Travelling to Istanbul from Europe or the USA

Most of our patients fly in from another country for surgery and fly home within a week. This page explains exactly how that works — the journey, the six days on the ground, what the package covers, and how follow-up continues once you are back home.

Where our patients come from

Patients from more than 50 countries

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zülfü Sertkaya has treated patients from over 50 countries. The largest groups travel from the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, France, the United States, Canada and Australia, alongside patients from the Gulf region.

3–4h

Typical flight time from Western Europe to Istanbul

Days in Istanbul for a complete implant programme

50+

Countries our patients have travelled from

24/7

English-language coordinator support on WhatsApp

Getting here

Istanbul is one of the easiest cities in the world to reach

Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) are served by direct flights from almost every major European city and by direct long-haul routes from North America. You are met at arrivals and driven to your hotel — you never need to arrange local transport.

Flying from the United Kingdom or Ireland +

London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Dublin all have direct services to Istanbul, with a typical flight time of around four hours. Turkey is two hours ahead of the UK, so jet lag is not a factor in your recovery.

Flying from continental Europe +

Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Vienna, Zurich, Milan, Madrid, Stockholm and Copenhagen are all within roughly two to four hours of Istanbul on direct flights. Most patients from these cities fly in on the morning of Day 1 and are at their hotel by the afternoon.

Flying from the United States or Canada +

There are direct long-haul flights to Istanbul from New York, Newark, Washington, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Toronto and Montreal. Because of the time difference, patients travelling from North America usually add one extra day before surgery to rest and adjust. We build that into your programme when we plan your dates.

Do I need a visa for Turkey? +

Visa requirements depend on your nationality and change from time to time. Citizens of many European countries travel to Turkey without a visa for short stays, while other nationalities apply online through Turkey's official e-Visa service. Always confirm the current rules for your passport with the official Turkish e-Visa website or your nearest Turkish consulate before booking flights. Your coordinator can provide a letter confirming your treatment dates if you need one for your application.

Can I bring my partner or a companion? +

Yes, and many patients do. Hotel accommodation is arranged as a double room at no additional cost for a companion, and your companion is welcome at consultations if you would like them there.

Your six days in Istanbul

A programme built around one short trip

Penile implant surgery does not require repeat visits. The complete pathway — examination, pre-operative testing, surgery, in-hospital recovery and post-operative review — is condensed into a single stay, with the remaining follow-up carried out remotely.

Day 1 — Arrival +

You are collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel. No medical appointments are scheduled, so a late arrival is not a problem.

Day 2 — Examination and pre-operative tests +

Consultation and physical examination with Dr. Sertkaya, followed by pre-operative blood tests and any cardiac clearance required. This is where the implant type and size are confirmed together with you.

Day 3 — Surgery +

Surgery at Biruni University Hospital using the Non-Touch Technique, followed by one night in a private hospital room under nursing observation.

Day 4 — Post-operative review +

Dressing change and review with Dr. Sertkaya, then transfer back to your hotel.

Day 5 — Recovery at the hotel +

A rest day. Your coordinator remains reachable throughout and can arrange an additional clinic visit if anything concerns you.

Day 6 — Final review and departure +

Final clinic review, written discharge summary and medication for the journey, then transfer to the airport. Most patients are cleared to fly on this day.

Practical matters

Language, payment and privacy

Will everyone speak English? +

Your consultations with Dr. Sertkaya are conducted in English, and our international patient coordinators support patients in English, Turkish and Arabic. You are never asked to navigate a hospital in a language you do not speak.

What does the all-inclusive package cover? +

The quoted package covers the surgery and surgeon's fee, the implant device itself, pre-operative tests, one night in Biruni University Hospital, five nights of hotel accommodation, all airport and hospital transfers, post-operative medication and care kit, and your six-week remote follow-up consultation. Flights are the only major cost you arrange yourself.

Which currencies can I pay in? +

Quotes are given in euros and can be settled in euros, pounds sterling, US dollars or Turkish lira. You receive a written quote before you travel and the price does not change on arrival.

Will my insurer at home cover this? +

Treatment abroad is usually paid for privately, and most patients travelling to Istanbul self-fund. If your insurer or national health service does reimburse treatment received overseas, we can provide an itemised invoice and a full operative report to support a claim. Check the terms with your insurer before you travel — we cannot guarantee reimbursement.

How private is this? +

All correspondence, records and travel arrangements are handled confidentially, and nothing is shared with third parties without your explicit consent. Many patients choose to travel precisely because a short trip abroad attracts no questions at home.

After you fly home

Follow-up does not end at the airport

You keep direct WhatsApp access to your coordinator for everyday questions during recovery. A formal video consultation with Dr. Sertkaya takes place at six weeks, which is when the device is activated and you are cleared to resume sexual activity. A further video or written review is arranged at three months, and the surgical team remains reachable beyond that.

If your own urologist at home wants records, we provide a full operative report and implant documentation, including the device serial number and manufacturer card, so any clinician anywhere can see exactly what was implanted.

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