Rhinoplasty in Turkey: travel guide

Turkey ranks among the world's top medical tourism destinations. Each year tens of thousands of international patients travel to Istanbul for plastic surgery procedures. This guide covers everything from visa to accommodation, transfer to recovery.

Visa requirements

Most European Union countries (Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, etc.) do NOT need a visa for short visits to Turkey. UK, US, Canada, Australia, and many other passport holders can obtain an e-visa online in about 10 minutes:

• Official site: www.evisa.gov.tr
• Cost: approximately $50 USD (varies by nationality)
• Validity: 90 days within 180 days
• Required documents: passport, return ticket, accommodation proof

Flights to Istanbul

Istanbul has two major airports:

• Istanbul Airport (IST): Europe's largest, Turkish Airlines hub. Most direct international flights arrive here.
• Sabiha Gökçen (SAW): Smaller, mainly serving low-cost carriers (Pegasus, easyJet)

Direct flights from major European cities: 3-4 hours. Daily service from London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna, Zurich, Frankfurt, Rome, Madrid, and many other cities.

Accommodation in Istanbul

For rhinoplasty patients, hotel selection priorities:

• Location: Near the clinic (Nişantaşı, Şişli area is ideal)
• Hotel level: 4-5 star recommended for comfort during recovery
• Room features: Elevator access, climate control, room service, quiet location
• Length of stay: 7-10 days minimum

Recommended hotels near the clinic

• Hyatt Regency Istanbul Atakoy
• The St. Regis Istanbul
• Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus
• Hilton Istanbul Bomonti
• Sheraton Istanbul City Center
• Pera Palace Hotel (boutique)
• Witt Istanbul Suites (apartment-style)

Airport transfers

Several options for getting from the airport to your hotel:

• VIP transfer: Organized through the clinic, English-speaking driver, ~€40-60
• Taxi: Available at airport, ~€30-50, traffic-dependent
• HAVAIST shuttle bus: Public shuttle to Taksim, ~€10, slower
• Metro: M11 metro from IST to city center (under development)

For post-surgery transfer (returning to airport), VIP transfer is strongly recommended to avoid stress.

Recovery timeline

Typical 10-day Istanbul stay for closed rhinoplasty:

• Day 0: Arrival, hotel check-in
• Day 1: Clinic visit, final consultation, pre-operative tests
• Day 2: Surgery day — 1 night in hospital
• Day 3: Hospital discharge, hotel rest begins
• Days 4-6: Recovery at hotel — minimal activity, light walks
• Day 7-8: Splint removal, control check at the clinic
• Day 9-10: Final clinic visit, return flight

Language support

At Doç. Dr. Erdal's clinic, the following languages are supported:

• 🇹🇷 Turkish (native)
• 🇬🇧 English (fluent — surgeon and team)
• 🇩🇪 German (fluent — surgeon and team)
• Other languages: translator can be arranged

Currency and payments

• Turkish Lira (TRY) is the local currency
• EUR, USD, GBP widely accepted at hotels and shops
• Credit cards accepted everywhere (Visa, Mastercard)
• For clinic payment: usually bank transfer in EUR or USD before surgery
• Cash withdrawal at ATMs with foreign cards is straightforward

Travel insurance

Strongly recommended:

• Travel medical insurance covering complications
• Trip cancellation/delay coverage
• Some insurers cover medical tourism — check your policy

What to bring

• Comfortable, button-up clothing (avoiding pull-over shirts for first week)
• Sunglasses (large, supportive for first 6 weeks)
• Headband or scarf (for hair management during recovery)
• Saline nasal spray (additional supply for travel back)
• Prescription medications you regularly use
• Power adapter (Turkey uses Type F European plugs)
• Lip balm and moisturizer (mouth breathing dries lips)