Went to do the PCR test this morning at Zürich Airport. It´s a test where you have to spit into a little tube. They have 4 time slots per day when they send off the result and 5 hours after that time slot you get your result.


And hey pronto: 17.03 I got the email.



Expensive (CHF 195) but convenient if you need that test at shorter notice (my GP could not promise to deliver the result within 48 hours and for flying to Germany the test may not be older than 48 hours before arriving in Germany.....)

Just another data point, did a test in Triemli Zurich, costs me CHF 135 last year, and the result was available in less than 24 hours

Related question: anyone have actual experience of using an NHS COVID-19 test result (SMS or email) to get back home to Switzerland? The result from a PCR test specifies name, DOB, test date and negative for COVID-19... but does not explicitly mention “PCR”. I’m wondering if that matters and whether anybody has been refused entry. As I say: “actual experience” would be interesting...

Mine stated exactly what was tested and that it was a PCR test. The anti gen test also clearly started what the test was. But then those were tests not done in the UK so maybe it is different per country?

NHS test and fit to travel test are the same, just the booking process differs in that I had to include date of travel/departure point/carrier on the booking form, and the document produced with the test result differs in that the travel one contains your passport number, the NHS 1 does not and that appears to be the issue.

And yes 3-4 weeks ago Brittany Ferries refused boarding to people in a UK plated car 2 in front of me, which caused a bit of manoeuvring by some of us to allow them to extract their car from the queue. When I got to the window I asked what the problem was, and the officer told me that they had the negative NHS test cert and that is not suitable for travel.

Both Portsmouth, and on arrival in France I was questioned as to why I was travelling, and my passport was held against my COVID test to check the passport numbers matched. I wasn't even asked for it at Basel.

__________________
How do you know if a Frenchman has been in your garden.... your rubbish is gone, your dog is pregnant.... but at least your cabbages are pest free

Yep that's correct the free NHS tests are not suitable to be used for 'fit to fly' purposes and that's specifically to stop people trying to get tests for travel.

In other words the PCR test certificate has to clearly state that the patient took an approved PCR test and
was found negative for Covid-19.

Well depends which country you need to fly to - Switzerland needs a PCR but others will take antigen tests.

I like the sound of the test centre at Zürich airport.... the way the tell you exactly when you'll get your result and that it's a saliva spit test. ZRH is a bit of a trek though. Does anyone know of a similar test centre around Interlaken/Spiez/Thun? Thanks

Used the Zurich Airport again yesterday for my usual weekend UK trek. In at 5:45AM no queue and on the 6:04 back to Oerlikon.

They were however 54 mins late of the 5 hour results window which had me sweating a bit as I had a late PM plane but it landed at 12:54. I'd also emailed the airport office by then and I got their reply with the results copy as well at 12:56 so its good to know that they're monitoring the email link you're given and you don't have to call the 2.50 CHF a minute number (which I can't as still have a UK number and it doesnt work).

Special offer of 149CHF there until 18 April as an Easter special as well (which could maybe be why the results were late they might be busier). Generally speaking though that 5 hour results window is a complete life saver for me. Since they now open at 4AM I get there and there's zero queue and you're straight in and out its very painless (apart from you can't drink for 30 mins beforehand so it usually takes a few mins to get enough saliva created for the test )

Basel, drop in lab at Markthalle.
They said the test could take up to 31 hours, in the end the results came (by encrypted e-mail) in less than 12. 160 Fr for an RT-PCR test (from either a swab or saliva sample), they also offer antigen tests, which are cheaper.



https://www.dropinlab.ch/terminbuchen

I thought you could use antigen test now for UK - is that right? I have one booked for day before I fly
Grateful if you could let me know as you travel regularly

To enter the U.K. directly by air, I believe so. If you drive through France, you need a PCR for France.

Yes if you're only going into the UK and flying directly an antigen is fine. However you need a PCR within 72 hours officially to get back into Switzerland though - apparently they will accept 'antigen within last 24 hours' but if you read the small print you can board a plane with the antigen but you could be asked to take a PCR if checked at this end.

https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home...tml#1558231594

So for me its easier to have a single PCR early Friday AM which lasts to Monday AM and I use the same test to fly to UK on Friday and back again here on Sunday evening.

Hi

Does anyone have any experiences or recommendations (or companies to avoid!) for getting a PCR test in the UK in preparation for a return flight to Switzerland?

Thanks

I recommend checking the main thread:

https://www.englishforum.ch/daily-li...ectations.html

I've used Boots in the UK 3 times and they've been fine - results between 24-46 hours but the last twice pretty much bang on 24 hours.

My work colleagues have used the Heathrow drive thru:

https://www.expresstest.co.uk/book-a-test/testing-centres/heathrow-airport-drive-through/

This is much cheaper at 80 quid vs 120 and they both got results after 24 hours too but it's a pain for me to use as I live an hour drive away.

Hey guys, I thought a PCR test was needed for travel. I just saw this in the Swiss website. Antigen tests are also valid for transiting Frankfurt airport. Is this the test you can get in a pharmacy?



Call later Swiss to find out.

Antigen tests are done by medical professionals including pharmacists. They perform the test and give you the result. Not to be mixed up with the „quick test kits“ sold in pharmacies you can do yourself...

You can do it at Zurich airport, result comes back in 15 minutes by email. And yes, Swiss accepts that for travelling to Germany so I´d imagine also for transit pax.

So now again I am confused

If you travel to Uk do you need an antigen or pcr? If antigen can you do it after security and before departure?

On the way back from Uk do you need antigen or pcr to enter Switzerland?

You always need the day 2 day 8 test even if you stay for less than 8 days?