When I flew to Istanbul for my hair transplant in January 2025, I spent years beforehand researching, second-guessing, and comparing prices. I kept seeing “all-inclusive” hair transplant packages advertised, but I wasn’t sure what that really meant — or what was actually included.
Now that I’ve been through it myself and couldn’t be happier with my results at Clinicana Hair Transplant & Esthetic Surgeries, I want to share what I learned. This guide will show you how to compare packages, avoid hidden costs, and choose the one that truly delivers value — not just a cheap headline price.
(If you’d like a detailed checklist of everything I wish I knew before booking, grab my free guide: “8 Things I Wish I Knew Before Booking My Hair Transplant in Turkey”.)
Why The Package You Choose Matters
A “package” isn’t just about graft numbers. It’s the full ecosystem that determines how smooth, safe, and successful your experience will be. When I started looking, I saw offers that looked identical on the surface but differed massively once I read the details. Some excluded the hotel, others charged extra for aftercare products or transfers.
According to the World Health Organization, anyone travelling abroad for medical care should prioritise clinics that are regulated and transparent about inclusions. That was my turning point: I realised the right package wasn’t necessarily the cheapest — it was the one that offered clarity and safety.
That’s what led me to Clinicana, which operates inside Acıbadem Taksim Hospital — a licensed, hospital-based environment regulated by the Turkish Ministry of Health. Let’s look at what’s typically included in a professional hair-transplant package.
What’s Usually Included in a Hair Transplant Package
Most reputable Istanbul clinics offer a structure similar to this:
| Typical Inclusion | Description |
|---|---|
| Consultation | Online or in-clinic assessment to determine graft count and hairline plan |
| Pre-operative tests | Standard blood work and basic medical checks |
| Surgical procedure | FUE, Sapphire FUE, or DHI method, under local anaesthesia |
| Medications & aftercare | Shampoo, foam, pain relief, protective hat, cotton pillow |
| Accommodation | Usually 2–3 nights in a nearby 4-star hotel with breakfast |
| Transfers | Airport–hotel–clinic VIP transfers for the patient and a companion |
| Translator & coordinator | English-speaking staff assisting throughout |
| Guarantee & follow-up | WhatsApp support and scheduled check-ins after surgery |
This “all-inclusive” concept is what has made Turkey such a strong player in the global hair-restoration market. But it’s important to compare line-by-line because each clinic interprets “inclusive” differently.
Inside Clinicana’s Packages (2025)
Clinicana’s official pricing and structure are refreshingly clear. They offer three packages:
| Package | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | €2,500 | Consultation, blood tests, Micro FUE (Sapphire/DHI) max grafts, painless anaesthesia, medications, full aftercare kit, translator, guarantee, post-care follow-up |
| Standard | €2,850 | Everything in Basic + 2 nights hotel (with breakfast & Wi-Fi), VIP transfers, companion stay |
| Premium | €3,000 | Everything in Standard + pre-op consultation & hair-line drawing the day before surgery, special donor-area lotion, 3 nights in Naz City Taksim Hotel (4-star & SPA access) |
They also accept cash, card, PayPal, and bank transfers — another small but convenient detail.
I chose the Standard Package. For me, it was the perfect balance of comfort and value. The hotel was excellent, the VIP transfers seamless, and every element (from blood tests to aftercare kit) was handled professionally.
So how does that compare to other well-known Istanbul clinics?
Comparing Clinicana to Other Istanbul Clinics
Here’s how Clinicana’s structure stacks up against several other respected providers (as of 2025):
| Clinic | Price Range | Accommodation | Transfers | Technique | Notable Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinicana | €2,500–€3,000 | 2–3 nights (4★ hotel) | VIP | FUE / DHI | Based in Acıbadem Taksim Hospital |
| Asmed Clinic | €3,500–€5,000 | 2 nights | VIP | FUE | Surgeon Dr Koray Erdogan personally performs surgery |
| Dr Serkan Aygin Clinic | €2,700–€3,200 | 2 nights | VIP | Sapphire FUE / DHI | Free PRP treatment, English-speaking staff |
| EsteNove | €2,600–€3,100 | 2 nights (4★) | VIP | FUE / DHI | ISHRS-accredited, strong aftercare |
While several clinics offer good quality, Clinicana’s location within a hospital makes it stand out for those prioritising medical oversight and hygiene standards. And unlike some that rely heavily on marketing, their package details were genuinely transparent — no surprise charges once I arrived.
Once you’ve shortlisted clinics, the next challenge is choosing which package tier actually suits you.
How To Decide Which Package Fits Your Needs
When narrowing down my options, I found it helpful to consider six simple criteria:
- Safety: Is the clinic licensed and regulated?
- Medical quality: Who performs the surgery — a qualified surgeon or untrained staff?
- Comfort: Does the package include hotel and transfers, or will I have to arrange those?
- Aftercare: What follow-up or support is offered after I return home?
- Transparency: Are graft numbers and methods clearly explained?
- Value: Does the price include everything I’ll realistically need?
Balancing these points helped me decide that Clinicana’s mid-tier package was enough — upgrading for a few luxury perks didn’t add meaningful value to the outcome.
Once you’ve booked, the process moves quickly, so let’s look at what happens next.
What Happens After You Book
From confirmation to surgery day, the process was impressively organised. Within 24 hours of sending my photos, Clinicana’s team sent me a WhatsApp itinerary confirming my pickup, hotel, and operation date. Everything was clearly explained, down to who would meet me at the airport.
For anyone considering medical tourism, this kind of communication is essential. According to ISHRS patient guidelines, pre-operative clarity and patient education are key predictors of satisfaction. I arrived in Istanbul feeling surprisingly calm because I knew exactly what to expect.
That calm continued once I landed — so here’s what my trip looked like in reality.
What’s Actually Included During Your Trip
Rather than a long checklist, here’s how my experience unfolded:
| Stage | Experience |
|---|---|
| Arrival | VIP driver met me at the airport and drove me to the Naz City Taksim Hotel (included). |
| Hotel stay | Clean, modern room, good breakfast, short distance from clinic, free Wi-Fi. |
| Pre-op morning | Blood tests, consultation, and final hair-line design with surgeon. |
| Surgery day | Around 7 hours including breaks; local anaesthesia kept it painless; attentive staff throughout. |
| Post-op care | Received full aftercare kit and written instructions; follow-up via WhatsApp. |
| Day after | Returned for first hair wash and scalp cleaning before flying home. |
Each step was structured and stress-free. Because the hotel, transfers, and aftercare were pre-arranged in my package, I could focus entirely on recovery — not logistics.
That said, not every “extra” is worth paying for, which brings me to an important point.
Add-Ons You Might Not Need
Many clinics will try to upsell add-ons. Here’s my honest take:
- PRP (platelet-rich plasma): Can help some patients but isn’t essential for everyone.
- Additional hotel nights: Handy if your flight timing requires it, but not mandatory.
- Premium lotions or “VIP surgeon only” labels: Sometimes more marketing than medicine.
Clinical studies confirm that long-term results depend more on surgical technique, donor quality, and aftercare compliance than on optional treatments (National Library of Medicine).
So focus your budget on medical quality — not expensive lotions or spa extras.
Now that you know what’s worth paying for, let’s wrap up with my personal recommendation.
My Honest Recommendation
If I could do it again, I’d still choose Clinicana’s Standard Package. It offered hospital-grade safety, smooth organisation, and excellent value. The premium perks would have been nice, but they wouldn’t have changed my outcome — which, seven months later, looks completely natural and full.
What mattered most was having confidence in the clinic, surgeon oversight, and strong aftercare. That combination — not the number of freebies — is what delivers results.
If you’d like to see my full photo timeline and watch the behind-the-scenes videos from my trip, join my free members area and download the guide “8 Things I Wish I Knew Before Booking My Hair Transplant in Turkey.” It’s designed to help you plan every stage with confidence.
Conclusion: Choose Smart, Not Just Cheap
A hair transplant is more than a cosmetic procedure — it’s an investment in how you feel about yourself. The right package determines whether that investment pays off smoothly or becomes stressful.
Look for regulated clinics, transparent packages, and genuine aftercare. Cheap deals might save a few euros but could cost you comfort and quality later. Clinicana proved to me that an organised, medically supervised experience makes all the difference.
Your journey starts long before surgery — it starts with choosing wisely.
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