Test providers (outbound travel) - so confusing. Advice please?

[Schulte]

So we're planning to travel to the continent in a few weeks' time. I have just been looking at test providers. All we need is a rapid antigen test, but none of the providers are available to answer questions.

For example, how do I know that the certificate they issue will include all the information my destination country requires? That's date of test, exact type and name of test, result, and my passport number.

Should I go to a test centre where the swab is taken by trained personnel, or is it ok to book an at-home test with video supervision, such as the ones offered by Qured? What are the pros and cons?

And, how far in advance do I need to book? At the moment we are not sure on what date we'll travel so I need a bit of flexibility... but I'm worried that if I leave it too late, all the slots will be booked up!

If anyone has done antigen or PCR tests recently in order to travel, I'd really appreciate some advice. Thanks!

Bump

Would be interested in answers as well so bumping for you!
Sorry not very helpful

Im (hopefully) going to Menorca on 17th. Has been boiked sincw before traffic lights. The issue I seem to be having is that the test needs to be taken within 48 hours of arrival in Spain. This does not leave much time!

@Schulte havung now spent an age looking at this, you need to book a "fit to fly" antigen or pcr test, rather than just a test to be sure it will be fit for purpose.

Thanks - yes, but the providers still don’t explain on their websites what details will be included on the certificate. It’s so frustrating!

I’ve booked at Boots.

They match it all up with your passport and get you a fit to fly certificate, electronically

Maybe that’s the way to do it - Boots tests seem to be more expensive though than other providers...

They give you documentation to say what test, what date and what the result was

Eg for Spain it’s 48 hour test before arrival so very tight if you allow for dalays

Manchester airport and some others do 3 hr pcr so they’re best the day before travel

Pain going to and from airport

Even for green country 2x express pcr for. my teens are £95 each

You can get 12 hr results but honestly you’d be getting results so late and if positive it gives hardly anytime to rearrange holiday

Lateral flow to return to uk average £30 each and pcr day 2 are £45 each do urs £500 for family of four were both parents are vaccinated to go to a green country

Real pain tbh

@HalzTangz

They give you documentation to say what test, what date and what the result was

You mean Boots do?

I’ve been looking at this. I think the best tests are those done for you by someone who is trained. This one fits the bill for us.

www.fasttestcentre.com/

DS is off to Majorca.
He tested at home yesterday for last collection at drop off point in pharmacy at 2pm and flies at 9.30am tomorrow landing at 12.30pm (Spain time). Results guaranteed back by midnight tonight!!
God knows what happens if delayed significantly.
When he bought the PCR he had to register it electronically including time taken, date of travel, passport number etc. They will email his test result and fit to fly certificate containing these details.
Used Medicspot. About £125.

You need to book a Fit To Fly Certificate. That will have everything you need.

If you need an antigen just booked the one at the airport, they email you the certificate and you know it's within the bounds.

They need to match a certain specificity, which will be on the website - and its actually the same across the board be it here/Europe.

An antigen is typically between 35 and 50. I paid 50 to have it done, and the certificate with Collinsons at LCY airport in March and the prices haven't changed much.

Just check it is Government approved. It should then have the information required.

Dd used Randox - these were fine until we needed support when the day 2 test failed when home. No customer service to speak too and generally unhelpful. Also needed to travel to a drop box as nine close by. Results did come back fairly quickly for pre departure and had the necessary details for travel.

Replacement test was from confirmtesting.com Excellent telephone and messaging customer service and quick results. Could use a priority postbox to send results off. Results back within 24 hours.

Prob is many countries don’t allow antigen tests for admission

Immaculate

Those test prices for same day pcr - which most need are extortionate

I cannot belive people would pay £250-480 per test when airport do 3 hour tests for £95!

Not for other readers - lots of countries like Spain wanted 72 hour tests. They are now 48 hour before arrival in Spain so timewise you can’t really do 48 hours before unless you choose a 12 hour service

If you test positive you’d need few hours when travel centres are open to rearrange your plans

We’re having the Antigen test, which is £45.

Antigen tests are definitely easier. I was looking at Qured and they send you a test kit and you do the test yourself, with supervision via video call. It sounds great on paper, just not entirely convinced it meets German requirements!

If it helps I used Collinson at East Midlands Airport and got Antigen results within the hour and PCR within 20hrs emailed with all required information. - I took both to travel via Croatia (48 hours of Arrival but accept antigen) to Montenegro (PCR within 72 hours)

@cptartapp I'm looking at using medic spot. How did your DH find the service?

Absolutely fine. His friends got their results around 12 hours later. He got his around 24 hours later (no idea why the difference.) He rang to chase it up and they were very helpful.
Got to Majorca with only 1.5 hours left of the 48 hour window though. Didn't help testing day was a Sunday but the service was faultless really.
He's currently sitting in the sun!