PCR Test to get back to UK
Discussion
Just thought I’d note our experience if you are travelling back to the UK from France
Very easy to find somewhere to get a test: https://www.sante.fr/cf/carte-depistage-covid.html
If you aren’t registered with Sante. You have to pay 15euros, which is very reasonable.
Took us two or three attempts to find availability. One tip is to make an appointment with your local Nurse’s Cabinet or go direct to the local laboratory. Explain it is for travel, and your estimated entry date.
The nasopharyngeal sampling procedure takes less than 20 seconds, it is uncomfortable but much more thorough than self sampling I think.
Results back in less than 24 hours, via secure online portal and downloadable pdf.
If I was do this again, I would book a week in advance.
Very easy to find somewhere to get a test: https://www.sante.fr/cf/carte-depistage-covid.html
If you aren’t registered with Sante. You have to pay 15euros, which is very reasonable.
Took us two or three attempts to find availability. One tip is to make an appointment with your local Nurse’s Cabinet or go direct to the local laboratory. Explain it is for travel, and your estimated entry date.
The nasopharyngeal sampling procedure takes less than 20 seconds, it is uncomfortable but much more thorough than self sampling I think.
Results back in less than 24 hours, via secure online portal and downloadable pdf.
If I was do this again, I would book a week in advance.
Eurotunnel Experience: February 28th 2021
I am dating this as it is all in flux.
You will need:
All three elements are then checked by Border officials and they cross reference them..
All this extra checking extends the queues...we waited an hour. However if you travel after the curfew..it’s very quiet.
Flexiplus lanes only work after the border....
I am dating this as it is all in flux.
You will need:
- A negative Covid PCR
- Locator form,... as part of this form you must book two further COVID tests.
- Evidence of forward booking COVID tests e.g. mail from provider.
All three elements are then checked by Border officials and they cross reference them..
All this extra checking extends the queues...we waited an hour. However if you travel after the curfew..it’s very quiet.
Flexiplus lanes only work after the border....
We drove back via tunnel last week.
The test required is lateral flow, not PCR. We had ours in the local pharmacie in France with immediate results.
Within hours we also had very official reports by email.
People in front of us at UK border control at the tunnel were refused as they had managed to book the wrong tests for day 2 and day 8.
The test required is lateral flow, not PCR. We had ours in the local pharmacie in France with immediate results.
Within hours we also had very official reports by email.
People in front of us at UK border control at the tunnel were refused as they had managed to book the wrong tests for day 2 and day 8.
You did well with lateral flow. UK Gov site says some are allowable, but the Eurotunnel site explicitly states PCR so I didn't risk it.... Lateral flow is cheaper & quicker - though more flash positives.
Point 3 - https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/travelling-with-us/l...
Point 3 - https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/travelling-with-us/l...
Freddie Fitch said:
We drove back via tunnel last week.
The test required is lateral flow, not PCR. We had ours in the local pharmacie in France with immediate results.
Within hours we also had very official reports by email.
People in front of us at UK border control at the tunnel were refused as they had managed to book the wrong tests for day 2 and day 8.
Can this be done in calais?The test required is lateral flow, not PCR. We had ours in the local pharmacie in France with immediate results.
Within hours we also had very official reports by email.
People in front of us at UK border control at the tunnel were refused as they had managed to book the wrong tests for day 2 and day 8.
Carbon Sasquatch said:
You did well with lateral flow. UK Gov site says some are allowable, but the Eurotunnel site explicitly states PCR so I didn't risk it.... Lateral flow is cheaper & quicker - though more flash positives.
Point 3 - https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/travelling-with-us/l...
Carbon your point 3 is for travel UK to France.Point 3 - https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/travelling-with-us/l...
The UK is as Freddie says.
I returned to France on Friday. We had used the tunnel for the outbound leg but returned via Brittany Ferries, Portsmouth to Caen. The only daily service they are currently running.
Booking an antigen test with Boots was not as straightforward as we imagined. You pay and then book an appointment. We were staying with friends in Poole, but had to leave a day early to have them done at Fareham, which meant a night in Portsmouth as the ferry leaves at 8:15 and you need to arrive 90mins before departure.
There were only 12 trucks and about 40 cars on the boat. At Caen it took about 5-mins per car to pass through French border control. Douanes were searching vans and the occasional car, but were not making checks for sausages, or bacon sandwiches etc.
Of the two trips, the tunnel was preferable provided you had your paperwork in order. Its hard to comprehend how things could work with normal holiday traffic levels.
The UK’s track and trace is laughable. Daily calls from someone reading a script threatening hell and damnation if you dare break the quarantine. We took the test and release on Day-5. If it is possible to demonstrate you are clear after that period then that should be the standard. People have to arrive with a negative certificate, so another negative test after 5-days seems reasonable.
Arriving in France with a double vaccination and negative antigen, means no further checks, or quarantine is required - perhaps an little blasé, given that Delta has yet to arrive here and its prevalence in the UK.
Cost of testing was £480 - the French test on departure was free, of course.
Booking an antigen test with Boots was not as straightforward as we imagined. You pay and then book an appointment. We were staying with friends in Poole, but had to leave a day early to have them done at Fareham, which meant a night in Portsmouth as the ferry leaves at 8:15 and you need to arrive 90mins before departure.
There were only 12 trucks and about 40 cars on the boat. At Caen it took about 5-mins per car to pass through French border control. Douanes were searching vans and the occasional car, but were not making checks for sausages, or bacon sandwiches etc.
Of the two trips, the tunnel was preferable provided you had your paperwork in order. Its hard to comprehend how things could work with normal holiday traffic levels.
The UK’s track and trace is laughable. Daily calls from someone reading a script threatening hell and damnation if you dare break the quarantine. We took the test and release on Day-5. If it is possible to demonstrate you are clear after that period then that should be the standard. People have to arrive with a negative certificate, so another negative test after 5-days seems reasonable.
Arriving in France with a double vaccination and negative antigen, means no further checks, or quarantine is required - perhaps an little blasé, given that Delta has yet to arrive here and its prevalence in the UK.
Cost of testing was £480 - the French test on departure was free, of course.
Rushjob said:
I've just been down to Spain to collect my father in law - antigen test to fly down free, antigen test to drive back into France from Spain, 40€, if you wanted the PCR it was 100€
I thought France wanted the PCR Test? I flew to Italy last week and needed the Antigen test with fit to fly cost £48Edited by cayman-black on Sunday 20th June 14:19
cayman-black said:
I thought France wanted the PCR Test? I flew to Italy last week and needed the Antigen test with fit to fly cost £48
Requirements changed on 9th June according to the french govt site and an antigen test that is EU approved is acceptable - see the bit on green countriesEdited by cayman-black on Sunday 20th June 14:19
This is now from 17th June
Amateurish said:
Antigen test is sufficient for return to uk. I've done it several times from the local pharmacy. No need to book and it should be free so don't let them charge you. Results take 10 minutes or so and they will give you a certificate for travel. Much much better than the UK system.
That's good to know Amateurish, thx.Gassing Station | France | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff