Flying to Turkey from Canada: Everything You Need to Know

Direct flights from Canada to Istanbul: - Toronto (YYZ) to Istanbul (IST): Turkish Airlines operates daily direct flights. Flight time: ~10.5 hours. Return fares from $800-$1,400 CAD. - Montreal (YUL) to Istanbul (IST): Turkish Airlines offers direct flights several times per week. Flight time: ~10 hours. Return fares from $800-$1,300 CAD. Connecting flights: - Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and other Canadian cities connect through Toronto, Montreal, or European hubs (London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam). Add 3-6 hours to travel time. For Antalya (AYT): - No direct flights from Canada. Connect through Istanbul (1-hour domestic flight) or European hubs. Total travel time: 14-18 hours. Tips for booking: - Book 2-3 months in advance for best prices - Tuesday and Wednesday flights are often cheapest - Consider flying midweek and returning on a weekend - Use Google Flights or Skyscanner to compare prices - Turkish Airlines' Comfort Class (premium economy) is excellent for the price

Canadian citizens need an e-Visa to enter Turkey. How to get it: 1. Visit evisa.gov.tr (the official site — beware of scam sites) 2. Select 'Canada' as your nationality 3. Fill in your passport details 4. Pay the fee (~$70 CAD) 5. Receive your e-Visa by email instantly The e-Visa allows a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. More than enough for a hair transplant trip. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay in Turkey.

Most hair transplant packages include airport transfers. Here's what to expect: Istanbul Airport (IST): - New, modern airport opened in 2018 - Your clinic's driver will meet you in the arrivals hall with a sign - Drive to most clinics/hotels: 30-60 minutes depending on traffic - Istanbul traffic can be intense — don't be alarmed Antalya Airport (AYT): - Smaller, easier to navigate - Drive to most clinics/hotels: 20-40 minutes - Much less traffic than Istanbul If your package doesn't include transfers: - Istanbul: Taxi from IST to city centre costs ~$30-$50 CAD - Antalya: Taxi from AYT to city centre costs ~$20-$30 CAD - Uber works in Turkey (called BiTaksi) - Airport shuttle buses are available for ~$5-$10 CAD

Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY). As of 2026, 1 CAD ≈ 25-30 TRY. Credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are everywhere. Language: Turkish. English is widely spoken in tourist areas and at all reputable clinics. Your clinic coordinator will speak English. Time zone: Turkey is UTC+3 (Eastern Standard Time + 8 hours). When it's noon in Toronto, it's 8 PM in Istanbul. Weather: Istanbul has four seasons. Summers are hot and humid (25-35°C). Winters are cold and wet (0-10°C). Spring and autumn are ideal. Antalya is warmer year-round. Safety: Turkey is generally safe for tourists. Istanbul and Antalya are well-policed tourist destinations. Use normal urban precautions. Electricity: Turkey uses Type C and F plugs (European standard). Voltage is 220V. Bring a universal adapter.