When flying from Europe to Asia, you don’t need to book expensive direct flights.
Instead, the smartest way to save money (and upgrade the experience) is using premium stopover hubs like Istanbul, Doha or Dubai.
These airports offer better prices, great timings, and top airlines — and often cut the cost by 25–50%.
This guide shows exactly how to use each stopover to your advantage.
🕌 1. Istanbul (IST) — Turkish Airlines stopover
Best balance of price + comfort
Best for: Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam
Istanbul is currently the strongest stopover hub in Europe. Turkish Airlines flies to almost every major Asian destination with excellent schedules.
✔ Why use Istanbul as a stopover
- One of the cheapest long-haul hubs
- Huge modern airport
- Excellent food & lounges
- Consistent service
- Works well from Zurich, Vienna, Munich, Milan, Geneva
💰 Typical prices (return)
- Bangkok: €480–650
- Singapore: €550–750
- Kuala Lumpur: €480–620
- Bali: €600–820
🏙 Bonus tip
Turkish Airlines offers free hotel stopovers if your connection is long.
You can stay 1 night in Istanbul for free.
🕌 2. Doha (DOH) — Qatar Airways
Best overall comfort
Best for: Bangkok, Bali, KL, Vietnam, Maldives
Qatar Airways is often considered the world’s best airline.
Even in Economy, the service is premium.
✔ Why use Doha as a stopover
- Excellent for comfort
- Great flight timings
- Tons of Asia destinations
- Free stopover program (hotels discounted)
💰 Typical prices (return)
- Bangkok: €550–750
- Kuala Lumpur: €480–650
- Bali: €650–900
- Vietnam: €580–780
🏨 Bonus
Qatar’s “+Qatar Stopover Programme” offers luxury hotels from €20–30/night.
🕌 3. Dubai (DXB) — Emirates
Best for premium experience + upgrades
Best for: Singapore, Bali, Bangkok
Dubai is the most premium stopover hub and Emirates is known for huge aircraft, great entertainment and smooth connections.
✔ Why use Dubai as a stopover
- Fantastic airport experience
- Great for upgrading to Business
- Ideal for a 24–48h city break
- Many flights daily
💰 Typical prices (return)
- Singapore: €600–900
- Bali: €650–950
- Bangkok: €550–750
🏙 Bonus
Dubai is perfect for a 1–2 night luxury stopover — beaches, malls, Burj Khalifa, desert tours.
🧭 4. Which stopover hub should YOU choose?
✔ For cheapest prices → Istanbul (Turkish)
✔ For best comfort → Doha (Qatar)
✔ For premium travel → Dubai (Emirates)
📅 5. Best months to book stopover flights (2025)
| Months | Price level |
|---|---|
| April–June | Cheapest |
| September–December | Very good |
| January–March | Medium |
| July–August | Expensive |
Avoid Christmas.
🔧 6. How to search for smart stopovers (step-by-step)
Step 1: Search normally
Use:
- WayAway
- Google Flights
- Skyscanner
Step 2: Compare these three hubs
Try routes:
- ZRH → IST → BKK
- ZRH → DOH → KUL
- ZRH → DXB → SIN
Step 3: Shift dates by 2–3 days
Prices can drop instantly.
Step 4: Check nearby airports
Use:
- ZRH + GVA + MUC + MXP + VIE
Step 5: Add a 24h stopover
Many fares become cheaper, not more expensive.
🧳 7. Examples of smart routes (2025)
🇨🇭 Zurich → Istanbul → Bangkok → from CHF 520
🇦🇹 Vienna → Doha → Kuala Lumpur → from €480
🇩🇪 Munich → Dubai → Singapore → from €600
🇮🇹 Milan → Istanbul → Bali → from €580
Milan & Vienna are excellent positioning airports.
Related: Related destination guide