While no discussion on hair transplantation is complete without a mention of Turkey, several other destinations are becoming popular for this procedure, among them India.
Both these countries present a cheaper option for hair transplants abroad, especially when compared to the UK, US, and Canada. However, when deciding between them, there are several differences that you should consider.
Here, we’ll compare hair transplants in Turkey vs India, taking cost, quality, the travel experience, weather and touristic appeal into account.
Turkey vs India: Which Is Better For A Hair Transplant?
The following might help you decide on where you should have your hair transplant.
Cost
When it comes to hair transplant costs, Turkey and India are both considered affordable options. However, prices can vary greatly depending on where you choose to have this procedure done.
Statistia, collaborating with a hair transplant review platform Medihair, found that, on average, the cost per graft in India was £1.10 and in Turkey it was £0.88 up until 2021.
As of 2025, hair transplants in India still cost an average of around £1/graft but can get as high as £3/graft.
Similarly, graft prices in Turkey typically range from £1 to, typically, as much as £2.5 per graft, but several clinics in the country charge by surgery instead of grafts. It may therefore be easier to find even cheaper hair transplant clinics in Turkey than in India.
When choosing where to get a hair transplant, cost is generally a key factor, but it shouldn’t be the only one. If you want good results, you need a highly qualified surgeon and a competent medical team.
Quality
The Ministry of Health (MoH) and National Medical Commission (NMC) are responsible for regulating health services in Turkey and India, respectively, and both have issued specific guidelines for a hair transplant.
In the guidelines issued by the MoH, for instance, it is clearly stated that only “certified personnel” who have a certificate registered with the Ministry are allowed to work in hair transplantation units.
Additionally, those without “a hair transplantation practitioner certificate and a hair transplantation practitioner assistant certificate” are not allowed to perform this surgery. And notably, physicians are the only ones permitted to participate in the former certification program, while the latter is for “non-medical healthcare professionals.”
You can also find the lists of authorized healthcare facilitators on the Ministry’s own website, making it easier for you to make an informed decision about your hair transplant facilitator.
There are specific guidelines for who can perform hair transplants in India as well. The NMC, for instance, requires that hair transplants be performed by a “properly trained and licensed Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP),” which can include medical professionals, such as “dermatologists or trained surgeons.”
The statutory body even felt the need to clarify that one cannot be considered adequately trained to perform hair transplants merely by “watching in workshops or on YouTube or similar platforms.”
Even so, you must beware of the hair transplant black market, which is a problem in many parts of the world, including the US, the UK, as well as India and Turkey. You can find excellent hair transplant surgeons in both countries, but you must do your due diligence about finding the right practitioner.
Travel Experience
The flight time to Turkey is much shorter than the flight time to India if you live in the UK. For example, flying from London to Istanbul can take around 4 hours, whereas flying from London to Delhi may take about 9 hours.
You will also have to pay a higher price for the latter ticket aside from the hassle associated with it. Likewise, it is the same if you are coming from the US or Canada. Turkey’s geographical location, therefore, does give it an edge over India.
Weather
Though a part of the travel experience, weather requires special attention, especially when it comes to hair transplants.
That’s because if you’re getting hair restoration surgery in summer, you have to be careful about sweating. Patients are generally advised not to sweat for 2 weeks after surgery as it carries the risk of infection and can damage the grafts.
In general, India is a hotter country than Turkey. And during certain summer months (e.g. May and June) it can get particularly hot. A record 52.3 degrees Celsius temperature was recorded in Delhi during May last year. In June, when it also gets quite hot, temperatures usually end up exceeding 40°C.
In contrast, according to the Met Office, the hottest month in Istanbul — June — sees temperatures ranging from 27 to around 30°C. Of course, precaution is still absolutely imperative in order to see good results, however, weather conditions might generally be more tolerable in Turkey.
Touristic Appeal
India and Turkey are both known for their rich and vibrant cultures and hospitality, as well as a wealth of tourist attractions.
There are a plethora of religious sites, forts, tombs and colourful shopping streets in Delhi alone. In addition, many tourists enjoy the flavourful cuisine of India.
However, Turkey, particularly Istanbul, is one of the most popular tourist destinations globally. According to the World Population Review, Turkey was the 6th most visited country in 2024.
Besides the cisterns, palaces, mosques, and parks in Istanbul, the city is unique in that it straddles two continents. As well, the Turkish cuisine ranked #6 on TasteAtlas’ list of the world’s best cuisines.
What To Consider When Getting A Hair Transplant Abroad
While location may be important, if you’re thinking of getting a hair transplant in another country, you must also take the following into consideration as well:
Expertise of the medical team: When it comes to hair transplantation, a good surgeon makes all the difference. Therefore, you shouldn’t make a booking solely based on the prices. In the event of a botched transplant, the repair work will cost you more in the long run.
Standard of the medical facility: Make sure to check that the clinic or hospital where your surgery will take place is registered with a proper healthcare authority.
Availability of aftercare: It can take 12-18 months for you to see the final results of your hair transplant and there are certain guidelines you need to follow during them. Make sure to ask the clinic if and how they’ll follow up on your progress during the recovery period.
Ease of communication: It is important for you and your medical team to be on the same page so they can understand and help you achieve your desired goals. So, you should assess whether communication or language barriers aren’t an issue with the clinic you’re booking with.
Interested In A Hair Transplant?
Longevita is a trusted facilitator of hair transplants in both London and Istanbul. The team of highly experienced, independent clinicians we arrange treatment through has helped many patients around the world achieve excellent results. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in learning more.
Dr Cagla
Dr Cagla earned her medical degree at Trakya University’s Faculty of Medicine in Bulgaria and has almost 6 years of hair transplantation experience. She is a specialist in FUE, DHI and Sapphire hair transplants of the scalp, eyebrows and beard and has performed over 6,000 surgeries. Dr Cagla is multilingual, with fluency in English, Bulgarian and Turkish.
