Last minute holiday...thing of the past?

[PipPippin]

Is it ow basically impossible to go on a 'last minute holiday' abroad? DH and I wanted to go this coming weekend but can't get any tests delivered in time to go (to be fair I haven't checked every company but those I have say 4-6 days for tests to arrive).

Anyone done anything 'last minute'?

My feeling is that last minute is all we can do right now. We booked three weeks before our recent holiday to Greece and yes getting the cheaper tests in time was as nightmare. We saved an absolute fortune on the holiday though. You can get next ( or even same day tests at airports as I discovered when the tests I ordered looked like they weren't going to turn up in time)

My last 2 holidays (early July and late August) have been very last minute (booked within a week of departure). In each case we waited for the next travel announcement then got booking!

I booked a holiday to Lanzarote at lunchtime Tuesday 3rd August and flew first thing on Friday 6th!

I booked Lanzarote as well last minute. I had the tests at home tho from another trip. I got them from c19. Bought them at 7pm one day delivered to my door 10am the next day
Depending where you go you can get the tests done locally as well

If your double vaccinated and the country your travelling to doesn't require pre-arrival testing then you can go pretty last minute. Order your day 2 tests to arrive whilst your away. You can get pre-departure tests done in most countries and many resorts have facilities on site now.

Even if you need tests prior to leaving the U.K. you can get most of these done at airports with quick results.

@PipPippin

Is it ow basically impossible to go on a 'last minute holiday' abroad? DH and I wanted to go this coming weekend but can't get any tests delivered in time to go (to be fair I haven't checked every company but those I have say 4-6 days for tests to arrive).

Anyone done anything 'last minute'?

Wee booked our pre-flight LFTs through C19 and they came the next day tracked via DPD. Cost £39. We could also have booked the homeward boing LFTs through them too but we used Collinson as we had an EasyJet code.

I believe you can also get tested at some airports. It’s not cheap but depends how desperate you are to get away. Hope you find something.

@Unexpectedbaby

If your double vaccinated and the country your travelling to doesn't require pre-arrival testing then you can go pretty last minute. Order your day 2 tests to arrive whilst your away. You can get pre-departure tests done in most countries and many resorts have facilities on site now.

Even if you need tests prior to leaving the U.K. you can get most of these done at airports with quick results.

^^ This.

Choose the right country and it can be done, but yes it has got more complex.

@WiseUpJanetWeiss what’s the website for C19 please? OH and I are planning to visit France in October and we’d like to start testing at home in advance of it.

OH and I are planning to visit France in October and we’d like to start testing at home in advance of it

I guess there’s some logic behind that but TBH France is an example of one of the relatively easier destinations.

Using it as an example ATM if you are a fully vaccinated adult there’s no testing required prior to traveling UK > France…you just need proof of vaccination complete and an signed attestation (DIY, blank form on internet) saying you have not knowingly been in contact with somebody with Covid in the last 14 (?) days.

In other words If you are fully vaccinated you could go tonight, if you could find a flight

For France> UK a Covid test done in the three days prior to travel (often done as a walk in, no appointment required at a pharmacy).

Finally once home the now standard UK day 2 test.

I agree about France.

We went last minute and no testing required to go.
Testing required at pharmacy to go back to UK and day 2 test once home.

Testing is complicating matters - just go to Scotland, it's beautiful (and rather warm yesterday, a pleasant surprise though it's going to rain tomorrow!

[quote JingsMahBucket]@WiseUpJanetWeiss what’s the website for C19 please? OH and I are planning to visit France in October and we’d like to start testing at home in advance of it.[/quote]
www.c19testing.co.uk/

You only need to buy the test to use pre-departure and get a certificate (if that’s a thing for France). You can obviously use the free NHS ones for informal testing beforehand.

You only need to buy the test to use pre-departure and get a certificate (if that’s a thing for France)

For fully vaccinated adults traveling from the UK to France it is not….

uk.ambafrance.org/COVID-19-rules-for-travel-between-France-and-the-UK-28918

[quote notimagain]You only need to buy the test to use pre-departure and get a certificate (if that’s a thing for France)

For fully vaccinated adults traveling from the UK to France it is not….

uk.ambafrance.org/COVID-19-rules-for-travel-between-France-and-the-UK-28918[/quote]
Thanks notim.

So OP, if you want to do some preparatory testing just use the normal free ones.

We booked 3 days before travel. I booked tests ti take away that were dodgy next day, but yiu can do them in many chemists in med for €30. Booked day 2 tests fir return whilst away.

Dpd, not dodgy lol

Another vote for C19 testing. Just Google C19 antigen test. They should be delivered by tomorrow if you order today. Then book a day 2 pcr and add the code to the PLF within 48 hours of coming home. If you're double vaccinated it is quite straight forward

@Jmaho

Another vote for C19 testing. Just Google C19 antigen test. They should be delivered by tomorrow if you order today. Then book a day 2 pcr and add the code to the PLF within 48 hours of coming home. If you're double vaccinated it is quite straight forward

C19 is who we used. Next day dpd, easy to do. Had certificate emailed in about 6 hours after sending photo of tests. Very reasonable price too.

I’ve only done last minute since COVID as all my other holiday bookings keep getting cancelled. I’ve had 5 really nice holidays.