# Wait or Fly

> Wait or Fly compares official waiting times and self-pay prices at home (UK, Canada, Ireland, US) with prices that clinics publish in 8 countries (Mexico, Turkey, Poland, Hungary, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, China) for 11 treatments: MRI scans, colonoscopies, health check-ups, cataract operations, laser eye operations, dental implants, veneers, hair transplants, hip replacements, knee replacements, IVF cycles. Every figure has its source and the date it was read.

Ledger: 101 published prices abroad, 44 self-pay prices at home and 13 official waiting figures, all read on 26 October 2026 (Taipei time). Full CSV: /data/prices.csv. Conversions use ECB reference rates of 23 October 2026.

Examples: NHS England MRI, 22.0% waiting over 6 weeks (August 2026); Canada MRI, median 59 days; 1 in 10 waited over 206 days (CIHI, 2025). MRI abroad about £48 to £449 per area before travel; cataract surgery abroad about £667 to £1,870 per eye.

Rules: only prices a clinic or official schedule publishes itself; no broker or agency prices; no estimates for missing countries; bundles that do not match the unit are marked not comparable. The NHS S2 route covers only public providers in the EU/EEA and Switzerland; the HSE Cross Border Directive repays up to the Irish public cost for care in the EU/EEA.

The site is information only, not medical advice, and has not been reviewed by a doctor. It is not a clinic or agency, does not book treatment and takes no commissions. Flights and hotels in the calculator are examples, not checked prices.

Contact: contact@waitorfly.com

## Start here
- [Wait or fly calculator and price matrix](https://waitorfly.com/): Wait at home vs pay at home vs fly, by procedure and home country
- [How we check, full ledger](https://waitorfly.com/data/): Method, limits, every price and waiting figure with source
- [Countries compared](https://waitorfly.com/destinations/): Which procedures have published prices in each of the 8 countries

## Procedures
- [MRI scan abroad vs waiting at home](https://waitorfly.com/mri/): Published prices in 6 countries, waits and home prices, unit: one body area
- [Colonoscopy abroad vs waiting at home](https://waitorfly.com/colonoscopy/): Published prices in 5 countries, waits and home prices, unit: one diagnostic or screening colonoscopy, with sedation and biopsies shown separately where the clinic prices them separately
- [Health check-up abroad vs waiting at home](https://waitorfly.com/health-checkup/): Published prices in 6 countries, waits and home prices, unit: one package for one person
- [Cataract surgery abroad vs waiting at home](https://waitorfly.com/cataract-surgery/): Published prices in 5 countries, waits and home prices, unit: one eye, standard
- [Laser eye surgery abroad vs waiting at home](https://waitorfly.com/laser-eye/): Published prices in 6 countries, waits and home prices, unit: both eyes, LASIK, SMILE or PRK/LASEK. Where a clinic prices per eye we double the figure and say so
- [Dental implant abroad vs waiting at home](https://waitorfly.com/dental-implants/): Published prices in 6 countries, waits and home prices, unit: one tooth: the implant post, the abutment and the crown. Where a clinic lists these separately, we show each line
- [Veneers abroad vs waiting at home](https://waitorfly.com/veneers/): Published prices in 5 countries, waits and home prices, unit: one porcelain or e.max veneer on one tooth. Composite
- [Hair transplant abroad vs waiting at home](https://waitorfly.com/hair-transplant/): Published prices in 3 countries, waits and home prices, unit: one FUE session
- [Hip replacement abroad vs waiting at home](https://waitorfly.com/hip-replacement/): Published prices in 5 countries, waits and home prices, unit: one primary total hip replacement on one side, with the implant and hospital stay. Fees that leave out the implant or the stay are shown but not compared
- [Knee replacement abroad vs waiting at home](https://waitorfly.com/knee-replacement/): Published prices in 5 countries, waits and home prices, unit: one primary total knee replacement on one side, with the implant and hospital stay. Partial knees and fees without the implant are shown but not compared
- [IVF abroad vs waiting at home](https://waitorfly.com/ivf/): Published prices in 4 countries, waits and home prices, unit: one IVF or ICSI cycle with your own eggs: monitoring, egg collection, lab work and one fresh embryo transfer. Medicines count as included only where the clinic says so

## Procedure in a country
- [MRI scan in Mexico](https://waitorfly.com/mri/mexico/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [MRI scan in Poland](https://waitorfly.com/mri/poland/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [MRI scan in Hungary](https://waitorfly.com/mri/hungary/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [MRI scan in South Korea](https://waitorfly.com/mri/south-korea/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [MRI scan in Thailand](https://waitorfly.com/mri/thailand/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [MRI scan in China](https://waitorfly.com/mri/china/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Colonoscopy in Poland](https://waitorfly.com/colonoscopy/poland/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Colonoscopy in Hungary](https://waitorfly.com/colonoscopy/hungary/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Colonoscopy in South Korea](https://waitorfly.com/colonoscopy/south-korea/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Colonoscopy in Thailand](https://waitorfly.com/colonoscopy/thailand/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Colonoscopy in China](https://waitorfly.com/colonoscopy/china/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Health check-up in Turkey](https://waitorfly.com/health-checkup/turkey/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Health check-up in Poland](https://waitorfly.com/health-checkup/poland/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Health check-up in Hungary](https://waitorfly.com/health-checkup/hungary/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Health check-up in South Korea](https://waitorfly.com/health-checkup/south-korea/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Health check-up in Japan](https://waitorfly.com/health-checkup/japan/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Health check-up in Thailand](https://waitorfly.com/health-checkup/thailand/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Cataract surgery in Mexico](https://waitorfly.com/cataract-surgery/mexico/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Cataract surgery in Turkey](https://waitorfly.com/cataract-surgery/turkey/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Cataract surgery in Poland](https://waitorfly.com/cataract-surgery/poland/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Cataract surgery in Hungary](https://waitorfly.com/cataract-surgery/hungary/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Cataract surgery in Thailand](https://waitorfly.com/cataract-surgery/thailand/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Laser eye surgery in Mexico](https://waitorfly.com/laser-eye/mexico/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Laser eye surgery in Turkey](https://waitorfly.com/laser-eye/turkey/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Laser eye surgery in Poland](https://waitorfly.com/laser-eye/poland/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Laser eye surgery in Hungary](https://waitorfly.com/laser-eye/hungary/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Laser eye surgery in Japan](https://waitorfly.com/laser-eye/japan/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Laser eye surgery in Thailand](https://waitorfly.com/laser-eye/thailand/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Dental implant in Mexico](https://waitorfly.com/dental-implants/mexico/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Dental implant in Turkey](https://waitorfly.com/dental-implants/turkey/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Dental implant in Poland](https://waitorfly.com/dental-implants/poland/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Dental implant in Hungary](https://waitorfly.com/dental-implants/hungary/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Dental implant in Japan](https://waitorfly.com/dental-implants/japan/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Dental implant in Thailand](https://waitorfly.com/dental-implants/thailand/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Veneers in Mexico](https://waitorfly.com/veneers/mexico/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Veneers in Turkey](https://waitorfly.com/veneers/turkey/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Veneers in Poland](https://waitorfly.com/veneers/poland/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Veneers in Hungary](https://waitorfly.com/veneers/hungary/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Veneers in Thailand](https://waitorfly.com/veneers/thailand/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Hair transplant in Turkey](https://waitorfly.com/hair-transplant/turkey/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Hair transplant in Poland](https://waitorfly.com/hair-transplant/poland/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Hair transplant in Hungary](https://waitorfly.com/hair-transplant/hungary/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Hip replacement in Mexico](https://waitorfly.com/hip-replacement/mexico/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Hip replacement in Turkey](https://waitorfly.com/hip-replacement/turkey/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Hip replacement in Poland](https://waitorfly.com/hip-replacement/poland/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Hip replacement in Hungary](https://waitorfly.com/hip-replacement/hungary/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Hip replacement in Thailand](https://waitorfly.com/hip-replacement/thailand/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Knee replacement in Mexico](https://waitorfly.com/knee-replacement/mexico/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Knee replacement in Turkey](https://waitorfly.com/knee-replacement/turkey/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Knee replacement in Poland](https://waitorfly.com/knee-replacement/poland/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Knee replacement in Hungary](https://waitorfly.com/knee-replacement/hungary/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [Knee replacement in Thailand](https://waitorfly.com/knee-replacement/thailand/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [IVF in Turkey](https://waitorfly.com/ivf/turkey/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [IVF in Poland](https://waitorfly.com/ivf/poland/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [IVF in Japan](https://waitorfly.com/ivf/japan/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home
- [IVF in Thailand](https://waitorfly.com/ivf/thailand/): Price lines, inclusions, how it compares with home

## By home country
- [From the UK](https://waitorfly.com/uk/): Official waits, self-pay prices at home, prices abroad
- [UK: MRI scan](https://waitorfly.com/uk/mri-wait/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [UK: colonoscopy](https://waitorfly.com/uk/colonoscopy-wait/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [UK: health check-up](https://waitorfly.com/uk/health-checkup-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [UK: cataract surgery](https://waitorfly.com/uk/cataract-surgery-wait/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [UK: laser eye surgery](https://waitorfly.com/uk/laser-eye-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [UK: dental implant](https://waitorfly.com/uk/dental-implants-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [UK: veneer](https://waitorfly.com/uk/veneers-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [UK: hair transplant](https://waitorfly.com/uk/hair-transplant-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [UK: hip replacement](https://waitorfly.com/uk/hip-replacement-wait/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [UK: knee replacement](https://waitorfly.com/uk/knee-replacement-wait/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [UK: IVF cycle](https://waitorfly.com/uk/ivf-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [From Canada](https://waitorfly.com/canada/): Official waits, self-pay prices at home, prices abroad
- [Canada: MRI scan](https://waitorfly.com/canada/mri-wait/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [Canada: cataract surgery](https://waitorfly.com/canada/cataract-surgery-wait/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [Canada: laser eye surgery](https://waitorfly.com/canada/laser-eye-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [Canada: dental implant](https://waitorfly.com/canada/dental-implants-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [Canada: veneer](https://waitorfly.com/canada/veneers-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [Canada: hair transplant](https://waitorfly.com/canada/hair-transplant-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [Canada: hip replacement](https://waitorfly.com/canada/hip-replacement-wait/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [Canada: knee replacement](https://waitorfly.com/canada/knee-replacement-wait/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [Canada: IVF cycle](https://waitorfly.com/canada/ivf-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [From Ireland](https://waitorfly.com/ireland/): Official waits, self-pay prices at home, prices abroad
- [Ireland: MRI scan](https://waitorfly.com/ireland/mri-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [Ireland: colonoscopy](https://waitorfly.com/ireland/colonoscopy-wait/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [Ireland: cataract surgery](https://waitorfly.com/ireland/cataract-surgery-wait/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [Ireland: laser eye surgery](https://waitorfly.com/ireland/laser-eye-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [Ireland: dental implant](https://waitorfly.com/ireland/dental-implants-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [Ireland: veneer](https://waitorfly.com/ireland/veneers-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [Ireland: hip replacement](https://waitorfly.com/ireland/hip-replacement-wait/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [Ireland: knee replacement](https://waitorfly.com/ireland/knee-replacement-wait/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [Ireland: IVF cycle](https://waitorfly.com/ireland/ivf-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [From the US](https://waitorfly.com/us/): Official waits, self-pay prices at home, prices abroad
- [US: MRI scan](https://waitorfly.com/us/mri-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [US: colonoscopy](https://waitorfly.com/us/colonoscopy-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [US: cataract surgery](https://waitorfly.com/us/cataract-surgery-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [US: laser eye surgery](https://waitorfly.com/us/laser-eye-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [US: dental implant](https://waitorfly.com/us/dental-implants-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [US: veneer](https://waitorfly.com/us/veneers-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [US: hair transplant](https://waitorfly.com/us/hair-transplant-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [US: hip replacement](https://waitorfly.com/us/hip-replacement-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [US: knee replacement](https://waitorfly.com/us/knee-replacement-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad
- [US: IVF cycle](https://waitorfly.com/us/ivf-cost/): Wait and price at home next to prices abroad

## Paying from public systems
- [Will the NHS pay for treatment abroad?](https://waitorfly.com/uk/nhs-pay-for-treatment-abroad/): The S2 route: public providers in Europe only, approval first
- [Will the HSE pay for treatment abroad?](https://waitorfly.com/ireland/hse-treatment-abroad/): Treatment Abroad Scheme and Cross Border Directive

## Countries
- [Treatment in Mexico](https://waitorfly.com/mexico/): Published prices, entry links, whether NHS/HSE schemes apply
- [Treatment in Turkey](https://waitorfly.com/turkey/): Published prices, entry links, whether NHS/HSE schemes apply
- [Treatment in Poland](https://waitorfly.com/poland/): Published prices, entry links, whether NHS/HSE schemes apply
- [Treatment in Hungary](https://waitorfly.com/hungary/): Published prices, entry links, whether NHS/HSE schemes apply
- [Treatment in South Korea](https://waitorfly.com/south-korea/): Published prices, entry links, whether NHS/HSE schemes apply
- [Treatment in Japan](https://waitorfly.com/japan/): Published prices, entry links, whether NHS/HSE schemes apply
- [Treatment in Thailand](https://waitorfly.com/thailand/): Published prices, entry links, whether NHS/HSE schemes apply
- [Treatment in China](https://waitorfly.com/china/): Published prices, entry links, whether NHS/HSE schemes apply

## Reports
- [Full body MRI cost: Prenuvo, UK clinics and abroad](https://waitorfly.com/full-body-mri/): Prenuvo $2,499 (US), UK packages £765 to £2,999, what each covers, what radiologists advise
- [Medical tourism statistics](https://waitorfly.com/reports/medical-tourism-statistics/): ONS: 523,000 visits from Great Britain in 2024 (196,000 to Turkey); Korea 2.01 million foreign patients in 2025; Turkey 1.51 million in 2024
- [Is medical tourism safe?](https://waitorfly.com/guides/is-medical-tourism-safe/): NHS, FCDO, CDC, Government of Canada advice quoted; FCDO aware of 7 British deaths in Turkey in 2025 after procedures
- [Medical tourism insurance](https://waitorfly.com/guides/medical-tourism-insurance/): Standard travel insurance and EHIC/GHIC normally do not cover planned treatment abroad

## Guides and policies
- [Bring your results home](https://waitorfly.com/guides/bring-results-home/): DICOM images, reports, operation notes, implant details
- [Medical disclaimer](https://waitorfly.com/medical-disclaimer/): Information only, not medical advice
- [Privacy](https://waitorfly.com/privacy/): No accounts, no forms, no ads, cookie-free visit counts
- [Terms](https://waitorfly.com/terms/): Terms of use and copyright complaints

## Optional
- [About](https://waitorfly.com/about/): Who runs the site and how it is funded
- [Contact](https://waitorfly.com/contact/): Corrections and requests by email