Too often the event setting into motion the need for transplant surgery is catastrophic, such as a serious accident or sudden organ failure, as in a heart attack. In nonemergency situations, however, traveling outside of the United States for scheduled transplant surgery has become an affordable option within the sphere of medical tourism.
The most commonly sought transplants are for the heart, pancreas, liver, lungs, kidneys and uterus. In the United States, recent numbers suggest approximately 3,000 patient names are added daily to waiting lists for kidney transplants alone. While kidney and liver transplants are the most commonly performed transplant surgeries, there are numerous other surgical transplant solutions that don’t concern organs. Among the many surgeries performed regularly are procedures involving transplants of skin, bones, veins, heart valves, ligaments, tendons, bowels and eye tissues.
Advances in medicine made it possible for those in need to successfully receive a replacement organ — or even multiple organs — from a donor who may be deceased or a living person whose biochemistry allows for a medical match to that of the person in need. The cost for these procedures can be prohibitively high in the United States, where a liver transplant may cost upwards of $500,000. The same procedure in Mexico costs around $47,000, while in India and the Philippines the price tag generally falls somewhere between $20,000 and $24,000. Emerging destinations for transplant surgery include Turkey, where organ and tissue transplants draw medical tourists from around the globe, and Thailand, where an established system of organ donations is coupled with a high number of Joint Commission International-accredited hospitals with specially trained transplant physicians and nurses.
If organ transplant surgery outside of the United States is something you or a loved one is considering, be aware the issue of illegal organ trafficking, including organs collected by force or which have been unethically harvested from prisoners, has been a real problem for the past decade. As reported in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology and in Medical Tourism Magazine, studies into this type of trade (often linked to poverty conditions) have documented many ongoing cases in China, Iran and South Africa. Risks are real; organs obtained under duress or through illegal processes haven’t been properly screened for diseases, including fatal infectious ones. Other dangers include unsanitary or nonsterile conditions, which contribute to fatal organ failure or life-threatening infectious disease. A good place to begin your search is through JCI’s website, which lists accredited hospitals, medical centers and organizations around the world.
Read This Next

Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Jun 19, 2025The Spa at Terranea Debuts $4.5 Million Renovation
Located at Terranea Resort, a 102-acre oceanfront resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, The Spa at Terranea recently completed a $4.5 million renovation of its facilities, led by RVD Associates, a Los Angeles-based, full-service interior design firm. The 50,000-square-foot spa boasts new décor throughout, a new entry and lobby, modernized lockers and bathrooms, refreshed treatment rooms and lounge areas, and a revitalization of the outdoor areas.
Sponsored Content
Three New Routes from TAP Air Portugal as Airline Celebrates 80 Years
TAP Air Portugal offers three new routes to Portugal: from Boston (BOS) to Porto (OPO), Los Angeles (LAX) to Lisbon (LIS) and San Francisco (SFO) to Terceira (TER) in the Azores.
Daily
Jun 18, 2025Don’t Miss These 5 Exceptional Museums in Budapest
There’s a magic to Budapest that’s hard to define. It may be the light or scents or even sounds — regardless, a great way to get a feel for this beautiful location is through its outstanding collection of museums. Here are a few to consider:
Daily
Jun 18, 2025A New Coastal Community Rises in the Dominican Republic
Real estate development firm BECCA and strategic architecture and planning partner GRITT teamed up for a new project, The Don Dom. This new gated residential complex is set to open in 2027 in the heart of Dominicus-Bayahibe, and aims to blend the ease of resort-style living with comfort and privacy.
Sponsored Content
Explore Europe with the Best River Cruise Line this November
Experience Europe from a fresh perspective with AmaWaterways, just awarded Best River Cruise Line by Global Traveler for the third consecutive year. Step aboard, unpack once and embark on a cruise through iconic capital cities and awe-inspiring landscapes. AmaWaterways' ships, which accommodate an average of just 156 guests, offer a spacious yet intimate setting. Throughout your journey, you'll enjoy exquisite farm-to-table dining; unparalleled service; and a variety of included excursions, from city tours for gentle walkers to thrilling bike rides along the rivers.
eFlyer Reviews
Jun 18, 2025W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal Review
On Costa Rica’s north Pacific Coast, the tranquil, 150-room W Reserva Conchal is located in a 2,300-acre, government-protected wildlife preserve encapsulating much of the country’s incredible eco-diversity. Habitats include mangroves, estuaries and a tropical dry forest; these places are home to howler monkeys, coatis, iguanas, magpie-jays, and perhaps a jaguar... if you can tear yourself from your room, that is. My Spectacular Ocean Escape was exactly that, decked out in vibrant hues to mirror the expansive views of lush foliage and tropical flowers (and ocean beyond), while incorporating indigenous patterns of tico culture. Design details included a green leather headboard and free-form leather sofa, a blue and orange mural, and tropical hardwood furnishings and paneling. A surfboard was reimagined into a shelf for the coffee station in a clever nod to the region’s surfing culture. The massive bathroom’s oversized shower looks out onto the vegetation, and my balcony was the perfect nook to sip wine with a side of sunset.
Radisson Collection Debuts in France in Lyon
eFlyer News
Jun 18, 2025June 2025
Jun 18, 2025Immerse in a Blissful Haven of Wellness at AVA Resort Cancun and Its New Spa
It’s hard to imagine a mother’s trip with her adult daughter could get any better. We’d lounged by what’s likely the largest pool in Cancún — perhaps even on the Riviera Maya — sharing secrets and consummate laughter. We chose gluttonously from an array of 17 compelling bars and restaurants, each with its own theme, from Mexican to Italian to Japanese; practiced yoga atop a promontory hovering over the sea; and toasted sunsets with margaritas. But now, when pampering wellness calls, we spend the day in Mexico’s buzziest new spa: The SPA at AVA. Amazingly, while at the spa, things get yet more mother-daughter, bond-making sweet ... our trip’s absolute pièce de résistance.
Sponsored Content
Find Your Perfect Escape with Paradisus by Meliá — More Than Just All-Inclusive
Luxury travel today is about more than just beautiful accommodations — it’s about experiencing the destination. Paradisus by Meliá takes traditional all-inclusive resorts to the next level by offering indulgence with immersion, experiences and authenticity. Each resort is shaped by its location, local flavors and curated Destination Inclusive® experiences that bring you closer to the heart of the destination.
eFlyer Lead
Jun 18, 2025Anti-Tourism Protests Ramp Up in Europe
From firing water guns to forcing the Louvre to shut down, protests have escalated across Southern Europe in response to overtourism. Overtourism is a growing problem in popular destinations around the world, affecting the environment, cost of living, housing availability and the overall happiness of locals.
ShareThis