Cheap Covid PCR Tests for Travelling

If you plan on travelling in and out of the UK anytime soon then it’s important to know that you will have to take a number of tests depending on where you’re flying to/from. 

The issue most people are facing is the price of some of these tests can be extortionate! However with more and more people travelling, some test providers have been putting out cheaper tests.

To make things easy for you and narrow down your search I’ve put together a list of some of the cheapest PCR private test providers (NHS PCR tests are not being accepted for travel) that you can use for your travel plans in and out of the country. 

If you do decide to use one of the providers listed below you can have a look at reviews before purchasing from them. TrustPilot is a great tool for this.

You can click on the name of the provider and that will take you straight to their website.

Prices and discount codes are all up to date as of 26th June 2021.

Fit to Fly Tests

If you’re travelling abroad you’ll find that most countries require a negative Covid-19 test to enter. At the moment no countries are accepting the free NHS PCR tests so you will need to book a private one. You can buy one of these tests at any one of the below providers and they will be able to issue you with a fit to fly certificate provided that your test result is negative.

Randox

£43 (Use code BritishAirways43)

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

Eurofins

£44.90

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

Hasu Diagnostics

£48

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

Biograding Diagnostics

£50 

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

MyHealthChecked

£65

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

Collinson

£65.60 (Use code BA20OFF)

Airport walk in/drive through

Results in 48 hours

Halo

£76.76 (Use code BRITISHAIRWAYSHALO)

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

Day 2 Tests

If you are arriving back into the UK from any country on the Green List then you will need to book and pay for a Day 2 Covid-19 test to be taken after arrival.

QuickClinics

£20 

Clinic

Results in 24 to 48 hours

HHH Diagnostics

£37.99 

Clinic

Results in 24 to 48 hours

Randox

£43 (Use code BritishAirways43)

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

LabMedExpert

£45 

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

Biograding Diagnostics

£50 

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

Eurofins

£54.90

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

CityDoc

£59.99 (Use code BA35)

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

Halo

£76.76 (Use code BRITISHAIRWAYSHALO)

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

Day 5 (Test to Release) Tests

If you are arriving back into the UK from any country on the Amber List then you will need to book and pay for Day 2 and Day 8 Covid-19 tests to be taken after arrival.

However under the Test to Release scheme, you can pay for a private Covid-19 test on Day 5. If your Day 5 test is negative (and your Day 2 test was negative) then you can end your quarantine. You will still need to take your Day 8 test even if you end your quarantine in Day 5.

Randox

£43 (Use code BritishAirways43)

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

Eurofins

£44.90

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

LabMedExpert

£45 

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

Dante Labs

£49

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

ExpressTest

£69

Airport walk in/drive through

Results in 24 to 48 hours

Collinson

£76 (Use code BA20OFF)

Airport walk in/drive through

Results on same day if test taken before 4pm

Halo

£76.76 (Use code BRITISHAIRWAYSHALO)

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

Day 2 and Day 8 (Amber Package) Tests

If you are arriving back into the UK from any country on the Amber List then you will need to book and pay for Day 2 and Day 8 Covid-19 tests to be taken after arrival.

QuickClinics

£35

Clinic

Results in 48 hours

PExpo Diagnostics

£59

Clinic

Results in 48 hours

Randox

£86 (Use code BritishAirways43)

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

Eurofins

£98.90

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

CityDoc

£118.99 (Use code BA35)

Home Kit

Results in 24 to 48 hours

Please note that to enter England from whereever you’re travelling from you need a negative covid test done within 72 hours of your flight

The good thing is that the UK Gov website has stated it can be either a PCR OR an Antigen test (these are much cheaper often around £20-30). For more information check the UK Gov website.

It’s a good idea to check if the airport you’re flying back from does rapid antigen tests because then you can do it at the airport before you fly back to the UK and get results in 20-45 mins!

I hope you’ve found this helpful and wishing any of you who decide to fly out a safe travels.

Peace, love and flights,

Tolu x