Which PCR Test Provider

Pixie5740

I'm travelling from Australia to Scotland via Heathrow in a few week.  I'm fully vaccinated so I only need the day 2 PCR test assuming it comes back negative.  There is a huge list of "self swab at home" test providers listed on government website.  Does anyone have any recommendations or are they all much of a muchness?

NSG666

I used Randox Health £43 using the FLYRYANAIR coupon code (they don't check you are flying Ryanair) but there is a 'drop box' to return them quite close to my home. Do read all the info before placing the order. There has been criticism of Randox but I cannot fault them.

Day 2 PCR Test | PCR Test At Home Kit (randox.com)

eskbanker

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/how-to-find-the-cheapest-private-coronavirus-tests-for-travel/#arrivalstwo summarises the market and is hopefully a bit more reliable than the government site (containing misleading headline prices) but it's a fast-moving situation so distinctly possible that it'll change by a few weeks time....

Pixie5740

eskbanker said:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/how-to-find-the-cheapest-private-coronavirus-tests-for-travel/#arrivalstwo summarises the market and is hopefully a bit more reliable than the government site (containing misleading headline prices) but it's a fast-moving situation so distinctly possible that it'll change by a few weeks time....

Thanks. I’m not so concerned about price. I was just wondering if the tests were more or less identical or if some were more user friendly. 

onashoestring

@Pixie5740, prior to the latest UK rule change, most people made the decision based on cost , since it didn’t matter when you got your result back.

However now that you can’t end your quarantine until you get a negative result, the turnaround times for getting the results back are something to consider . 

Pixie5740

Perhaps after reading the list I should go to one of the clinics in Glasgow rather than do a home test….quicker turnaround. 

I looked at the tests you can have done at Heathrow but I don’t think they’d work for me. I arrive in T3 and then then have to get to T5 for the flight up to Glasgow. The Express Test clinics are at T3 Forecourt, which I’m assuming is land side, and T5 arrivals but I’m not arriving, I’m departing. 

Butts

Pixie5740 said:

Perhaps after reading the list I should go to one of the clinics in Glasgow rather than do a home test….quicker turnaround. 

I looked at the tests you can have done at Heathrow but I don’t think they’d work for me. I arrive in T3 and then then have to get to T5 for the flight up to Glasgow. The Express Test clinics are at T3 Forecourt, which I’m assuming is land side, and T5 arrivals but I’m not arriving, I’m departing. 

I was at Terminal 3 Yesterday on my way to Albania and saw the Testing facilities which are indeed out on the concourse at the front of the terminal, Had mega queues !! I landed from EDI in T5 and got the tube to T3 for my Tirana Flight.

Regarding T5 it's easy to get from Arrivals to Departures where the testing is. If you are arriving at T3 and transferring to T5 just go out and get the Tube assuming you have enough time, that gives you the choice of T3 or T5.

My test has been delivered by Chronomics today, ready to take when I get back on Monday.

Browntoa

I've used randox , kit arrived quickly and test results within 24 Hours

Expert medical on the other hand have really awful feedback on trustpilot . Many people not getting results back , unable to contact them etc 

Butts

I've used Chronomics for LF and now PCR.

Been sent a picture of my front door that it was delivered through this afternoon in Scotland whilst I am ensconced in Albania.

Believe they now have a tie up with TUI stores where you can expedite the process by dropping the samples off there. 

_WorldTraveller_

I purchased my Day 2 test from Source BioScience after my sister used them for her in laws.
A couple of email queries were sent and they were very responsive. Kit now at hand and aiming for the 24 hour results turnaround.

Good luck!

Pixie5740

Butts said:

Pixie5740 said:

Perhaps after reading the list I should go to one of the clinics in Glasgow rather than do a home test….quicker turnaround. 

I looked at the tests you can have done at Heathrow but I don’t think they’d work for me. I arrive in T3 and then then have to get to T5 for the flight up to Glasgow. The Express Test clinics are at T3 Forecourt, which I’m assuming is land side, and T5 arrivals but I’m not arriving, I’m departing. 

I was at Terminal 3 Yesterday on my way to Albania and saw the Testing facilities which are indeed out on the concourse at the front of the terminal, Had mega queues !! I landed from EDI in T5 and got the tube to T3 for my Tirana Flight.

Regarding T5 it's easy to get from Arrivals to Departures where the testing is. If you are arriving at T3 and transferring to T5 just go out and get the Tube assuming you have enough time, that gives you the choice of T3 or T5.

My test has been delivered by Chronomics today, ready to take when I get back on Monday.

@Butts it's not so much the T3 to T5 I'm worried about, I've gone from one terminal to another in Heathrow before.  It's more that if the testing facility is at T5 arrivals and I'm getting to T5 from T3 staying on airside will I be able access the test facility at T5?  Would I need to go through security again?  Although I'm changing terminal it is the one flight booking with Qantas and BA to get my from Perth to Glasgow via Darwin and London.

Flight is scheduled to arrive at T3 06:20 and the next flight departs T5 at 11:30.  That's just over 5 hours.