Canadian Medical Travel Coordination
Quick Facts
Last updated: June 2026
Visa for Canadians
Canadian passport holders do not need a tourism visa for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Your passport must be valid for at least 150 days from your date of entry. For stays longer than 90 days, or for patients who do not hold a Canadian passport, an official medical visa is available through the HealthTurkiye portal. See the official source: Government of Canada entry requirements for Turkey
Official language and hospital languages
Turkish is the official language. Leading internationally accredited hospitals run dedicated international patient departments with English-speaking coordinators and interpreters.
Currency
Turkish lira (TRY). International patient billing is often quoted in US dollars or euros, and immediate payment is commonly expected at the point of care.
Flights from Canada to Turkey
Istanbul is Turkey's main hub for international patients, served by Istanbul Airport (IST). Turkish Airlines and Air Transat fly direct from eastern Canada, while western Canada usually connects through a European hub.
from Toronto (YYZ)
to Istanbul (IST)
Direct: Yes
Flight time: About 10 hours
Round-trip: Off-peak CAD 800 to 1,100 / peak CAD 1,200 to 1,500
from Vancouver (YVR)
to Istanbul (IST)
Direct: Yes
Flight time: About 12 hours
Round-trip: Off-peak CAD 850 to 1,300 / peak CAD 1,450 to 1,900
from Calgary (YYC)
to Istanbul (IST)
Direct: No, one stop
Flight time: About 14.5 hours or more
Round-trip: Off-peak CAD 870 to 1,300 / peak CAD 1,900 to 2,200
from Montreal (YUL)
to Istanbul (IST)
Direct: Seasonal
Flight time: About 9.5 hours
Round-trip: Off-peak CAD 750 to 1,100 / peak CAD 1,200 to 1,600
Fares are indicative and shift with season and booking lead time. The lowest fares are generally found in October and November.
Where to Stay
International patients in Istanbul commonly stay in upscale, well-connected districts close to the major hospitals. On the European side these include Nişantaşı, Şişli, Beşiktaş, and Levent; on the Asian side, Kadıköy and Ataşehir. For recovery comfort, spring (April and May) and autumn (September through November) bring mild weather. Summer (June through August) is hot and humid in Istanbul, and wildfires can affect the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts during those months; winter is cooler and the wettest part of the year.
3-star hotels
Average nightly
CAD 110 to 165
Per week, 7 nights
CAD 770 to 1,155
4-star hotels
Average nightly
CAD 130 to 220
Per week, 7 nights
CAD 910 to 1,540
5-star hotels
Average nightly
CAD 250 to 440
Per week, 7 nights
CAD 1,750 to 3,080
Safety and Travel
The Government of Canada advises Canadians to exercise a high degree of caution in Turkey, with regional advisories that apply to areas far from the main medical hubs. For a medical traveller in Istanbul, this means taking the same sensible precautions you would in any large city: keep your belongings secure in crowded places, and be wary of unsolicited invitations to bars, a scam reported in parts of Istanbul.
The avoid-travel zones near the Iraq and Syria borders, along with two southeastern provinces, are hundreds of kilometres from Istanbul and the western treatment cities, and do not affect a standard medical trip. Review the full, current advisory before you travel: Government of Canada travel advisory for Turkey
Featured Treatments in Turkey
Turkey treated about 1.5 million international patients in 2024, and its state health agency, USHAŞ, reports that gynecology, ophthalmology, general surgery, and dentistry are among the specialties foreign patients choose most. The country has more than 35 JCI-accredited hospitals, most of them in Istanbul.
Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery
Turkey is one of the world's leading destinations for aesthetic surgery, with international bodies reporting well over a million cosmetic treatments performed for foreign patients each year. Rhinoplasty, liposuction, abdominoplasty, and breast procedures are among the most requested.
Learn more about plastic surgery with Maple Med Global
Dental Care
Dentistry is one of the specialties most chosen by international patients in Turkey, supported by a dense network of clinics and clear, package-based pricing for implants, crowns, and veneers.
Learn more about dental care with Maple Med Global
Eye Care
Ophthalmology ranks among the top specialties chosen by foreign patients in Turkey, according to USHAŞ. Cataract surgery with lens implants, along with laser vision correction such as LASIK and SMILE, is widely available at accredited centres.
Learn more about eye care with Maple Med Global
Fertility and IVF
Gynecology, which includes IVF and fertility care, is one of the specialties most chosen by international patients in Turkey, supported by a large and well-established network of fertility centres.
Learn more about fertility and IVF with Maple Med Global
Bariatric Surgery
Weight-loss procedures such as gastric sleeve and gastric bypass are a well-established strength of Turkey's hospital sector, performed within its general surgery programs for international patients.
Learn more about bariatric surgery with Maple Med Global
Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedics and traumatology, including knee and hip replacement, is among the specialties foreign patients travel to Turkey for. Leading hospitals widely offer robotic-arm-assisted joint replacement using systems such as MAKO, which supports precise, pre-planned implant placement in knee and hip surgery.
Learn more about orthopedic care with Maple Med Global
Costs and Canadian Wait Times
Many of the treatments patients travel to Turkey for are either not covered by Canadian public health insurance or carry long public waits. The Fraser Institute reported a national median wait of 28.6 weeks from referral to treatment in 2025. The ranges below are indicative.
Rhinoplasty
Turkey: CAD 3,450 to 6,900
Canada, private: CAD 8,000 to 18,000
Liposuction
Turkey: CAD 2,760 to 6,200
Canada, private: CAD 8,000 to 15,000
Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
Turkey: CAD 4,800 to 8,300
Canada, private: CAD 9,000 to 17,000
Breast augmentation
Turkey: CAD 4,800 to 9,000
Canada, private: CAD 8,000 to 15,000
Single dental implant
Turkey: CAD 550 to 2,070
Canada, private: CAD 3,000 to 6,000
Gastric sleeve
Turkey: CAD 4,800 to 8,300
Canada, public wait: Bariatric surgery in Canada averages around three years
Final quotes are confirmed per case.
Leading Internationally Accredited Hospitals in Turkey
-
Memorial Şişli Hospital, Istanbul, JCI accredited
-
Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital, Istanbul, JCI accredited
-
Acıbadem Maslak Hospital, Istanbul, JCI accredited
-
Acıbadem Atakent Hospital, Istanbul, JCI accredited
-
Liv Hospital Ulus, Istanbul, JCI accredited
-
Medicana International Istanbul, Istanbul, JCI accredited
-
Florence Nightingale Hospital, Istanbul, JCI accredited
-
American Hospital, Istanbul, JCI accredited
This list is informational. Hospital selection for each patient depends on diagnosis, complexity, and treatment plan.
Frequently asked questions
For general questions about Canadian health insurance coverage abroad, complication insurance, follow-up care after returning to Canada, and trip planning, see our General FAQ
Plan Your Treatment in Turkey with Maple Med Global
From your first questions to your return home, Maple Med Global coordinates your care from Toronto. We match you with authorized, internationally accredited hospitals, share your doctor and hospital details before you decide, and keep the whole plan clear and transparent. When you are ready to take treatment abroad seriously, request a personalized quote and we will guide you through the next steps.
Or call/text us at +1 (647) 492-2777
Explore Other Destinations
Comparing your options? Explore more of our medical travel destinations to find the right fit for your treatment.