The cheapest is Eurofins, which costs £40 after a BA discount. On the Beach offers free antigen and PCR tests for customers booking holidays to Spain, Greece (including islands) and Cyprus by 30th September.īritish Airways links to several different PCR test providers that provide Fit to fly certificates for departure from UK, both for in-clinic tests and home testing. Some airlines and holiday companies include links to Covid test providers on their websites, with many offering discounts to their customers. The cheapest way to get a test is if your airline or holiday provider offers a discount to its customers. There remain questions over the sensitivity of private tests, and the differing reliability of results. Some countries will accept a LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) or antigen test, which cost from around £40 and can give results within 90 minutes. You also need to make sure that the test will be accepted by your destination and that you'll get a 'fit to fly' certificate if your result is negative - some charge extra for this. You'll need to check that the clinic is on the government's list, which means it's going through the accreditation process run by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS). This usually costs a bit more, but you're less likely to get an inconclusive result and you'll probably get your results quicker so it's the safer option for everyone. While some destinations accept PCR tests performed at home and posted to a lab, others stipulate that the test is taken at a registered test facility, and some say it must be performed by a clinician. ![]() You can see more information about the rules regarding PCR saliva tests here. This may mean that, for some destinations, it's not a good idea to choose the new PCR saliva tests that require you to just spit in a tube and send the sample to a laboratory. However, some stipulate that the tests should be carried out with a swab inserted in the nose and the throat. Most countries that require a Covid test will accept a PCR test. If you've got a question about testing, join our new travel Facebook group to put it to one of our experts Are all PCR tests accepted? These are more expensive than antigen or LAMP tests and it takes longer to get the results because they have to be sent to a lab for analysis. If permitted, each country's entry requirements vary, so you need to check before booking and travelling.įor travel to some countries you'll need to take a PCR (polymerise chain reaction) swab test. What type of test do I need, PCR or lateral flow?īefore paying for a test, it's crucial to first check if you will be allowed into the country you are travelling to. Travel smart - get our free Travel newsletter and start planning better holidays Tui however offers a substantial saving with test provider Chronomics. The most expensive test we found in London, with a 48-hour turnaround, was £399 - that's a difference of £1,356 for a family of four. We found London Gatwick Airport's drive-through and walk-in test centres offered the cheapest PCR tests from £60 per passenger. Test packages for 'amber list' countries, where more tests are needed, will be more expensive. Some countries will still require a pre-departure PCR test but even that only brings the total package for 'green list' countries up to £60 - still cheaper than we've seen elsewhere. We would only recommend booking with a holiday provider that covers you against Covid disruption. ![]() You can see how the company performed in our survey of the best and worst package holiday companies. On the Beach has announced that it will provide free Covid-19 tests for holidays booked up until 30th September to Spain, Greece (including islands) and Cyprus. Tui is offering a lateral flow, also known as an antigen test, that you can take before your trip and a PCR test you'll take a couple of days after your return, including delivery, for just £20. Which? has examined the policies, prices and customer service reviews of Covid-19 test providers so you can pick the best for youĪirlines and holiday companies cut testing costs On the high street, fit-to-fly PCR home tests can cost around £65, or £85 for in-store testing, while private clinics tend to charge around £200.īut airlines, airports and holiday companies are offering much cheaper tests to customers. You cannot use NHS tests for travel, except for freight drivers in certain circumstances. On the Beachis offering free tests, and Tui is offering test kits for as little as £20 per person. In response, some companies are offering free and discounted test kits to encourage people to book. ![]() The government's traffic light system still involves testing even for 'green list' countries, adding extra costs to holidays.
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