
Once a humble fishing village where pearl divers squeezed out a living, Dubai’s transformation is literally a tale of planned ambition. Dubai has metamorphosed into an oasis of skyscrapers plated with gold. Artificial islands, seven-star hotels, ultra-luxury cars, gold vending machines, ski centers in the midst of a desert provide the new-money people with a playground.
Standing tall with a more organically preserved character, Turkey offers a rich tapestry woven from centuries of history and culture. The hospitable and welcoming culture is genuine. Istanbul’s iconic skyline showcases a blend of Ottoman minarets and modern architecture. The country’s appeal is as diverse as its geography, ranging from old school bazaars to luxury coastal retreats. Meanwhile, Turkey serves up a thriving medical tourism sector.
Let’s take a closer look at how Dubai and Turkey compare in hair transplant tourism.
1. Cost Comparison

Dubai’s reputation for luxury comes with a price tag. For the middle-class white collar person with a mortgage, even if you aren’t dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant, the mundane act of sipping coffee at a nice place can feel like a financial splurge. In Dubai, people opt for the gold-leaf decorated cappuccino, so you may feel a little poor there, even when you aren’t. As you may have guessed, budget-conscious travelers might struggle to enjoy Dubai.
In Turkey, affordability is part of the charm. Everyone can enjoy panoramic views of the Bosphorus for free along with a variety of experiences that won’t break the bank. Visitors often find they can indulge in excellent service for a fraction of the cost compared to other parts of the world. As opposed to Dubai vibes, Turkish people tend to avoid anything excessive. Turkey is suitable for visitors who want to feel rich in a modest place and get excellent value for their money.
The hair transplant prices in Turkey is around $2500, while it starts around $3000 in Dubai and can go significantly higher.
2. Surgeon Comparison

Dubai has architects, real estate agents, hotel managers, dentists and surgeons from all over the world. Most medical professionals in Dubai come from various countries, with approximately 50% originally from India. The diversity of patients and overall expertise of medical professionals are generally high.
On the other hand, hair transplant surgeons from Turkey are the most experienced in the global arena. They are often invited to Dubai to provide training on the latest techniques. Turkish experts are well-known to have mastered the art of hairline design and donor area extraction methods to achieve the highest success rates in the world.
3. Expertise Comparison

If you feel that the Dubai chocolate is overpriced, try getting a cosmetic treatment in Dubai. Your clinic may provide you with a gold plated Lamborghini to get you to the clinic. There’s nothing money can’t buy in Dubai, including top expertise. Just know that what you’ll be paying for is more the Swarovski crystals robe you’re given at the clinic, rather than the cost of expert hands.
Turkey has solid, proven experts in certain niches backed by tens of thousands of patients. Most people feel that they get more than what they pay for when it comes to smile makeovers and hair transplants.
Common practice in most established clinics does involve VIP treatment of patients but in a refined manner.
4. Hair Transplant Result Comparison

The UAE’s healthcare system is quite successful. So are the private clinics, including hair transplant clinics and the results they deliver. You’ll just be paying significantly higher for the same results you can get in Istanbul, and in fact, there’s a good chance your hair transplant surgeon in Dubai is Turkish or trained by a Turkish physician.
Just four hours flight away from Dubai is Istanbul, Turkey where you can get a top quality hair transplant for the cost of a Friday buffet brunch in Dubai.
5. Safety Comparison

Dubai’s tourism is generally about excess and excitement. From the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, to desert safaris in custom-made vehicles, Dubai’s job is to impress and entertain. It’s also super safe. As with any part of the world, it’s always wise to exercise situational awareness, and respect local customs and laws.
Turkey is safe too, it’s just more diverse than Dubai is. There are parts of Istanbul where you shouldn’t stick your head in. For anyone following common sense, it is quite safe. Trusted clinics frequented by international clientele are located in some of the best neighborhoods of Istanbul anyway.
6. Tourism Comparison

In 2023, Dubai saw a staggering 17M visitors, a record number for the Emirate so far. Considering that it is a small place and attractions are all concentrated in the same epicenter, it’s a success. Dubai’s tourism is based on getting people to spend a lot of money through luxury shopping and experiences like scenic Heli-flights.
Turkey received significantly more tourists than Dubai in 2023 with 55M visitors but the number of visitors isn’t such a healthy comparison. In the end, both countries are touristy, while offering completely different experiences.
7. Travelling Comparison

Dubai’s central location makes it a global travel hub. Dubai International Airport is one of the busiest in the world, offering connectivity to Asia, Europe, and beyond. The public transport infrastructure is quiet good but it’s only labor-class workers who use public transport in Dubai and cabs are costly (but there’s Uber).
Istanbul Airport stands at a 4 hour distance from Dubai. Its only close competitor is London Heathrow in terms of seats. Istanbul airport is also the 5th largest in the world, with plans of expansion for being the bridging airport between Asia and Europe. With plenty of direct flights from all around the world, your chances of landing in Istanbul on a direct flight are very high.
Conclusion
Dubai has a completely different vibe and it can be a great fit for those who want to make their new-money glamour instagramable, offering the perfect playground for those who love excessive luxury and gold-plated everything.
If you must visit Dubai, stop over in Istanbul to get your hair transplant done. This way, you can sip on that gold-leaf Cappuccino with your savings from the affordable Istanbul hair transplant.