For U.S.A. citizens needing a test to go back to your home

Very helpful
Thanks

This is great - thank you for posting!

I just flew back from FCO and used the airport testing services the morning of my flight. Preregistering online is helpful but doesn't let you skip the line, really -- it just means you don't have to spend time at the station with iPads for people to fill out that same form before getting in line.

All in all, it took about 30 minutes at about 10 am on a Friday. It was a little stressful since we had no way to know how long the line might be beforehand.

Yes thanks for posting. We travel to Italy in May too.

I can’t seem to find the municipality near Trevi Fountain, where I’ll be staying. Can anyone help me? Thank you!

We just returned from Italy last night. I had some home tests and literally googled the name of the test plus the words “online proctor.” We set up appointments online the night before we left because I forgot to do it sooner. You login and take the test in front of the proctor using the camera and microphone (my husband and I each had laptops with us, though, which is important). Super easy. We even had the internet go out while we were testing. The company called us back via our phones. It was much easier and far less stressful than I thought it would be.

@l.keene23
Great information! I have some tests I brought along. I googled the brand and wow! According to their website, I can use one of those for an online proctored test. They schedule 30 days out, so I will watch the schedule to see if I can arrange an appointment with the proctors. The cost is $24.99 without the test (which I already have here with me).

@KRS
I just entered Roma in the search form and then looked at the maps. I found several near the Termini train station, one near Piazza Navona, and one in Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere. I didn't look further as I was just exploring. I don't need the test until May 8, and being a perpetual optimist, I hope things will change before then.

Be careful with the airport testing. There is someone on Tripadvisor who tested positive at the airport and they whisked him away to a quarantine hotel. He was posting daily, and it sounded awful. He wasn't able to test out for over a week.

KRS-

Just pull up Trevi Fountain on Google maps then search for nearby pharmacy. There are several in the area. Once you are there start looking around and check to see which offer testing/need appointment etc.

Here is one that is right next to the fountain.
Farmacia Antica Pesci, Piazza di Trevi, 89, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
https://anticafarmaciapesci.it/en/

Another that is just behind the fountain.
Parafarmacia Farmacrimi Via del Tritone, Via del Tritone, 41, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

A few steps away on the Corso is this pharmacy- we've had to stop in there a few times for emergency meds/help on past trips and they have alway been great
Antica Farmacia del Corso, Via del Corso, 242, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

I googled the brand and wow! According to their website, I can use one
of those for an online proctored test. They schedule 30 days out, so I
will watch the schedule to see if I can arrange an appointment with
the proctors. The cost is $24.99 without the test (which I already
have here with me).

Be sure you actually have the correct test.
AbbottBinax sells several- some are just self tests for home use- this is NOT the test you can use
Others are the online proctored version. You will need the Navica app to use this test and tests sell for about $30 each. The box is clearly marked as the proctored version accepted by airlines with a warning "DO NOT OPEN til tester instructs you to..."

Here is link to the test you can use, as far as I know only available online, not retail:
https://store.optum.com/shop/products/abbott-binaxNOW-COVID-19-ag-at-home-test-kit-2-pack/aautm_source=united&utm_medium=referral&utm_term=&utm_content=2-pack&utm_campaign=travel_ready_covid_test&utm_nooverride=1

@ChristineH
Thank you for that information and for watching out for me and everyone else on the boards here.

The test I have with me is a different brand and they are specific that the ones I have with me are eligible for the proctored test.

Christine, thank you! There are many advantages to traveling alone, but one thing I find hard about being solo is having every decision and responsibility rest solely on me. There’s no one to bounce ideas off, but the people on this forum have filled that gap several times for me. I appreciate it so much! I’m off to Rome in the morning.

dmae
That’s great but still make sure that particular brand will be accepted by your airline

KRS
Just paying it forward

We’ve all followed your planning/canceling/replanning and I am just so happy you finally got to Italy and very happy you are enjoying your trip.
Isn’t Italy wonderful?

Once you’re home you can start planning another trip ;)

If we go to an Italian pharmacy to be COVID-tested for our return home, what should we expect to pay? In the Venice area, do you think there will be plenty of pharmacies that can test us?

(Trying to compare with purchasing tests at home, carrying them around for 2 weeks and using tele-health with it before departure.)

Most reports have said 20-22 euros

You’ll want to do the same as I posted above
Use Google maps to locate your lodgings then search nearby for a pharmacy
You can email the pharmacy and ask if they do testing, whether you need appointments etc

Or ask your hotel if you are staying in a hotel

I had dinner with friends seven days ago in Rome. They contacted me today saying they had tested positive for Covid (they are now in another town).

I stopped by a pharmacy to pick up a home test kit (six euro) and inquired about testing for travel to USA. They said they test every day except Sunday, and it costs 20 euro - no appointment necessary.

BTW - I took the home test and it was negative. So far, so good.