights in Dubai, you can see the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain, old Dubai's souks by abra and an evening desert safari. See Dubai in 4 days: icons, desert and old souks.

Doha

Qatar's capital has world-class museums, the Souq Waqif and desert trips to the Inland Sea. It makes an easy, calm stopover.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi offers the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Yas Island's theme parks.

Muscat

Fewer travellers stop in Oman, but Muscat is relaxed and beautiful, with dolphin cruises, wadis and souqs.

How it works

• Book a multi-city flight with a deliberate stopover rather than a short connection.
• Check the visa or entry rules for the stopover country for Indian passport holders.
• Plan your hotel near the attractions you want to see, not necessarily near the airport.

When it works best

• On long trips to Europe, the USA or Africa, to break the journey.
• For families, to reduce flight fatigue for children.
• In the cooler months, from November to March, when outdoor sightseeing is pleasant.

Combining with a destination

A stopover in Dubai pairs well with the Maldives, Mauritius or Turkey. Families in particular find that breaking a long journey makes the whole trip easier. See Multi-country tours.