No, its in the open space of the aiport. Before security (because they will only let you check in if you have the negative result...)

Never got asked for the test before security but definitely at the gate before boarding. But then I fly with hand luggage and check in online

I flew from ZH in February & never showed any documentation as I checked in online. My wife had baggage & got into a silly conversation at the desk & was told we could not fly as we had not been in CH for 14 days. They were wrong & had no idea, both France & Switzerland were & are still are safe corridor countries (orange) that require a PCR test within 72 hours of arrival which we had.

We had to show the PCR test on arrival & would have had a free lateral flow test on arrival if we had not had a PCR test. A friend has gone for the free test on arrival 3 times as she cant be bothered to pay for a test.

Could anyone with recent experience travelling to the UK from Switzerland please opine? What are the costs of these in addition to the fight ticket?

If you travel to Uk do you need an antigen or pcr? If antigen can you do it after security and before departure? Can you do it at the airport just before flight take off or do you have to come in and then wait for hours for the result?

On the way back from Uk do you need antigen or pcr to enter Switzerland? Again can you do it at the airport just before flight

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

Seems to be very variable... I paid 180 CHF for a PCR test in a pharmacy in Luzern. Don't know about antigen test costs as I needed a PCR because I was going through France.


According to the BAG travel rules, you only need an antigen test to board the plane, but you need to present a PCR test result at the Swiss border control when you get off the plane, if you are caught by their random checks. If you only have an antigen test, then you have to get a PCR test done as soon as possible.

Not sure about testing at the airport as I travelled by car, but I used the same company (Concepto Clinic - they have several addresses in and around London) twice for PCR tests while in the UK, and got the result in 12 hours and 4 hours respectively (tested at 18:00, result received at 21:55). Cost £149 each.


You need to order both (they come in a 2-test kit), but you don't need to submit the day 8 test if you leave earlier. There is a detailed discussion about this including official sources on one of the other travel threads I think.

Hi,

Sorry, if this is not the best place for my question but is the Coved test requirement mandatory for the transit passengers (ZRH)?
Looking at the below, it seems it's not.

Exemptions from the testing and quarantine requirement
Transit passengers who enter Switzerland for the purpose of transiting the country.
https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home...01617605773498

I'm flying from outside of the EU/Schengen to Belgium via ZRH and wondering if I can hit some obstacles with either the airline (Swiss) or the transit airport (ZRH). Belgium is not mandating any tests from its residents but some contries like Germany, apparently, are not as forgiving. My flight via FRA last week was a bit of a challenge as they introduced this PCR requirement a day ot two before the trip.

Thanks.

I would think the best thing to do would be to ask Swiss.

Edit, you can enter your travel details here for info https://swiss.travel-regulations.com/?language=en but it says Brussels requires PCR test??

It also depends on where you are travelling to, if PCR test results are needed or not ...

In any case, you will have to fill the passenger locator form: https://www.brusselsairport.be/en/pa...er/connections

They only usually check your test at the boarding gate not check-in at the Swiss end as they issue boarding passes automatically if you dont have luggage.

At the UK end however they check PCR test, residency, Swiss QR code etc. before they issue a boarding pass to come back.

As I said, I'm flying from outside of the EU/Schengen to BRU via ZRH. Belgium has been very welcoming so far with its main airport and testing facilities in general giving me 5 free tests this year. I'm not sure, however, that Swiss and Zurich airport can demonstrate the same level of hospitality.

I am looking at going to Mexico, which has no entry requirements, but have discovered if I take a non-direct flight via Portugal, Spain etc, then I still need a PCR test just because of the transit.

8. Do transit passengers also need a negative test if they have a connecting flight via a Swiss airport?

Individuals using a Swiss airport in transit without leaving the transit area before continuing their journey may be carried without the presence of a negative test result.

https://www.bazl.admin.ch/bazl/en/ho...ronavirus.html

Thanks, Sinking. Your link is quite encouraging. My BAG article above also suggests the same but I was looking for some first-hand experience on this subject.

Anyone know the 72 hour rule for arriving in Switzerland? The government website implies its 72 hours before boarding - then also implies 72 hours before going through Swiss immigration!

AFAIK it's 72 hours before boarding.

I know this doesn’t answer the original question, but others have posted about PCR tests for the UK. This isn’t needed if you are flying from CH. You can get an antigen test if it is of a certain standard. The Zürich airport antigen is ≥98% specificity and the UK Gov website states a ≥97% test is needed. Gov.U.K. States:

“The test must meet performance standards of ≥97% specificity, ≥80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml.

This could include tests such as:

* a nucleic acid test, including a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or derivative technologies, including loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) tests
* an antigen test, such as a test from a lateral flow device“

Just wanted to clear this up incase someone is wondering. Quite a different amount in cost and time if taking one at the airport.