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

[arbo]

Thanks, good info.

Unless anyone knows of a cheaper in town location its a choice between an additional trip to the airport to see histopath the day before or an expensive test in town.

My research showed that Histopath are the cheapest. Remember too that this price doesn’t just apply to the airport location but at their suburban drive through sites.

The next cheapest in suburban Sydney I saw was Medlab for $100

 

[Lynda2475]

But their own site states drive through will not issue paperwork needed for international travel, only airport locations.

 

[davistev]

Seems yes ...

Where to Get a Pre-Flight COVID-19 Test in Australia

If you're travelling overseas over the coming months, your destination country may require you to get a COVID-19 test before departure. Some Australian

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

View attachment 265762

USA will be 24 hours prior as of early next week

 

[aikman]

USA will be 24 hours prior as of early next week

Self testing kits seem to be acceptable?

 

[serfty]

Self testing kits seem to be acceptable?

In relation to the USA, only if you and the testing process are observed by a qualified practitioner.

COVID-19 and Travel

CDC travel recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

www.cdc.gov

 

[SeaWolf]

In relation to the USA, only if you and the testing process are observed by a qualified practitioner.

Histopath can do those as well at the airport and it's $20 cheaper with a 30 mins turnaround time, so a good deal quicker than the express PCR.

 

[Batterytraveller]

My research showed that Histopath are the cheapest. Remember too that this price doesn’t just apply to the airport location but at their suburban drive through sites.

The next cheapest in suburban Sydney I saw was Medlab for $100

Histopath is only at the airport in melbourne and the next cheapest seems to be $145.

 

[Batterytraveller]

Actually, looks like rapid antigen test is good for Singapore.

Frequently Asked Questions

safetravel.ica.gov.sg

 

[SeaWolf]

Histopath is only at the airport in melbourne and the next cheapest seems to be $145.

There's also 4cyte in Melbourne which is $120, they have locations all over the place including two in the CBD. Not all of them do Covid testing, so look for a location that has Covid19 in it. I'm hoping that they'll drop their price to be more in line with Histopath soon.

 

[arbo]

But their own site states drive through will not issue paperwork needed for international travel, only airport locations.

They email the certificate to you after the test

 

[Lynda2475]

They email the certificate to you after the test

Yes but they dont email the international version from just any of their community clinics, it specifies airport only.

 

[PineappleSkip]

But their own site states drive through will not issue paperwork needed for international travel, only airport locations.

Here is the website. You can only get the 90 minute express test at the airport, but the community clinics do travel testing, same price, with a longer timeframe for results.

If you are tested at one of our community clinics, you can expect to receive your results and travel documentation later on the same day that you were tested (as all results have to be sent to the main lab; where travel documentation is processed after resulting).

The (same day) emailed certificate is exactly the same as the paper one you get if you bother to go back. Next time I won’t bother.

The Healius website (Laverty, QML, Dorevich etc) still wants $300 for a same day test. Can’t see that lasting…

cheers skip

 

[arbo]

Here is the website. You can only get the 90 minute express test at the airport, but the community clinics do travel testing, same price, with a longer timeframe for results.

The (same day) emailed certificate is exactly the same as the paper one you get if you bother to go back. Next time I won’t bother.

The Healius website (Laverty, QML, Dorevich etc) still wants $300 for a same day test. Can’t see that lasting…

cheers skip

Yes I got my certificate emailed back to me in less than 4 hours after doing the test at Heathcote. The key is lodging and paying for the test on line beforehand. The community based staff took away the receipt I had printed and scanned the QR so they had the correct details to link to my test results. This was a good, quick process I could do on the way to work.

 

[madrooster]

Yes but they dont email the international version from just any of their community clinics, it specifies airport only.

Not anymore. Histopath can do the travel ones at their community locations as well. They don't have on site swab processing for PCRs though so it's slower.

 

[Thibault]

So I booked a test this morning for BNE International and then was supposed to go to the domestic terminal. The queue was quite long and the clock was still ticking so I just went directly to the VA domestic terminal to check in (lady at the counter spent 20 mns to check me for some reason)

Was wrongly advised to book a second booking for Sydney as they all have their own system so paid 2 tests. When I showed up at Sydney - they could see my Brisbane booking … now to follow up to get a refund for the first paid booking.

At Sydney - spent 10 mns at the clinic facility at the airport - I got my results in 30 minutes.
Very efficient.

The QR code is recognised within the French covid app.

 

[SeaWolf]

Just noticed today that they're offering the Rapid Antigen Test at the community clinics as well, so if you're flying to a destination that accepts those and want to get it all sorted out before you go to the airport, that's an option now too.

 

[arbo]

Just noticed today that they're offering the Rapid Antigen Test at the community clinics as well, so if you're flying to a destination that accepts those and want to get it all sorted out before you go to the airport, that's an option now too.

Yes. Day or two beforehand is better than getting to the airport 90 minutes earlier

 

[bam71]

Does anyone know of any reason why the airport testing in Melbourne could not be used for a quick trip to Brisbane? I.e. A domestic flight?

 

[SeaWolf]

Does anyone know of any reason why the airport testing in Melbourne could not be used for a quick trip to Brisbane? I.e. A domestic flight?

There's no reason that the test wouldn't be accepted, however my understanding is that you'd have to pay for it if you did it at the airport, and Queensland will accept the free test you can get at a community testing facility. So I guess the only reason would be cost.

 

[Lynda2475]

I know at SYD there is both paid departure testing for international travel in the terminal but there is also a free drive through clinic on the far side of the car park which is great for arrival testing.

The main difference is the paid tests guaranteed results in 90 mins, the drive through is just a regular test site so results come through 12-48 hours later depending.

MEL may also have free arrivals testing on site?