Guides & How-Tos

ARTAS Robotic Hair Transplant: Where to Go and Travel Logistics

February 23, 20268 min read1,200 words

ARTAS robotic hair transplant systems are available at approximately 100 to 150 clinics in the United States, concentrated in major metropolitan areas. The limited availability is because each ARTAS unit costs over $300,000, restricting ownership to high-volume practices. This means many patients need to travel for their procedure, making logistics planning an essential part of the process.

This guide covers where to find ARTAS clinics, how costs vary by location, and exactly how to plan a trip for your procedure.

ARTAS Clinic Locations and Costs by City

Major US Cities With ARTAS

CityTypical Per-Graft CostNotable Factors
Los Angeles, CA$10-12Highest concentration of clinics, premium pricing
New York, NY$10-12Multiple providers, high demand
Miami, FL$9-11Growing medical tourism hub
Dallas, TX$8-10Lower cost of living, competitive pricing
Chicago, IL$9-11Several established robotic FUE clinics
San Francisco, CA$10-12Limited options, tech-forward patient base
Atlanta, GA$8-10Good value market
Phoenix, AZ$8-10Lower overhead, competitive pricing
Houston, TX$8-10Multiple options available
Denver, CO$9-11Growing market

Clinics in Texas, Georgia, and Arizona tend to offer the best value for ARTAS procedures. A 2,000-graft session in Dallas at $8/graft ($16,000) saves $4,000 to $8,000 compared to the same procedure in Los Angeles or New York at $10-12/graft ($20,000-$24,000).

International ARTAS Options

ARTAS availability outside the US is more limited than manual FUE. The system is approved and operational in:

RegionPer-Graft CostNotes
Canada (Toronto, Vancouver)$7-10 USDComparable to mid-tier US clinics
UK (London, Manchester)$8-12 USDLimited options, strong regulation
Germany$6-9 USDSeveral academic medical centers
South Korea$5-8 USDAdvanced medical tourism infrastructure
Australia (Sydney, Melbourne)$8-12 USDVery limited availability

Turkey, the most popular destination for manual FUE ($1-3/graft), has very few ARTAS systems. Most Turkish clinics use manual or motorized FUE techniques. If your goal is specifically robotic FUE, the US remains the primary market.

How to Choose an ARTAS Clinic

Key Selection Criteria

Not all ARTAS clinics deliver the same results. The robot assists with extraction, but the surgeon still designs the hairline, plans graft distribution, and manages the overall procedure. Evaluate clinics on these factors:

  1. Surgeon experience: How many ARTAS procedures has the lead surgeon performed? Look for 200+ total cases.
  2. Before-and-after portfolio: Ask for photos of healed results at 12 months, not just fresh post-op images.
  3. Graft survival guarantee: Some clinics guarantee 90%+ graft survival and offer touch-up sessions if targets are not met.
  4. Full-time ARTAS usage: Clinics that use the ARTAS system daily have more experienced technicians and better-calibrated machines than those that use it occasionally.
  5. Consultation quality: A thorough virtual consultation should include donor assessment, graft count estimation, and a realistic discussion of limitations.

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Pricing significantly below $8/graft in the US (may indicate inexperienced surgeon building volume)
  • No before-and-after gallery or unwillingness to share patient photos
  • Quoting graft numbers without seeing your donor area
  • Pressure to book immediately or claims of "limited availability" discounts
  • Technicians performing the procedure instead of the surgeon

Travel Planning: Step by Step

Pre-Trip Checklist

TaskWhenDetails
Virtual consultation4-8 weeks beforeDiscuss goals, get graft estimate, review cost
Book procedure date3-6 weeks beforeConfirm deposit and cancellation policy
Book flights3-4 weeks beforeArrive the day before, depart 2-3 days after
Book accommodation3-4 weeks beforeChoose a hotel within 15 minutes of the clinic
Arrange ground transport1-2 weeks beforeRide service or rental car for post-op comfort
Pre-op instructions1 week beforeStop blood thinners, alcohol, and certain supplements
Pack recovery suppliesDay beforeTravel pillow, loose hat, saline spray, medications

How Many Nights to Stay

Plan for a minimum stay of 3 nights at your destination:

  • Night 1 (day before): Arrive, settle in, get a good night of sleep
  • Procedure day: Full-day procedure (4-8 hours depending on graft count). Return to hotel to rest.
  • Night 2 (day after): Clinic follow-up appointment in the morning. Donor and recipient area inspection.
  • Night 3: Second recovery day. Most patients feel well enough to explore the city gently.
  • Day 4: Fly home

If your procedure involves over 2,500 grafts, consider adding a fourth night. Larger sessions produce more swelling that peaks on days 2-3.

Flying After ARTAS

The grafts are secure in their recipient sites within 24 to 48 hours. Flying does not dislodge them. The practical concerns with flying are:

  • Dry cabin air: Bring a travel-sized saline spray and mist the recipient area every 30 to 60 minutes during the flight
  • Physical bumps: Be cautious with overhead bins and headrests. Bring a neck pillow for the flight to keep your head positioned away from the seatback
  • Swelling: Cabin pressure can slightly increase facial swelling. An aisle seat allows you to get up, move around, and keep your head elevated

Cost Comparison: Local vs. Travel

For a patient based in a city without ARTAS availability, the math often favors traveling to a lower-cost market.

ScenarioProcedure CostTravel CostTotal
Local manual FUE (2,000 grafts at $6)$12,000$0$12,000
ARTAS in New York (2,000 at $11)$22,000$1,500$23,500
ARTAS in Dallas (2,000 at $8)$16,000$1,200$17,200
ARTAS in Atlanta (2,000 at $8)$16,000$1,000$17,000

The ARTAS premium over manual FUE is $4,000 to $11,000 for a 2,000-graft case. Whether the consistency advantage justifies that premium depends on your case complexity and risk tolerance. For a detailed comparison of extraction methods, see our FUE vs FUT comparison.

Post-Travel Follow-Up

Remote Monitoring

Most ARTAS clinics have protocols for traveling patients that include:

  • Same-day or next-day in-person follow-up before you leave
  • Photo-based remote monitoring at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
  • Video consultations for any concerns
  • Coordination with a local dermatologist for in-person checks if needed

Ask your clinic about their remote follow-up protocol before booking. A clinic with a strong post-op monitoring system for traveling patients is a sign of experience with medical tourism.

Get Your Personalized Plan

Not sure which Norwood stage you are at or how many grafts your case requires? Upload a photo at myhairline.ai/analyze to get an AI-powered assessment of your hair loss, estimated graft needs, and recommendations for procedure type and clinic selection.

FAQ

Where can I get an ARTAS robotic hair transplant?

ARTAS systems are available at select clinics in major US cities including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, and San Francisco. International options include clinics in Canada, the UK, parts of Europe, and select locations in Asia. Availability is limited because each ARTAS unit costs over $300,000, so only established high-volume clinics invest in the system.

How much does it cost to travel for an ARTAS procedure?

Travel costs for an ARTAS procedure in the US typically add $1,000 to $3,000 on top of the procedure fee. This covers flights, 3-5 nights of hotel stay, and local transportation. Some clinics in cities like Dallas, Atlanta, and Phoenix offer lower per-graft pricing ($8-10) compared to New York and LA ($10-12), which can offset travel costs entirely.

Can I fly home the day after ARTAS surgery?

Most surgeons recommend waiting 2 to 3 days before flying after an ARTAS procedure. Cabin pressure changes are not harmful to grafts, but the dry cabin air, cramped seating, and risk of bumping your head on overhead bins pose concerns. Plan for at least 2 nights at your destination after the procedure before flying home.

Frequently Asked Questions

ARTAS systems are available at select clinics in major US cities including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, and San Francisco. International options include clinics in Canada, the UK, parts of Europe, and select locations in Asia. Availability is limited because each ARTAS unit costs over $300,000, so only established high-volume clinics invest in the system.

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