Is it possible to purchase Lateral Flow Test from a chemist ?

[TheDogsMother]

We are thinking of booking to travel to a green list country next Saturday but can't make the booking until Wednesday afternoon soonest. We got caught out with passport expiry dates so have appointments to renew this Wednesday. Unfortunately this leaves very little time for tests to be posted to us before we leave so does anyone know of an organisation where we could pick them up in person ?

You can order a pack each day from here. Each pack contains 7 tests and you can order one per adult every day. They usually arrive the following day.
Are you sure it's lfts you need?

The chemist ones aren’t for travel. Are you double vaccinated?

You need pcr for travel, not lateral flow.

Boots?
Also look at facilities st the airport you are going from.

Sorry I wasn't very clear. We are double vaccinated so don't need tests to enter the country but we will need a rapid antigen test (which I thought was the same as lFT) prior to leaving. I'm worried that it won't arrive in time if we plan to go on holiday on Saturday so does anyone know of anywhere I could buy them over the counter ?

If you order now they will likely arrive Tuesday with it being bank holiday. Everytime I've ordered they've arrived next day by Royal Mail.

A regular lft? Why would you need to buy one, don't chemists where you are give them out for free?

Is that not a universal thing? Do people really pay for them? I hadn't realised how lucky I was to be able to walk in and pick them up

@TheDogsMother

Sorry I wasn't very clear. We are double vaccinated so don't need tests to enter the country but we will need a rapid antigen test (which I thought was the same as lFT) prior to leaving. I'm worried that it won't arrive in time if we plan to go on holiday on Saturday so does anyone know of anywhere I could buy them over the counter ?

Get them in resort. Do t know where you’re going but I’m in Lanzarote right now and they are available literally everywhere.

@caughtinanet

A regular lft? Why would you need to buy one, don't chemists where you are give them out for free?

Is that not a universal thing? Do people really pay for them? I hadn't realised how lucky I was to be able to walk in and pick them up

You can’t use the free ones for travel.

You can pick them up free from pharmacies/libraries/testing centres.

@TeaSoakedDisasterMagnet

You need pcr for travel, not lateral flow.

Nope, coming back to the uk you can use lateral flow.

You can’t use the free ones for travel

I don't know but @Aposterhasnoname says she can, I'm assuming she's done her research

We do already have the NHS ones but I understand these can't be used. We won't book the holiday until we have new passports in our hands this Wednesday which is why time is a bit tight. Thank you PP for the suggestions of the resorts and I will check out what's on offer. I guess I would have like the peace of mind of having them before we leave.

@caughtinanet

You can’t use the free ones for travel

I don't know but @Aposterhasnoname says she can, I'm assuming she's done her research

Eekkkk, typo. It should say can’t. Dammit.

God dammit. So many cross posts and mix ups. You CAN use lateral flow, but you CANT use the free ones. Source…. sat in Lanzarote right now, with our reps advice on what to do about our tests.

YOU CANNOT USE FREE TESTS FOR TRAVEL!, IF YOU COULD THERE WOULD BE NO MARKET FOR 300 PLUS SUPPLIERS TO SELL THEM TO US!!

People are being turned way time and time again at airport check in.

I took the free ones to Crete and then realised when I got there we couldn't use it. The hotel we were staying in had a dr tho and we paid about €18 each. On Jet2s website now they're advertising some hotels that offer the same service. They can also be done in most resorts as well

We had ours done in Spain at a local clinic… you have to have proof of the negative test via email or a paper copy of results to fly home so I don’t think taking them over and doing it yourself will work will it?

@Aposterhasnoname how much do the ones in Lanzarote cost? I'm just looking into ones for Tenerife and was shocked by the price, but it's a sellers market I suppose.

I have emailed the hotel we hope to spend our last few holiday days at. Hi'm hoping to find out if they have any connections with local clinics for tests.

Amazing how much incorrect advice is being given, I guess the whole thing is a maze. Agree with the advice to get your test to return LFT in resort and there will be lots of options - otherwise someone like chronomics will get one to you quickly. Just don’t do anything with a supervised online test slot as at such short notice likely they may not have any slots available. I really don’t know of any sold OTC that offer the verification of results you need to return to UK.

[quote NCTDN]@Aposterhasnoname how much do the ones in Lanzarote cost? I'm just looking into ones for Tenerife and was shocked by the price, but it's a sellers market I suppose. [/quote]
We have a doctor that comes to the hotel three times a week, and gives you your certificate on the spot for twenty euros.

We ordered our LFTs from Chronomics for £22 each. They should get them to you well before you travel. Look for discount code on MSE website.

Thanks all and it is an absolute maze isn't it. I'm starting to wonder if it's worth all the hassle but I'm sure it will be lovely when we finally get there. Especially after paying through the nose for emergency passport applications but that's a whole other story