O/T. Anyone been abroad recently? Testing

Bandagem

Bandagem

Well-known member
Hi all, I’m contemplating a trip away with wifey. Italy, Portugal or Spain.
We have both had both our jabs.
Re the covid situation and testing.

What exactly do you have to have concerning the testing before you go,? It’s a bit confusing.

Can you just do a LFT yourself within 48 hours of going and log it on the NHS app?

Also on return do you need to do any testing?

The passsenger locator form is straight forward it’s the testing which is a bit tricky to understand
Thanks in advance.
 
Went to Portugal beginning of October and needed a LFT to enter and a Day 2 PCR test on return. Not sure whether a test is still required or not to enter Portugal but you cant use the NHS freebies as it needs to be certified.
 
Bandagem said:
Hi all, I’m contemplating a trip away with wifey. Italy, Portugal or Spain.
We have both had both our jabs.
Re the covid situation and testing.

What exactly do you have to have concerning the testing before you go,? It’s a bit confusing.

Can you just do a LFT yourself within 48 hours of going and log it on the NHS app?

Also on return do you need to do any testing?

The passsenger locator form is straight forward it’s the testing which is a bit tricky to understand
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Depends where you are going. We went to Spain and being double jabbed no tests were required to fly out. The only testing requirement was to book a test for 2 days after getting back to the UK - it was a PCR then but subsequently changed to just a LFT. Randox do a postal LFT for £21.50 (see link below).

Day 2 Test at Home 2 - Covid Randox

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
covid.randox.com covid.randox.com
 
Bandagem said:
Cheers Bayern, the LFT how do you get a certified one?
Click to expand...
Just found this on the gov.uk site re entering Portugal so you don’t need a LFT now if you’ve got a valid NHS Covid Pass, but double check to ensure.

Entering mainland Portugal​

Before you travel to mainland Portugal​

You must complete an complete an online passenger locator card and be prepared to show:

 
Thanks guys very much appreciated. Thinking of going to Italy and think you need a test before you go. Can you do it locally or is it all postal.
 
Bandagem said:
Hi all, I’m contemplating a trip away with wifey. Italy, Portugal or Spain.
We have both had both our jabs.
Re the covid situation and testing.

What exactly do you have to have concerning the testing before you go,? It’s a bit confusing.

Can you just do a LFT yourself within 48 hours of going and log it on the NHS app?

Also on return do you need to do any testing?

The passsenger locator form is straight forward it’s the testing which is a bit tricky to understand
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I’m off to Benidorm on Monday for the fiesta and I can’t bloody wait. First time going abroad I. Two years
If you’re double jabbed. No test before you go no test before you come back. You just need to order a proper LFT for day two once your back
48 hours before departure fill in an online passenger locator form and same before you come back
Print off your travel insurance and take with you and also download your nhs covid pass to your fone and also take a printed copy

This is what we’ve done sounds hard work but it’s pretty straight forward
 
Bandagem said:
Thanks guys very much appreciated. Thinking of going to Italy and think you need a test before you go. Can you do it locally or is it all postal.
Click to expand...

Italy is a bit more restrictive than Spain or Portugal, in that in addition to being able to show you are fully jabbed, and filling in their passenger locator form, you do have to have taken a PCR test (and get a negative result) 48 hours before arrival. Depending on when you are travelling, I think that pretty much rules out a postal test, so you'd need to go to a site where you can get results in 3 hours. A number of testing organisations have a walk / drive through facility at Manchester Airport (including Collinson and Randox). Bear in mind, you'll be denied boarding unless you can show these three things.
If you are fully jabbed go online to the NHS Covid Pass site and download your injection record.
www.italia.it

Discover Italy: Official Tourism Website - Italia.it

Browse the Official Tourism Website and plan your holidays to Italy. Find out where to go and what to do during your next Italian trip.
www.italia.it

Coming back, you need to fill in your UK passenger locator form, 2 days before setting off for home. If you are fully jabbed, you'll need to book a LFT test to be taken when you get back - from the day to arrive home (you can do it at the airport - depending on your arrival time) to no later than two days after and you can do that at home. You'll need to take the booking reference number with you - it has to be entered on the locator form. Again if you fail to do this, you'll be denied boarding.

Travel to England from another country – COVID-19 rules

Check if there are any COVID-19 rules in place for travel to England from abroad.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk

It all sounds a bit complicated, but in reality, following the steps is quite straightforward.
 
Thanks Michelle and Realfish.
Think we are settled for Italy so a little bit more to do.

Appreciate all your advice and comments.

Not quite as straight forward as we thought.
 
It seems pretty straightforward for 1-2 week trips to Europe, but me and my mate wanted to go backpacking to Thailand and SE Asia for up to 3 months, from mid December. I backpacked for 7 weeks solo in Thailand and Laos 2 years ago and it was easy then...not so now! 😏. We were just reading contradictory stuff online for Thailand , so went in a couple of Travel Agents in Cleveleys yesterday and they were just as confused as us! So we've sacked off the idea and decided on Costa Rica for possibly 3 months instead! You get a 90 day visa on arrival and have to have an LTF test before and after, proof of being fully vaccinated, and good travel insurance that covers Covid! It seems far more straightforward than Thailand though... 😏
 
Bandagem said:
Thanks guys very much appreciated. Thinking of going to Italy and think you need a test before you go. Can you do it locally or is it all postal.
Click to expand...
We are off to Rome for my 60th next week. the testing for Italy is quite a pain. You need a test couriered to you from a pre-selected company (you get list of c.6 from which to choose) which must be completed within 48 hrs of departure, then another one on return. We had a few complications wit h online check in but it seems to be coming together. Will be back by 23rd, if there is anything else to add that could be of use to you or others I'll post on here.
 
Went to France on Eurostar and was caught out by the passenger locator form.
I was under the impression that you could just do a self test with a free kit 2 days after returning.
Wrong as you have to include an exclusive code from one of the pay testing kits and complete form before boarding.
I managed to sneak through and did a test on return. It cost me £24.
Rip off!
 
Last edited:
Just come back from a week in Malta . Had covid passes , and Malta plf docs downloaded and printed out for outward journey , did UK plf forms over there but screenshots only for return . Bit of a faff , but staff at both airports on the ball and quick and easy . 2nd day lft no problem. It would obviously be a lot easier without it , but don't let it put you off travelling. And while we were awaiting take off in Malta we were all treated to a huge spray of anti covid disinfectant while seated through the air system, wasn't expecting that !
 
Mark_GT said:
We are off to Rome for my 60th next week. the testing for Italy is quite a pain. You need a test couriered to you from a pre-selected company (you get list of c.6 from which to choose) which must be completed within 48 hrs of departure, then another one on return. We had a few complications wit h online check in but it seems to be coming together. Will be back by 23rd, if there is anything else to add that could be of use to you or others I'll post on here.
Click to expand...
Mark_GT said:
We are off to Rome for my 60th next week. the testing for Italy is quite a pain. You need a test couriered to you from a pre-selected company (you get list of c.6 from which to choose) which must be completed within 48 hrs of departure, then another one on return. We had a few complications wit h online check in but it seems to be coming together. Will be back by 23rd, if there is anything else to add that could be of use to you or others I'll post on here.
Click to expand...

Mark
What is c.6?
 
Satsuma said:
It seems pretty straightforward for 1-2 week trips to Europe, but me and my mate wanted to go backpacking to Thailand and SE Asia for up to 3 months, from mid December. I backpacked for 7 weeks solo in Thailand and Laos 2 years ago and it was easy then...not so now! 😏. We were just reading contradictory stuff online for Thailand , so went in a couple of Travel Agents in Cleveleys yesterday and they were just as confused as us! So we've sacked off the idea and decided on Costa Rica for possibly 3 months instead! You get a 90 day visa on arrival and have to have an LTF test before and after, proof of being fully vaccinated, and good travel insurance that covers Covid! It seems far more straightforward than Thailand though... 😏
Click to expand...
Wife has Costa Rica on her list so would be interested to hear how that goes. Have a great trip, I’m sure it will be awesome.
 
Ah ok so the company you have it with, has to be on the list. Any idea where the list is of specified companies? 🤪
 
Enjoy Bandagem, just give yourself extra time at Mancheste, flew out to Toronto 6 weeks back and I was there 3 hours before my flight, I only just made it, no time for a coffee, beer nothing. I’ve never seen a line so long for security.
as for PCR etc , just check on the country you are going to what the rules are, do NOT rely on airlines, the majority get it wrong.
Since March 2019 I’ve been on 54 flights and wherever I’m going I rely on the country I’m going to for the correct information.
Ive checked in for flights and seen people knocked back because of the incorrect paperwork. Ok this was mainly when Covid was at its worst and people were banned from flying but some countries are still very strict on entry.
 
ansdellmafia said:
Just come back from a week in Malta . Had covid passes , and Malta plf docs downloaded and printed out for outward journey , did UK plf forms over there but screenshots only for return . Bit of a faff , but staff at both airports on the ball and quick and easy . 2nd day lft no problem. It would obviously be a lot easier without it , but don't let it put you off travelling. And while we were awaiting take off in Malta we were all treated to a huge spray of anti covid disinfectant while seated through the air system, wasn't expecting that !
Click to expand...
Ansdell were you with RM ?
 
Bandagem said:
Wife has Costa Rica on her list so would be interested to hear how that goes. Have a great trip, I’m sure it will be awesome.
Click to expand...
Never been that part of the world before so me as well! It's much longer flights, and dearer than Thailand when you get there(still MUCH cheaper than here, apparently! ) but it looks absolutely fantastic in photo's, with incredible beaches on the Pacific and Caribbean sides, jungles, active volcanoes, weird and wonderful animals and some culture in the cities and towns too. The weather looks warm as well, which is a MUST! For 7 weeks in Thailand and Laos I wore T shirts and shorts the whole time...in December and January! Nice hostels that seem a similar price too, at around £10 a night🙂. Finger's crossed we get to go and lockdown rules don't change! 🤞
 
Coming back from lanzarote today
Going out was a doddle, covid pass and PLF was checked properly at check iin desk
Bought 2 day test from boots online for 21 quid each and came 3 days later (still a rip off)
Coming home UK passenger locator form is a bit of a faff but only took 30 mins to do online
 
Went on government website and they are giving out a free packet of 7 lateral flow test kits. I can collect at local pharmacy. Then there are instructions to post the data. Is that sufficient for the 2 day test after the holiday or do I need to use the “purchased” ones? Hope someone can help. Like in many other things I know very little about this!
 
TGBGE said:
Went on government website and they are giving out a free packet of 7 lateral flow test kits. I can collect at local pharmacy. Then there are instructions to post the data. Is that sufficient for the 2 day test after the holiday or do I need to use the “purchased” ones? Hope someone can help. Like in many other things I know very little about this!
Click to expand...
I was caught out with the free tests as I thought that was all that was required.
You will require a code to fully complete the PLF and this is given when you purchase the online flow kit.
It will cost and around £20. The cheaper options are click and collect, mainly in London area.
 
TGBGE said:
Went on government website and they are giving out a free packet of 7 lateral flow test kits. I can collect at local pharmacy. Then there are instructions to post the data. Is that sufficient for the 2 day test after the holiday or do I need to use the “purchased” ones? Hope someone can help. Like in many other things I know very little about this!
Click to expand...
TGBGE suggest you go on the gov.uk website regarding information required to returning to the UK as it is very clear as to what is needed, hope this helps 👍
 
TGBGE said:
Went on government website and they are giving out a free packet of 7 lateral flow test kits. I can collect at local pharmacy. Then there are instructions to post the data. Is that sufficient for the 2 day test after the holiday or do I need to use the “purchased” ones? Hope someone can help. Like in many other things I know very little about this!
Click to expand...
We used Living care £19.99 as said a rip off but at least they were very efficient.
 
Thanks everyone. In arranging for the lateral flow tests they have given me a code and that is what is confusing me? Is that code to collect the package or return the package
 
For day 2 LFT test can recommend 'Simplytestme' £12 , very professional

Take test, take photo, load onto website, job done 👍

For the hassle of the paperwork etc covid passport and 2 locator forms its well worth it

I also recommend paperwork copies of above , makes it a lot easier

Hope you enjoy 👍
 
Some nice little (one way) trips out of Blackpool airport this week private jet as well and not as expensive as you’d think. 👍
 

Attachments

  • DD813A21-A9E7-4536-BFB4-644FE5832F29.png
    DD813A21-A9E7-4536-BFB4-644FE5832F29.png
    496.7 KB · Views: 15
Satsuma said:
It seems pretty straightforward for 1-2 week trips to Europe, but me and my mate wanted to go backpacking to Thailand and SE Asia for up to 3 months, from mid December. I backpacked for 7 weeks solo in Thailand and Laos 2 years ago and it was easy then...not so now! 😏. We were just reading contradictory stuff online for Thailand , so went in a couple of Travel Agents in Cleveleys yesterday and they were just as confused as us! So we've sacked off the idea and decided on Costa Rica for possibly 3 months instead! You get a 90 day visa on arrival and have to have an LTF test before and after, proof of being fully vaccinated, and good travel insurance that covers Covid! It seems far more straightforward than Thailand though... 😏
Click to expand...
Costa Rica is amazing. Want to go back one day.
 
We've had to rearrange trips 2/3 times since the Pandemic.
Got a trip to France booked for end of April. Just hope it happens.
Going away to Scotland for Christmas.
Does that count? 😯
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top