Medical Tourism In India: A Complete Overview

Demand for India’s healthcare has been steadily rising for many years. For Americans dealing with ever so increasing healthcare costs, medical tourism has become an obvious choice. Americans, as well as many other western nationals, are flocking into India to cut down thousands of dollars from their medical bill. But costs are not the only influence for medical tourism in India. The culture, food, weather, and outstanding landmarks have been the major attractions for tourists for decades. Combining affordable healthcare with beautiful vacations is a deciding factor for many foreign nationalities.

Table of Contents

• How much can I save in India?
• Is India safe for medical tourists?
• Healthcare quality and facility in India
• Healthcare System in India
  • The cost of medical treatment in India
  • Common treatments that are done by medical tourist in India
  • Top hospitals for medical treatment
• Where to stay in India?
  • New Delhi
  • Chennai
  • Mumbai
  • Bangalore
• Traveling to India for healthcare
  • Distance and flying times
  • Airfares
  • When is the best time to visit?
• Things to know before you travel – Frequently Asked Questions
• Things to do in India
  • Explore temples and mosques
  • Participate in festivals
  • Explore the local market
• Conclusion
  • Pros
  • Cons

How much can I save in India?

Cost-saving in India will be comparatively higher than many other Asian destinations. Even after taking into account traveling and accommodation expenses, you will likely save around 50% on the total medical cost. Also, keep in mind, the living cost here is very low. This will allow you to stay for a longer period of time without any issues. To compare the medical expenses, in India, complicated procedures such as heart bypass will cost around $9,000, whereas US hospitals will easily charge you over $100,000. Simpler procedures like root canal will be around $100, and in the US, the same procedure will start from $600. Such price cuts alone are a key deciding factor for most foreign nationalities.

Is India safe for medical tourists?

India is deemed to be very safe for medical tourists. But due to a lack of proper research, there are misconceptions regarding medical tourist safety. One common misconception is that the water and foods are unhygienic. But that’s far from being true. Hygiene can be a concern for lower-class public hospitals. However, private hospitals that serve foreign patients are very dedicated to maintaining proper hygiene. Their safety and hygiene standards are on par with the top international hospitals.

Regarding personal safety, no country is 100% safe, and India is not different. You will need to take precautions for your personal safety. In general, as long as you are staying in tourist zones, there’s nothing to worry about. Tourism is very well established in India, so finding tourist-friendly safe accommodations and transportations are a breeze. The people are friendly and cooperative, and if needed, police services are also readily available.

Healthcare quality and facility in India

India ranks 10th in the Asia Pacific healthcare index. It has some of the best medical facilities and internationally trained surgeons. Also, the quality and standards are often compared with the US healthcare system. There are 36 JCI accredited hospitals to cater to medical patients. These hospitals are capable of ensuring the standard of care, hygiene, and patient safety by maintaining western standards and practices.

Healthcare System in India

Cheaper cost is not the only reason why people flock to India for healthcare. India offers leading medical facilities that maintain a standard that’s on par with the western nations. India offers both public and private healthcare. The difference between them in terms of quality and professionalism is drastically different. Public hospitals are usually geared towards citizens with low income, whereas private hospitals are among the best in the country.

Accreditations are controlled by multiple government entities. There are set criteria that all registered hospitals need to follow to operate their services. But for foreign patients, hospitals with JCI accreditation are also readily available. The quality and standard of private healthcare are of international standards and even surpass many Asian countries. Patients opting for private healthcare get the same level of treatment that they would receive in western nations.

The cost of medical treatment in India

The table below is an estimate of the medical prices between the US and Indian hospitals. These prices don’t represent the exact cost. It will be different considering your condition, hospital, and location. Still, the prices should be around these figures.

Procedure	US Hospital	Indian Hospital	Approx. Savings
Root Canal	$600	$100	83%
Dental Implant	$2,500	$500	77%
Cataract Surgery	$1,500	$1,000	33%
Nose Surgery	$5,500	$1,500	61%
Breast Augmentation	$5,000	$3,000	40%
Face Lift	$7,000	$4,000	42%
Liver Transplant	$290,000	$68,000	75%
Knee Replacement	$38,000	$8,000	87%
Heart Bypass	$120,000	$9,000	91%
Hip Replacement	$41,000	$8,000	76%
Spinal Fusion	$60,000	$7,000	85%

Common treatments that are done by medical tourist in India

Foreign patients travel to India for a wide array of treatments. We have listed below the most common and in-demand procedures for medical tourists.

• General Surgery
• Dental Treatments
• Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery
• Cardiology
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Cancer and Oncology
• Eye Surgery
• Neurology
• Nephrology and Kidney Transplant

Top hospitals for medical treatment

You will find many excellent hospitals in most major cities in India that are capable of treating medical patients. The list below is just some of the hospitals renowned for their service. It doesn’t represent the whole list.

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences – Phone: 91-11-26588500; Address: Ansari Nagar, New Delhi – 110029
• Medanta – The Medicity – Phone: +91-124-4141414; Address: CH Baktawar Singh Rd, near Olympus, Medicity, Islampur Colony, Sector 38, Gurugram, Haryana 122001, India
• The Christian Medical College – Phone: 91 416 228 1000; Address: IDA Scudder Rd, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004, India
• PGIMER – Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research – Phone: +91 172 274 7585; Address: Madhya Marg, Sector 12, Chandigarh, 160012, India
• Apollo Hospital – Chennai – Phone: 91 44 28290200; Address: 21, Greams Lane, Off Greams Road Chennai – 600006
• P. D. Hinduja National Hospital & Medical Research Centre – Phone: 022 24451515; Address: SVS Rd, Mahim West, Shivaji Park, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400016, India
• Breach Candy Hospital – Phone: 02223671888; Address: 60 A, Bhulabhai Desai Marg, Breach Candy, Cumballa Hill, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400026, India
• Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Hospital – Phone: 91 124 4921021; Address: Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Hospital, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, Pocket 1, Sector B, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, Delhi 110070, India

Where to stay in India?

Where to stay in India depends on your interest and what you want to do with your medical vacation. You will find good accommodations in most cities throughout India. But for medical tourists, we have listed down the hotels located in the mainstream medical tourism destinations.

New Delhi

• Holiday Inn New Delhi International Airport – Phone: 91-11-42222000; Address: Asset Area 12 Hospitality District, Aerocity, New Delhi, Delhi 110037, India
• Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Paschim Vihar – Phone: 1 800 1080 333; Address: Plot No. D, District Centre, Outer Ring Rd, Paschim Vihar, New Delhi, Delhi 110063, India
• Taj Palace, New Delhi – Phone: 1-800-111-825; Address: Taj Palace, 2, Sardar Patel Marg, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi 110021, India
• The Park New Delhi – Phone: 1800 102 7275; Address: 15, Sansad Marg, Hanuman Road Area, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India

Chennai

• The Leela Palace – Phone: 91 44 33661234; Address: Adyar Sea Face, The Leela Palace Road, Sathyadev Ave, MRC Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600028, India
• Hotel ibis Chennai Sipcot – Phone: 91 44 67444777; Address: Opp. Sipcot It Park, Near Ecr Old Mahabalipuram Road, near Ecr, Beach, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 603103, India
• Savera Hotel – Phone: 044 2811 4700; Address: 146, Dr Radha Krishnan Salai, CIT Colony, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004, India
• Taj Connemara – Phone: 91 44-66000000; Address: Binny Rd, Anna Salai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600002, India

Mumbai

• JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu – Phone: 91 22 6693 3000; Address: Lower Lobby, JW Marriott, Juhu Rd, Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400049, India
• Sahara Star Hotel – Phone: 022 39895000; Address: opp. Domestic Airport, Navpada, Vile Parle East, Vile Parle, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400099, India
• Taj Mahal Tower, Mumbai – Phone: 91 22-6665 3000; Address: Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India
• The Westin Mumbai Garden City – Phone: 91 22 6147 0000; Address: Oberoi Garden City, International Business Park, Yashodham, Goregaon, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400063, India

Bangalore

• Radisson Bengaluru City Center – Phone: 1 800 1080 333; Address: 2, Gangadhar Chetty Rd, Yellappa Chetty Layout, Sivanchetti Gardens, Halasuru, Karnataka 560042, India
• Conrad Bengaluru – Phone: 91 80 2214 4444; Address: 25/3, Kensington Rd, Someshwarpura, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560008, India
• Courtyard Bengaluru Outer Ring Road – Phone: 91 8071 203 040; Address: Outer Ring Road, Marathahalli Sarjapur Road, Bellandur, Bengaluru 560103 India
• ITC Gardenia, Bengaluru – Phone: 91 80 2211 9898; Address: 1, Residency Rd, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025, India

Traveling to India for healthcare

The travel time and cost will drastically vary depending on the state you want to visit and where you are coming from. We have prepared simple estimated data, to help you get a clear idea of the travel times and airfare from a few different locations.

Distance and flying times

• New York to Delhi: 7,291 miles, 14hr 5min
• Washington to Mumbai: 7,990 miles, 20hr 40min
• Toronto to Chennai: 8,326 miles, 17hr 25min
• London to Mumbai: 4,486miles, 9hr 5min

Airfares

The airfares in India will vary based on your location. From the US to India, on average, expect to pay around $800 to over $1100. For smaller distances, the price will be lower. Such as, in the UK you can expect to pay around $600 to $700. For an accurate cost estimate, you will need to contact your airline.

When is the best time to visit?

The weather in India varies across different states. But as a medical tourist, you will likely visit places like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, etc. Those places will be ideal for visits from November to March. During this period, the weather will stay relatively dry and cool. Also note, November, December, and January are peak tourist periods. So consider making reservations a few months prior.

Things to know before you travel – Frequently Asked Questions

Things to do in India

India is diverse enough to offer all types of tourism destinations in one place. Whether you are looking for safari tours, adventures, historical places, cultural diversity, or even modern shopping facilities – you will get everything in this one country. Visiting all tourism sites will take you countless visits to the country. So to get you started, we have picked some destinations that are unique to India’s culture. Each of these will enable you with totally different experiences.

Explore temples and mosques

India’s history dates back thousands of years. It has been ruled by Hindus, Muslims, and the British, and each era left significant religious architectures in different parts of the country. As a starter, you can visit the Sun temple located in Puri, Odisha. This temple is present since the 13th century and has also been marked as UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is dedicated to the Indian god of the sun, Surya. This temple had been used by European sailors as an important landmark in the Bay of Bengal in the past. 

Ranakpur Temple is amongst the most significant Jain temples in India. It is known to have over 1,400 marble pillars and consists of 29 halls and 80 domes. The beautiful design of this temple will surely catch any visitor’s attention.

The Akshardham Temple is comparatively new. It has been build in 2005 and is in New Delhi. It is the largest Hindu temple in the world, so consider visiting it if you are interested.

Regarding mosques, there are several you can visit. Jama Masjid in Delhi is one of the most famous mosques in the world. This mosque is an important one amongst Indian Muslims and is capable of accomodating around 25 thousand devotees at once. 

Jamia Masjid in Srinagar is a historical one built back in the 14th century. The Indo-Saracenic style influences the mosque’s design and has more than 300 wooden pillars, and offers a beautiful courtyard for both devotees and visitors.

Finally, you can visit the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad. This mosque is one of the largest in India. The construction of the mosque was completed between the 16th and 17th centuries. It is located in the old city of Hyderabad and is close to various other historical landmarks. So it will be easy to visit multiple places at once.

Participate in festivals

India hosts festivals all year round. The country has more festivals than anywhere else in the world. For foreign tourists, there are two recommended festivals. You can participate in Holi, known as the festival of colors. It is a Hindu religious festival that is centered around destroying demoness Holika. Ideally, people would throw colors at each other, showcase fireworks, eat sweets, and do various other activities. Holi’s popularity expands beyond India. Various western and Asian communities participate in it as well.

Another popular one is Diwali. Fireworks, clay lamps, and candles are a common sight. Typically, the city streets and homes are decorated with beautiful lights. Diwali is a very anticipated festival for most Hindu families. If you are interested in more festivals, consider participating in the Ganesh Festival, Krishna Janmashtami, Navaratri, Durga Puja, and Dussehra.

Explore the local market

Throughout India, you will find numerous bazaars and boutiques where you can get decors, jewelry, dresses, showpiece, handcrafts, etc., that are unique to India’s culture. You can also go shopping in city malls, but that’s a typical scenario found almost everywhere across the globe. India is culturally diverse. Each region has its own way of presenting and making products that portray its heritage. So depending on where you visit, you will likely get different experiences.

If you are in Delhi, visit Chandni Chowk, which is home to one of the oldest bazaars in India, dating back from the 17th century. It offers all kinds of things starting from delicious foods, whole spices, antiques, clothes, perfumes, jewelry, electronics, etc. It is kind of an affordable one-stop solution for all your daily essentials.

There’s also the Floating Vegetable Market in Srinagar. Here, vendors and customers gather on the lake to buy and sell fresh vegetables and fruits. It stays open every day from 5 am to 7 pm. It is a popular site for tourists, so if you happen to be in Srinagar, definitely visit there.

For traditional jewelry shopping, visit Johari Bazaar in Jaipur. It has unique jewelry and artisanal traditions and is a must-visit for jewelry lovers. There are countless famous bazaars in India. You can start with these and then explore the rest on your own.

Conclusion

India is one of the top destinations for medical tourism right now. Prices for medical treatment are one of the cheapest in all of Asia, yet, doesn’t compromise on healthcare standards. India boasts several advanced facilities, highly skilled doctors, and great vacation destinations to spend the recovery at ease. All in all, if everything goes well, medical tourism in India can enable you with some pleasurable experiences. If you are into exploring more destinations, consider reading our article on the top countries for medical tourism.