Covid Testing in Puget Sound Area for travel?

West Seattle has a COVID testing at the waterfront on Harbor Ave, run by the state. Free I believe rapid results too. Take the water taxi out from downtown, walkable (less than 1/2 mile) from there

Franciscan health has multiple hospitals in the Tacoma area. The St Anne and St Francis hospitals offer free Covid Testing.

Xpress at Seatac airport "Testing is by appointment for ticketed passengers up to 72 hours prior to travel. Testing is available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m."
https://www.portseattle.org/page/travel-and-covid-19-testing

The one at SEATAC has been used by friends. Efficient, but definitely not free. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

Your destination is important. Some countries require tests from approved vendors (CVS being one). A friend is leaving for England next week. My information is anecdotal, but she told me she has an appointment on Saturday at a CVS location near SeaTac/South Center and it’s not free. I hope this helps.

Thank you for your tips!

We are flying home to Germany. Here are the requirements:Negative COVID Test result (digital or printed): Either PCR, LAMP or TMA test, taken within 72 hours before entry into Germany, or AntiGen test, taken within 48 hours before entering Germany. (Also, cannot be a home test as it needs to be document with name, birthdate, provider, lab, type of test, result and date/time taken.

I am honestly not sure what all the differences are from all the tests. I am familiar with the PCR test and the Schnelltest, which, I think, would be the rapid test. Has anyone used these for travel? What are your experiences? I have heard that the Schnelltest can sometimes give a false positive or no test result, which makes me nervous about the testing time frame in case there is a problem.

Roon, this testing site was listed on the Lufthansa website. I haven’t used them personally but they may fit the bill in terms of location and testing turnaround. Best of luck!

https://discoveryhealthmd.com/offer/seatac-doubletree/

One of the problems with the majority of the testing sites in our area is that the tests are provided by /paid for by Washington State and are not intended for travel. For instance, most of the Walgreens testing sites require that you answer "YES" to either: 1. You have symptoms, or 2. You have been exposed, so obviously if either of those apply, you cannot and should not travel. I know of one Walgreens in the Puget Sound area which is in Puyallup, which does provide a test that is paid for by the recipient and that test is appropriate for travel. There are probably more, but that is the one I am aware of. When you make the online appointment, choose the ID Now Rapid test and then the nearest location that provides this test will show up to make an appointment. I hope you find this slightly helpful and it doesn't add further confusion. Haha! We are traveling to Germany next month and being fully vaccinated don't need a covid test to go there, but are required to have one to return to the US (SMH)

Thank you, d.Main. That was very helpful. I had called those pharmacies to ask about turnaround time and tests for non-citizens. And neither of them told me that you have to have symptoms or have been around someone. I just thought it was like here in Germany, that anyone can just do it if it's suspected or not (we can get a free test once a week). The other concern I have is that the test has to have to proper paperwork/information on it to show to the airlines. We can't just pop in somewhere and have a test where they just verbally give you results.

Thank you and have a great time on your trip to Germany.

Thank you, Meg! I just heard from someone I know today who has used this place without any problems.

Does anyone have experience with the Abbott Binax Now Covid-19 home test?

https://store.optum.com/shop/products/abbott-binaxNOW-COVID-19-ag-at-home-test-kit-2-pack

It appears to be acceptable for transiting the UK (LHR on British Airways) and returning to the USA. It's reasonably priced compared to the in-person testing centers. You perform the test while on a video link with a specialist. They independently confirm the test results in 15 minutes so that you can provide the result to the airline. We leave in mid-August, so perhaps requirement will change between now and then, but I am considering using this before we leave and taking a supply along with us to perform the test before we depart for home.