PCR Test Recommendations

Ali888

I'm flying to Barbados in March and need to take a PCR test within three days of departure.  Can anyone recommend a reliable testing company? I'd rather not do a home test but go to a testing site, in or near north London.

Sandtree

Personally would choose one of the "next day" services and have it done as soon as possible, that means you could still have a same day service and get the results in time if anything goes wrong with the next day (assuming they have slots)

Unless its changed the main issue with Barbados is that the test has to be done within 3 days but the results uploaded at least 24 hours before... though not sure how strict they are on that.

Unfortunately a quick scan of my emails doesnt spot the same day company we used previously, they werent cheap but had many london locations and for a 11am test they gave the result around 6pm... some companies are quicker than that now.

emmajones1976

Had no issue with Dam Health in December, did the test at 11am and had the results when I woke up at 7am the next day, think they must have branches around London.

Its worth stressing though that March is 2 months off. Rules could change five times between now and then. Dont book a thing until nearer the time

jimi_man

We used Eurofins at Heathrow a few times. £36 a test and if you do the test before midday (when they get sent to the lab) then it will come back later on that day. We did it at 0930 and had the result by 6pm.

emmajones1976

jimi_man said:

We used Eurofins at Heathrow a few times. £36 a test and if you do the test before midday (when they get sent to the lab) then it will come back later on that day. We did it at 0930 and had the result by 6pm.

Airport PCR test locations arent really ideal when you have to have the test BEFORE you fly: it would involve either A) going to the airport to have the test, going home, and then going back to the airport again, b) turning up for your flight 12 hours before it went, or c) staying in an airport hotel the night before.

Sandtree

emmajones1976 said:

jimi_man said:

We used Eurofins at Heathrow a few times. £36 a test and if you do the test before midday (when they get sent to the lab) then it will come back later on that day. We did it at 0930 and had the result by 6pm.

Airport PCR test locations arent really ideal when you have to have the test BEFORE you fly: it would involve either A) going to the airport to have the test, going home, and then going back to the airport again, b) turning up for your flight 12 hours before it went, or c) staying in an airport hotel the night before.

Barbados require the results submitting 24 hours before your arrival and so B would need to be notably more than 12 hours before departure

jimi_man

emmajones1976 said:

jimi_man said:

We used Eurofins at Heathrow a few times. £36 a test and if you do the test before midday (when they get sent to the lab) then it will come back later on that day. We did it at 0930 and had the result by 6pm.

Airport PCR test locations arent really ideal when you have to have the test BEFORE you fly: it would involve either A) going to the airport to have the test, going home, and then going back to the airport again, b) turning up for your flight 12 hours before it went, or c) staying in an airport hotel the night before.

Sure. However the OP did say that he’d rather go to a testing station and he wanted one in or near North London. It’s not a million miles away depending where exactly in North London they are. 

But I do agree with your general point. We aren’t that far from it either hence why we’ve used it. 

jimi_man

If it is too far then there is a Eurofins place in Wembley. They are a little more expensive - with a suitable discount code, it’s around £40. 

silvercar

NLondon clinic in Southgate, good egg in Golders Green, express test in Brent Cross and Hatfield. Centennial medical centre in Elstree.