Getting to Istanbul
Istanbul has two main airports:
- Istanbul Airport (IST) — newer, on the European side, larger hub. ~50 minutes by taxi to Nişantaşı.
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) — older, on the Asian side, often cheaper budget routes. ~75 minutes by taxi to Nişantaşı.
For Western European patients: most direct flights to IST. From the UK: 4-hour flight from London. From Germany: 3 hours. From Scandinavia: 4 hours. From the US East Coast: 9 hours direct. From the Middle East: 3–4 hours.
Airport transfers
We provide complimentary airport transfer for international patients between IST and Nişantaşı, both directions. The transfer is by private car, driven by our regular partner driver, and we coordinate timing with your flight.
For Sabiha Gökçen arrivals, transfer is at cost (about €40 each way) or you can use the HAVAIST shuttle bus (about €8, takes about 90 minutes).
Hotel recommendations near the clinic
We don't partner with specific hotels (no commissions, no bias), but here are options in three tiers that patients tell us work well:
- Luxury (€250+/night): Park Hyatt Istanbul Maçka Palas, The Sofa Hotel, Six Senses Kocataş Mansions
- Mid-range (€100–200/night): Demoiselle by The Stay, Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul Golden Horn, Hilton Istanbul Bomonti
- Budget (€60–100/night): Hotel Avantgarde Taksim, Beethoven Hotel Şişli, Ibis Istanbul Esenyurt
Look for hotels within a 10-minute walk of Teşvikiye Caddesi or Nişantaşı Square. Avoid Sultanahmet/Sirkeci hotels (they're lovely but ~30 minutes away by taxi every time you need to come in).
Booking hotels
Standard booking platforms (Booking.com, Hotels.com, Agoda) work fine. Most hotels in Nişantaşı:
- Accept international credit cards
- Have English-speaking staff at reception
- Can hold luggage if your check-in is before room availability
- Have rooms with sufficient pillows for elevated sleeping
Mention you're visiting for medical reasons — many hotels offer "medical traveller" discounts or room upgrades for stays of 5+ nights.
Transport in the city
For the first 4–5 days post-op, we recommend:
- Walking only short distances near your hotel
- Taxi or Uber for any longer trips
- Avoid the metro / public transport (crowds, jostling, dust)
Taxis are inexpensive — most journeys within the European side cost €5–15. Use Uber or BiTaksi app for transparent pricing. Avoid taxis at tourist hot-spots (queue at the rank or use the app).
Companion travel
We strongly recommend international patients travel with a companion. They:
- Provide post-op support for the first 48 hours (when you may be groggy from anaesthesia)
- Help with hotel logistics
- Provide companionship during recovery (when you're not feeling social)
Many companions enjoy a low-key Istanbul holiday during the patient's recovery week — quieter activities like museums and cafes pair well with post-op rest schedules.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes — standard travel insurance is recommended for any international travel. For medical travel specifically, check whether your travel insurance covers complications from elective surgery (most don't, though some specialised medical travel policies do).
Can I share a hotel room with my companion?
Of course. A standard double room works fine. Some patients prefer separate beds for the first few nights so they don't disturb the companion when getting up to take medication.
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