Diabetic foot treatment in Istanbul: a simple plan
How to reach Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüsrev Diktaş and the Diabetic Foot Treatment Centre at Medipol Acıbadem Regional Hospital — from your first message to your flight home.
- ≈ 4 hoursdirect from London and other UK cities
- Specialist-leddiabetic foot board
- Interpretersand patient support
- Costs upfrontapproximate, before you travel
Getting here
From the UK to Istanbul in about 4 hours
Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines and British Airways fly nonstop from London. Turkish Airlines also flies direct from Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh, and Pegasus from Manchester. From Glasgow, Bristol, Leeds, Newcastle, Cardiff or Belfast, you can usually connect through one of these airports.
- LondonHeathrow · Gatwick · Stansted
- ManchesterDirect
- BirminghamDirect
- EdinburghDirect
The hospital is on the Asian side of Istanbul, closest to Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
Why Istanbul
Why choose a diabetic foot clinic in Istanbul?
Short, direct flights
Nonstop flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh reach Istanbul in about 4 hours, with several airlines and daily departures from London.
A dedicated diabetic foot centre
At the Diabetic Foot Treatment Centre, a diabetic foot board — infectious diseases, interventional radiology, plastic surgery, orthopaedics, endocrinology and the wound care team — reviews each patient together.
Support from arrival to departure
The hospital's International Patient Center helps with airport welcome, transfers, accommodation and interpretation.
Costs explained before you travel
You receive approximate cost information after your records are reviewed. Private treatment in Türkiye often costs less than comparable private care in the UK.
Your treatment plan
Six steps, from first message to follow-up
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Step 1 · Start
Get in touch
Message Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüsrev Diktaş on WhatsApp, or call or text. Say where you live, what the foot problem is and how it is treated now.
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Step 2 · Review
Share your records
When the doctor asks, share your recent reports. The team reviews them and outlines the likely tests, treatment and length of stay, with approximate costs.
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Step 3 · Travel
Plan a short trip
Check with your UK team that you are fit to fly. Direct flights take about 4 hours; the hospital's international team can help with airport welcome, transfers and a hotel.
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Step 4 · Treatment
Assessment in Istanbul
You are seen at the Diabetic Foot Treatment Centre of Medipol Acıbadem Regional Hospital, where specialists from several fields review your foot together.
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Step 5 · Home
Return with your reports
Ask for copies of your results and a treatment summary, and share them with your GP, diabetes team and foot protection service.
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Step 6 · Follow-up
Stay in touch
Your local team continues day-to-day care. If you have questions later, you can message Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüsrev Diktaş on WhatsApp.
Help from the hospital's international patient team
- Airport welcomeAirport welcome and transfer arrangements can be made around your travel plans.
- Hotel–hospital transfersSupport with transfers between your hotel and the hospital during treatment.
- AccommodationHelp with accommodation at hotels that work with the hospital.
- InterpretationInterpretation and communication support in different languages.
- Plan and cost estimateAfter your records are reviewed, the planned tests, likely treatment and length of stay, with approximate cost information.
Services are provided by the International Patient Center of Medipol hospitals. Details, and any costs for accommodation or transfers, are confirmed with you directly.
Flights and airports
| Airline | From the UK | Arrives at | Typical flight time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish Airlines | London Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted; Manchester; Birmingham; Edinburgh | Istanbul Airport (IST) | about 3 h 45 min – 4 h 30 min |
| Pegasus Airlines | London Stansted and Gatwick; Manchester | Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) | about 3 h 45 min – 4 h 15 min |
| British Airways | London Heathrow | Istanbul | about 4 h |
- Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is on the Asian side of Istanbul, like the hospital — usually about 40–60 minutes by car.
- Istanbul Airport (IST) is on the European side — usually about 60–90 minutes, depending on traffic.
- Istanbul is on Türkiye time (UTC+3 all year): 3 hours ahead of the UK in winter and 2 hours ahead in British Summer Time.
Schedules change; always check live flight times with the airline.
Costs
Prices are not published on this website because every treatment plan is different. After your records are reviewed, the hospital can share approximate cost information for the recommended tests and treatment, so you can decide before you travel. The final amount can change if the plan changes after examination. Private treatment in Türkiye often costs less than comparable private care in the UK.
Before you travel
- Ask your GP or foot team whether you are fit to fly and how to protect the foot on the journey.
- Bring your medicines, dressing supplies, glucose meter and a list of your current treatment.
- Wear your offloading boot or cast as advised, and move your legs regularly on the flight.
- Check your travel insurance and the GOV.UK foreign travel advice for Türkiye.
What we cannot promise
- No treatment result can be guaranteed; every decision follows an individual assessment.
- This is not an NHS service and it does not replace your local care.
- Response times vary — for anything urgent, use UK services first.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from the UK to Istanbul?
Nonstop flights from London take about 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours, and from Manchester, Birmingham or Edinburgh about 4 to 4½ hours. Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines and British Airways fly direct from London; Turkish Airlines also flies direct from Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh. From other UK cities you can usually connect through one of these airports. Always check live schedules with the airline.
Which Istanbul airport is closest to the hospital?
The hospital is on the Asian side of Istanbul. Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is on the same side and is usually about 40–60 minutes away by car. Istanbul Airport (IST) is on the European side and usually takes about 60–90 minutes, depending on traffic.
Will I be able to communicate with the hospital team?
The hospital's International Patient Center provides interpretation and communication support in different languages, and can help with airport welcome, transfers and accommodation at hotels that work with the hospital.
Will I know the costs before I travel?
After the specialist team reviews your medical records, the hospital can share approximate cost information for the recommended tests and treatment. The final amount can change if the treatment plan changes once you have been examined.
Can I fly with a diabetic foot ulcer?
Many people can, but it must be planned. Ask your GP or foot team whether you are fit to fly, how to protect the foot during the journey and what to do with an offloading boot or cast. Never travel with signs of spreading infection or feeling unwell — get help in the UK first.
Is this an NHS service?
No. Assessment and treatment take place privately in Istanbul, Türkiye. It does not replace your NHS care, and you should keep your GP and foot protection service informed.
Your privacy: WhatsApp messages, calls and texts go directly to the doctor's phone. Share only what is needed to start, and send documents only when asked. Read our privacy notice.
Ready to take the first step?
Message Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüsrev Diktaş on WhatsApp, or call or text +90 532 572 51 69.