Recent experience/recommendations for pre-departure PCR tests (UK)

[PeppermintMocha]

there are so many companies, all promising different things at different price points.

This is the test that matters most time-wise. The country I'm visiting requires a PCR, within 72 hours before departure (which will be from Heathrow).

Any recommendations for a good, reliable company that gets the results back on time? I leave on a Wednesday, afternoon (not this week, next), so I guess I can do it on Sunday (if they collect from the boxes then). I assume home tests are cheaper but I could also go somewhere if that is better.

It seems to change day by day as to which are good/bad/reliable companies, so I thought I'd ask for recent experiences. thanks

(I don't mind booking a cheaper package for returning, as if it's late/unreliable, it doesn't matter so much! I will probably book the lateral flow to take with me for re-entry, and book a PCR for when I return from whichever lab seems to have decent prices.)

We used Chronomics. Cracking prices through Tui, and they were really efficient.

I used NWP for my return day 2 test, and they also offered the exact same package for pre-departure PCR testing. I had results back within 26 hours of dropping the test off at the postbox, and that was over the weekend. Some people today reported a 24-36h wait over this current weekend. So it’s quite fast.

I don’t know anyone who’s used them for pre-departure, but the whole process with them was smooth and incredibly efficient, I’d hope they have the exact same system for pre-departures.

They were only £40 too which is quite cheap when compared to others.

oh that's good, thanks, I was going to use them for the return test and Day 2 test, as they were quite cheap, but was slightly worried about the pre-departure one as they were one of the (many) listed in the paper as having delays.

chronomics sounds good too, if you can do it independently (I'm not with any holiday company, just visiting family)

Has anyone used Boots? It's more expensive, but it says that they take the swab in store. I am not clear on the entry requirements, as it says the test should be performed at a reputable laboratory approved by the government etc, but it's the "at" bit I'm not sure about. The test itself obviously will be analysed there, but whether that means the swab also must be taken by someone officially, I don't know. Or how could they tell from the results form, anyway!

Also if you're near an airport, you can book them there for quick results the day before. Not sure of the prices.

I've used Randox for two trips now and they have been very speedy and prompt both times. If you have to have a pcr, I would recommend them.

Medicspot very good and efficient but not the cheapest

I think Medicspot didn't do PCRs at the one near me.
but Randox does - I could get to Stansted, if needed. the home kits would certainly be easier - wish I could get a definitive answer if they are OK.
But the airport option is good to know about as a backup - I think Heathrow has a 4 hour service or something if all the other plans go wrong

Hi, I've used Randox for pre-travel for my son. Home kit for £43; dropped it off in one of their drop boxes (usually at motorway stations) and had the result in less than 12 hours.
I think they take longer if you post them. But the drop box means next day results.

P. S. also used them for our day 2 PCRs. Ordered before we left (as you need the number for the passenger locator form) and the kits were here before we were!

thanks, that's helpful. Just checked and there is a drop box around the corner. They've gone up to £48, but not too bad. I'm still trying to find out if the home kit is OK, but it seems like most tests are, so hopefully it would be fine. I don't think the results form would specify anyway, would it.

Randox don't seem to do the pre-travel LFT to take with you, though, so would have to get that from somewhere else. Their 'package' deals aren't actually any better offer than buying single tests anyway, so it doesn't really matter where I get the return ones from.

You can get £5 off codes (found one on the Jet2 website) then it's only £43!
It doesn't matter if it's a home test or centre - nothing on the report anyway.
We got the LFT at our resort in Spain (€35, which i suspect was a bit overpriced but at least very easy and convenient) - would recommend getting it locally!

The cheapest LFT I’ve been able to locate in Spain (and I’m Spanish so know the shortcuts!), non-touristy area, was 29€. So 35€ inside the resort sounds very reasonable.

Last time I went I paid 40€ at my local clinic, the alternative was a 45 min drive each way…

Cheapest testing sites will be in the cities, so if you’re taking a day trip to one, try and plan it for that day.

thanks, good tip about the code.

I'm not going to spain; I'm going long-haul to visit family, and it is a big city, but I've not looked into the availability of LFTs there - seemed easier to get one here and bring it with me, especially as I have to make sure it's valid for the UK passenger locator form. I could get a PCR in my destination country certainly, as I know they use them a lot, but I've heard that LFT is better to take before returning to the UK as they are accepted here and if for some reason you contract covid abroad and have to stay there til it's done, then need a test to come back, the LFT is less likely to show a long-term positive. Not that I think any of that will happen, but I might as well be prepared!

PeppermintMocha a trained member of staff at Boots takes the swab (and they are constantly observed to ensure they're doing it correctly). Swabs are couriered to lab.

I’ve travelled a lot this summer, and Express Test have been great for pre-departure PCRs. I wouldn’t use a postal one, or Boots for that matter, as both have been letting my friends down rather a lot.

For the test overseas, I wouldn’t take a lateral flow with me as it won’t count unless you do it as a video call so that it can be verified. Plus, you can’t use the NHS ones for international travel, and furthermore I can’t think of a single country where tests aren’t more easily and cheaply available than the U.K. anyway. Where are you going?

I did one at boots. Member of staff did it, I had the test about 1pm and the results came through the next morning about 10am. Very easy, the only thing was I had to travel to a nearby town and couldn’t get any appointments on the day I needed it near to me.

oh is that the case about having to do the LFT via video call? I have been trying to find that information out, and I can't find anywhere that actually clarifies it! The companies that send the non-observed ones say that they are valid for re-entry to the UK, but I know that the websites say all kinds of things that aren't true. I'm going to canada; there are many places to get tests there, but they seem as expensive as here or more - they tend to use pcr a lot more often, and they haven't been allowed to travel as much until recently, so the variety of options are fewer.