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

cjd600 said:
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.
Click to expand...
Hi All,

Just hoping to get some pre-flight COVID test confirmation/advice for an upcoming trip to "USA" (Honolulu).

My flight to HNL departs SYD on a Friday evening 7.25 pm

The current entry rules for USA say negative PCR "no more than 1 day before departure"

Can I get this test done on the Thursday ?

Or does it have to be within a strict <24 hours window from flight departure time, meaning it can only be on the Friday, day of departure?

I have plenty of time on the Friday, but would prefer to get it sorted on the Thursday if that's within the USA rules.

Thanks.
 
Chief Wiggum said:
Hi All,

Just hoping to get some pre-flight COVID test confirmation/advice for an upcoming trip to "USA" (Honolulu).

My flight to HNL departs SYD on a Friday evening 7.25 pm

The current entry rules for USA say negative PCR "no more than 1 day before departure"

Can I get this test done on the Thursday ?

Or does it have to be within a strict <24 hours window from flight departure time, meaning it can only be on the Friday, day of departure?

I have plenty of time on the Friday, but would prefer to get it sorted on the Thursday if that's within the USA rules.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Thursday is fine. The US adhere to the day before rule rather than the 24 hour rule.
 
Do flight COVID tests happen on a Saturday in Melbourne? Flying to New Zealand via Sydney on a Sunday and I think a negative test is still required.

Or should I arrive at MEL early and get tested there on the day?
 
mviy said:
Do flight COVID tests happen on a Saturday in Melbourne? Flying to New Zealand via Sydney on a Sunday and I think a negative test is still required.

Or should I arrive at MEL early and get tested there on the day?
Click to expand...
Yes, the Melbourne COVID travel test centre is open 7 days a week from 5 AM to 11 PM, per the Histopath website. Here are the details on entry into NZ during COVID, quoting the site:
All travellers from Australia aged 2 years and over must provide proof of a negative result from one of the following:
  • a PCR test taken a maximum of 48 hours before the scheduled departure of your first international flight to New Zealand
  • a supervised rapid antigen test (RAT) taken a maximum of 24 hours before the scheduled departure of your first international flight to New Zealand
  • a supervised loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test taken a maximum of 24 hours before the scheduled departure of your first international flight to New Zealand.
Click to expand...
My recommendation would be to get a supervised RAT from Histopath at either Melbourne or Sydney. You should receive the results back in 30 minutes or so since it's literally the same test as the at-home kits. You will want to bake in some time to take the test results, but it shouldn't take too long, especially if it's a RAT.

-RooFlyer88
 
I've used histopath a couple of times at MEL. Early in the morning there was a long queue with 45 minute wait to get tested, results in 20 minutes. So just over an hour all up. Early afternoon no queue, tested straight away, almost 2 hours to get results.
 
Why not just go to your local Chemist Warehouse for the supervised RAT, cheaper and faster.
 
Lynda2475 said:
Why not just go to your local Chemist Warehouse for the supervised RAT, cheaper and faster.
Click to expand...
Very few CWs actually do the test. A more accessible option is Priceline chemists. They charge about $35 + $12 to buy the test.
 
We used Terry White before our NZ trip. A little more $$ but you can book online.
 
Lynda2475 said:
Why not just go to your local Chemist Warehouse for the supervised RAT, cheaper and faster.
Click to expand...

In my case it was convenience. Could do pcr on arrival at mel. Or find time and go out of my way the next day to take a rat (pcr accepted 2 days prior but rat only 1 day prior).
 
AMEX Velocity Platinum Card Benefits
Australia's highest-earning Velocity Frequent Flyer credit card: Offer expires: 21 Jan 2025
- Earn 60,000 bonus Velocity Points
- Get unlimited Virgin Australia Lounge access
- Enjoy a complimentary return Virgin Australia domestic flight each year

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

SydneySwan said:
Very few CWs actually do the test
Click to expand...

That was not my experience, provided the CW has a pharmacists on duty should be no problem, you dont even need an appointment. $35 for the Supervised RAT & official printed negative result plus a spare RAT to take with you.
 
Lynda2475 said:
That was not my experience, provided the CW has a pharmacists on duty should be no problem, you dont even need an appointment. $35 for the Supervised RAT & official printed negative result plus a spare RAT to take with you.
Click to expand...
I went to my local CW (Crows Nest) in Sydney and tried to get a test about 10 days ago. They have stopped doing them. I asked where the nearest CW was that I could get a test at and was given a choice of Pennant Hills and Dee Why neither of which are very close. I think you were quite fortunate if your local CW processed a test for you.
 
SydneySwan said:
I went to my local CW (Crows Nest) in Sydney and tried to get a test about 10 days ago. They have stopped doing them. I asked where the nearest CW was that I could get a test at and was given a choice of Pennant Hills and Dee Why neither of which are very close. I think you were quite fortunate if your local CW processed a test for you.
Click to expand...
There’s a list of places (filter by state) on the CW website. I’d probably call in advance to check if they’re doing them.

I was a little surprised that my local isn’t there (they do Flu and Covid vax), but the SYD CBD sites are easy to get to and I had my last Flu jab at George St the other day.
 
Anyone in Brisbane had experience getting a supervised RAT for a 2-year old? We are travelling to the US. We enquired at a Chemist Warehouse, but they said that they couldn't sign-off for a 2-year old as the tests are for 3+ only. But the US requires a test for anyone over 2...
 
goldinthemhills said:
Anyone in Brisbane had experience getting a supervised RAT for a 2-year old? We are travelling to the US. We enquired at a Chemist Warehouse, but they said that they couldn't sign-off for a 2-year old as the tests are for 3+ only. But the US requires a test for anyone over 2...
Click to expand...
Terry White. We're in Melbourne but that's where we got our 3yo done and they will happily do a 2yo.
 

Become an AFF member!

Join Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) for free and unlock insider tips, exclusive deals, and global meetups with 65,000+ frequent flyers.

AFF members can also access our Frequent Flyer Training courses, and upgrade to Fast-track your way to expert traveller status and unlock even more exclusive discounts!

AFF forum abbreviations

Wondering about Y, J or any of the other abbreviations used on our forum?

Check out our guide to common AFF acronyms & abbreviations.

Recent Posts

Currently Active Users

... and 23 more.
Total: 395 (members: 73, guests: 322)
Back
Top