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COVID test for returning to US: Venice or Amsterdam?

Posted by (Seattle, WA) on

Hi all!

Yet another "where do I get a COVID test" question from someone who hasn't been these places yet. :) Here is our upcoming situation:

At the end of our late June/early July trip, we'll be flying from Venice to Amsterdam on July 7, staying the night in Amsterdam, then flying home to the US on the afternoon of July 8. We should therefore get our return-to-US COVID tests on the 7th. Would it be simpler to get them in Venice in the morning or in Amsterdam in the evening?

I haven't actually booked the Venice-Amsterdam flight yet and am hesitating to pick a flight time based on this question. If all things are equal on the testing question, I think I'd rather take a flight later in the day so as to spend more time in Venice. Do I therefore understand correctly that CDC- and airline-approved tests, with a turnaround of less than 24 hours and results emailed to you, can be easily gotten in pharmacies in Venice (and the rest of Italy)?

Thank you in advance!
Molly

Posted by
8913 posts

I remain hopeful that this requirement will disappear. My thought is that the earlier you get the test, the more time you have to flex as needed. On the other hand, where would you want to quarantine Venice or Amsterdam?

Posted by
11 posts

Haha, yes, I can't help thinking being "stuck" in Venice wouldn't be the worst problem to have! I think I'd prefer to get a morning test there if it's convenient and reliable enough, which is what I need to make sure of. The CDC's "day before travel" test requirement really makes for a stressfully tight turnaround. I hope they loosen that up soon too.

Posted by
5649 posts

Or you can carry the E-med Abbott proctored self-test and not be dependent on the availability of local testing facilities. The test takes about 15 minutes and you'll have results in 5-10 minutes. You do need good wi-fi, however. We have used the tests for two trips now, and they are very easy to self-administer.
Safe travels.

Posted by
11 posts

Thanks, all! Those are good points. I guess then one further argument in favor of Venice is that there does seem to be a lot of available lodging there, and at lower prices than Amsterdam, in case of the worst-case scenario of having to quarantine. I like the idea of the eMed proctored self-tests—going to make note of that. Always nice to avoid a tedious errand if it's an option!

Posted by
8338 posts

We try to avoid any of those 6:00 a.m. flights out of Europe, especially if making connections for flights to the U.S. Most U.S. flights actually leave around midday, and we have no desire to sit around AMS, CDG or LHR for 4-5 hours when we could have slept a little later.

If you can get the test in Venice and meet the time requirements, by all means get it. Otherwise, you'll be fine to wait until getting into Schiphol. I've heard that Schiphol's been very busy recently and hasn't been quite as organized as in previous years possibly due to staffing problems.

If you're looking for a place to stay in Amsterdam, look no farther than an airport hotel owned by the Vander Valk organization. It's simply the nicest hotel with the largest rooms we've ever stayed in. Their courtesy car can pick you up and take you to the airport--5 minute ride. The hotel was also very reasonably priced last time we were there.
https://www.hotelschiphol.nl/

Posted by
11 posts

Thanks, David! Sounds like a good hotel if we want to keep things close to the airport and easy. Totally agreed on the early flights—we're not morning people, so I always get midday or afternoon flights if I have the option. Hope Schilphol gets better organized by the time of our trip, but we'll plan for delays there just in case.

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