Hey folks,
I'm currently in France but will be hopping the Eurostar for London tomorrow from Paris. Many of the covid restrictions have been lifted in France so getting to UK shouldn't be overly difficult. However, to my knowledge, the USA is still requiring covid tests for returning passengers. Is this still the case? If so, any advice on where to get tests in London?
At christmas in Paris we just got them at a pharmacie the day before our flight but I'd appreciate any tips on doing so in London.
Thanks!
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7208 posts
Many pharmacies (e.g., Boots) offer them or you can get one at the airport. I got mine at the ExpressTest center at Paddington Station. Ask at your hotel for a testing center near it.
Posted by
OP
Boulder, CO, USA
719 posts
Thanks for the reply! Any recollection on cost? How long did the process take?
Posted by
London
254 posts
There are loads of testing sites. Leaving it till the airport will create unnecessary stress. My experience with various test sites has been that an antigen test (the type needed for entry to US) costs about £20-40 and turnaround time to get the results certificate in your inbox is about 3-4 hours. I’d do the test the day before you leave so that you can go to sleep that night knowing you’re all set.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7208 posts
The Paddington site test cost £50. The test itself only took a couple minutes and there was no line. We actually tested 40 minutes before our scheduled time. We received our results via email in 30 minutes. We returned and got a printed copy. There are cheaper test sites, but since we had a credit from when a day 2 PCR was required, it allowed us to use some of that credit.
As Margaret stated, when we went to the airport on departure day, the testing line was about 25 people long.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2805 posts
My friend just got back from London, she got her test at Boots on Fleet Street, it was £30.
Posted by
OP
Boulder, CO, USA
719 posts
Thank you all. That sounds about on par with my experience in Paris in December.
Thanks againi!
Posted by
Virginia
900 posts
This information might be a little to late for you, but there is a Collinson test clinic at St. Pancras -- https://www.collinsongroup.com/en/covid-19-testing/st-pancras-international