Check to see if you can get a rapid PCR test These tests are popular for quick turnaround times but are less accurate than PCR tests and aren’t valid to enter some countries, such as Canada. Some destinations also won’t accept rapid antigen tests, which check for proteins on the virus’s surface. The tests that often won’t help you with travel are antibody tests, blood tests that can identify if a previous COVID-19 infection caused your immune system to produce COVID-19 antibodies. In this guide, we’ll primarily focus on testing sites that provide these more accurate PCR tests, though keep in mind that some destinations - like Hawaii - only accept PCR tests from a specific list of testing providers. These are the most reliable tests for detecting active COVID-19 infections and are considered the “gold standard” of testing. You’ll usually need a PCR test (polymerase chain reaction) for travel. Not all COVID-19 tests are created equal, and not all are suitable for international travel. Keeping track of which COVID-19 test you need can seem daunting. If you’ve taken a COVID-19 test during the pandemic, you might have been bewildered by the sheer number of options. What type of COVID-19 test do you need? (Photo by Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images)Īntigen test. Many facilities can provide results between 48 and 72 hours, but that isn’t always true – especially now.Īlso, keep in mind that some testing sites deliver results over the phone, which likely won’t be suitable for boarding an aircraft or entering a country. Some destinations require negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests taken within a certain time, usually 72 hours, before departure.
#WHERE WERE YOU NOW THAT I NEED YA FULL#
Some will require full cash payment when requested for travel (instead of due to symptoms or exposure). We found that some tests are entirely free, while others require a copay or are covered with insurance. To help you prepare, we researched where you can get tested in 25 major metropolitan areas. If you need a COVID-19 test for travel, you might be wondering where you can get one, what type of test you’ll need to take, how long it will take to get an appointment (and wait for results), and what it will cost. But depending on where you want to go (and as omicron spreads) a negative COVID-19 test result might be required, particularly if you’re not vaccinated or are traveling with unvaccinated children. Unfortunately, COVID-19 testing is still a reality for the times in which we live.Įarlier this year, some countries dropped testing requirements for fully vaccinated travelers as more people got COVID-19 vaccines.
#WHERE WERE YOU NOW THAT I NEED YA FREE#
Some companies are reporting shortages, and in major cities like New York, blocks-long lines have formed of people trying to get tested.įor more TPG travel news and tips delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our free daily newsletter. The omicron variant has complicated travel plans and, depending on where in the country you’re located, made it difficult – if not impossible – to get a test. If you’ve tried to get a COVID-19 test for travel or for peace of mind recently, you might have run into significant delays. Editor’s note: This post has been updated with more recent information.
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