Hair Transplant in Turkey for UK Patients
From the UK, Istanbul is about four hours away by non-stop flight, and British passport holders can currently visit Türkiye without a visa for up to 90 days. A hair transplant is not available on the NHS, so it is private wherever you have it. Our follow-up runs for 12 months after you fly home.
Turkey or a UK clinic: what actually changes
The NHS lists hair transplants as cosmetic surgery that is not available on the NHS, so the choice for a UK patient is between private clinics — at home or abroad. Three things change when the clinic is in Istanbul rather than in Britain: you add a short trip, the follow-up after the first days happens remotely, and the price is usually set as a package rather than item by item.
Our packages have one price each, whichever technique is used and for up to 5,000 grafts; every package includes airport transfers and an interpreter. Whatever you compare it with, ask each clinic the same questions: what the quote covers, who does what on the day, and what happens after you are back in the UK.
| In the UK | In Istanbul with us | |
|---|---|---|
| Getting there | Local or domestic travel | About 4 hours non-stop from London, Manchester or Birmingham |
| After the first days | Visits to the clinic | Remote follow-up for 12 months with a named contact |
| How the price is set | Set by each clinic — ask what it includes | One price per package, the same for every technique |
| Time away | The procedure day and recovery | A trip of 3–4 days, then recovery at home |
Flying to Istanbul from the UK
Turkish Airlines flies non-stop to Istanbul Airport (IST) from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham, in a little over four hours. Pegasus flies to Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) from London Stansted and Manchester, and in summer 2026 also from Gatwick. IST is on the European side, like the clinic in Ataköy; SAW is on the Asian side, a longer drive. Your airport transfer is included either way.
Routes and timetables change, so check the airline before you book. Plan the return for after your first check and wash rather than the earliest possible flight — our guides on how many days to plan in Istanbul and flying home after the procedure cover the timing.
Entry rules for British passport holders
On a full British passport you can visit Türkiye without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The UK government's travel advice also asks that the passport is valid for at least 150 days from the day you arrive and has a blank page. These rules can change: read the Foreign Office's Turkey entry requirements before you book and again before you travel. Other passports are covered in our visa guide for patients.
Back in the UK: your GP, the NHS and our follow-up
The NHS advice on cosmetic surgery abroad makes two points worth acting on before you book. In the UK the clinic that treats you is responsible for follow-up; abroad, follow-up may be limited or work differently, so find out exactly what you will get. And standard travel insurance does not normally cover things that go wrong with the surgery itself.
Our follow-up runs for 12 months with a named contact. You leave Istanbul with written aftercare and the products for the first days, send photos at set points during the growing-in months, and anything that needs a clinical answer is passed to the clinic. It is still sensible to tell your GP about the procedure and to keep the written aftercare and clinic details where you can find them.
Where to go next
Patient journeyFlying After a Hair TransplantFlying after a hair transplant: when the fli…What to expect TravelVisa & Entry Guide for Hair Transplant PatientsGeneral entry and visa considerations for tr…Plan the trip Patient journeyHair Transplant Follow-Up ProgrammeHair transplant follow-up: the check before…What to expect TrustHair Transplant Clinic Safety ChecklistA practical hair transplant clinic safety ch…How we work Common questions
Can I have a hair transplant on the NHS?
Which UK airports have non-stop flights to Istanbul?
Will my travel insurance cover the procedure?
Do I need a visa for Türkiye on a British passport?
Can my GP help once I am home?
How much time off work should I plan?
Sources & further reading
- NHS — Hair transplant (not available on the NHS)
- NHS — Cosmetic surgery abroad
- GOV.UK — Turkey travel advice: entry requirements (checked 22.10.2026)
- Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Visa information for foreigners
- Pegasus Airlines — Flights from the United Kingdom to Türkiye
- Turkish Airlines — Flights to the United Kingdom
This content is for general information only and does not replace a personal medical consultation. Any procedure carries risks that are discussed during your assessment; individual results vary.
Start with a free hair analysis
Share a few photos and our patient team will come back with an indicative plan, the technique that fits and the package that applies — no obligation.