I'm interested in hearing experiences on the reliability of Covid tests prior to travel? Where did you get tested and how long it took to get the results? Did anyone not get their results in time? Any delays getting the results when tested on a weekend?
I would have to be tested no earlier than Saturday afternoon to make my Tuesday morning flight. (There is no testing on Sunday near me so I'm wondering about labs working on Sunday.)
Hi Frank —my experience is probably not helpful because I went during the week, but here it is.
I went on a Wednesday morning in late May to the drive-through window at a CVS (called Minute Clinic) to do my PCR test. I had my results back in just a little fewer than 24 hours.
(Note: I tracked the appointment site for a couple of weeks beforehand to see how far in advance I would need to make my appointment- in the event, at that time, there were plenty of appointments available, so I made it only one or two days ahead of time. Cost was $139.)
I had a Rapid PCR test done at an Urgent Care Center. I couldn't fit the timing with local Pharmacies and slower, cheaper, test results within the NL required times. The Urgent Care Center charged me $250. I had my results in 15 minutes.
As it turned out, the US had changed status, and the PCR test wasn't necessary. I didn't know about the change, but I probably would have gotten it anyway. Not trusting that the airlines would have gotten the message of the requirement changes over the weekend. I was leaving on a Monday morning and the change occurred on Friday.
When we went to Hawaii in April, we had a 72 hour timeline. Our results came back in 24 hrs, received on a Saturday, communicated on line. Hawaii wanted a specific test [NAAT]. Cost was $125 each, at a UCSD drive through tent. Alaskan Airlines had listed the approved testers in our area.
Obviously I'm no expert, but other rapid tests come back faster, but they test differently.
One of the key issues is making sure the test you're using is the one of the approved by the airline/country, but I'm sure you know this.
Good luck and safe travels!
Frank we are in the same boat, we apparently have to have a test even though we are transiting LHR airside to a country that only requires vaccine card. We also leave early on a Tuesday morning but that’s a domestic flight with the actual US to LHR flight late Tuesday. Saturday testing likely isn’t going to cut it then for us, and unless we can find Sunday it means we’d need Same day results of the test on Monday. UGH!
I did my PCR test at Walgreens and got my results in about 30 hours.
In NYC, there are numerous urgent care facilities that will give you the results of the rapid Covid test in 20 minutes. For me, the test was covered by my insurance at 100% because I have diabetes. If any of you have a health condition, your insurance might cover the rapid test at no cost to you as well.
If my cruise (Lisbon to Barcelona) does not get cancelled, I will need a PCR test on a Wednesday to fly out of O'Hare Friday 7:55 pm. A Tuesday test would meet the 3-day window for entry to the US but Portugal is 72 hours (not 3 days) so a Tuesday test is not acceptable. In Illinois there are many free options, including Walgreens, that provide results in under 48 hours.
We went to a Walgreen’s drive through yesterday and had results in less than an hour. It was covered by insurance as a week ago we had been in an area of increasing cases. Now we are going to do everything possible to avoid interaction with other people until we take our pre-flight test on August 21.
I flew from Chicago last Monday night and needed a PCR test to board the flight (Israeli requirement) within 72 hours of flight departure. That meant the earliest I could get a test was Saturday morning. The earliest appt and nearest venue was about 10.30 am at a CVS drive-thru. Their website said results are "usually" ready in 1-2 days but also said it could be 3-4 days. There was no charge but you had to show your insurance card or if you weren't insured (like me) provide your SSN so they could bill the appropriate govt. agency (so maybe I'll get a bill from the US govt eventually). I worried all night about what I would do if the results weren't in time. The next morning I started looking for a fast-result PCR test. The cheapest (!!) was $300 with a 1- or 2-hour result at Midway Airport, so at least I had a back-up plan. I had to open a personal MyChart account on the CVS website that had a link to test results. I got a text somewhat more than 24 hours after the test that the result was ready.
Apparently labs work on Sundays in Chicago. Maybe you can check with the test sites in your area. One bit of info I noted online was that test results may be taking longer due to the current ongoing explosion of new Covid cases causing a surge in test demand.
