Travelling to India for Knee Surgery: A UK Patient's Guide

The short version: travelling to India for a knee replacement is more straightforward than most people expect. The typical trip lasts about ten to fourteen days, you apply online for an e-Medical Visa, and a family member can come with you on an attendant visa.

This guide walks through all of it — visas, flights, where you'll stay, insurance, what to pack, and the journey step by step — so there are no surprises.

If you'd like us to handle the logistics for you, message us on WhatsApp.

How long is the whole trip?

Plan for roughly ten to fourteen days in India for a knee replacement, though your surgeon sets the exact length.

That typically covers arrival and pre-operative checks, the surgery itself, a hospital stay of around four to six days, and a period of early recovery before you're cleared to fly home.

It's worth building in a little flexibility — your fitness-to-fly date depends on how your recovery goes, not a fixed calendar.

The e-Medical Visa, explained

Most UK citizens travel on an e-Medical Visa, applied for entirely online — no trip to a visa centre.

The key points for UK applicants:

• It's valid for 60 days from your first arrival, with triple entry — useful for any follow-ups.
• You can apply from 120 days before travel, and at least 4 days ahead; many are processed within about 72 hours.
• You'll need a hospital invitation letter, which the treating hospital issues — we coordinate this for you.
• Your passport must be valid for at least six months with two blank pages, and you enter via a designated airport.

Visa rules can change, so always confirm the latest on the official India visa portal before applying. Ask us to sort your invitation letter.

Bringing someone with you

You don't have to travel alone. India grants up to two e-Medical Attendant Visas against each patient's medical visa.

These are normally for close family, and each attendant applies separately with their own passport. The same 60-day, triple-entry validity applies.

Having a partner or relative with you makes the whole trip far easier — for the journey, the hospital stay, and the early days of recovery.

Flights and getting there

There are direct flights from London to Delhi taking roughly eight and a half to nine and a half hours, with more options via the Gulf.

Return fares typically run around £400–£800, depending on season and how far ahead you book. Most patients fly into Delhi (DEL), where your airport transfer is arranged for you.

Booking a few weeks ahead, once your dates are confirmed, usually gives the best fares.

Where you'll be

India's leading joint-replacement hospitals are clustered in and around Delhi and Gurgaon (Delhi NCR), all served by one international airport.

That keeps things simple: a short transfer from the airport to your hospital and accommodation, with everything in one region rather than spread across the country.

You can see the hospitals we work with in our guide to the best hospitals for knee replacement in India.

Accommodation

Your treatment package usually includes your hospital stay, and we help arrange comfortable nearby accommodation for the recovery days either side.

We can also sort a room or hotel for your companion close to the hospital, so they're never far away.

Ask us what your package includes, or email care@gafhealthcare.com.

Travel insurance: read this bit

This is the part travellers most often get wrong. Standard travel insurance does not cover planned surgery abroad, and having recent surgery can affect your cover.

Arrange travel insurance suited to medical travel, and be upfront about your operation and any existing conditions. Don't rely on an ordinary holiday policy.

If you're unsure what cover you need, just ask. We'll point you in the right direction.

Money, connectivity and practicalities

A few small things make the trip smoother:

• The currency is the Indian rupee; cards are widely accepted and ATMs are easy to find.
• A local SIM or eSIM keeps you connected cheaply; major UK networks also offer India roaming.
• Bring a universal travel adapter — India uses plug types C, D and M.
• English is widely spoken in the hospitals we work with, so language is rarely a barrier.

What to pack

Alongside the usual travel kit, the essentials are:

• All your medical records and imaging, both digital and printed.
• Any regular medications in their original packaging, with a copy of your prescriptions.
• Comfortable, loose clothing and slip-on shoes for after surgery.
• Your visa printout, passport and hospital invitation letter.

Climate, food and staying well

India's climate varies a lot by season. Hospitals and good hotels are air-conditioned, but if your dates are flexible, many people prefer to avoid the peak summer heat and the monsoon months.

For food and water, sensible precautions help: stick to bottled or filtered water and freshly cooked food in the early days while you settle in. Your medical team will guide anything diet-related around your surgery.

Your journey, step by step

Here's how the whole thing flows:

1. You send your scans and history, and a surgeon reviews them.
2. You receive a fixed, written quote and a treatment plan.
3. The hospital issues your invitation letter, and you apply for your e-Medical Visa.
4. You book flights once your dates are confirmed.
5. You arrive in Delhi, are met by your transfer, and settle in.
6. Consultations and pre-op checks, then your surgery.
7. A hospital stay of around four to six days, then early recovery.
8. Your surgeon clears you to fly home with a recovery plan.

The journey home

Your surgeon gives you a fitness-to-fly assessment and a clot-prevention plan before you travel back. We cover this fully in our guide to knee replacement aftercare back in the UK.

How we make travel easy

From the invitation letter to your transfer at Delhi airport, we handle the logistics so you can focus on your treatment and recovery.

You can see the full pathway and costs in our guides to knee replacement in India for UK patients and knee replacement cost for UK patients. Start planning on WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I need to stay in India for a knee replacement? Usually about ten to fourteen days, covering pre-op checks, surgery, a hospital stay of four to six days, and early recovery before your surgeon clears you to fly home. The exact length is set by your surgeon.

What visa do I need? Most UK citizens use the e-Medical Visa, applied for online. It's valid 60 days from arrival with triple entry, and needs a hospital invitation letter, which we coordinate. Always check the latest rules on the official India visa portal.

Can my husband or wife come with me? Yes. India grants up to two e-Medical Attendant Visas per patient, normally for close family. Each person applies separately with their own passport.

How long is the flight from the UK? Direct London–Delhi flights take roughly eight and a half to nine and a half hours, with return fares often around £400–£800 depending on season and booking time.

Do I need special travel insurance? Yes. Standard travel insurance doesn't cover planned surgery abroad, and recent surgery can affect cover. Arrange a policy suited to medical travel and declare your operation and any conditions.

Will language be a problem? Rarely. English is widely spoken in the hospitals we work with, and your coordinator is on hand throughout your stay.

Talk to us

Travelling abroad for surgery sounds daunting until it's laid out — and then it's just a series of simple, well-supported steps. We handle the visa letter, transfers and accommodation, and stay with you the whole way.

See the full pathway in our guide to knee replacement in India for UK patients, start a free, no-obligation enquiry on WhatsApp, or email us at care@gafhealthcare.com.