Cheapest Day 2 PCR test for return to UK?

[gg321]

Any recommendations? Ideally one to be sent back via Royal Mail rather than a drop off box. Also do they have to be government verified or anything like that? Thanks

Mine was checked by Jet2 in Te.nerife but not at uk airport on return.

We are hoping to travel to France during October half term and heard that the government hope to change the PCR day 2 test to LFT. Has anyone not booked a day 2 test until they returned? I don't want to not book one and get caught out but equally don't want to book and pay for one if not needed

@Winewednesday you need to enter the day 2 test reference number on your Uk passenger locator form, which has to be filled out before you leave to come back to UK. So not possible to wait until you're back to order.

At the minute anyway. I'm in Majorca now, flying home tomorrow.

@Winewednesday definitely do it ASAP. We've had a tricky time doing ours, it's taken up too much time. But it's essential as @Tequilamockinbird says. Pointless but at least some companies are making a lot of money out of this ridiculous carry on

Nationwide Pathology are £40 and you can use any priority postbox. Results come back quickly and the tests arrive at your house within 1 or 2 days of ordering them.

That said, no one checks that you actually do the test. I’ve left before Day 2 on a few occasions and either haven’t taken the test, or tried to drop it off at the airport only to find out it wouldn’t fit through the box.

You’re really just paying for a code, to put on a form nobody checks. It’s a complete disgrace.

For the 2 day test I'd recommend Express Medical @ £28. The reviews are terrible but I had the ref code for the PLF within minutes of ordering it and the test was delivered 2 days later. As someone else said you're really paying for the ref code, the test itself is irrelevant.

We waited until 2 days before we were due to fly back to order the tests and complete the PLF.

All this is really helpful information. Oh my days they’re all trying to make a quick buck with these tests. There’s so many to choose from and the pricing varies. I’m going to order mine at the end of this week.

I’m wondering if/when they might make the announcement to say that day 2 tests aren’t needed.
We go away on the 21st and return on the 25th so am I right in thinking that as long as get the code ( which is sent in your receipt email?) that I don’t have to order the tests straight away?

I have seen on tripadvisor that the change wont come until after half term grr

@whoamitojudge you only get the code when you pay for the day 2 test. In your position I'd look now for cheap tests and buy them. Some are v cheap but sold out nearer the time. Have a look on mse and the govt passenger location form

Expert medical 28

@whoamitojudge yes you are correct.
Government have announced they want this in place "for families travelling at half term" but who knows.
I'm waiting until I need to buy, so I'll be buying while I'm away.

I see that the rules have changed and now you don’t need a pcr test just a lateral flow test but you can’t use one of the free ones

@whoamitojudge

I see that the rules have changed and now you don’t need a pcr test just a lateral flow test but you can’t use one of the free ones

This comes into effect on the 24th of October.

Great news nevertheless for everyone travelling.

We re on holiday at the moment, are any lateral flows available to book? We come back late at night on 24th

@EileenGC yes we come back on the 25th

@CharlotteRose90

Order whichever you want I’ve just returned from Malta to Manchester and wasn’t asked for my plf in any airport or test reference . Could have saved the money I spent on the test. Waste of time and money

Are you sure. We've just done the same trip and vaccine certs and PLFs were checked both ways. We couldn't even get boarding cards on the way back without the PLF.

We used eurofins to have our 2 day tests in person about 10 mins drive away as it was the cheapest way I could find, posting was more expensive. Cost about £40 each.

It says in the T&C's that you will be recorded as a no show if you don't have your test, but I don't know if this will be followed up.

We are currently in Greece and booked Randox day 2 tests yesterday and got the email with plf reference numbers within minutes