What Are the Cheapest PCR Covid-19 Tests For Travelling Abroad?

To help make travel easier and smoother for travellers, airports are facilitating Covid-19 testing centres, ranging from walk-in to drive-through facilities. You will also find rapid testing services set up in departure and arrival lounges.

For example, whilst most airports charge £99 for a PCR test, Manchester airport offers PCR testing charging £55 for next day quick results.

The cost of NHS coronavirus tests for international arrivals to the UK has been reduced for the second time following a review in May.

Currently, day 2 PCR tests for arrival into the UK can cost about £75 per person however, from 24th October, travel tests are set to become even cheaper according to news from the Government to make it easier for those going on half-term breaks this autumn.

A PCR test can be carried out within your home however, depending on the country you’re planning to visit, the criteria may differ.

Most destinations will accept tests carried out at home then couriered to a laboratory, although a small number of destinations state that the test is to be carried out in a clinic.

Rules have been altered since the scrapping of the Government’s traffic light system but there are still rules in place regarding PCR testing and rules for the new red countries list.

Vaccinated travellers must book a COVID-19 test before the end of day 2 in England as well as complete the passenger locator form 48 hours before they are set to return to the UK. 

Unvaccinated travellers arriving into the UK must take a COVID-19 test as well, except it must be 3 days prior to travel, book a day 2 and day 8 PCR tests after arriving in England and finally, they must complete the passenger locator form.

There are separate guidelines for those returning from red list countries which you can find on the Government website.

PCR tests need to be sent to a lab to be tested for symptoms of Coronavirus therefore, results can take up to 3 days on average. Once your results have been finalised, you should receive an email or text message confirming your results.

Guidelines state that you do not need to take a PCR test when travelling if you are fully vaccinated to travel to the UK or you have not been to one of the countries on the red list.

Once you have taken your lateral flow test at home and you have received your results from the strip in the kit, you need to go onto the Government website where you can choose to report a test. After filling out some personal details, they will ask you to report whether your test result is positive or negative and you will receive a text or email almost immediately confirming the results of your test.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you must immediately self-isolate for 10 days, report your test results on the Government’s website and inform those with whom you have been in close contact recently.

You can request a PCR test through the NHS if you display 3 or more coronavirus symptoms including a high temperature and a continuous cough. However, if you are not displaying symptoms but would still like a test, you can still request one under a list of criteria including if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, you have been asked to by a GP or if you have received an unclear result from a first test.

If your test kit or test results fail to arrive in time, you can contact the provider and request a refund. You must arrange another PCR Covid-19 test as quickly as possible.

One solution is to make use of testing services offered through your airline or tour operator, as previously mentioned.

Another option is to purchase a quick turnaround test; this can be costly but will reduce the right of disruption to your travel plans.