Negative Covid Test Required Before Flying Back Into the USA

trblee, This has been in effect since January--good reminder.
The good news is that the US accepts an antigen test, which is a fast test and is good as long as you don't have to change planes in Europe.
If you have to change planes in Europe first, the antigen may not be sufficient. For example: Paris-->Amsterdam-->USA, you would need a slow PCR done 72 hours before.

I had an antigen done at CDG just before check-in when I flew to the States. Here's the link to make an appointment.
https://www.doctolib.fr/centre-depistage-covid/roissy/depistage-covid-aeroport-charles-de-gaulle
Allow an hour before check in. It's free. (Allow time for paperwork before, testing, 20-25 minute wait for results) Be sure to make an appointment.

Travelers will be able to find antigen and PCR tests in pharmacies or be directed to a test location..

My bad. I just saw this on the news tonight and did not know about it. Moderator feel free to delete the topic.

No, don't delete--it's a good warning that probably others need to learn about.

Here's the direct link for testing:
https://www.doctolib.fr/centre-depistage-covid/roissy/depistage-covid-aeroport-charles-de-gaulle

Please don’t delete because Bets has posted some great information.

Yes Bets did. I didn't know about this until tonight. So many people here with all kinds of helpful information. I'm definitely at the right forum.

We're just a bunch of travel nuts. Ask away.

Though arriving at the airport an hour early sounds like the better option to me, the CDC in the past couple days said they would start accepting certain home tests for the flying-home requirement. There are some stipulations...

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2021/05/07/covid-test-international-flights-home-test-cdc/4994936001/

So if it has to be CDC approved, how would that work from a foreign country? Would you have to bring it from the States? Where could it be processed? How would you get the written report? A lot of new info to explore.

Here is a quick video of the test at CDG.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OriT-r_xq7I

Perfect trblee. That's it exactly. Now expect that there could be a line at that test check in stand, including people who didn't make a reservation and are now arguing with the check in person. Next, allow some time to fill out your paperwork at the table not seen in the video. Finally, allow time to sit in the red chairs or wait standing because all the seats are filled. The wait for results is 20-25 minutes.

So for an 11:15 AM flight, we should get to CDG about 7? Leave hotel at 6?

So it might behoove travellers to spend their last day in France going to a laboratoire to get the work done as opposed to waiting in line at CDG?

It will be a pain in the fesses, but I keep thinking about biting into my first mille-feuille and eating my first panier de pain. Pain for pain...ça vaut la peine.

I agree, Alexandre. Especially for an antigen test, it should be easy enough to get it at a pharmacy a day or two before, particularly if staying in a town of any size. And it should be free anywhere. We popped into a very large pharmacy in Montpellier, were tested and on our way in 30 minutes.

I used a private FB group for MTP to find the pharmacy. Trip Advisor locals should have test site info, too.

Any pharmacies close to Eiffel Tower? Maybe we can get one on an evening after seeing the sites.

they are everywhere, just look for the illuminated green cross sign

Thanks Nigel. Would the rapid test be free there?

no idea - I'm not allowed to go to France at the moment so I don't have first hand knowledge.

"Free" covid testing is paid for by the government, I don't think a tourist should expect "free" from another country.

So if you get it, it's a bonus but I would be prepared to pay.

It has been free because the borders have been closed, so everyone being tested has been a résident or citizen. Whether tourists will be charged once the borders open???

Some European countries charge everyone even now.

Could you explain why an antigen test wouldn't work if you have a layover elsewhere in Europe? We're flying from Nice to Frankfurt (Lufthansa) and then to LAX. If we took the antigen test the day before we left Nice, it's still within 72 hours. There must be something I don't understand.

You have to take the test that is required not only by the US, but by Germany, too. They probably require a PCR, in which case you would have to get the PCR in order to fulfill the stricter German requirement. You won't be allowed to board the flight to Germany if a PCR is required and you have taken the less accurate antigen. You have to take into account the requirements where you are transferring planes, too.

I saw this happen to someone in Feb who had to be rerouted. Unfortunately, with One World partners, all the countries right now require a PCR. The person I witnessed was on Flying Blue so was rerouted to transfer within France: Montpellier to Paris to the US, avoiding Amsterdam which had been his original transfer point. He found out about the requirement at check in in Montpellier.

Of course, this is now. Let's hope that things improve. I have in-laws who live near Nice and needed a PCR to fly to Vienna, transferring in Germany. They had a hard time finding a place to get it done in March.

Thanks for all the valuable info.