Is Turkey Medical Tourism Still Affordable After Inflation?

Price inflation in Turkey and the rising cost of living in 2026 mean that local prices for food, hotels, and transport are increasing even when you pay in Dollars or Euros.

The price of your surgery could remain stable because clinics quote in foreign currency. You can budget 20% to 30% more for your daily spending compared to previous years. You can prevent unexpected costs by understanding these shifts in your total costs.

A medical travel is not just selecting a surgeon and a clinic; it also involves budgeting for your total costs. Understanding your total costs requires a detailed look at how the local economy impacts your finances as well.

Read more to learn how inflation shifts the price of your trip to Turkey, along with things you can do to save.

Why You Need to Keep Track of Inflation in Turkey for Your Total Medical Tourism Budget

1. Protects your surgical quote

Most high-end clinics in Istanbul and Antalya set their prices in USD, EUR, or GBP. Clinics give price quotes in hard currency because they buy medical supplies such as dental implants or surgical tools, from overseas in hard currency as well.

As the clinic’s main costs are tied to global currencies, the price of your procedure does not change every time the Turkish Lira moves.

For example, if you receive a quote for $3,500 today, that price should stay the same even if Turkish Lira inflation rises.

2. Helps you budget for daily life during recovery

Inflation in Turkey has changed how much a cup of coffee or a taxi ride costs in USD or EUR terms.

In 2026, local prices are rising faster than the value of the Lira against USD or EUR. This means the costs of services / goods are more expensive for travelers holding Dollars than they were two years ago.

If you check out the recent prices in USD or EUR terms ahead of your travel, this will prevent a financial surprise when you are already in town.

3. Improves your choice of treatment packages

When you know that hotel and transport prices are rising in Turkey due to inflation, all-inclusive packages could make more sense. These all-inclusive packages bundle the following services:

• Airport transfers

• Hotel stays

• Post-op medications

• Nursing care

If you choose a bundle, you can prevent the rising costs of booking these items separately at 2026 rates.

Learn how to convert your currency

In a high-inflation environment, it becomes more important to know how to handle your cash to manage the total budget of your medical travel.

As an example, in 2026, the exchange rate is approximately 1 USD = 43 TRY, and 1 EUR = 51 TRY.

For quick math while shopping, you can divide the Lira (TRY) price by 50 to get a rough idea of the cost in Euros, or by 45 for Dollars. For example, a 500 TRY dinner is about €10.

Choose Lira at the ATM

When you are using a Turkish ATM or paying by card, the machine may ask if you want to be charged in your home currency or the local currency (Lira). In this case, you can choose Lira. This allows your own bank to do the currency conversion, which could be 5% to 10% lower cost than the rate offered by the Turkish machine.

Cross-check your prices for transparency

You can check if a clinic is overcharging you for a "package" by looking up the local market price for their included services.

If a clinic adds $200 for a hotel that costs $80 online, you know you are paying more than the usual market price.

Ask about the Cost of a Taxi

Ask the clinic team: "How much does a yellow taxi cost from the clinic to my hotel?" 

In 2026, the taxi meter in Turkey starts at 54.50 TRY and adds about 36.30 TRY per kilometer. If the clinic tells you a 5-km ride costs $50, they are likely marking up their private transport fees significantly.

You can use the BiTaksi or Uber app to see real-time price estimates and compare them to what the clinic offers.

Check the daily rates of the hotel independently

If your package includes a specific hotel, you can look it up on an online booking site for your exact dates.

Due to high inflation in Turkey, some boutique hotels in Istanbul increased their daily rates to €70–€100 per night.

If the clinic's "all-inclusive" price is much higher than the surgery plus the hotel's public rate, you can ask for an itemized breakdown.

Helpful tips to monitor inflation on your medical travel

• Pay for the hotel in advance: If you book your own stay, you can pay the full amount online before you leave home to lock in the rate.

• Use public transport cards: Taxis in Istanbul have seen large price hikes. Getting an "Istanbulkart" for the metro and ferries could be a budget-friendly solution.

• Eat where the locals eat: You can avoid the main tourist squares for every meal. Sometimes, walking two blocks away from a major landmark can decrease your food bill.

FAQ

Is Turkey still lower cost compared to the UK or the USA in 2026?

Yes. Even with inflation, surgical procedures have materially lower costs than in Western countries. The gap in price for major surgeries remains large.

Should I use Lira or my home currency?

You can use a credit card for large amounts of payment. You can keep small amounts of Lira for food or public transport. Most clinics prefer being paid in the currency they quoted (USD, EUR, or GBP).

Are there hidden fees I should know about?

The most common extra costs are for specialized medications, extra nights in the hotel, or "VIP" upgrades. You can always ask for a list of what is not included.

Takeaways

• Budget 20% more: You can add a bit extra to your "spending money" for food and transport compared to the old online guides.

  
  

• Lock in your price: You can get a written quote in a stable currency such as USD or EUR to avoid fluctuations.

  
  

• The Taxi Test: You can use apps such as BiTaksi or Uber to cross-check if a clinic's transport fees are fair.

  
  

• Bundle services: All-inclusive deals are the best way to avoid rising local costs for hotels and drivers.