Pre flight PCR test company?

[ihatethecold]

Any recommendations?
I am travelling in just over 2 weeks
The country I’m arriving in stipulates that I have to do a test 2 days before.
Any tips?
Thanks

[ihatethecold]

Bump

[Franklin12]

Definitely go in clinic. Express Test have some branches around the UK

[Iamthedom]

Depending on if your close to an airport a lot of airports do fit to fly - PCR tests

[ihatethecold]

I’m about 30 mins from Stansted. I’m not flying from there though

[TanteRose]

Collinson’s are good

[HeatonGrove]

I have had good experiences with Boots.

[Figgyroller]

Randox were quick and easy. I chose them as their drop boxes were closest & BA offered a discount.

[Bashfulinseduary]

Look who has test sites/drop boxes near you. I have had good experience with Randox drop boxes. Eurofin are very quick, but don't have as many sites. I've also used Express Test at Heathrow for a last minute antigen test to go to the US. Express Test where good, but I wouldn't choose the test at airport option if I didn't have to. It was stressful and a meant extra time at the airport.
I highly recommend downloading any pre flight verification app your airline recommends. BA use verify. Time spent at home is worth it for shorter, faster check in lines at the airport.
Enjoy your trip

[Bashfulinseduary]

VeriFLY I mean

[LinzerTorte]

I used Collinson at Stansted last week; I had to queue for 5-10 minutes as it was very busy, but it was all very well organised. I'd booked a three-hour PCR test and had the results back within two hours.

[ihatethecold]

were you flying from stansted ? @LinzerTorte

did you go there a day or two before your flight?

[LinzerTorte]

Yes, I was flying from Stansted but I'm pretty sure anyone can use the test centre, as it's before security, in the main part of the airport.

I had the test done on the same day as my flight. My coach got into Stansted at 1.50pm and my flight wasn't until 7.45pm so I had plenty of time to kill, and I got my results just before 4pm.

I booked a pre-departure rapid PCR (results within 3 hours) but they also offer a standard pre-departure PCR - you get the results back by the end of the next day, and it's slightly cheaper. You can also get 20% off with STNTEST or CG20.

[ihatethecold]

thanks
Im going to try closer to home first (Cambridge) and if not ill take a trip to stansted

[ihatethecold]

So I’m going to Dubai and on the Emirates Covid testing page. It says the result must come with a QR code.
When I google all these test clinics. None of them say I get a QR code.

[LinzerTorte]

I was travelling from Cambridge, but really needed same-day results so Stansted was about the only option. DD has used Vivo Clinic in Cambridge and had results back the next day, but they're a lot more expensive (£125 IIRC, or even more for same-day results). I think you may also be able to get it done at Boots too, but I don't have any experience of them.

[LinzerTorte]

My results from Collinson didn't have a QR code on the actual results page, although the Certificate of Accreditation that came with it does - it says "Scan QR code to verify". I'm not sure whether that would count.

[LinzerTorte]

I've just checked the certificate that DD got from Vivo Clinic (which uses Randox), and it has a QR code at the top of the page.

[ihatethecold]

thanks LinzerTorte.

I cant risk not having the correct info for the dubai authorities

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

DAM Health do rt-pcr tests within 24 hours. I would suggest you have this test done as early as possible during the day so you get the result back as quickly as possible . You will need to bring along your passport with you to the test centre used, this number will also be quoted on the document you receive vis email. It was looked at by a member of the airport staff check in at Heathrow and before boarding the transit train at Dubai.

[Tal45]

@AttilaTheMeerkat

DAM Health do rt-pcr tests within 24 hours. I would suggest you have this test done as early as possible during the day so you get the result back as quickly as possible . You will need to bring along your passport with you to the test centre used, this number will also be quoted on the document you receive vis email. It was looked at by a member of the airport staff check in at Heathrow and before boarding the transit train at Dubai.

Don't use Dam Health whatever you do. Our 'by midnight' tests didn't come back by midnight and there was no way to contact them between then and 8am (we'd phoned twice that evening because we were concerned and were assured that the results would arrive on time). Our flight left at 7 and the test results came in just after that so we missed it and had to book new flights. They said they would refund the cost - it's been two months and nothing, they are not replying to emails.

[Tal45]

PS if you look on trust pilot we aren't the only ones, I also read about them in the paper as being unreliable.

[Dalooah]

If you're in Cambridge go with oncologica.

covid19.oncologica.com/

You can drop the tests off to their lab in Cambridge and you'll get the results by the end of the day/24 hours of being delivered.

[TheHomeEdit]

Stansted also has drive through testing which seems to work well and might be easier if it’s a day or so before flight.
I know people who have used the PCR testing place on Station Road in Cambridge and have given positive feedback, but it is more expensive than the airport.

[ihatethecold]

thanks this is all so helpful, There is a testing place in Cambourne that ive found but it takes 24 hours after the swab gets to the lab to get results. I cant risk that. Dubai stipulates that the test has to be done at a testing station and within 48 hours of travel so I think we will go to the drive through at stansted and do the rapid one. we fly very early on a Saturday so we will go on a Thursday.

[LinzerTorte]

Sorry, I completely forgot to mention that both Collinson and Randox have drive-through test centres at Stansted, which would obviously be better for you.

I went with Collinson as they were about £15 cheaper after the 20% discount, plus I'd already used them for my day 2 test. (I'd used Collinson for my day 2 test as they'll give you a full refund up to three hours before your appointment, whereas Randox won't because they've already issued the number for the passenger locator form - not relevant to you, of course, but I did need to change/cancel our original booking so was very glad I'd gone with Collinson.)