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

[Ktan89]

How much before your flight did you arrive? How long for check-in? Then how long from Check-in until you were airside?

My understanding is check in only open 4 hours before, but will 4 hours be enough?

We got there three hours before our flight. I suggest going 4 hours just incase your missing additional paperwork or other formalities.
Check in business was 30-45mins wait but I could see other passengers stressing out flying to LA. Economy line was really long! Self check in wasn't available and auto bag drop was closed. They also didn't provide express pass for J customers. I realised this and went back to the lady and pointed at the line and all she said was good luck pretty much haha
The immigration wait was over an hour.

 

[woodyren]

Pre flight supervised RAT this morning at Chemist Warehouse Castle Hill Supercenter. Two days prior for Singapore.

Walked in and after about a 5 minute wait had the test and results printed withing 15 minutes. $29.99

 

[Lynda2475]

Popped into local Chemist Warehouse to check they are doing testing and they are, so will head in at lunch on Thurs as Fiji requires RAT within 24 hours of departure, saves me a trip to Histopath at the airport, just hope they can print resutls for me as I dont have a printer at home, otherwise will have to uber over to Office Works.

Good thing is CW uses same RAT test brand as I have at home, so if i test negative at home, can be confident will be negative at CW.

Not willing to risk a PCR at this stage, in case Ive had covid but been completely asymptomatic.

 

[Paul Mc]

We got there three hours before our flight. I suggest going 4 hours just incase your missing additional paperwork or other formalities.
Check in business was 30-45mins wait but I could see other passengers stressing out flying to LA. Economy line was really long! Self check in wasn't available and auto bag drop was closed. They also didn't provide express pass for J customers. I realised this and went back to the lady and pointed at the line and all she said was good luck pretty much haha
The immigration wait was over an hour.

Agree with @Ktan89 re 4 hours prior (based on our trip the US (DFW) 4 weeks ago - mid March 2022). We arrived 4 hours earlier but Qantas First / Business counter only had 2 people on at that point. Full staffing came in at the "3 hour prior" mark - but I don't know if that has changed now by Qantas or depends what other QF flights are going out close to yours. It took 45 mins to get checked in as 2 previous people did not have the appropriate paperwork done so Qantas staff were helping them access the web or fill out pre-printed forms that Qantas had printed earlier. We did our Supervised RAT the day before. Hope this helps others in someway.

 

[cjd600]

Popped into local Chemist Warehouse to check they are doing testing and they are, so will head in at lunch on Thurs as Fiji requires RAT within 24 hours of departure, saves me a trip to Histopath at the airport, just hope they can print resutls for me as I dont have a printer at home, otherwise will have to uber over to Office Works.

Good thing is CW uses same RAT test brand as I have at home, so if i test negative at home, can be confident will be negative a CW.

Not willing to risk a PCR at this stage, in case Ive had covid but beenc ompletely asymptomatic.

we didnt need printed results flying to LAX a couple of weeks ago, just show on phone (same as back from LAX-SYD, not that a test is required for that anymore anyway)

 

[larrymull]

So it seems the Chemist Warehouse Supervised RAT paperwork is accepted.

 

[mrsterryn]

Just checking
So if I arrive four hours before my USA bound flight is due to depart from Sydney I can test at the airport prior to check in ?
Not going for six weeks so hoping tests go by the wayside but just thought I would ask. My flight is a late Saturday evening and USA wants a negative one day before ? Though does mean I can get one done anytime on Friday ?
So glad we don't need negatives for re entry back into Aust

 

[cjd600]

Just checking
So if I arrive four hours before my USA bound flight is due to depart from Sydney I can test at the airport prior to check in ?
Not going for six weeks so hoping tests go by the wayside but just thought I would ask. My flight is a late Saturday evening and USA wants a negative one day before ? Though does mean I can get one done anytime on Friday ?
So glad we don't need negatives for re entry back into Aust

We flew USA about week ago from SYD
Yes - you can get test any time from Friday onwards, if flying Saturday evening.
We registered for PCR at SYD.
Got tested night before the flight at 8pm (were staying at Rydges Airport fr morning flight).
Straight through the testing in less than 5 mins.
Results received 9.10pm.

Would think 4 hours is ample if they've sorted the security lines (only 4 out of 17 gates open, - inexperienced travellers my @ss - big delays, QF11 left late). The test and check-in process was the easy bit for us...

 

[mrsterryn]

We flew USA about week ago from SYD
Yes - you can get test any time from Friday onwards, if flying Saturday evening.
We registered for PCR at SYD.
Got tested night before the flight at 8pm (were staying at Rydges Airport fr flight).
Straight through the testing in less than 5 mins.
Results received 9.10pm.

Would think 4 hours is ample if they've sorted the security lines (only 4 out of 17 gates open, - inexperienced travellers my @ss - big delays, QF11 left late). The test and check-in process was the easy bit for us.

Ok sounds like one way or another I should be fine
Thanks

 

[cjd600]

Ok sounds like one way or another I should be fine
Thanks

Fingers crossed no test required.....the pressure was building heavily in the US when we were there for this requirement to be removed....

 

[mrsterryn]

Fingers crossed no test required.....the pressure was building heavily in the US when we were there for this requirement to be removed....

I am so hoping to have that gone soon.
It definitely removes the incentive for quick trips I think

 

[larrymull]

Fingers crossed no test required.....the pressure was building heavily in the US when we were there for this requirement to be removed....

I’m due to leave for the US next week and have locked myself down with zero appointments and little social interaction. It amazes me how far the US is behind!

 

[Lynda2475]

Got my supervised RAT at Chemist Warehouse yesterday, in and out in 15mins $35 which includes a spare test. Couldn't have been simpler.

Just checked in at SYDi, no issues at all. No queue for J, maybe 5 people at theY self serve check-in. Paper work check (vax cert, negative RAT, pre-booked arrival RAT, insurance that includes unlimited covid medical) took less than a minute as i had everything ready.

Short chat about travel and best way to earn SCs (there was no one else waiting), warned gate a long way from the lounge and straight through security (1 person ahead of me), now sitting in lounge waiting for them to start some hot food, boarding still 2 hours away.

 

[SydneySwan]

Got my supervised RAT at Chemist Warehouse yesterday, in and out in 15mins $35 which includes a spare test. Couldn't have been simpler.

Just checked in at SYDi, no issues at all. No queue for J, maybe 5 people at theY self serve check-in. Paper work check (vax cert, negative RAT, pre-booked arrival RAT, insurance that includes unlimited covid medical) took less than a minute as i had everything ready.

Short chat about travel and best way to earn SCs (there was no one else waiting), warned gate a long way from the lounge and straight through security (1 person ahead of me), now sitting in lounge waiting for them to start some hot food, boarding still 2 hours away.

Where are you going?

 

[Lynda2475]

Where are you going?

Fiji

 

[Bodie]

Our local Terry White also does supervised RAT test, will find out cost when Mrs Bodie and I get our flu shots this afternoon. Makes much easier rather than get to airport 4+hours before flight. We hopefully off to Singapore in 2 weeks time.

 

[blackcat20]

Our local Terry White also does supervised RAT test, will find out cost when Mrs Bodie and I get our flu shots this afternoon. Makes much easier rather than get to airport 4+hours before flight. We hopefully off to Singapore in 2 weeks time.

They’re $40 plus RAT.

 

[Lynda2475]

CW is $35 including the RAT and a spare.

 

[SeaWolf]

I paid $29.95 at CW last week, so I guess different branches may have different pricing.

 

[Pushka]

I heard NZ is dropping this on 26 April for vaccinated travellers.

Edit - I have not seen any further information about this so I am thinking the local radio station got it wrong, possibly thinking of Singapore.