A hair transplant trip to Turkey requires 5-7 days and costs $3,500-6,500 total, including the procedure, flights, accommodation, and all other expenses. Istanbul is the primary destination, with over 350 clinics offering FUE and DHI procedures at $1-2 per graft. Proper logistical planning makes the difference between a smooth medical trip and an unnecessarily stressful experience.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or travel advice.
Total Cost Breakdown
| Expense | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clinic all-inclusive package | $2,500-4,500 | Procedure, hotel (2-4 nights), transfers, meds, post-op wash |
| Round-trip flights | $400-900 | Varies by origin city and booking lead time |
| E-Visa (if required) | $0-50 | Free for EU citizens, ~$50 for US/UK/Canada/Australia |
| Additional hotel nights | $50-150/night | If staying beyond the package-included nights |
| Meals and incidentals | $200-500 | 5-7 days of meals, tips, minor purchases |
| Travel insurance | $30-80 | Recommended for medical travel |
| Total | $3,500-6,500 | For a standard 2,000-4,000 graft procedure |
The all-inclusive package is the core cost. Most reputable clinics bundle the procedure ($1-2 per graft), 2-4 hotel nights, airport transfers, pre-op blood tests, medications (antibiotics, pain relief, anti-swelling), and 1-2 post-op wash sessions into a single price.
Pre-Trip Checklist
4-8 Weeks Before Travel
- Finalize clinic selection. Confirm surgeon name, procedure date, and package inclusions in writing. Get everything documented via email, not just WhatsApp messages.
- Book flights. Istanbul has two international airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen (SAW). IST is on the European side and closer to most clinics. Confirm which airport your clinic transfer departs from.
- Obtain visa. Check requirements at evisa.gov.tr. Process the e-Visa at least 2 weeks before departure.
- Arrange travel insurance. Standard travel insurance covers trip cancellation and basic medical emergencies. Some policies exclude elective surgical procedures, so verify coverage.
- Stop medications and substances. Discontinue blood thinners (aspirin, ibuprofen) 7-10 days before. Stop alcohol 7 days before. Stop smoking and nicotine 14 days before.
1 Week Before Travel
| Task | Details |
|---|---|
| Confirm clinic appointment | Get written confirmation of date, time, and pickup location |
| Confirm hotel details | Address, check-in time, clinic proximity |
| Pack procedure essentials | Button-up shirts, travel pillow, loose hat, saline spray |
| Download offline maps | Istanbul offline map in Google Maps for navigation without data |
| Set up communication | WhatsApp (standard communication method in Turkey) |
| Notify your bank | Inform card issuer of Turkey travel to prevent fraud blocks |
| Print key documents | Clinic confirmation, hotel address, emergency contact numbers |
Packing List
Clothing: Pack exclusively button-up or zip-up shirts for the first 10 days post-procedure. Pulling anything over your head risks disturbing grafts. Bring comfortable, loose pants and a light jacket.
Head protection: One loose-fitting hat (bucket hat or wide-brim) for sun protection starting day 7. Do not bring tight hats.
Medical supplies: Your clinic provides post-op medications, but bring any personal prescriptions, a travel pillow for the flight home, and saline spray for keeping grafts moist.
Electronics: Phone charger (Turkey uses Type F outlets; bring an adapter if needed), portable battery, headphones for the long procedure day.
Day-by-Day Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Your clinic transfer driver meets you at the airport (included in all-inclusive packages). You are taken directly to the hotel, which is typically within 10-15 minutes of the clinic. Rest, hydrate, and eat a light meal. Avoid alcohol. Some clinics schedule a brief consultation on the evening of arrival.
Day 2: Consultation and Procedure Start
The morning begins at the clinic with a consultation, hairline design, and pre-op blood tests. The surgeon draws the proposed hairline with a marker pen and you approve it before anything begins. The procedure typically starts by late morning.
For sessions under 3,000 grafts, the entire procedure often completes in one day (6-10 hours). Sessions of 3,500-5,000+ grafts may span two days, with extraction on day 2 and implantation on day 3.
Day 3: Procedure Completion or Rest
If your procedure was completed on day 2, this is your first full rest day. Stay in the hotel, sleep elevated, and take prescribed medications on schedule. Swelling typically peaks on days 2-3, so expect forehead puffiness and possible bruising around the eyes.
If your procedure spans two days, day 3 is implantation day. You return to the clinic for the remaining 4-6 hours of graft placement.
Day 4: First Post-Op Wash
Return to the clinic for the first professional wash. The clinic team gently removes dried blood and loosens scabs with a specialized washing technique. This appointment takes 1-2 hours and includes a checkup with the surgeon or medical team. You receive detailed home care instructions.
Day 5-6: Recovery Days
Light activity is fine. Short walks in the hotel area or nearby are encouraged for blood circulation. Avoid direct sun on the transplant area, do not bend forward, and do not carry heavy bags. Many patients feel well enough for light sightseeing on day 5-6, but keep a hat on and avoid crowded situations where someone might bump your head.
Day 7: Second Wash and Departure
Some clinics schedule a second wash on day 6 or 7. After the wash, you receive a final set of instructions for home care, a post-op care kit, and scheduled follow-up dates (typically video consultations at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months).
Flying Home After Surgery
Flying is safe 3-5 days after the procedure. Cabin pressure does not harm grafts. The primary risks during the flight are physical contact with the recipient area and dehydration.
Flight tips:
- Book a window seat to protect the side of your head from aisle traffic
- Bring a travel pillow (neck style) to avoid resting your transplant area against the headrest
- Drink extra water; cabin air is dry and dehydration slows healing
- Avoid overhead bin activity that puts your head near other passengers' bags
- Wear a loose hat to protect from accidental contact and UV exposure near windows
Post-Trip Follow-Up
Remote Follow-Up Schedule
| Timeline | Follow-Up Type | What to Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | Video call or photo review | Close-up photos of recipient and donor areas |
| 1 month | Photo review | Progress photos from multiple angles |
| 3 months | Video call | Early growth assessment |
| 6 months | Photo review | Density evaluation |
| 12 months | Final review | Full result assessment, discuss if session 2 needed |
Before leaving Turkey, confirm the communication channel (WhatsApp, email, or clinic portal) and save the clinic's emergency contact number.
Local Follow-Up Option
Consider scheduling a checkup with a local dermatologist 2-4 weeks after returning home. They can evaluate healing, check for infection signs, and provide a second opinion on graft survival. A single consultation costs $100-250.
For a comparison of extraction methods and their impact on your trip duration, see the FUE vs FUT comparison. To understand your hair loss stage before consulting with a clinic, review the Norwood scale guide.
Thinking about a Turkey hair transplant? Upload a photo at myhairline.ai/analyze for a free AI assessment of your Norwood stage and estimated graft count to bring to your clinic consultation.
FAQ
How much does a hair transplant trip to Turkey cost total?
A complete Turkey hair transplant trip costs $3,500-6,500 total. This breaks down to $2,500-4,500 for the all-inclusive clinic package (procedure, hotel, transfers, medications), $400-900 for round-trip flights, $0-200 for visa fees, and $200-500 for meals and incidentals over 5-7 days. The procedure itself costs $1-2 per graft.
Do I need a visa for a hair transplant in Turkey?
It depends on your nationality. US, UK, Canadian, and Australian citizens need an e-Visa, which costs approximately $50 and takes 10 minutes to obtain online at evisa.gov.tr. EU citizens from most member states do not need a visa for stays under 90 days. Always check current requirements at least 4 weeks before travel.
How long should I stay in Turkey for a hair transplant?
Plan for 5-7 days total. Day 1 is arrival, days 2-3 are the consultation and procedure, day 4 is the first post-op wash, and days 5-7 allow for recovery, a second wash, and departure. Patients having large sessions (4,000+ grafts) that span two days should add 1-2 extra days.