Where to get a pre-flight COVID-19 test?

[henrus]

Cheers you’re right plus more time to chill in lounge!

I wouldn't get too excited, the only lounge open in Brisbane the Plaza Premium lounge (from 5:30pm to 10:30pm) so you won't be able to access any airline lounges. They also don't let people downstairs into the departure area until around 90 minutes before departure so if you check in super early you'll likely end up sitting upstairs people watching as people line up to get a covid test and then wait around for their results.

 

[flyinpod]

I wouldn't get too excited, the only lounge open in Brisbane the Plaza Premium lounge (from 5:30pm to 10:30pm) so you won't be able to access any airline lounges. They also don't let people downstairs into the departure area until around 90 minutes before departure so if you check in super early you'll likely end up sitting upstairs people watching as people line up to get a covid test and then wait around for their results.

bummer ! thanks though save me getting there early.

 

[JessicaTam]

I got a Histopath test at MEL this afternoon. My flight is tomorrow (MEL-SYD-SIN).

I queued up at about 1730 and was tested about 30-40 minutes later. (Result came an hour later)

A security guard came and asked each person when our flight was and I just said 'first thing tomorrow'. He walked on by.

 

[Tiki]

I have a flight on a Sunday from BNE-SIN at 1445. The same day there is a Fiji flight at 11:50 and Auckland at 15:30. I would much prefer to go the day before, Saturday afternoon=ish as it seems the terminal is very quiet. Nothing between SQ at 14:45 and then EK at 20:50. Is Histopath fussy about exactly 24 hours before the departure? Would there be a line at this time for some other reason?

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

I have a flight on a Sunday from BNE-SIN at 1445. The same day there is a Fiji flight at 11:50 and Auckland at 15:30. I would much prefer to go the day before, Saturday afternoon=ish as it seems the terminal is very quiet. Nothing between SQ at 14:45 and then EK at 20:50. Is Histopath fussy about exactly 24 hours before the departure? Would there be a line at this time for some other reason?

I’m guessing the SIN testing requirement is 24 hours before scheduled departure.

So long you test after 1445 Saturday, it would be expected Histopath can produce the required paperwork to pass government testing entry requirements

 

[Must...Fly!]

I’m guessing the SIN testing requirement is 24 hours before scheduled departure.

It's actually two calendar days now I believe, RAT accepted.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

It's actually two calendar days now I believe, RAT accepted.

Ah ok. Then I guess it’s down to the discretion of the security guard or whomever is letting people line up and the nurse administering the test (if either of them even take notice)

 

[thatsthatmattressman]

Just had a great experience with a remote telehealth RAT Covid testing clinic (off to USA tomorrow). Here is the company .. takes 20 minutes all up. rapidantigensupervision.com.au @Mattg may be worth a mention in the newsletter .. you don't even need to leave your couch ;-)

 

[serfty]

Is Histopath fussy about exactly 24 hours before the departure? Would there be a line at this time for some other reason?

The wording is confusing and the entire page is contradictory but the histopath web site indicates you can get tested from any time the day before international travel at least in one part.

Airport | Histopath Diagnostic Specialists

Conveniently located at Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane International Airports, our highly skilled team and cutting-edge technology means we can offer you your COVID results in under 90 minutes.

www.histopath.com.au

For all other travellers, testing is only provided within 24 hours of travel date.

 

[Scr77]

Just had a great experience with a remote telehealth RAT Covid testing clinic (off to USA tomorrow). Here is the company .. takes 20 minutes all up. rapidantigensupervision.com.au @Mattg may be worth a mention in the newsletter .. you don't even need to leave your couch ;-)

This is great and exactly what I’ve been looking for! Was the certificate detailed and will you use them for your return to Australia?

 

[thatsthatmattressman]

This is great and exactly what I’ve been looking for! Was the certificate detailed and will you use them for your return to Australia?

Yes and Yes (assuming Australia would accept this .. I think they would encourage it knowing a local provider witnessed it and I used a TGA certified test which I am carrying with me).

 

[PineappleSkip]

assuming Australia would accept this

If you are returning Aust citizen you won't be refused entry at the border simply because your test certificate is non-compliant. I only got someone to even look it last time because I waved it at her. The time before noone asked.

The real question is will it get you past checkin, or any checks in transit, where they do look.

 

[justinbrett]

If you are returning Aust citizen you won't be refused entry at the border simply because your test certificate is non-compliant. I only got someone to even look it last time because I waved it at her. The time before noone asked.

The real question is will it get you past checkin, or any checks in transit, where they do look.

It's enforced by the airline on departure, not at the border.

QF checked my docs thoroughly in HNL - but there was no checks on arrival in Australia. There's not even any staff to check.

 

[robtemt]

Just had a great experience with a remote telehealth RAT Covid testing clinic (off to USA tomorrow). Here is the company .. takes 20 minutes all up. rapidantigensupervision.com.au @Mattg may be worth a mention in the newsletter .. you don't even need to leave your couch ;-)

Long shot that you are logging in from USA, but any issues at check-in with this certificate/provider? We have a flight to USA next Sunday, looking at using this instead of Hystopath.

 

[henrus]

Long shot that you are logging in from USA, but any issues at check-in with this certificate/provider? We have a flight to USA next Sunday, looking at using this instead of Hystopath.

Histopath seams cheaper and possibly easier. The supervision one is $69.50 (or $89 on a weekend) and you must supply your own RAT (at least $10) meanwhile histopath is $59 for a RAT or $79 for a PCR.

 

[robtemt]

Histopath seams cheaper and possibly easier. The supervision one is $69.50 (or $89 on a weekend) and you must supply your own RAT (at least $10) meanwhile histopath is $59 for a RAT or $79 for a PCR.

Yeah, I wasn't worried about the cost difference, just ensuring that check-in was hassle free using the supervised RAT. We booked easily online for the supervised one, and I emailed a question to them due to having dual passports, and they responsed in less than 10 minutes. I will use a service like this and pay extra vs standing in line and waiting in the terminal for the result any day.

 

[thatsthatmattressman]

Long shot that you are logging in from USA, but any issues at check-in with this certificate/provider? We have a flight to USA next Sunday, looking at using this instead of Hystopath.

Hi mate, flying Fiji Airways (today Feb 12th) to Los Angeles with a 2.5 hour stopover.

Checkin agent did a second look at the RAT test then showed to supervisor who said 100 percent fine no worries. I was done in 90 seconds but I have to say alarming number of people turned away: didn’t do a test, test is bogus, test has expired, don’t have proof of vaccination etc. etc. slowed down checkin significantly.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I'm based in SYD and it's my understanding that the best bet for COVID19 travel testing is the Histopath at the airport (in terms of price and speed). My question is for the reverse: travel back to Australia from other regions. In particular, I've got a "domestic" long haul to HNL booked for May and a "domestic" ultra-long haul to Eastern Canada in June and am wondering what would be the best options for testing in those regions for return travel back to SYD.

-RooFlyer88

 

[robtemt]

To minimise disruption, we booked a test in Maui at our hotel, about 18 hours before our flight back to SYD. It seems a lot of places in Maui are charging $199 ish per person. Steep, but we just don’t want to spend the extra time and effort to go out and get one on our last day in paradise.


We booked the supervised Telehealth RAT for our flight TO HNL. Again, we are all about minimising crowds, and lowering stress/anxiety about compliance on this first overseas trip (for pleasure and not exempt for other reasons).

COVID – 19 Rapid Antigen Testing Supervision for cruise ships and Air Travel

Remote certified supervision of Rapid Antigen tests for Cruise Ships and Air Travel.

www.rapidantigensupervision.com.au

 

[kangarooflyer88]

To minimise disruption, we booked a test in Maui at our hotel, about 18 hours before our flight back to SYD. It seems a lot of places in Maui are charging $199 ish per person. Steep, but we just don’t want to spend the extra time and effort to go out and get one on our last day in paradise.


We booked the supervised Telehealth RAT for our flight TO HNL. Again, we are all about minimising crowds, and lowering stress/anxiety about compliance on this first overseas trip (for pleasure and not exempt for other reasons).

COVID – 19 Rapid Antigen Testing Supervision for cruise ships and Air Travel

Remote certified supervision of Rapid Antigen tests for Cruise Ships and Air Travel.

www.rapidantigensupervision.com.au

Thanks for sharing that resource. Certainly something I'll take into account when I'm flying back to SYD. I think I'll stick with Histopath on the outbound since the "domestic" destinations I'm going to likely require a PCR test. That being said, I'm curious if there might be something a little bit cheaper for rapid-antigen testing? For me that's a big turn off for travel to such destinations, although I'm willing to bite the bullet every now and then if it means enjoying paradise for a week or visiting relatives.

-RooFlyer88