![]() Most countries don’t accept self-administered tests for travel. Can I take a PCR or antigen test at home for travel, or bring a test with me? Use a translation app or ask at your hotel for help.įor other countries, run a web search like “COVID travel test”, PCR or antigen, and the country name, but make sure you aren’t tripped up by private companies gaming the search results. Germany does as well, broken out by region. The US Department of Health & Human Services maintains a list of community-based testing sites in the US, while the UK government maintains a list for arrival tests that may also be useful for passengers departing the UK.įrance, too, has a COVID test location database that allows you to search by location and to choose PCR, antigen or both. Given varying requirements that the test be conducted within one, two or three days, if you need a test to travel, it’s best to have one done in a healthcare setting (ideally at a lab) than using an at-home mail-in kit. ![]() Since PCR tests take longer and require more equipment than an antigen test, it can be harder to find them. If you’re struggling to find somewhere that provides tests, you could contact your airline and see if they can help.Ĭheck your own country’s embassy in your destination, that country’s embassy in your own country, as well as the relevant airlines and airports to get more information on tests. In many countries you should be able to get a PCR test with documentation for travel at a pharmacy-but be aware that in many places these are still quite expensive. PCR tests are less widely available and take longer, so you’ll want to do some more planning. Note that this validity window for PCR and antigen tests may well be different based on where you’re going.Īntigen tests are widely available at pharmacies, with results within 15-30 minutes, but tests for travel purposes may incur charges-and tests for public health purposes may not give you the right paperwork for travel. ![]() Whether you’re entering a country or returning home, you may have to provide written proof of a PCR or antigen test over the last 24, 48 or 72 hours. Where can I get a PCR-or antigen-test for travel? In many cases, the actual sample extraction from your nose, throat or saliva can be the same-it’s what’s done with it that counts. PCR tests differ from others in what they’re testing for and how they process the sample. How is a PCR test different from other tests: antigen, LAMP, TMA or others? You’ll want to check, but in this case the cheaper at-home, mail-off test kits might save you some money-although if you have to quarantine until you get the result it’s faster to get swabbed in a healthcare setting with its own lab. Some countries also require you to take another test after your arrival. ![]() Some countries require that tests be conducted by a healthcare provider like a doctor, nurse or pharmacist, while others are fine with the kits that let you swab yourself and mail a pack off to the lab for testing. Do check carefully, and either print out or screenshot the requirements so you can confirm that you’ve got it right with whoever is administering your pre-departure test. Many countries require a recent negative test in order to enter, with some even requiring testing for vaccinated travelers. In practice, you may need either a specific PCR or other kind of NAAT test to travel internationally. Use government websites to check for the latest entry requirements to your destination, or check out our Health Hub. But all you really need to know for travel is what the relevant country you’re traveling to wants. PCR is usually officially called RT-PCR (RT for Reverse Transcription) and is one of a group of Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs) that include a variety of methods-NEAR, TMA, LAMP, HDA, CRISPR, and SDA-all of which are explained well by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are a number of options for COVID-19 testing © Paul Biris / Getty Images
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