Airport or bring Covid proctored tests

I am wondering about this as well. The proctored tests that you buy and do yourself (Emed Binax) seem to be getting pricier all the time and I heard on the TripAdvisor forum that they don’t meet Swiss guidelines so are not accepted at the airport anyway? Really confused as it seems multiple users on here have been able to do proctored tests for going back to the US from Switzerland.

My decision is to keep my options open. I plan to bring the emed test and possibly test at a center. I did that on my last trip and it worked well. It is important to provide some sort of protection for the test so it doesn't get wrecked in your suitcase while traveling. I put mine in a plastic desk organizer and had no problems.

Hello seruleane, where do you see that binaxNow is not accepted at Swiss airports? Appreciate any link you could provide.

VK

The Swiss can get a covid test for free at pharmacies and such but it is $150 for non-Swiss. I bought the Emed proctored tests. I've never used them so I've just been reading about what this entails. I leave for Zurich in 10 days. I never heard anything about airlines not accepting a proctored test. The instructions from Emed/Abbott/Navica say the results are in the form of a scan code if you download the Navica app that works with it. Then you just pull out your phone with the scan code to the agent when you check in. At least that's how I understand their website FAQs.

Barb - I was under the same impression with regards to emed/binax. I am leaving in 2 weeks as well. About to order the binax and saw the note that it is not accepted in airport. So wondering where it was mentioned?

Have a good trip!
Thanks
VK

We are flying from Zurich at the end of July and are planning to get tested (if it is still required) at one of the airport pharmacies. Our flight is early morning, so we are spending the night previous at an airport hotel, which makes testing in the airport the day before very simple. There are multiple pharmacies that do rapid testing, and at least one had lower prices for groups, I think around $35 per person.
More information is at the airport website:
https://www.flughafen-zuerich.ch/en/passengers/news/corona/general-information

I think there is an unsubstantiated rumor about the proctored emed tests not being accepted. I can't imagine why the airlines would accept the results in every other country and then not accept the results in Switzerland. If anyone can find an actual statement from the airlines that they won't accept this test in Switzerland I would love to see it.

Hi Carol and VK- I'm sorry if I was spreading an unsubstantiated rumor! I am just confused about the right answer myself. I have asked the same question as the OP about doing the proctored tests several times on the Trip Advisor Switzerland forum (as have others) and the Destination Expert has told me (and others) "Check in staff at Swiss airports will not accept "self tests". You must have an officially approved test from a registered test centre." You can look at the link below if you wish (it is very lengthy with many replies). I recall I asked specifically about the Binax test, but perhaps they thought I was talking about an unproctored self test. Anyway, the impression I got from Trip Advisor was that you have to go to a testing center in Switzerland or the airport to be sure the results will be accepted. HOWEVER, after reading various trip reports on the Rick Steves forum, it seems many have used the proctored tests without issue. So, I really don't know what the right answer is, or if people have different experiences depending on what staff member is checking them in at the airport. I agree that Trip Advisor (and any travel forum) is not the definitive answer or guide to these questions.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g188045-i336-k13608140-Where_to_get_COVID_19_PCR_and_Antigen_tests_in_Switzerland-Switzerland.html

I think some of the confusion comes from the fact that self-tests of any kind are not valid for purposes of obtaining a Swiss Covid certificate (which is what most people living here use for travel to countries with a testing requirement).

However, approved proctored self-tests are accepted by the CDC for purposes of travel to the US - but these are not commonly available in Switzerland, so may not be familiar to locals here (who get free antigen tests anyway). I would assume that airport staff working with US flights are well-acquainted with the regulations though.

Also, re testing, how much a test costs in Zurich depends on whether you want PCR or antigen. The antigen rapid tests are the better option - much cheaper (varies depending where you go, but usually in the 35-60 francs range, ) and you get results in about 15 minutes. PCR tests are very expensive (120-200+ francs) and it's almost impossible to find a place outside of the airport that will get you results within 24 hrs of your flight.

Nonproctored self tests will not be accepted by Switzerland or any other country for entry into the US. The proctored self tests are 100% accepted at the Swiss airports. Its the US gov that sets the standards and the airlines have the fun job of following them. You can check the CDC website for testing info. That's the best place to get accurate info

Also, the eMed tests have not gone up on price at all. They were $150 for 6 tests the day they came out last year and are the same price today.

Many people choose to print out the emailed results the proctor sends you so you have a 'hard copy' to show the airline.

Covid tests in Zurich are not cheap for non-Swiss.
Use the emed tests--ask if your health insurance company covers the full/partial cost.

Hopper and others- thanks for clarifying! I went ahead and ordered the emed tests for our trip in July so we don't have to worry about getting finding appointments while in Switzerland. I bet now that I am all prepared, the airlines will manage to successfully get the covid testing requirement waived!

We made an appointment at a pharmacy down the street from our hotel. It was free (paid by the Swiss government), they emailed the results and printed them off for us. I don't have the link anymore, but this is their address - TopPharm, Europaallee 11, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland - if you want to do a little internet search to track them down. It was slick, simple, quick and free. I think there are a lot of options just like this in the city. Safe travels.

-Steve

We decided to purchase tests in Switzerland because we’re packing light and don’t want to carry 2 Emed tests for each of us all around the country.

I recently got several COVID tests in France and did a proctored one online to return home via the Geneva airport. The proctored test was extremely straightforward and easy. I didn't even have to show my test results at the airport, the airline emailed me the morning of my flight and I uploaded my negative result on their app. Before the flight to the US I had to fill out an attestation form but that was it. Safe travels!

seruleane: you must have jinxed it :)

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-drop-covid-testing-incoming-international-air-travelers-2022-06-10/

I know! I saw that after I got the email saying my emed tests had shipped! Ah well, maybe they will be useful in the future. It’s nice not to have to worry about it!