Dental tourism hidden costs: what the price list leaves out
A clinic price list is only the start. Here are the costs that are easy to miss, with real numbers where we have them.
1. Flights, often twice
KAYAK's average round-trip fare over the past 12 months (read 1 Nov 2026), per traveller:
| From | Turkey (IST) | Mexico (CUN) | Hungary (BUD) | Poland (KRK) | Costa Rica (SJO) | Colombia (MDE) | Thailand (BKK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US East (New York) | $947 | $515 | $740 | $733 | $544 | $580 | $1012 |
| US West (Los Angeles) | $1050 | $545 | $840 | $729 | $568 | $589 | $784 |
| UK (London) | $246 | $910 | $190 | $161 | $981 | $1183 | $902 |
| Canada (Toronto) | $910 | $401 | $846 | $872 | $558 | — | — |
| Australia (Sydney) | $1155 | — | — | $1714 | — | — | $775 |
Source: KAYAK route pages, e.g. London–Budapest. “—” = no route average shown.
2. The second trip
Implants and All-on-4 usually need two trips months apart: clinics in Colombia, Thailand and Costa Rica in our data say so. That doubles flights and adds hotel nights.
3. Implant parts priced separately
One Tijuana clinic lists the implant at $799, the abutment at $399 and the crown at $650: $1,848 for the complete tooth. A Budapest clinic lists €513 + €184 + €316 = €1,013. Always compare complete prices; see implant prices.
4. Hotel and transfers
Some clinics include them, others don't: an Istanbul clinic in our data prices hotel and transfers separately, while a Cancún clinic's 12-veneer package includes transport. Check the “What's included” column.
5. Scans, extractions, grafts and sedation
Often extra and only priced after an exam. In the US, CareCredit's study puts a sinus lift at $2,022 on average (source); abroad these are quoted case by case.
6. Repairs at home
Nearly one in five UK dentists surveyed for the BBC said repairing complications from treatment abroad cost over £5,000 (BBC).
7. Exchange rates and payment
Turkish and Hungarian clinics often quote in euros, Kraków clinics in pounds, and Thai clinics in baht. Your card's exchange fee is extra.
Add it all up with the trip calculator.
Not medical advice. TeethCosts compares published prices. Whether veneers, crowns, implants or any other treatment is right for you is a decision for you and a licensed dentist who has examined you. Listing a clinic is not an endorsement. Medical disclaimer.
Prices: how we collect and convert them. Spot an error? Tell us.