Planning Your Medical Trip to Türkiye
Travelling abroad for treatment involves more than booking an appointment. Good planning helps you arrive relaxed, keeps your schedule flexible for medical needs and makes the journey home easier. This guide walks you through the main steps of planning a medical trip to Türkiye.
Your Medical Trip, Step by Step
Most medical journeys follow the same sequence. Keeping this order helps you avoid booking travel before your treatment plan is clear:
- Share your request — describe what you are looking for and share any relevant medical information.
- Medical review — the medical team reviews your information and may suggest possible options or further tests.
- Treatment plan — you receive an outline of the proposed treatment, timeline and costs.
- Dates and travel — once you agree, appointments are scheduled and travel is arranged around them.
- Treatment and stay — you attend your appointments, with support during your stay.
- Return and follow-up — you travel home once you are cleared by your doctor, with follow-up agreed in advance.
You can see how Medistra Care supports each of these stages on our How It Works page.
Entry Requirements and Travel Documents
Entry rules depend on your nationality. Many visitors can enter Türkiye without a visa or with an e-Visa, while others need to apply at a consulate. Always check the current requirements for your passport on the official e-Visa website of the Republic of Türkiye or with your nearest Turkish consulate before booking.
- Check that your passport is valid for long enough beyond your planned stay
- Keep digital and printed copies of your passport, booking confirmations and treatment plan
- Bring your medical reports, test results and a list of your medications in English if possible
- Consider travel insurance and ask your insurer whether complications related to planned treatment are covered
Booking Flights: Leave Room to Recover
Istanbul is served by two international airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) on the Asian side. Check which one is closer to your hospital or clinic before you book.
Choose flexible tickets where possible and plan one or two extra days after your treatment. Recovery does not always follow the calendar, and your doctor needs to confirm that you are fit to fly. After some procedures, particularly surgery, a longer stay is recommended before a long-haul flight. See our guide to how long to stay in Türkiye for each procedure.
Book your return flight only after your treatment plan confirms how long you need to stay in Türkiye.
Accommodation and Transfers
Staying close to your hospital or clinic makes appointments easier, especially when you are recovering. Look for accommodation with a lift, quiet rooms and easy access to food, and let the hotel know if you will need a calm environment after treatment.
Airport and appointment transfers remove much of the stress from arrival day. Your patient coordinator can help organise accommodation and transfers around your appointments so the schedule fits together.
What to Pack for a Medical Trip
- Comfortable, loose clothing — button-up tops are useful after hair, facial or upper-body procedures
- All regular medications in their original packaging, with enough for extra days
- Medical documents, reports and imaging on paper and on your phone
- A phone charger, travel adapter (Türkiye uses type C and F sockets) and a power bank
- Items recommended by your clinic, such as a neck pillow, compression garments or special hats
Travelling With a Companion
Many patients travel with a family member or friend. A companion can help with practical tasks, keep you company during recovery and support you on the journey home. For some procedures, the medical team may recommend that you do not travel alone.
Communication During Your Stay
Arrange mobile data before you arrive — an eSIM or local SIM card makes it easy to stay in touch with your coordinator, hotel and family via WhatsApp. Save the contact details of your coordinator and the hospital, and keep your hotel address written down in Turkish for taxis.
If you have a few free days before treatment, our guide to exploring Istanbul during your treatment has ideas for calm, easy outings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I plan to stay in Türkiye?
It depends on the treatment. Some dental and hair treatments need a few days, while surgery usually requires a longer stay for recovery and follow-up checks. Your treatment plan should state the recommended length of stay.
Do I need a visa to travel to Türkiye for treatment?
Requirements depend on your nationality. Check the official e-Visa website of the Republic of Türkiye or contact a Turkish consulate for the rules that apply to your passport.
Can someone help me with transfers and accommodation?
Yes. Your Medistra Care coordinator can help arrange airport transfers and accommodation that fit around your appointments.
Information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Treatment recommendations are made by qualified medical professionals after evaluation of each individual case.