Trip At a Glance
✓ Visa: Not required for US citizens
✓ Flight time: 10-13 hours from US
✓ Trip length: 5-7 days typical
✓ Hotels: Included in package (usually)
✓ Best time: Spring/Fall for weather
✓ Budget: $3,000-7,000 all-in
No Visa Required!
Updated Turkey Entry (2024)
US citizens no longer need a visa to visit Turkey for tourism stays up to 90 days. This is a recent policy change—you previously needed an e-visa ($50). Just bring your passport (valid for 6+ months) and you're good to go!
Your 7-Day Trip Timeline
Day 1: Arrival
Land at Istanbul Airport (IST), VIP pickup to hotel
- Check into hotel (usually 4-5 star in Taksim area)
- Get Turkish SIM card or use hotel WiFi for WhatsApp
- Light dinner, early bedtime (jet lag + big day tomorrow)
- Clinic may do blood tests this evening or next morning
Day 2: Surgery Day
The big day - expect 6-8 hours at clinic
- Pickup from hotel (usually 8-9am)
- Hairline design with surgeon (30-60 min—this is critical!)
- Shaving donor area, local anesthesia
- Extraction phase (2-3 hours—watch movies, relax)
- Lunch break
- Channel creation and implantation (3-4 hours)
- Bandage, instructions, back to hotel for rest
Day 3: First Wash
Return to clinic for professional wash
- Clinic pickup for first hair wash (gentle, professional)
- Surgeon checks healing, gives at-home wash instructions
- Receive aftercare kit (special shampoo, spray, etc.)
- Rest of day: Hotel rest, Netflix, short walk if feeling good
Days 4-6: Recovery
Light sightseeing OK
- Daily gentle hair washing at hotel
- Visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar
- Avoid: Hammam, strenuous activity, direct sun
- Wear loose hat for sun protection
Day 7: Departure
Cleared to fly home
- Use neck pillow on flight to avoid rubbing grafts
- Bring soft hat for plane
- Keep aftercare products in carry-on
What to Pack: Essential Checklist
✈️ Travel Documents
- □Passport (must be valid 6+ months)
- □Return flight confirmation
- □Travel insurance documents
- □Credit card + $300-500 cash (USD or EUR)
👕 Clothing (Critical!)
- □3-4 button-up shirts or zip hoodies (MUST not pull over head!)
- □Comfortable pants (sweatpants, joggers)
- □Slip-on shoes
💊 Recovery Items
- □Travel neck pillow (essential for flight home!)
- □Pain relievers (Tylenol OK)
- □Any prescription meds you take regularly
Getting Around Istanbul
Airport to Hotel Options
Taxi to Taksim
45-60 minutes
~$40-55
Metro
~90 mins with transfer
~$1
Clinic VIP Pickup
Included in package
Free
Sample Trip Budget (All-In)
Hair transplant package (mid-tier)$3,500
Includes: procedure, 3-night hotel, transfers, medications
Round-trip flights from US$800
Travel insurance$75
Extra hotel nights (2 nights)$200
Meals & daily expenses (7 days)$300
Sightseeing & souvenirs$150
Total All-In Cost~$5,025
vs. US equivalent$12,000-20,000
Pro Tips from Repeat Medical Tourists
- 💡 Bring photos of hairlines you like to show surgeon during design phase
- 💡 Download Netflix content before flight (long procedure day)
- 💡 Get clinic WhatsApp before you fly in case pickup falls through
- 💡 Buy extra pillow cases at Istanbul mall (you'll get blood/ooze on them)
After You Return Home
- Days 7-14: Scabs fall off naturally (don't pick!)
- Weeks 3-12: Shock loss phase—transplanted hairs fall out (normal!)
- Monthly photos: WhatsApp them to your clinic for tracking
- Start finasteride/minoxidil: If recommended by surgeon
- Patience required: Final results at 12-18 months
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