India is one of the most popular medical tourism destinations for foreign patients because it offers advanced hospitals, experienced doctors, international patient desks and comparatively lower treatment costs than many Western or Middle Eastern countries. In 2025, India received 507,244 foreign nationals specifically for medical treatment, according to India’s Press Information Bureau. Check also Living Cost in India for Medical Tourists
For foreigners from Bangladesh, Nepal, Africa, the Middle East and other countries, the total cost is not only the hospital bill. The real budget includes doctor consultation, diagnostic tests, surgery package, ICU, medicines, hotel, food, attendant cost, local transport, visa and follow-up visits.
In 2026, foreigners may spend from around ₹20,000 for basic diagnostics to ₹20 lakh+ for major surgery or cancer treatment, depending on hospital, city, disease condition and room category.
Treatment Cost in Different Hospitals in India for Foreigners 2026
| Hospital / Chain | Popular City | Common Treatment Cost Range for Foreigners |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo Hospitals | Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad | ₹50,000 – ₹15 lakh+ |
| Fortis Healthcare | Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore | ₹60,000 – ₹18 lakh+ |
| Medanta – The Medicity | Gurugram | ₹80,000 – ₹20 lakh+ |
| Max Super Speciality Hospital | Delhi NCR | ₹70,000 – ₹18 lakh+ |
| Narayana Health | Bangalore, Kolkata | ₹40,000 – ₹12 lakh+ |
| Manipal Hospitals | Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata | ₹50,000 – ₹15 lakh+ |
| AIIMS Delhi | Delhi | Lower cost, but long waiting time |
| Tata Memorial Hospital | Mumbai | Cancer-focused, lower-cost options possible |
Fortis, Apollo, Medanta, Max and Narayana all serve international patients, but exact foreigner packages usually require a medical report review and quotation from the hospital’s international desk. Fortis publicly highlights its international patient support services, including treatment coordination for overseas patients.
Procedure-Wise Treatment Cost in India for Foreigners
| Treatment / Procedure | Estimated Cost in India |
|---|---|
| Doctor Consultation | ₹1,000 – ₹5,000 |
| Basic Health Check-up | ₹5,000 – ₹25,000 |
| MRI Scan | ₹3,000 – ₹50,000 |
| Angiography | ₹15,000 – ₹60,000 |
| Angioplasty with Stent | ₹1.5 lakh – ₹5 lakh+ |
| Heart Bypass Surgery / CABG | ₹2.5 lakh – ₹10 lakh+ |
| Knee Replacement | ₹2 lakh – ₹7 lakh+ |
| Hip Replacement | ₹2.5 lakh – ₹8 lakh+ |
| Cancer Surgery | ₹2 lakh – ₹15 lakh+ |
| Chemotherapy Cycle | ₹20,000 – ₹2 lakh+ |
| Kidney Transplant | ₹6 lakh – ₹18 lakh+ |
| Liver Transplant | ₹20 lakh – ₹35 lakh+ |
| ICU Per Day | ₹10,000 – ₹75,000+ |
Medical tourism companies commonly estimate India’s major surgery costs at far lower levels than the USA/UK/Australia; for example, heart bypass surgery in India is often quoted around $6,000–$10,000, compared with much higher Western-country costs.
City-Wise Treatment Cost in India for Foreigners
| City | Cost Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Kolkata | Low to Medium | Bangladeshi patients, diagnostics, general treatment |
| Chennai | Medium | Cardiac, cancer, kidney, transplant, long treatment |
| Hyderabad | Medium | Multi-specialty treatment, surgery, diagnostics |
| Bangalore | Medium to High | Advanced hospitals, cardiac, oncology, neuro |
| Delhi NCR | High | Complex surgery, premium hospitals |
| Mumbai | Very High | Cancer, premium care, complex cases |
Chennai and Tamil Nadu remain major medical tourism hubs; Tamil Nadu has been reported as attracting a significant share of India’s medical tourists.
Today’s Market Price Comparison by Hospital Type
| Hospital Type | Cost Level | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Government Hospital | Lowest | AIIMS, state medical colleges |
| Trust / Charitable Hospital | Low to Medium | Mission or charitable hospitals |
| Standard Private Hospital | Medium | Regional private hospitals |
| Premium Corporate Hospital | High | Apollo, Fortis, Max, Medanta |
| Super-Speciality International Hospital | Highest | Premium cardiac, cancer, transplant centers |
Government hospitals are cheaper but may have long waiting times. Premium hospitals cost more but usually offer faster scheduling, international patient desks, advanced technology and private-room options.
Comparison With Last Year: 2025 vs 2026
| Cost Area | 2025 Estimate | 2026 Estimate | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor Consultation | ₹800 – ₹4,000 | ₹1,000 – ₹5,000 | Up |
| MRI / CT / Tests | ₹2,500 – ₹40,000 | ₹3,000 – ₹50,000 | Up |
| Standard Surgery | ₹1.5 – ₹6 lakh | ₹2 – ₹8 lakh | Up |
| Major Surgery | ₹5 – ₹15 lakh | ₹6 – ₹20 lakh+ | Up |
| ICU Per Day | ₹8,000 – ₹60,000 | ₹10,000 – ₹75,000+ | Up |
Why Treatment Cost Increased in 2026
The main reasons are higher hospital operating costs, imported medical equipment prices, advanced robotic/minimally invasive technology, increased demand from foreign patients, higher ICU and nursing costs, and rising city living expenses. India’s medical tourism market is also projected to keep growing strongly in 2026 and beyond.
Hidden Costs Foreign Patients Should Add
Foreigners should not calculate only the surgery package. Add:
| Extra Cost | Estimated Budget |
|---|---|
| Medical Visa / Processing | Varies by country |
| Hotel / Guest House | ₹1,000 – ₹8,000+ per night |
| Food for Patient + Attendant | ₹600 – ₹3,000+ per day |
| Local Transport | ₹300 – ₹2,000+ per day |
| Extra Medicine | ₹5,000 – ₹1 lakh+ |
| Follow-up Tests | ₹5,000 – ₹50,000+ |
| Emergency ICU Extension | Very high |
| Interpreter / Coordinator | Sometimes free, sometimes paid |
For medical tourists, the safest budget is usually hospital package + 20% to 40% extra reserve.
Today’s Price Trend and Analysis
India’s treatment cost for foreigners is rising, but it is still attractive because the country offers advanced treatment at a lower cost than many developed countries. Medical tourism demand is especially strong in cardiac care, oncology, orthopedics, kidney treatment, liver transplant, IVF, neurology and diagnostics.
However, travel disruptions can affect foreign patient flow. Recent reports showed that overseas patient arrivals in some Indian hospitals dropped sharply during West Asia conflict-related travel uncertainty, proving that flight cost and travel safety can also change the total medical trip budget.
FAQ
Is treatment in India cheap for foreigners?
Yes, compared with many Western countries, treatment in India is usually cheaper, but premium hospitals and complex surgeries can still be expensive.
Do foreigners pay more than Indians in Indian hospitals?
Sometimes yes. Many hospitals have separate international patient packages that include coordination, documentation, airport assistance or private-room options.
Which Indian city is cheapest for foreign patients?
Kolkata and Chennai are often more affordable than Mumbai and Delhi NCR.
Which hospitals are popular for foreigners in India?
Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, Max, Narayana, Manipal, AIIMS and Tata Memorial are commonly searched by foreign patients.
How much should a foreigner budget for treatment in India?
For basic diagnostics, ₹20,000–₹1 lakh may be enough. For surgery, many patients should prepare ₹2 lakh–₹20 lakh+, depending on disease and hospital.
Should Bangladeshi patients go to Kolkata or Chennai?
Kolkata is usually easier and cheaper for basic treatment. Chennai is stronger for advanced cardiac, cancer, kidney and transplant treatment.
## Related Price Updates:
Heart Bypass Surgery Cost in Different Hospitals in India
MRI Scan Cost in Different Hospitals in India
Dollar Rate Today in Bangladesh vs Pakistan vs India
Last Updated: May 23, 2026