Your trip
Three days in Istanbul, arrival to departure
With every package except Express, everything between the arrivals hall and your departure gate is arranged. You book the flights; we look after the rest.
Day 1
Arrive
- On arrival
You arrive the day before your procedure, at either Istanbul airport, at any hour. Before you fly, the driver team sends a short video showing where to meet outside arrivals.
- Evening
Your driver takes you to the hotel. Rest and an early night; your coordinator confirms your pick-up time for the morning.
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Illustrative photo, not our clinic or staffDay 2
Procedure day
- Morning
Pick-up from the hotel. Blood tests, then your consultation: your surgeon examines your scalp, confirms the graft plan and draws your hairline with you at the mirror. If you and your surgeon are both happy, the procedure goes ahead that day. You can still decide not to go ahead: the deposit is not refunded, and nothing more is charged.
- Then
Shaving, if your plan needs it, and local anaesthetic. Your surgeon takes out grafts personally, opens the channels themselves in sapphire FUE and checks every stage; an experienced technician team works under their direction.
- Midday
Lunch, included. Bring earbuds for podcasts or music; some people doze off.
- Afternoon
Your grafts are placed following your surgeon’s plan; in DHI, your surgeon places them with the pen themselves. Then back to the hotel with your written aftercare instructions and your medicines.
Day 3
First wash and home
- Morning
Check-up and your first gentle wash at the clinic, so you learn the technique.
- Then
Your coordinator sets up your 12-month follow-up.
- Afternoon
Your driver takes you to the airport.
One day of surgery
Your procedure is done in one day. A second day is needed only in a few cases, for example when chest hair is used or for some large unshaven plans, and your surgeon tells you in advance. Your surgeon recommends at least two nights in Istanbul and flying after your first wash and check-up. If you would like to see the city, come a few days early: it is easier before your procedure than after.
Good to know
Airports, hotel and the people you travel with
- Airports and pick-up
A private car meets you at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), 24 hours a day, including late-night landings, and takes you straight to your hotel.
- Your hotel
Essential includes a 4-star hotel; Signature and Prestige a 5-star hotel, with breakfast. Your coordinator sends the hotel details with your plan.
- Where surgery takes place
Surgery takes place in the operating rooms of licensed hospitals in Istanbul.
- Travelling with someone
A companion is very welcome. They share your room for a small extra your coordinator confirms, can stay with you through the whole process and eat with you on procedure day at no charge. Companions must be adults; children cannot come to the clinic.
- Languages
Our lead surgeon and your coordinator speak English and Arabic. For other languages we arrange an interpreter.
- Time
Istanbul is on UTC+3 all year: 2 hours ahead of London in summer and 3 in winter, the same time as Riyadh, Kuwait, Doha and Bahrain, and 1 hour behind Dubai.
- Visas and travel
Many nationalities can get an e-Visa online or enter visa-free. Rules change, so check the official Turkish e-Visa site for your passport before you book flights. We can send an invitation letter if you need one.
Official e-Visa site (opens in a new tab)
Take out personal travel insurance that covers medical travel. In an emergency in Istanbul, call 112: it is free from any phone.
What to pack
Hats
No hat or cap until after your scab wash, usually 10 to 14 days after surgery; then only a loose, clean one.
- Button-up or zip-up tops, so nothing pulls over your head
- A travel neck pillow for sleeping upright and for the flight home
- Your regular medicines, and a list or photos of every medicine, supplement and allergy
- Earbuds for procedure day
- Phone charger and a plug adapter (Türkiye uses type C and F)
- Comfortable clothes for a long day sitting
Questions
Travel questions
How many days do I need in Istanbul?
Three days is usual. You arrive the day before surgery. On day 2 you have your blood tests, consultation and procedure. On day 3 you have a check-up and your first wash, then fly home.
Is everything arranged for me?
With the Essential, Signature and Prestige packages, yes. A private car meets you at either Istanbul airport, the hotel is booked, and your coordinator looks after you until you fly home. Express covers the procedure, your first wash and the medicines you need, with no hotel, airport pick-up or transport, so you arrange your own stay and travel. In every package, our lead surgeon and your coordinator speak English and Arabic, and we can arrange an interpreter for other languages.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes, a companion is very welcome. They share your hotel room for a small extra your coordinator confirms, can stay with you through the whole process and eat with you on procedure day at no charge. Companions must be adults; children cannot come to the clinic.
Your three days start with four photos
Send four photos. Our lead surgeon replies with your plan, graft estimate and full price, usually within 24 hours, and your coordinator arranges the rest.
Like any surgery, a hair transplant has risks. They include infection, scarring, shock loss and grafts that grow poorly. Read about the risks