It’s clear that tests for travel are likely to be with us for some time. But new snapshot research from Which? has found the current cost of testing is likely to be too expensive for most people wanting to travel or take holidays when international travel can restart.
Thousands of people booked holidays to Greece last month when the government announced international travel might resume from 17 May (at the earliest) . Yet a return trip to Greece currently requires five tests totalling an estimated £370pp. For a family of four that’s £1480 – see prices below.
Greece, and the EU, have indicated that those with vaccines won’t need to provide a test, but those under 18 are unlikely to have been vaccinated, meaning families still face significant costs. Meanwhile the UK government has not yet said whether it will lift its requirement to test on return, even if you have been vaccinated
While the frequency of tests required is likely to reduce as health certificates are increasingly accepted for travel, testing is still going to be required for some travellers and destinations. The UK government has discussed retaining tests alongside health certificates to reduce the risk of variants.
Which? has called on the Global Travel Taskforce, which is due to make its recommendations on restarting travel in April, to make sure testing is affordable.
How much do private Covid-19 tests for travel cost?
Prices for tests vary a great deal. We have previously found that some labs are far cheaper than others.
This time, our snapshot research found the average cost of a PCR test in the UK is £120.
Prices in the UK are significantly higher than in many other European countries. In Italy the average cost of a PCR test is €86 euro (£74), while the region of Lazio (Rome) has capped it at €60 (£52)
Below is our estimated costs of private tests to travel to France, Greece, Italy, Spain and the USA.
How much does a Covid test cost for return travel to France?
It’s £420 for the five tests required. You’ll need a PCR test before departure and to pay for an antigen test when you arrive, as well as tests to return home.
£120 PCR
£50 test in France (€54 euros)
£60 Rapid Antigen to return home
£190 two and eight day package
How much does a Covid test cost for return travel to Greece?
It’s £370 for the five tests required. You’ll need a PCR test before departure but the antigen test required seven days after arrival is free.
£120 PCR
Free test after seven days
£60 Rapid Antigen to return home
£190 two and eight day package
How much does a Covid test for return travel to Spain?
It’s £330 for the four tests required. If you can find one, LAMP tests are accepted – these cheaper than PCR test, but can be less accurate.
£80 LAMP test (available at some airports)
£60 Rapid Antigen to return home
£190 two and eight day package
How much does a Covid test for return travel to Italy?
It’s £310 for the five tests required. Antigen tests before departure are accepted and a test at your Italian airport on arrival is free.
£60 Rapid Antigen before departure
Free test on arrival at airport
£60 Rapid Antigen to return home
£190 two and eight day package
How much does a Covid test for return travel to United States
It’s £322 for the four tests required. Antigen tests before departure are accepted.
£60 Rapid Antigen
£72 ($100) test to return home
£190 two and eight day package
Notes: Our UK prices are based on an easily accessible cheap option but not the cheapest. ie: £120 for PCR (a High St retailer such as Boots, or PCR test at home from UKAS accredited Nationwide Pathology – both £120); Test costs can vary from £70 to more than £300. £190 UK testing package – prices range from £175 (cheapest with Nationwide Pathology) to much more.
The UK government currently requires you to book a test on the second and eighth day after your return to the UK. That package costs an estimated £190.
£60 Rapid Antigen test (prices vary; £80 Boots (but only do them at five stores); £50 Express Test at many airports; £39 from Qred test at home kit. In some countries Rapid Antigen tests before the trip home are cheaper but it’s difficult to estimate this – based on how difficult it may be to find them, how easy it is to arrange them in a foreign language, etc.
£80 LAMP (not widely available – but £80 at some airports).
Which? calls on the Global Travel Taskforce
In addition to reducing the cost of testing, Which? has also asked the GTT to ensure that when international travel does restart consumers can have confidence they won’t face unexpected extra costs before they travel and confidence they’ll get their money back if the holiday or flight doesn’t go ahead
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/03/how-much-does-a-covid-19-test-cost-to-travel-to-france-greece-spain-italy-and-the-us/