We will be returning to the US on Sept. 21st this year from Zurich, Switzerland. Traveling via train the days leading up to our departure ( St. Margrethen, Lucerne, Interlaken, Montreux, Zermatt, Zurich). Won't have phone service only internet hotspots. Suggestions for complying with Covid testing to return home? Thought of using Abbott's BinaxNOW COVID -19 Antigen Home Test $150 for a pack of six, eMed.com with video monitoring, but I've heard they have had such a surge in demand since the beginning of August and people are complaining of waiting 3-4 hours or more to get through to begin the process. Also, people have stated they needed to repeat the process for each individual.
Any suggestions of alternatives that won't cost a fortune? I know you are able to be tested at Zurich airport but the charges seem to be expensive. We won't be arriving at the airport from Zermatt until 11:00PM (20th) and our flight leaves 11:50 AM (21st)
Thank you for guidance, guidelines appear to be changing rapidly.
Posted by
Chicago
2686 posts
Depending on where you will be 3 days prior to your departure date, I would suggest asking your hotel for testing locations or if you click this link, scroll down to “where can I get a test”
The home-test via the Navica app gives you the wait time as soon as you log in to start the test. So, you do have the option of not waiting and trying again at a different time. Each person does have to log in separately, so the results are sent to them, but if you each have a phone/tablet/laptop, you can sign in at the same time from your own device.
Have a great trip!!!
Posted by
Bay Area, California
1441 posts
Consider this: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=https://corona-testing.ch/&prev=search&pto=aue
I don't know how much airport tests cost, but my gut feel is that they are more expensive than in-down options.
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1556 posts
I took the Abbott's Binax test 4 days ago in Albania and my wait time was 2-3 minutes so don't assume a long wait time.
Posted by
Bay Area, California
1441 posts
I got a reply from a Swiss testing site:
"an antigen test at Grütlistrasse 36, 8002 Zurich...costs 50 CHF without Swiss insurance"
Then, in this case, the take-home tests are cheaper, esp. if you aren't traveling solo. However, I have not heard if the Swiss check-in agents at the Zurich airport will accept the take-home tests.
Update: I tried to contact Swiss Air two days ago about their acceptance of take-home Covid tests in Zurich. No replies whatever.
Posted by
Upstate NY, USA
826 posts
No airline cares about going beyond what the CDC requires; if you show them that the test is compliant w CDC requirements, it would be fine.
Posted by
Chicago
2686 posts
Bark, if you check the Swiss Air (which is a subsidiary of Lufthansa) website, it links you to the Lufthansa website, which states covid-19 self-tests are permitted for entry into the US. I suggest printing this info. out along with the CDC info. about the self-tests. Links here:
https://www.lufthansa.com/ee/en/corona-tests.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html
Make sure you purchase an approved self-test that is linked to a telehealth service where the test is performed over an app with someone watching. The tests purchased from CVS, Amazon, etc. are not approved and will not get you into the US.