Travelling to Istanbul for a hair transplant

A hair transplant trip to Istanbul usually takes about 3 days. You arrive the day before surgery, have surgery the next day, and fly home the day after that, following a check-up and first wash. Before you go, check the visa rules for your passport and buy travel insurance that covers planned treatment.

Every package covers the surgery and the medical care around it, including lunch on surgery day, your first wash at the clinic and the medicines you need afterwards. Hotel nights, airport pick-up and transport depend on the package: Express has none of them. Our your trip page shows how the days work, and our prices page shows what each package includes.

Your days in Istanbul

Your coordinator looks after you until you fly home. Our lead surgeon and your coordinator speak English and Arabic, and we can arrange an interpreter for other languages. A session is done in one day. It takes 2 days only when chest hair grafts are used, because they are taken under sedation, or for some large unshaven cases. Then your stay is longer.

This is a medical trip first. In the days after surgery, rest, and avoid crowds, dust and strong sun. If you would like to see Istanbul, plan a few extra days before your surgery rather than after it.

Planning your dates

How long to stay. Three days suits most plans. If your session needs 2 days, your plan says so and you stay longer. If your plan has two sessions, you come back for the second at least 8⁠–⁠9 months after the first.

Time off work. Desk work is usually fine after 7⁠–⁠10 days, so with travel most people take about 10 days off. If your job is physical, plan for about 2 weeks.

Events and holidays. Redness usually fades in 10⁠–⁠14 days, so avoid big events or photos in the first 2 weeks. You also need to keep out of pools, the sea, saunas and hammams, and strong sun, for 1 month. A beach holiday straight afterwards does not mix well.

Medicines and health. Tell your surgeon about every medicine and supplement you take. Never stop a prescribed medicine without talking to the doctor who prescribed it. If you plan to fast for religious reasons around your dates, such as during Ramadan, talk to your surgeon first. Medication and fluids matter in the first days.

Booking. Book flights once your surgery date is confirmed. Before you book the return, ask your coordinator what time your check-up is on the last day.

Flights and airports

Istanbul has two international airports:

Either works. With the Essential, Signature and Prestige packages, a private car meets you at either airport, at any hour, including late-night landings, and before the trip you get a short video showing where to meet the driver. Send your flight details to your coordinator once they are booked. Istanbul traffic can be heavy, so journey times vary with the time of day.

Visas and passports

Visa rules depend on your nationality and can change, so we do not list them here. Before you book, check the official Turkish e-Visa website, evisa.gov.tr, and the travel advice from your own foreign ministry.

• Apply only through the official site. Other websites that look official may add their own fees.
• Check that your passport meets the validity rules for your nationality.
• Keep a printed or saved copy of your e-Visa, if you need one.

What to pack

• Button-up or zip-up tops, so nothing has to be pulled over your head after surgery
• Loose, comfortable clothes for the journey home
• A U-shaped travel pillow for sleeping upright and for the flight
• Your regular medicines in hand luggage, with a written list of what you take
• Copies of prescriptions and any recent medical letters
• Slip-on shoes, so you do not need to bend over in the first days
• A phone charger and plug adapter: Türkiye uses European two-pin plugs (types C and F)
• A soft, loose cap for later: you can wear one only after the wash that clears the scabs, usually 10⁠–⁠14 days after surgery

Flying home after surgery

Most people fly home the day after surgery, after the check-up and first wash. A few simple steps make the journey easier:

• choose an aisle seat, so you can get up easily and avoid bumping your head on the overhead lockers
• use your travel pillow to rest upright without pressing your head against the seat
• drink water, avoid alcohol, and walk the aisle or move your ankles regularly
• keep your medication, aftercare instructions and your coordinator’s WhatsApp number in your hand luggage
• if your aftercare kit includes liquids, ask your coordinator which items can go in your hand luggage

Travel with your head uncovered: no hat or cap until after the wash that clears the scabs. Some extra swelling after the flight is common and settles. Tell your surgeon in advance if you have ever had a blood clot. Get urgent help for chest pain, breathlessness or a painful, swollen leg.

Travel insurance

Personal travel insurance is not included in our packages, so buy it before you travel. Check that it covers a trip that includes planned medical treatment. Many standard policies exclude planned procedures and their complications.

Bringing a companion

You are welcome to bring a partner, friend or family member. A companion can help on the flight home, carry bags and remind you of medication times. They can also hear the aftercare instructions with you.

A companion can share your hotel room for a small extra; ask your coordinator on WhatsApp when you book.

Money and phone tips

• Currency. Türkiye uses the Turkish lira (TRY). Cards are widely accepted in Istanbul, but carry a little cash for small purchases.
• Cards. Tell your bank you are travelling. If a card machine offers to charge you in your home currency, paying in lira is usually cheaper.
• What you pay for yourself. Meals other than hotel breakfast and lunch on surgery day are extra, so budget for the rest.
• Phone. Check your roaming charges, or buy a local SIM or an eSIM. Your coordinator stays in touch on WhatsApp.
• Time. Istanbul is on UTC+3 all year, which helps when you plan flights and calls.

If you speak neither English nor Arabic, tell your coordinator when you book, and we arrange an interpreter for your language.

After you fly home

Before you leave, ask for your aftercare plan and a summary of your treatment in writing. Keep them with your medical records, in case you need to see a doctor at home.

Your follow-up continues from home. We ask for photos at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, and your coordinator stays in touch on WhatsApp. If something worries you between those dates, send photos straight away rather than waiting.

For the first days at home, our aftercare page and our guide to recovery week by week tell you what to expect.

Next step

Start with your free plan: send four photos and receive your surgeon’s plan, a graft estimate and a full price, usually within 24 hours. Choose your dates once you are happy with the plan.

Sources

• Cosmetic surgery abroad – NHS
• Medical Tourism: Travel to Another Country for Medical Care – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Visa Information For Foreigners – Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs