Preparing your trip to Istanbul from France
on 01/08/2023
An intriguing city, a unique blend of cultures, histories and landscapes all in one place. Istanbul is a veritable gateway between Europe and Asia, a living witness to the rich and complex past of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires! Dynamic, modern, cosmopolitan and at the cutting edge of medical fields such as Hair Transplant FAQIstanbul never ceases to amaze. Whether you're a lover of art, gastronomy, nature or medical tourism, Istanbul is the place for you.
Why medical tourism in Turkey?
The advantages of medical travel, in particular Hair Transplant FAQin Turkey reside in :
- the quality of services offered to patients;
- appropriate care on request ;
- affordable healthcare costs compared with most European countries.
Tourists travel to Turkey, most often to Istanbul, for cosmetic surgery and especially hair transplants. The city has built up a real reputation in this field, offering a wide range of treatment options. We would nevertheless recommend that you take great care when choosing your hair clinic. Despite the fact that experienced surgeons, renowned for their expertise, carry out thousands of successful operations every day, there are also some very unscrupulous clinics.
Make sure you get all the information you need to make your choice! Be particularly wary of offers that are too tempting. They often conceal scams or bad practices. You should give priority to approved clinicsWe offer a wide range of services, all of which comply with health standards and guarantee post-operative medical care and support in your own language.
How do I get to Istanbul from France?
Conditions for entering and leaving Turkey
You do not need a visa to visit Turkey if you are a French national. The only condition is that your stay must not exceed 90 days. All you need is a passport or identity card valid for at least 3 months after the date of your planned return to France. (A paper will be given to customs) Caution! Oon no account transit through a country outside the EU if you do not have a valid passport.
Check the instructions on the embassy website at any time here
Practical advice for air travel
- Remember to check the validity of your identity documents and carry them with you when you travel.
- To take advantage of the best fares: use an airline offer comparator and book your ticket in advance.
- The unexpected can happen. Always allow enough time to get to the airport and through security.
- Comply with baggage regulations (weight, dimensions, contents, etc.) and make room for souvenirs/post-op care products.
- Find out about the services available on board (meals, entertainment, wifi...).
- Adjust to the time difference between France and Turkey (one hour more in summer, two hours more in winter).
- Take out travel insurance to cover any cancellation or repatriation costs.
Practical advice for travelling and undergoing hair transplant surgery
To ensure that the operation runs as smoothly as possible, please follow the practical advice below, which you should put in place before your trip.
Before the operation :
- Stop smoking at least two weeks before the operation, as there is a risk of impairing healing and graft survival.
- Avoid taking blood-thinning drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen for at least a week before the operation.
- Do not drink alcohol or eat spicy food the day before the operation.
- Wear comfortable clothes that are easy to put on on the day of the operation. Shirts, for example (to avoid having to put them on and touch the implanted areas).
After the hair transplant operation :
- Take the medicines prescribed by the surgeon, and make sure you have enough room in your suitcase for the return journey.
- Sleep on your back with your head elevated for the first few days to avoid rubbing or compressing the grafted area. A special cushion can be provided, as is the case with Klineva.
- Do not touch, scratch or tear off the scabs that form on the scalp, as they protect the grafts and fall off naturally after 10 to 15 days.
- For the first few weeks after the operation, it is essential to avoid exposure to the sun, heat, cold, dust or salt water. You risk damaging the grafts and delaying healing.
- Similarly, don't do any sport, and don't drink any alcohol for the first few weeks after the operation. This can increase blood pressure to the point of risking the expulsion of the grafts.
What to see and do on a trip to Turkey?
Istanbul is a destination that leaves no one indifferent. It's a city brimming with architectural, cultural, culinary and natural treasures. Here are a few good reasons to visit the Sublime Porte between East and West:
The Bosphorus
The Bosphorus, or more precisely the Istanbul Strait, links the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea. It is a 42 km long strait, forming a natural separation between Asia and Europe. It is one of Turkey's most famous strategic locations! It is crossed by the famous "Great Bridges of Istanbul". The Bosphorus has played a central role in the life of Turkey for many centuries, providing a vital link between East and West.
The Blue Mosque
A landmark in Istanbul, the Blue Mosque is the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet or Sultanahmet. It owes its name to the thousands of blue tiles adorning its interior. Built in the 17th century, it is one of the largest mosques in the world! With six minarets, a dome 43 metres in diameter and 260 windows, it is one of the jewels of Ottoman architecture. It can be visited every day, except during prayer times, and admission is free. However, the following rules of decorum must be observed: shoes off, shoulders and head covered for women, no noise and no flash photography.
Basilica of Saint Sophia
A basilica of Christian origin in Istanbul, the former Constantinople, Saint Sophia is located on the west coast of the Bosphorus. A masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, it was built in the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Justinian. For almost a thousand years, it was also the largest church in the Christian world. It was transformed into a mosque in the 15th century by the Ottomans, then turned into a museum in 1934 by the Turkish Republic. Since 2020, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan turned it back into a mosque. However, it is still open to visitors. So don't hesitate if you get the chance to visit this place before your hair transplant!
Taste Turkish specialities
Turkish cuisine is one of the most varied in the world and a must for any trip to Turkey! Wake up your taste buds with specialities such as kebabs, mezzes, böreks, dolmas, baklavas or loukoum, accompanied by tea in its emblematic cup or Turkish coffee heated with sand.
Our other recommendations include a visit to the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, a stroll through the narrow streets of the historic Sultanahmet district, a visit to the Galata Tower and its panoramic views, or a tour of the Topkapi Palace.
Similar questions
When is the best time to visit Istanbul?
We recommend visiting Istanbul in spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November). The climate is mild and pleasant, with fewer tourists than in summer. Paradoxically, summer is perhaps the best time to have a hair transplant. The latest studies show that blood circulation, including that of the scalp, is amplified by the heat, resulting in faster recovery in the event of a hair transplant.
How long does a hair or beard transplant operation last?
A hair transplant operation lasts between 4 and 8 hours on average, depending on the number of grafts to be harvested and implanted. It is carried out under local anaesthetic and does not require hospitalisation.
What currency is used in Turkey?
The currency used in Turkey is the Turkish lira, which is worth around 30TL to 1 Euro (July 2023). You can change euros at bureaux de change, banks or hotels, and withdraw Turkish lira from cash dispensers. Our advice is to use exchange offices outside the airport to get a better price and avoid charges.