My husband and I are booked on RS Athens and the Heart of Greece beginning Easter Saturday, April 23. We'll be staying at the Hera Hotel in Athens and contacted the desk about locations nearby to get a COVID test on Friday the 22nd when we get in to the hotel. According to their reply, they're going to have someone come in on Saturday to test RS tour members for 35 euros per test. I have a question for anyone who has already taken the tour this year - did you book your test through the hotel or were you able to get a test at a nearby pharmacy? If so, where?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5429 posts
Not a RS Tour member, but my WAG is that special arrangements were made for the testing because it's Good Friday.
Posted by
San Francisco area
1888 posts
What are your plans for arrival day? Maybe just do a Google search for pharmacies nearby and check a few while exploring the neighborhood?
Posted by
Georgia
34 posts
We were able to get a test for 10 euros at a pharmacy in Athens with the results in 15-20 minutes. Tests were readily available.
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
932 posts
I am on the same tour, and have been wondering the same thing. Myself and my roommate are arriving a couple days early, and staying at a different hotel until the start of the tour. I think I will email our hotel and see if they know of a cheaper option.
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6523 posts
I just got an email about our upcoming tour, saying Covid tests will no longer be required.
Good news! We no longer require a negative COVID-19 test to participate in this tour.
Our tour begins May 1, so I don't know if the new policy will apply to earlier tours. We do still need to bring our CDC cards and masks.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8876 posts
Jane, the Rick Steves policy changes for May 1st, April tours still require testing.
Posted by
OP
114 posts
Anita, I'd be interested to know what you find out from your other hotel, and there may be others from our group who are interested, too. We look forward to meeting you and the rest of the group in a few weeks. Enjoy your extra days in Athens - I was there with my daughter a few years ago and there is so much to see.
And thank you to everyone else for your suggestions!
Posted by
52 posts
Our tour begins 4/4. We arrived today. We were directed to a nearby clinic for tests for 10 euro each. The clinic is open 7 days but don’t know if hours will be affected by Easter holiday.
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
932 posts
So, I emailed the Attalos hotel where I will be for two nights prior to the tour starting, and specifically asked about testing and what would be open due to it being Easter and this was their response: You can have a Rapid test at the Pharmacy that is just a few minutes’ walk from the Hotel. It operates testing every day from 8 am – 2 pm. You do not need an appointment and you get the results in 15-30 minutes.
Posted by
near San Francisco
5364 posts
If only it were that easy at home.
Posted by
OP
114 posts
Thank you, Anita! We look forward to meeting you in just a couple of weeks now.