Travelling to Turkey: the practical side.

Quick answer: If you're a British citizen, you don't need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Your passport needs to be valid for at least 150 days after you arrive, have a blank page, and have been issued less than 10 years ago (that last one catches a lot of people out). It's also important to know that normal travel insurance usually doesn't cover cosmetic surgery or any complications.

This page covers the practical bits, like visas, passports, how much time off you'll need, and what to expect when you fly.

Do I need a visa for Turkey?

No, not if you're a British citizen travelling as a tourist. UK passport holders don't need an e-visa any more, and you can stay for up to 90 days in any 180 day period without applying for anything.

Just to let you know, the official Turkish e-visa website is still there, and some people end up paying for a visa they don't need. You don't need to pay anything to visit Turkey as a UK tourist for a short trip.

Passport rules, and the one that catches people out

This is where people from the UK actually get stopped, usually at the departure gate rather than in Turkey.

• Valid for at least 150 days after you arrive. This is Turkey's own rule, and it's stricter than most people expect.
• At least one completely blank page for your stamps.
• Issued less than 10 years before you arrive. Some older UK passports had extra months added when they were renewed, and those extra months don't count.
• Not damaged, and not reported lost or stolen, even if you've found it since.

Airlines check this before you board and can refuse to let you fly, so please check your passport before you book anything, not the week before.

Turkey isn't in the Schengen area, so time there doesn't count towards your Schengen days.

Time off work

This depends much more on your job than on the procedure.

Desk work. Lots of people are back the day after they get home. You'll look like you've had something done, and there might be some swelling, but sitting at a desk won't affect your healing.

Physical work, or anything where you wear a hard hat. Two weeks is the usual advice. While your grafts settle, it's best to avoid anything pressing on them, heavy sweating, or dust and dirt. If your job involves any of that, it's worth planning for it.

Your surgeon will give you advice for your own case, and you should always follow that over this page. But if you're working out how to fit this around your job, that's a good rough guide.

How long you're in Turkey

Three days is normal. That's two nights in a hotel, with your consultation, the procedure and a check-up before you fly home.

A full package from one of my clinics usually includes:

• Airport transfers
• Two nights' hotel accommodation
• The consultation before the procedure
• The procedure itself
• The immediate post-procedure check before you travel back

Flights aren't included, so you book those yourself. That way you can choose your airline, airport and times, and you can see exactly what you're paying for travel.

Everything that is and isn't included will be in writing on your quote, so you don't have to work it out from a website.

Can someone come with me?

Yes, partners and friends are very welcome. Lots of people go on their own and are absolutely fine, but you don't have to.

Transfers normally cover both of you. The price does go up a little, because the hotel charges differently for two people, so just let me know when we're getting your quote and I'll make sure it's included from the start.

They can't be in the room during the procedure, which is normal for any surgery. But in most cases they can come to the clinic with you and be there when you come out, which is usually what matters most.

Travel insurance

This is really important to check before you book, because it's not what most people expect.

Normal travel insurance is made for holidays, and it usually doesn't cover cosmetic procedures abroad. That can include any complications, which is the part that really matters. You can get specialist medical travel insurance, which is different from a normal annual policy.

Your GHIC card won't cover it either. It only covers necessary treatment in state hospitals, not private procedures or their complications.

Have a read of your policy, and if you're not sure, give your insurer a ring and ask about cosmetic surgery abroad and any complications. Make sure you get their answer in writing.

Money

Turkey uses the Turkish Lira.

My clinics accept pounds, euros and US dollars, so you don't need to change money into lira to pay for your treatment, and you won't be caught out by exchange rates.

It's handy to have some lira for everything else, like coffee, taxis and anything you buy while you're there.

Flying home afterwards

It's easier than most people expect. Flying home a day or two after is completely normal, and the airline staff on these routes have seen it plenty of times. You probably won't be the only one on the plane who's just had it done!

The clinic gives you an aftercare kit to take home, including a neck pillow. It's really useful, because it stops your head resting on the seat so you can sleep without pressing on your grafts.

You'll look like you've just had something done, and some redness and swelling is normal at this stage. Most people wear a loose hood or cap once the clinic says it's OK, but please check with them first, because covering your grafts too early isn't a good idea.

Your surgeon will give you instructions for the journey home, so always follow those over this page.

Frequently asked questions