Pre-travel PCR test for France when travelling overnight

[NobbyButtons]

Has anyone got any recommendations for pre-travel PCR tests with rapid turnaround times? I'm travelling to Les Contamines in February half-term with my son (he's 11 so doesn't need to test). We are taking the Snow Express coach overnight which gets to Dover at around 9pm on the Friday. So presumably I have to take a test either late on Thursday or early Friday to receive the result before getting on the coach. I am not sure if the 24 hours before departure means 24 hours before setting foot onto French soil or before getting on the ferry.

Is there a reason why you want a PCR test specifically? France also accept antigen tests (LFTs) which normally means getting your results within 30/60 mins.

France also accepts a lateral flow test (not the NHS ones though). Why not do that instead as you will get the result much quicker and therefore you can push the test time closer to the coach departure time?

It is 24 hours before departure and you can have a lateral flow test (private, not NHS) so it’s cheaper and quicker.

I didn't realise that antigen tests and LFTs were the same thing so if I can just order a LFT to be delivered to home and upload the results that will be much easier and cheaper.

@NobbyButtons

I didn't realise that antigen tests and LFTs were the same thing so if I can just order a LFT to be delivered to home and upload the results that will be much easier and cheaper.

To clarify, you can't use the NHS LFTs where you upload the results yourself. You need to book an antigen test through a travel testing company who will give you a fit-to-fly certificate. Many do offer at home tests - I had to send them a photo of my negative test next to my passport. Apologies if this is what you meant!

Thanks all, I have ordered an antigen test from one of the fit-to-fly test companies.

We’re also driving to France at half term, with a stop over in dover for an early ferry, then another stopover enroute to resort. Does anyone know how late into the evening you can do the antigen test (do they process results 24hrs a day?) - and if you can use the result for the pass sanitaire? (For the french stopover) thanks 😊

They generally do process 24h a day. Some like chronomics (who I find unscrupulous for other reasons) actually use software to scan the test so it’s all automatic and v fast. Others have a slightly slower response time overnight.

Technically you can’t use it for passe sanitaire- it is not linked up to the EU system /QR codes but anecdotally a lot of hotels would let teens use it before Xmas - not heard recent reports since travel ban elapsed as kids have been back to school.

I’m curious about this too anneyc. We arrive late from our channel crossing so we won’t have an opportunity to get our sons test done in France before our en route hotel stopover. I have contacted our hotel but no response.

@Chickpea22 Our hotel have been very unresponsive to my questions too- except for the one I sent saying 'did you get my email' to which they responded 'what email' ?! No response yet to my follow up email..!
Some one from the other thread has just suggested to hang fire on booking tests as France are apparently going to make an announcement on the 24th....

[quote anneyc]@Chickpea22 Our hotel have been very unresponsive to my questions too- except for the one I sent saying 'did you get my email' to which they responded 'what email' ?! No response yet to my follow up email..!
Some one from the other thread has just suggested to hang fire on booking tests as France are apparently going to make an announcement on the 24th....[/quote]
If any announcement made with regard to testing prior to travel to France on the 24th just a heads up that you’ll still need to consider compliance with the (new) passé Sanitaire (comes into force Monday) if you are planning on a hotel stopover.

Yes I know notimagain. Our son will need a pass sanitaire. That’s why I’m trying to find out how to get our son tested late at night before we stop off at the hotel. There must be solution I just need to find it .

@Chickpea22, have you found a solution? I am thinking just order 2 sets of antigen tests an d do the 2nd set prior to stopover hotel arrival. Only thing to consider is that my phone struggles to send emails when I’m in France!

We are catching an earlier crossing so we can get to Calais to test there. Seem to be lots of sites on Calais which close at 6 or 7. It seems slightly ridiculous but (gallic shrug).

anneyc I would also double check that with any ordered antigen test the QR can be read. I was under the impression that you had to have one done in a French clinic/pharmacy but I would be really happy to be corrected.

@Chickpea22
thanks- I hadn't thought of that. I have emailed the stopover hotel for information, but it may be that we will do the same as you. Thanks!