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Original poster

Free COVID test invalid for travel?

99 replies

heavenon · 27/05/2021 12:04

Has anyone traveled recently and can let me know? I read that NHS tests aren’t valid for travelling but every council is also offering free COVID tests which aren’t nhs tests. Will these ones be invalid for track or does it depend on the airline?

Has anyone done these free tests from the free COVID testing centres are results emailed to you? How long did they take ?

Are travel certificates (fir for travel certificates) also needed now as I see some private Covid testing centres offering them as well please advise

It’s quiet confusing as things are changing quickly.

I don’t wanna pay £200 for a test when I can get it for free and I also don’t understand how some companies are charging £50 and others charging £300

OP posts:
jumpbounce · 27/05/2021 16:24

You go get a free NHS/council test OP and rock up to the airport. I look forward to the sad face newspaper story whenever you aren't allowed on the flight.

Hill1991 · 27/05/2021 16:29

When my bil traveled back to America he had to pay for his test at a private facility and got given a Papers to state that he was negative, also if you go on the gov website they have a list of testing facilities for travel

RoseAndRose · 27/05/2021 16:42

The tax-payer funded (free at point of use) are for NHS, PHE (and equivalents), council and officially endorsed research use only.

That you might have one of those tests around the time you travel would be entirely coincidental, and does not alter the need to have a travel test and get the correct certificate.

motherrunner · 27/05/2021 16:54

I’ve moved my holiday to next year. It’s with TUI and it’s quite clear on their website that in order to travel you need to have tested with registered providers and they provide a link to those companies. No other tests are valid.

motherrunner · 27/05/2021 16:56

I also test twice a week with free LFTs (am a teacher). The “free” tests need to be prioritised to keep community transmission low where we don’t have a choice to work and live. Holidays are a choice.

caringcarer · 27/05/2021 16:58

It is not confusing at all. Use the PCR test not lateral flow and get it done privately as NHS tests not permitted. I agree with this people should not take NHS tests just to go on holiday.

Autumn101 · 27/05/2021 17:04

You will have to do the private ones - airport will want a certificate as proof. You have to go with your passport for private tests so it also adds another layer of protection to avoid the risk of fakes......

For info Boots are £99 for tests - all booked online and certificate emailed in about 24 hours. DH works overseas so has had to do this a few times

pinkappleorpineapple · 27/05/2021 17:21

I travelled recently, I paid £200 for a test and rest package at a Heathrow hotel (which is now a quarantine hotel).
I paid £39 for an antigen test to get back into the UK (which I brought with me and had to do via video call so the timing could be certified) and £160 for my day 2 and day 8 tests.
Boots near me could not guarantee to have the results on time and as the journey was both essential and time critical the test and rest package was great. Arrived at hotel at 5pm, did test, the results arrived around 1am, I woke up and got my flight.

If you live near an airport rapid tests are available for about £80. I live in the sticks so not an option for me.

DH travelled today for work, he didn't need any test to leave the UK as his destination was Spain but like me he has brought an antigen test with him and will pay for day 2 and day 8 tests. For us the day 5 test to release isn't really worth it as by the time the results get to the lab and are processed it's likely to be day 7 or 8 anyway.

People need to check before they go to the airport, and look at the FCDO travel advice for their destination.
My own parents kept telling me to use the free testing Hmm even though it is abundantly clear that it is not valid for travel.

Jijithecat · 27/05/2021 17:38

We used Boots for a fit to fly certificate. It cost £99 and has your passport number on it.
Yes it's an extra cost to pay but it's our choice to go away and I'd rather do so with the knowledge that I don't have Covid.

Moonshine11 · 27/05/2021 17:43

Pay the money you’ll just be turned away otherwise.

somgreatapollo · 27/05/2021 18:08

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Original poster
heavenon · 27/05/2021 18:08

@pinkappleorpineapple how long does the airport rapid test take to arrive?

Can it get done done on the day of travelling?

OP posts:
Original poster
heavenon · 27/05/2021 18:09

Does anyone know if it’s possible to get a same day test done at the airport in case of refusal ?

OP posts:
Moonshine11 · 27/05/2021 18:10

@heavenon

Does anyone know if it’s possible to get a same day test done at the airport in case of refusal ?
You won’t be refused if you do the right test.

If you want to go on holiday you need to pay for one. Surely this was known before you booked?

somgreatapollo · 27/05/2021 18:15

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pinkappleorpineapple · 27/05/2021 18:21

@heavenon

This link has info on tests available at different airports
www.businesstraveller.com/features/which-airports-are-offering-covid-19-tests/

For example at Heathrow the following are available. If the country you're travelling to accepts antigen (most don't) or LAMP (many do but not all) then it could work. You would need to check your destination on FCDO website.
Collinson tests:

Antibody test costs £40, with results available within 45 minutes.

Antigen test costs £59, with results available within 45 minutes.

LAMP test costs £85, with results available in 90 minutes.

PCR test costs £99, with results available within 48 hours.

RT-PCR package (includes Day 2 and Day 8 tests) costs £198.

Express Test:

PCR test costs £99, with results typically by 2200 the following day.

Antigen test costs £50, with results in 30 minutes.

theweebabydonkey · 27/05/2021 18:23

Best bet is to pay for the boots one I guess, that's quite reasonable. Where are you flying to? (Did I miss this info?)

woodhill · 27/05/2021 18:25

It does seem like a money making racket to me

Elieza · 27/05/2021 18:27

If you’re in a surge area surely you shouldn’t be leaving it for nonessential travel?

These tests are fine and dandy on the day but you can be positive the day after while thinking you’re ok and spreading covid all over your holiday destination.

newnortherner111 · 27/05/2021 18:30

I cannot imagine Ryanair accepting anything that was free, though happy to be corrected if that is the case.

roguetomato · 27/05/2021 18:36

@woodhill

It does seem like a money making racket to me
I don't think it's a bad thing, imo. I'm sure any country want to discourage people traveling unnecessarily atm.
woodhill · 27/05/2021 18:41

Yes, I'm not travelling abroad anyway

Original poster
heavenon · 27/05/2021 18:43

I spoke to my airline and they confirmed that I could use a free PCR test for my destination as long as it’s a PCR and the type of test needed depends on the destination. Some destinations aren’t accepting the PCR test, hing Kong for example is accepting the antigen test so it’s all up the your destination and not the Uk government. The UK government requirement only matters on your way back to the UK, that’s what a couple of airline staff have said.

But a lot of posts here have made me anxious and thinking about just paying for a test for my own piece of mind even thigh airline workers have confirmed so I’m still confused

OP posts:
Original poster
heavenon · 27/05/2021 18:44

@Elieza non essential travels are allowed from the 17th of May :)

OP posts:
QueenOfTheDoubleWide · 27/05/2021 18:50

It has to be a PCR test and the free ones are lateral flow as far as I know.
The NHS does not pay for things related to travel, e.g. if you want malaria tablets or holiday vaccinations you have to pay and this is the same. People who cannot afford holidays themselves should not be paying via their taxes for tests for others who can