Canada patient guide · Istanbul

Toronto → Istanbul flights

Direct YYZ–IST routes take ~10 hours. Plan 5–6 nights with arrival rest day and buffer before your return transatlantic flight.

YYZ IST

Pearson International to Istanbul Airport

~10 hours

Air Canada, Turkish Airlines — plan buffer days for long-haul recovery.

  • Flight time ~10 hours
  • Frequency Multiple daily departures
  • Entry Canadian passport holders — no visa for tourist stays under 90 days. See visa guide.
  • Typical stay 5–7 nights for laser

Pearson International — your departure airport

Most Canadian patients fly from Pearson International (YYZ). Share your confirmed flight numbers with IPC — meet-and-greet is coordinated at IST or SAW arrivals.

  • Istanbul Airport (IST) — primary hub; most international services land here
  • Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) — some routes; IPC transfers included either way

Planning

Booking tips

  • Arrive at least one full day before assessment
  • Book flexible return until surgeon confirms fly-home clearance
  • Travel insurance covering elective surgery abroad is strongly recommended
  • Share flight numbers with IPC when dates are confirmed

Included

Airport meet

IPC coordinates meet-and-greet at arrivals and transfer to your partner hotel — included in your package after confirmation.

Family

Companion travel

Dual-occupancy hotel rooms available. Companions wait at the hospital campus — not in the laser suite. Companion guide →

Sample itinerary

Typical laser pathway for Canadian patients — exact days confirmed by your surgeon after assessment. See stay length guide →

Day 1

Arrive

Long-haul arrival. Rest at hotel. No surgery same day.

Day 2

Assessment

Full eye exam at hospital. Surgeon confirms LASIK plan.

Day 3

Surgery

LASIK AM. Post-op check PM.

Day 5

Home

Morning clearance. Fly home with discharge letter for your optometrist.

You arrange

  • International flights Canada ↔ Istanbul
  • Travel medical insurance
  • Personal spending
  • Provincial documentation for your records if needed

IPC arranges after confirmation

  • Hospital screening and surgery appointments
  • Partner hotel — nights matched to procedure
  • Airport meet-and-greet and VIP transfers
  • Post-op medication and 3-month video aftercare

Common questions

Does IPC meet me at arrivals?

Yes — once flights are confirmed, IPC coordinates meet-and-greet at IST or SAW.

Can I extend my stay for tourism?

Yes, after surgeon clearance. IPC can advise on timing relative to post-op checks.

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