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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Lowest cost Day 2 test

273 replies

Window1 · 09/08/2021 15:07

Hi can anyone help with the lowest cost day 2 test following return to UK from France (Amber country).

I've found Randox at £43 with discount code but wasn't sure if there was anything cheaper. A lot on the gov website look like they're going to be £20 but are actually around £80.

Don't care about service or reputation as just need the code to sort the passenger location form.

What a farce this all is by the way!!

OP posts:

Thread gallery

Franklin12 · 10/08/2021 20:57

I have just ordered Randox for Day 2. What stops people just making up a reference number? There are 400 approved providers.

ButYouGottaHaveASkillJeff · 10/08/2021 20:59

@Franklin12

I have just ordered Randox for Day 2. What stops people just making up a reference number? There are 400 approved providers.

I have a randox one that I haven't used as I didn't look up the Scottish Govt one so bought that for my trip last month. I feel like just chancing the unopened Randox one when I fly again at the end of the month.

Original poster

Window1 · 10/08/2021 21:00

@Franklin12

I have just ordered Randox for Day 2. What stops people just making up a reference number? There are 400 approved providers.

I was thinking this.

Have gone with NWP.

OP posts:

JayAlfredPrufrock · 10/08/2021 21:18

So can I order a test and get the PLF before I go?

I’m only going for 4 nights 🙄

Wizzbangfizz · 10/08/2021 21:25

It is a disgraceful scandal, and an absolute racket.

Franklin12 · 10/08/2021 21:37

You are only able to complete the PLF 48 hrs before you return to the UK.

You need to have the reference number from your Day 2 test when you are filling it in.

Franklin12 · 10/08/2021 21:42

ButYou. It’s SO complex and each part of the UK has different rules - just why??

I suspect the reference numbers for say Scotland will be clearer and easier to spot whereas in England there are 100’s of providers all with different references.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 10/08/2021 21:46

When you say you are only able to complete the form 2 days before returning, from where do you get the form?

Butterfly44 · 10/08/2021 22:13

@JayAlfredPrufrock the form is online.
www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk

The Day 2 tests are premium compared to pre flight tests due to the booking reference number you need. It's scandalous.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 10/08/2021 23:08

Thanks.

Tried to register for the form but in a loop.

But would rather waste time now than when I’m away.

What a bleeding farce.

Franklin12 · 10/08/2021 23:12

Don’t set up an account. It’s too complex. Just fill in the form as a one off. You will need to finish it off whilst you are out of the UK. Easier on a tablet rather than mobile.

Beebopawhop · 11/08/2021 10:21

Just to add I checked this morning and booked NWP as the price changed back to £40? It is a farce I've never had to do a PCR before yesterday and I cried as it hurt my nose haha but I'm a wuss. It is a palava and adds so much got money to the holiday but I guess this is the sacrifice to get away. We are grateful. I tried filling the PLF but said exactly 48 hours before I can proceed. I hope NWP perform! They do state on the website it's ideal if you deliver with own private courier rather than royal mail....

Janek · 11/08/2021 10:38

@Theredjellybean For your Chronomics LFTs have I understood correctly that you sent off for them, carried them out at home and then uploaded the results and you get the certificate pretty much straight away? I was imagining having to have an in-person appointment for this (as they have to be done within 24 hours of travel for France), but this way would be cheaper.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 11/08/2021 10:41

I thought you didn’t need a test before travelling to France if you were double vaccinated?

Janek · 11/08/2021 10:42

Unvaccinated children count as vaccinated in terms of quarantine, but need a negative test within 24hours of travel (I am still unclear whether this is before departure or arrival...).

Janek · 11/08/2021 10:42

count as vaccinated in terms of quarantine as long as they are travelling with a vaccinated adult.

Original poster

Window1 · 11/08/2021 10:43

@JayAlfredPrufrock

I thought you didn’t need a test before travelling to France if you were double vaccinated?

This is a test within 2 days of retuning from France. You need to book the test before you leave France as you need to put the test booking reference on the passenger locator form which needs to be completed within 48 hours prior to leaving France.

OP posts:

EileenGC · 11/08/2021 11:25

If travelling by plane you’re also asked for your seat number so I only fill in PLFs after check in/seat allocation.

NWP prices are indeed lower again… what a disastrous mess this whole thing is.

I used Royal Mail with NWP and it couldn’t have gone quicker, results back in 26 hours… I guess they want to make more money off the courier recommendation, or the sentence is just there so people don’t complain if there are delays.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 11/08/2021 11:55

I’m only going for 4 bloody nights. I presume I can book the Day 2 test before I go but fill the PLF in when there.

As well as having a test the day after I get there. 🙄

Franklin12 · 11/08/2021 11:58

Has anyone a headache re all of this.

And I have been abroad last month and did all of this... (am doing it again next week).

Will NOT put up with the UK weather and the comedy prices places like Cornwall are charging. Even the take away slots in Cornwall are full when you look for somewhere to have dinner.

EileenGC · 11/08/2021 12:15

@JayAlfredPrufrock

I’m only going for 4 bloody nights. I presume I can book the Day 2 test before I go but fill the PLF in when there.

As well as having a test the day after I get there. 🙄

You can do that, yes.

It does give you a headache, doesn't it. For me the benefits of resuming my normal traveling schedule outweigh the negatives and how annoying the whole thing is. All the other countries I've been to this summer (Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Austria, Romania and France) have a much, much easier process than the UK. I still don't get why they're making it so complicated.

Original poster

Window1 · 11/08/2021 14:08

@JayAlfredPrufrock

I’m only going for 4 bloody nights. I presume I can book the Day 2 test before I go but fill the PLF in when there.

As well as having a test the day after I get there. 🙄

Madness isn't it?!

I do hope the system is relaxed soon.

OP posts:

myrtilles · 11/08/2021 14:14

The passenger locator form seems to recognise whether you have a valid test number or not. My OH put his and my DD's numbers on one line and it reported an invalid test number. So there is no space to put a child's test reference number.

We used randox for day 2 and had them delivered before we went away. Their collection boxes are few and far between particularly if your day 2 falls at a weekend when some aren't open. However we managed to deliver ours to the box and got the result quickly.

GinMama1 · 11/08/2021 19:09

@JayAlfredPrufrock

I’m only going for 4 bloody nights. I presume I can book the Day 2 test before I go but fill the PLF in when there.

As well as having a test the day after I get there. 🙄

You can definitely book the tests before you go and then fill in the PLF 48 hours before the flight home

PersephoneJames · 11/08/2021 20:25

I’m going to the uk for less than two days so can’t even take the bloody test but I still have to buy it or they won’t let me in.

Total farce. When you look at how easy it is to go anywhere else.

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