Compare the cheapest COVID tests for travel

I’m going abroad from the UK. What do I need to do?

Planning a trip abroad recently hasn’t been plain sailing. Each country has its own requirements for arrivals – many countries and territories will require proof of a negative COVID test before you travel. Some may also require you to show proof of vaccination.

Similarly, there have requirements for anybody entering the UK, depending on where you’re arriving from. But from 4am on 18 March, no-one entering the UK will need to take tests or even complete a passenger locator form. However, this could esily change quickly as the situation evolves – especially if new variants emerge.

So before you head abroad, check what tests are required by the country you’re travelling to. You can look up the country or territory on the gov.uk site to confirm both the entry and return requirements. Rules and lists change often, so it’s wise to check on the relevant government site before you book anything. Then you can use our test comparison tables to find a great deal on the tests you need.

We’ve listed quick links to the advice pages for travelling to the UK’s top 10 travel destinations here:

What are the March 2022 changes?

In March the rules for any arrivals into the UK were relaxed.

Prior to this, as of 15 December, the last remaining countries on the “red” list, which had stricter rules, were removed from it. Transport secretary Grant Shapps sought to clarify that countries may be added back onto the red list if their numbers of cases rise.

Entering the UK

As of 18 March, you won’t need to take a COVID test when entering the UK (although you still can if you want to – say if you’re concerned about vulnerable individuals that you might be visiting). There are no countries on the “red” list, although the government has reserved the option of reinstating it.

Red list

The UK advises against all travel to countries on the red list, but no countries are on that list at the moment, so it’s largely theoretical!

If you want to travel to a red-listed country, you’ll need to check what restrictions that specific country has in place. For your return, regardless of whether you’re vaccinated, you must:

1. Take a pre-departure COVID-19 test before you travel and bring the negative result to the airport (excludes children aged 10 and under).
2. Book a quarantine hotel package (includes day 2 and day 8 PCR tests) and quarantine at that hotel for 10 days when you arrive.
3. Complete a passenger locator form with 48 hours before you arrive in the UK.

Rest of the world (green)

If you plan to travel to a country on the “rest of world” list, you’ll need to check what restrictions that specific country has in place.

When you enter the UK from a green list country no tests or passenger locator forms are required, regardless of your vaccination status.

Can I get a free COVID test for travel from the NHS?

Frustratingly, no. The gov.uk site clearly states that free NHS tests cannot be used for this purpose. The NHS only provides free PCR tests to people with COVID symptoms or those who are advised to get a test by a medical practitioner or public agency. If you intend to travel, you have to pay for a COVID test.

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Other frequently asked questions

• What are the differences between PCR and lateral flow tests?

  A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is a swab test used to diagnose people who are infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. These are the most accurate tests for the virus and are sent to a laboratory for analysis. You usually have to pay for a PCR test, unless you’re isolating at home and are sent one by the NHS.

  If your destination requires you to take a PCR test, check whether this can be done at home by you or whether you need to have it carried out at a registered test centre or by a clinician. You might have to pay a bit more to go to a test centre or clinician but your results tend to be quicker and more accurate.

  Lateral flow tests are quick tests you can do at home if you have no symptoms of COVID. This involves doing a swab of your tonsils and nose, and works similarly to a pregnancy test. Within 30 minutes you’ll see if you’ve tested positive or negative for the virus.

  Read more on PCR vs lateral flow tests.

• What does 'Verified' mean?

  The “Verified” ribbon appears on products from providers that Finder works with, and these are subject to further checks by Finder. However, all the brands we show in our comparison are on the government’s list of providers that have declared they meet the minimum standards for performance and safety.

• What is a COVID-19 fit to fly PCR test?

  Some airlines and destinations require you to present a COVID “fit to fly” or “fit to travel” certificate before you travel. As well as your name and date of birth, it will include your passport number, proof of your negative COVID test result and the time and date of the test.

  In terms of COVID, “fit to fly” isn’t an official term. But companies have come up with this based on a standard fit to fly certificate, which is a certificate provided by GPs to people with pre-existing conditions as proof that they’re safe to travel.

• Where can I get a COVID test for travel?

  There are lots of private companies that provide COVID tests. The government has lists of providers which have met minimum standards for the type of test they offer. The minimum standards differ by test type, so a company that meets the standards for general COVID testing might not meet the standard for a day 2 test. Do your research to find out which provider is the most suitable for your travel plans. You need to make sure your test result will be accepted by your destination and if you also need a fit to fly certificate to prove a negative result. Note that some test providers charge more for this.

• Are COVID tests free when travelling?

  No, you’ll need to pay to have a COVID test for travel as you can’t use free NHS tests.

• How much do COVID tests for travel cost?

  COVID tests can cost from as little as £15 up to £100 depending on what you need, the provider you choose, and how quickly you need your results.

  As an incentive to travel, some holiday companies offer testing as part of their package for as little as £20. While some airports have drive-through and walk-in PCR test centres from £60 per passenger. High street stores like Boots offers an in-store PCR testing service. If you go to a private clinic you can expect to pay £100 or more.

• Can I take a COVID test at home?

  You can but whether you choose to or not will depend on the requirements of the country you are travelling to and any stipulations your airline might have in place. Before ordering an at-home COVID test, check the requirements of the area you are travelling to, as well as any COVID guidance from your airline or travel company.

• How can I find out my nearest COVID testing centre?

  Currently, there’s no national, searchable database of private COVID testing centres for travellers. To find your nearest centre, we recommend you search on Google for test centres in your area and then check to see if they’re listed on the government’s list of providers (link in “Sources” below).

• When do I need to take my COVID test before travelling?

  If you are travelling internationally from the UK you must follow the testing requirements of the country you’re travelling to. You can find this information in the UK government’s foreign travel advice. Generally, you’ll need to provide proof of a negative test up to 3 days before you travel.

• Which countries accept lateral flow tests?

  The best way to check what type of test you need is to look at the testing requirements for your chosen destination in the UK government’s foreign travel advice, where you can see the requirements of the country you’re travelling to.

• When will I be required to show a negative test result?

  If required, you’ll generally need to show a negative test result when you check in at the airport and when you land at your destination. It is the airline’s responsibility to make sure you have the correct documentation in place before you travel.

  Depending on your destination, you may also need to show proof of a negative test result during your holiday.

• Do children need pre-flight tests?

  This depends on the country abroad that you’re flying to – each country has its own rules.

• What do I do with testing if my flight has a layover?

  So long as you don’t leave the airport and you get tested within 72 hours of the final flight (or as per the time frame listed by the airline’s policy), you should be fine. Wherever you take the test is irrelevant, so long as it meets the destination country and airline’s requirements. Just be sure to check the specific guidelines for each country you’ll set foot in.

• What if I test positive for COVID while I'm abroad?

  Firstly, stay put and check the government advice for the country that you’re in, so you can figure out your next move. The most important thing to do is isolate. You may be moved to a quarantine hotel until you test negative, depending on the country’s protocols. Contact your airline about rescheduling your flight home once you receive a negative test, and you may even be able to claim back the extra costs incurred if you’ve taken out holiday insurance.

• Can I use an NHS lateral flow test to fly?

  Unfortunately not.

Outbound tourism statistics

We have carried out research and collected a range of statistics about the holiday habits of UK residents and how many of us plan to travel abroad whilst the COVID pandemic continues to affect the world:

• 9% of Brits plan to travel abroad in the 3 month period of September 2021 to November 2021
• The average UK resident spent 9.7 days abroad in 2019
• £62 billion was spent by tourists from the UK in 2019
• Spain is the most popular foreign country for UK tourists to visit, followed by France
• The total spend by Brits abroad rose by 81% between 2009 and 2019 (from £34.5bn to £62.3bn)
• Double-vaccinated Brits are paying an average of £182.50 on the COVID tests needed to travel abroad
• Our research found you could get direct, return, flights to 192 cities around the world for less than this cost

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