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Find Covid-19 Testing Locations near you for Travel

Getting tested for Covid-19 while traveling helps keep you and others safe. Find Covid-19 testing locations around the globe, with results within 72 hours (or less).

How Test For Travel Works

Chances are the country you’re about to visit will request a negative Covid-19 test before letting you enter. Here you can find reliable Covid-19 testing locations near you in three easy steps.

Search entry requirements

Research what types of tests are accepted by your target country, and how long they take. Need extra help? Check out our Global Travel Requirements .

Find Testing Locations

Visit our directory and search for your city and the type of test you need. Every listing contains the facility’s contact information.

Book an Appointment

Reach out to your facility of choice. Confirm whether they’re available to test, and book your appointment.

Recently Added Listings

Our directory is constantly updated with Covid-19 testing locations – and fact-checked by us.

New Diagnostics

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Frequently asked questions

If you need to find a Covid-19 testing location near you, you’re in the right place.

Help! I’m traveling and I need to get tested for Covid-19. What should I do?

• Scroll to the top of this page, and fill in that short form below “Find Testing Locations Near You”. Select where you’d like to get tested and what type of test you need.
• Press Search to find testing locations near you. Every listing includes the testing location’s contact information, as well as reviews from travelers like you.
• Get in touch with the nearest and best Covid-19 testing location.

I can’t find any testing locations near me, what do I do?

We do our utmost best to find testing locations around the globe. But we may not have listings in your area yet. In that case, we recommend you:

• Use Google’s local search capabilities.
• Contact your airline. They may be able to connect you to a local lab.
• Get in touch with local health authorities.
• Explore at-home testing options. We recommend these FDA-approved testing kits .

Testing is extremely important, and we want to honor our mission. If you take these four steps and are unable to find the testing services you need, contact us. We’ll be more than happy to help you find a location.

How can I add a testing location?

Adding a test location as a company is easy. Click the My Account button on our main menu to get started.

Can I submit a testing location if I’m not affiliated with it?

Of course! We actually encourage you to contact us and let us know about any location that isn’t in our directory. If a representative eventually wants to take control of their listing, they can sign up and claim it.

Who runs Test for Travel?

Test for Travel is run by a diverse group of people, passionate about travel. We’re honored to work with advisors, freelancers, and individual collaborators from all around the globe. Visit our About Us page to can learn more about who we are and what moves us.

Supported countries

Covid-19 travel blog.

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Traveling soon? Here’s where you can quickly get a COVID-19 test

If you've tried to get a COVID-19 test for travel or for peace of mind recently, you might have run into significant delays.

The omicron variant has complicated travel plans and, depending on where in the country you're located, made it difficult — if not impossible — to get a test. Some companies are reporting shortages, and in major cities like New York , blocks-long lines have formed of people trying to get tested.

For more TPG travel news and tips delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 testing is still a reality for the times in which we live.

Earlier this year, some countries dropped testing requirements for fully vaccinated travelers as more people got COVID-19 vaccines. But depending on where you want to go (and as omicron spreads) a negative COVID-19 test result might be required, particularly if you're not vaccinated or are traveling with unvaccinated children.

If you need a COVID-19 test for travel , you might be wondering where you can get one, what type of test you'll need to take, how long it will take to get an appointment (and wait for results), and what it will cost. To help you prepare, we researched where you can get tested in 25 major metropolitan areas. We found that some tests are entirely free , while others require a copay or are covered with insurance. Some will require full cash payment when requested for travel (instead of due to symptoms or exposure).

Some destinations require negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests taken within a certain time , usually 72 hours, before departure. Many facilities can provide results between 48 and 72 hours, but that isn't always true – especially now.

Also, keep in mind that some testing sites deliver results over the phone, which likely won't be suitable for boarding an aircraft or entering a country.

What type of COVID-19 test do you need?

Antigen test. Rapid test. PCR test. RT-PCR test. Antibody test. Take-home test. If you've taken a COVID-19 test during the pandemic , you might have been bewildered by the sheer number of options.

Keeping track of which COVID-19 test you need can seem daunting. Not all COVID-19 tests are created equal, and not all are suitable for international travel.

You'll usually need a PCR test (polymerase chain reaction) for travel. These are the most reliable tests for detecting active COVID-19 infections and are considered the "gold standard" of testing. In this guide, we'll primarily focus on testing sites that provide these more accurate PCR tests, though keep in mind that some destinations, like Hawaii, only accept PCR tests from a specific list of testing providers .

The tests that often won't help you with travel are antibody tests, blood tests that can identify if a previous COVID-19 infection caused your immune system to produce COVID-19 antibodies. Some destinations also won't accept rapid antigen tests , which check for proteins on the virus's surface. These tests are popular for quick turnaround times but are less accurate than PCR tests and aren't valid to enter some countries, such as Canada .

Check to see if you can get a rapid PCR test

Though PCR tests generally take around 72 hours for results, some urgent care facilities have introduced "rapid PCR tests," where you can receive your results as fast as 30 minutes. That said, if you're looking for a faster way to get a PCR test, it may cost you as these facilities may not accept insurance.

Some rapid PCR testing options include:

• COVIDCheck in San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Denver. Results in six hours for RT-PCR tests. Cost: $349
• Complete Health Partners in Nashville, Tennessee. Results in 30 to 45 minutes. Cost: $250, not billed to insurance.
• DMCovid-19 Test offers travel PCR testing by housecall nationwide in all states except Alaska and Hawaii; it also has nine physical locations. Cost: Price varies by location and whether it's in-home or in the office.
• Elite Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Results in 24 hours. Cost: $250
• Frontage Laboratory in Exton, Pennsylvania (35 minutes from Philadelphia). Offers COVID-19 tests for travelers within six hours. Cost: $203 for an RT-PCR test.
• Medical Offices of Manhattan in New York City, New York. Same-day results. Cost: $175 for the test, which doesn't include doctor consultation.
• Saguaro Bloom in Scottsdale, Arizona. Offers 24-hour and 90-minute turnaround for RT-PCR testing. Cost: $299 for 90-minute turnaround and $149 for 24-hour turnaround.
• Test Well in Reno, Nevada, and South Lake Tahoe, California. Offers RT-PCR tests for travel with guaranteed same-day results. The cost is $149 for travel purposes (but you can file a claim with your insurance for reimbursement).
• Urgent Medical Care and MRI in Jersey City, New Jersey. Results in an hour or less only for travelers who need documentation. Cost: $300 out of pocket, not billed to insurance.
• Venistat Mobile Labs in New York, New York. Offers RT-PCR test results in less than 24 hours. Cost: $125 when using insurance, $190 without insurance.
• WeTestU in San Diego, California. Offers mobile RT-PCR testing for travel. Cost: $159 for 24-hour turnaround, $199 for 24-hour turnaround, $259 for same-day (eight hour) turnaround, $329 for one-hour turnaround.
• Worksite Labs offers PCR test results guaranteed within 24 hours near 20 U.S. airports. Cost: $90

COVID-19 testing at drugstores

If you're in a location without many COVID-19 testing sites, you may want to head to your neighborhood drugstore.

You'll notice several major chains on the list of where to get a COVID-19 test, including CVS , Walgreens , and Rite Aid . All of these often offer PCR testing at no additional cost if using insurance or if you fall under some federal programs for those without insurance.

Passport Health also has a network of clinics in over 100 locations nationwide, primarily for people who need a negative PCR test to fly or return to school.

Even better, you can make these appointments online, which may save precious time instead of waiting in a long line. Many of these locations also offer drive-up testing , where you swab yourself and don't need to leave your vehicle.

Turnaround times can vary by chain and location:

• CVS : Average turnaround time for receiving results from lab tests is one to two days for PCR tests.
• Walgreens : Turnaround time is based on when the sample arrives at the laboratory.
• Rite Aid : Turnaround time varies between 125 minutes to two to five days.

Also, several third-party companies partner with major cities like Houston and San Francisco on widespread testing. These companies, such as Color and Curative , offer results between one to three days.

City-provided COVID-19 testing

As the new variant spreads, more cities are handing out free COVID-19 rapid tests for residents.

New York City said it would distribute 500,000 free at-home COVID-19 tests as well as 1 million higher-grade KN95 masks to New Yorkers through community organizations. Residents in Washington, D.C. can pick up an at-home COVID-19 testing kit at select libraries throughout the city . And the White House has promised to distribute 500 million free rapid tests to Americans.

These tests generally won't be approved for travel but could provide peace of mind before (or during) your trip.

COVID-19 testing for children

Many destinations have dropped testing requirements for fully vaccinated travelers . However, vaccinated adults traveling with unvaccinated kids may, in some instances, have different travel requirements. But many countries (even those with strict vaccination requirements) accept proof of a negative COVID-19 test for children ineligible to be vaccinated.

If you're trying to get a COVID-19 test for a child, many nationwide drugstores serve younger patients. CVS and Walgreens serve patients 3 years of age and older, while Rite Aid offers tests at no cost to anyone 4 and older.

But now, some kids may be able to bypass COVID-19 tests if they can be vaccinated, making it far less stressful to travel. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has officially been approved for kids 5 to 11 by the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are only available to people 18 and older at this time.

At-home COVID-19 tests

The CDC expanded the testing program for international travel to the United States earlier this spring, allowing airlines to accept at-home instant tests that include remote supervision.

That's good news for U.S.-bound travelers who may not have many testing options at their location abroad . Travelers flying to the U.S. can use a self-test (sometimes referred to as a home test if it's a NAAT or antigen test with Emergency Use Authorization EUA from the FDA). The test must also have a telehealth service that provides real-time supervision. Here are several popular options:

• Abbott's BinaxNOW COVID-19 Home Test can be ordered from eMed or from Optum and is CDC-approved for travel to the U.S. There's a second Abbott rapid test you can buy at the drugstore, but it isn't proctored and can't be used for travel.
• Amazon's COVID-19 Test Collection Kit DTC has received EUA from the FDA and costs $39.99.
• Cue Health claims to offer results in just 20 minutes — and that it can detect the omicron variant . The test is authorized by the FDA for at-home use and can be used for travel purposes. The company offers two options for travelers: the Cue+ Essential membership, which starts at $49.99 (a more expensive option costs $89.99 per month) or a one-time purchase with a pack of three or 10 tests starting at $225.

Mail-in COVID-19 testing tests

There are many mail-in or in-home COVID-19 testing providers available. Some are not valid in certain states, and some are not available in all situations.

Most will not bill insurance for you, with Pixel being an exception to that general rule. Some mail-in tests are nasal swabs, while others are saliva samples. Some are only valid for adults, and others require a Zoom appointment. But, these are all the gold-standard PCR tests that are considered highly reliable.

A handful of these companies have partnered with various airlines and the state of Hawaii as approved providers, so this can be a legitimate testing option for travel to the state. If your airline has a mail-in testing partner valid for your travel destination, we recommend going through their system as it may get your sample prioritized in the lab's testing order.

Some mail-in COVID-19 testing programs include:

• Everlywell: Results of the nasal swab available within 24 to 48 hours of the lab receiving the sample. Available to people 18 and older only, and costs $82.
• Pixel by LabCorp : Results of the nasal swab are available one to two days after arriving back in the lab. Available to people 18 and older. There is no upfront cost, or $119 if you're not eligible for insurance or federal funds.
• Vault : Results of the saliva test taken via a Zoom call are available within 24 to 48 hours. The test is available to children and adults and costs $119.
• Azova : Available at Costco.com. The saliva test results, taken via a Zoom call, are available within 12 to 48 hours upon being received by the lab. This test is approved as part of Hawaii's trusted testing partner program and for travel to Bermuda and costs $118.99.
• OnSight Safe : Results of PCR saliva-based tests are available within 48 hours after being received by the lab; expedited processing is also available. Available for children and adults nationally. Physical testing locations are in New York City, Tampa and Van Nuys, California, and tests start at $127.95.

In-home COVID-19 tests

There are at-home COVID-19 tests, but did you know that some facilities offer a concierge service? You can have a testing provider come to your house, apartment or hotel and swab your nose.

In-home testing offers travelers the convenience of not having to wait in a line to get tested. (We're calling it in-home testing, but some facilities also provide testing at your office for large groups.)

Some of the most popular include Welz, which offers same-day in-home rapid testing in New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles with a 15-minute turnaround. Even better: It's free with your health insurance or even if you're uninsured.

Generally, in-home tests and concierge services should be approved for travel purposes, as long as they meet the CDC's requirements and you get a physical or digital copy of your results. But you'll want to double-check you're taking an in-home COVID-19 test approved by your destination.

How long will test results take to arrive?

Most states or countries that require negative COVID-19 tests for entry (or entry without quarantine) use a 72-hour timeframe, from the test until either the time of your departure or arrival at the destination. Sometimes, however, the window is even shorter.

While there are exceptions, one to three days for COVID-19 test results seem standard nationwide.

You may need to research PCR testing locations that promise same-day results or provide rapid PCR tests analyzed on-site if the arrival of your test results could make or break your trip. Several facilities on the list below have previously reported delays in test results due to an increase in demand.

COVID-19 testing in airports

Many U.S. airports offer rapid COVID-19 testing to passengers or travelers on specific flights or heading to particular destinations. This could be a great option if you can drive to the airport to get a test a day or two ahead of your trip.

But we don't recommend waiting to get a test until your travel has already started, as isolating for at least two weeks at a connecting city will likely be an expensive hassle.

Some current airport testing centers available within the U.S. include:

• Anchorage International Airport : Testing at ANC is free for residents and nonresidents.
• Bradley International Airport : Open seven days per week. If the passenger's insurer does not cover the test, tests are available for $125 each. Results will most likely be available within 72 hours of testing but can take longer. Testing is only available to passengers traveling through Connecticut's Bradley Airport (BDL) on the day of their flight.
• Burlington International Airport : Testing is open to all at Vermont's BTV airport Monday through Friday, with appointments recommended and results available same-day or 36 to 48 hours. The test may have a fee .
• Dallas – Fort Worth International Airport : Those traveling on American Airlines can get a rapid test at DFW on the day of travel for $139, with results available in about 15 minutes.
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport : Testing is available between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Rapid PCR tests are $179, PCR tests are $106, and rapid antigen tests are $74. Rapid antigen test results are returned in about 30 minutes, rapid PCR tests are returned within 45 minutes, and PCR tests have a 48-hour turnaround.
• Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport: Tests through the Minnesota Department of Health and Vault Health are done with saliva, return results within 48 hours and are free for Minnesota residents and $94 for others. Tests through Wandertest include Antigen, NAAT and PCR tests and provide rapid results in less than an hour and range from $99 to $199.
• New York-LaGuardia : PCR testing is free with no appointments necessary in LGA's Terminal B parking garage, with results delivered by phone within 48 hours. However, this won't be very useful for travel verification purposes since the results are verbal.
• Oakland International Airport : OAK has two testing centers, one in the airport and a second drive-up location. Only passengers heading to Hawaii are encouraged to use this, though technically, any passenger can book the drive-up location. Appointments are required, and there is a $120 lab fee for expedited processing and a $20 administrative fee for Hawaii's mandated travel documentation.
• San Francisco International Airport : San Francisco-based travelers flying on United Airlines to Hawaii and select destinations in Central and South America and the Caribbean can arrange for a mail-in PCR COVID-19 test. Travelers will receive results in 24 to 48 hours, and the cost is $119.
• XpresCheck has many airport locations across the U.S. PCR tests are available by appointment or potentially via walk-up; costs vary. Rapid molecular NAAT tests are hand-delivered within 30 to 60 minutes for $200, insurance not accepted. Standard PCR tests will be delivered 48 to 96 hours for $75, and insurance is accepted for lab fees only. Rapid PCR tests are hand-delivered within 30 to 60 minutes for $250.

Hotels offering COVID-19 tests

Many hotels and resorts all over the world now provide on-site testing. If you're staying at a hotel, check to see if they offer on-site COVID-19 testing, as it's an extremely valuable amenity that can save you time searching for a test. In some cases, that test may also be free.

Related: Forget free breakfast: The hottest hotel amenity is a nasal swab

COVID-19 testing is required to enter the US

If you're traveling back to the United States from abroad, you need to provide a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding.

However, the White House significantly shrank the time window for testing in response to the omicron variant, which means travelers will need to arrange for COVID-19 tests sooner.

All travelers – vaccinated or not – must get a viral test within one day of departure to the U.S. Even if you've been vaccinated against COVID-19, you'll need to provide a negative test before boarding. There are several exemptions to this rule. Travelers flying back from U.S. territories, travelers arriving via a land border such as Mexico or Canada, and flight crew members do not need to present a negative COVID-19 test.

People who aren't vaccinated face extra testing and hurdles

More cities are following Europe's footsteps and testing out proof of vaccination mandates for certain activities. Some spots in Los Angeles, for example, require proof of vaccination to dine indoors, and New York City was the first U.S. city to establish a vaccine mandate.

The order went into effect on Aug. 17 for everyone 5 and older. Unvaccinated New Yorkers can no longer participate in many indoor activities, including indoor dining, indoor fitness and indoor entertainment.

Since then, cities like Chicago and Washington, D.C. , have also implemented vaccine mandates.

Vaccine passports

Travelers may want to use digital health or vaccine passports to enter certain countries or be exempt from strict testing and quarantine requirements. But vaccine passports aren't expected only to hold COVID-19 vaccine records. They can also be used to verify negative COVID-19 results.

For instance, New Yorkers can use the Excelsior Pass if they have had a negative PCR test administered in New York within three days; or took a negative antigen test in New York in the last six hours.

Clear's Health Pass feature is used to verify negative tests required at some sports arenas and approve tourists for quarantine-free travel to Hawaii. CommonPass is an independent app that collects a user's COVID-19 status and verifies their identity. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) also partners with dozens of airlines worldwide on its Travel Pass app , which hosts verified test and vaccine information.

City-by-city guide on where to get a COVID-19 test

Finding a reliable place to get a PCR COVID-19 test for travel with quick results can be challenging, depending on where you're located in the U.S.

Because things change so quickly, you'll need to contact the sites directly to confirm this information is still accurate. But to give you a headstart in your research, these testing facilities may meet your travel needs. If you encounter a location that should be added (or removed) from the list, or if you're a healthcare provider conducting PCR testing, please email [email protected].

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Atlanta, Georgia

Community Organized Relief Effort

• Various locations throughout Georgia, including Atlanta.
• Hours: Varies by location.
• Cost: Free.
• Appointment required: Walk-up and drive-thru testing available, all sites are subject to early closure once the 500-test daily maximum is reached.
• Turnaround time: Typically 72 hours.

Summit Urgent Care

• Various locations throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area.
• Cost: Accepts most insurance, no copay for virtual visits.
• Appointment required: No.
• Turnaround time: Three to five days.

Peachtree Immediate Care

• Hours: Drive-thru locations open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., though some locations are closed on weekends.
• Cost: For most insurance plans, there is no copay or deductible required; a $175 self-pay option is also available.
• Appointment required: Yes.
• Turnaround time: Typically three days.

Viral Solutions

• Cost: No out-of-pocket cost with insurance.
• Turnaround time: Two days.

ARCpoint Labs of Atlanta-Northeast

• 3635 Savannah Place Drive, Suite 450-B Duluth, Georgia
• Hours: Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Cost: $169 for lab-based PCR test, $249 for rapid PCR test; Self-pay option only
• Appointment Required: Yes, but same-day appointments are available.
• Turnaround Time: Less than two hours for a rapid PCR test, 48 hours is typical for lab-based PCR.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in the Bay Area, California

My Doctor Medical Group

• 450 Sutter Street Suite 840, San Francisco, California
• Cost: $240 for visit and swab collection, $125 lab fee for expedited next-day PCR results, $35 for customized additional travel documentation and certificates (in addition to lab report) if needed.
• Turnaround time: By 5 p.m. next day after collection.

McCampbell Analytical

• 1534 Willow Pass Road Pittsburg, California
• Hours: 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., seven days a week.
• Cost: Three-hour results are $699, five-hour results are $450, same-day results are $199 and next-day results are $129.
• Turnaround time: See above.
• Embarcadero site at Piers 30/32, Bryant and Embarcadero.
• Turnaround time: One to three days.

Alameda Health Systems

• Various locations throughout Alameda County.
• Cost: Covered by insurance.
• Turnaround time: Two to three days.

County of Santa Clara

• Various locations throughout Santa Clara County.
• Cost: No upfront cost.
• Turnaround time: Varies by location.

Downtown Medical Group

• 450 Sutter Street, Suite 1723 San Francisco, California
• Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Cost: $225 for next-day turnaround, $300 for same-day turnaround.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Boston, Massachusetts

Tufts Medical Center

• 276 Tremont Street, Boston, Massachusetts
• Hours: Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Cost: If insurance does not cover a test, the cost is $135.
• Turnaround time: 24 to 72 hours.

CareWell Urgent Care

• Cambridge Inman Square
• 1400 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
• Hours: Open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Cost: Covered by insurance, or $160 if paying out of pocket.
• Turnaround time: Varies.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Charlotte, North Carolina

BetterMed Urgent Care – Charlotte

• Various locations throughout Charlotte.
• Cost: For those with commercial health insurance, the expected out-of-pocket cost for the medical evaluation and test is your copay. PCR medical evaluation and test will cost $159 plus outside lab costs in North Carolina for self-pay.

Carolina Pharmacy

• Various locations throughout Charlotte, North Carolina and Lancaster and Rock Hill, South Carolina
• Hours: Varies by location
• Cost: Rapid antigen is $89 and rapid RT-LAMP (Molecular/NAAT) is $145. RT-PCR (Molecular/NAAT) is $190. The expected out-of-pocket cost for the medical evaluation and test is your copay for those with commercial health insurance. PCR medical evaluation and test will cost $159 plus outside lab costs in North Carolina for self-pay.

StarMed Healthcare

• Cost: Covered at 100% for most insurance carriers, or $199 for self-pay. There's a $195 out-of-pocket fee for the lab rush.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Chicago

WellNow Urgent Care

• Various locations throughout Chicago.
• Hours: Open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Some locations offer extended hours from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Cost: Most insurance accepted, or patients can self-pay $100 plus the cost of the base visit and any other necessary services.

Howard Brown Health

• Turnaround time: Three to seven days.

Innovative Care

• 1111 W. Diversey Parkway, Chicago, Illinois
• Hours: Open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Cost: Covered by insurance, or you can self-pay $250 for the examination and COVID-19 test.
• Turnaround time: Two to four days.

Prime Care Physicians

• 1355 Remington Road, Suite Q, Schaumburg, Illinois
• Hours: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Cost: $125 self-pay, most insurance accepted.
• Turnaround time: 24 to 48 hours.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Cleveland/Akron, Ohio

• Various locations throughout Cleveland.
• Cost: Most insurance accepted, or patients can self-pay $150 plus the cost of the base visit and any other necessary services.
• Turnaround time: Results available same or next day. Check testing times to receive same-day PCR results.

The Centers, Midtown Office

• 4500 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio
• Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Cost: No out-of-pocket costs for most patients. No insurance is required, and Medicaid and other insurance are accepted.
• Appointment required: Appointments are encouraged, with walk-ins available each day.
• Turnaround time: One to two days.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Columbus, Ohio

• Various locations throughout Columbus.
• Hours: Open seven days a week, hours vary by location.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas

Ayass BioScience Drive-thru

• 8501 Wade Blvd Bldg 7 Frisco, Texas
• Hours: Hours are shown upon registration.
• Appointment required: Strongly preferred. Walk-ins are permitted but will require filling in paperwork on site.
• Turnaround time: Same-day results if collected by 2 p.m.

Real Time Laboratories

• 4100 Fairway Ct. Suite 600 Carrollton, Texas
• Hours: Open daily; see website for details.
• Cost: $125 to $250 depending on turnaround time.
• Turnaround time: Six to 48 hours, depending on the test.
• 4100 Fairway Drive, Suite 410, Carrollton, Texas
• Hours: Open Monday to Saturday; see website for details.
• Cost: Covered by insurance, except for travel requests.
• Turnaround time: Same-day or next-day results.

L&H Scientific

• 2801 Osler Drive, Building B, Suite 123, Grand Prairie, Texas, 75051
• Hours: Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: Prices start at $275 to $425, depending on the turnaround time.
• Appointment required: Strongly encouraged. Same-day results require testing before noon.
• Turnaround time: Same-day to one-day.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Denver, Colorado

American Family Care Urgent Care

• Various locations throughout Denver.
• Cost: Most major insurance covered.

Advanced Urgent Care

• Hours: Seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Cost: Covered by most major insurance, PCR rapid test at Broomfield clinic is $125.
• Turnaround time: Same-day for a rapid PCR test, three to seven days for other tests.

Premier Diagnostics

• Hours: See site for details.
• Cost: Covered by insurance, the cost of the RT-PCR test is $125 if not covered.
• Turnaround time: Within 48 hours.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Detroit, Michigan

CVS Minute Clinic

• 1935 Campbell, Detroit, Michigan
• Hours: Pharmacy open until 8 p.m.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Houston, Texas

• Various locations throughout Houston.
• Hours: See the website for more information.
• Cost: No out-of-pocket cost when billed to your health plan or the government.

Any Test Now

• Hours: See website for details.
• Cost: $199.

Memorial Village ER

• 14520 Memorial Dr. Houston, Texas
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.‬ every day.
• Cost: $150 or insurance is accepted.
• Turnaround: Two to three days.

Rapid COVID Clinic

• Cost: $250.
• Appointment required: Appointments preferred, drive-ins accepted.
• Turnaround time: 36 to 48 hours.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Las Vegas, Nevada

• 546 N Eastern Ave Suite 130, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Cost: $120.

Cuur Diagnostics

• 3450 S. Maryland Pkwy Las Vegas, Nevada
• Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Cost: $125.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Los Angeles, California

COVID Clinic

• 124 locations in 15 states, with new locations and states added weekly. Also available at 13 airports including LAX, BUR and ONT.
• Hours: Generally 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week. Location hours may vary.
• Cost: Free one- to two-day PCR available for the insured and uninsured (conditions apply). $299 for rapid one-hour result PCR test.
• Appointment required: Yes. Same-day appointments are available.
• Turnaround time: One to two days for expedited PCR test.

Reliant Urgent Care

• Various locations throughout Los Angeles.
• Cost: $195 for 24- to 36-hour turnaround, $175 for one-hour turnaround (not covered by insurance).
• Turnaround time: Depends on the level of service booked.

OnSite Safe

• 6411 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, California
• Hours: Monday to Saturday; see website for specifics.
• Costs: $164.
• Appointment Required: Yes,
• Turnaround time: Two days, next-day available with expedited processing for an extra cost.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Quality Health Care Concierge

• Drive-up address: 900 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Boca Raton Florida
• Hours: 24 hours, seven days a week.
• Cost: Partial coverage.
• Appointment required: Yes, for drive-up and in-home service.
• Turnaround time: Depends on service booked.
• 1425-A SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Hours: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Cost: $179.
• Turnaround time: Next-day results.

Air Land Sea

• Sheltair FLL, 1100 Lee Wagener Boulevard, Suite 346, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33315
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Cost: With insurance, $75 for next-day results, $125 for same-day results. Without insurance, $175 for next-day results, $225 for same-day results. Four- to six-hour expedited results are $450.
• Appointment required: No, but appointments can be scheduled at covidFLL.com.
• Turnaround time: Same-day, next-day and four to six hours. Tests for same-day results must be administered before 11 a.m.

Miami-Dade County testing sites

• Various locations throughout Miami-Dade County.

American Scientific Diagnostics

• 1860 Old Okeechobee Road Suite 508, West Palm Beach, Florida
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: $150 for next-day results, $250 for same-day results.
• Turnaround time: Depends on the test booked.
• 1515 NW 167th St Suite 410, Miami Gardens, Florida 33169
• Hours: Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Cost: $129 for home or office visit, or $89 per test when you drive up to the lab. Mention the discount code LABDX10PTSGUY for an exclusive $10 discount from TPG.
• Appointment required: Yes for concierge, walk-ins accepted at drive-up locations.
• Turnaround time: Within 24 to 36 hours.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota

• 3655 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Hours: By appointment.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in New York City and Newark, New Jersey

There are hundreds of testing sites across New York City, and you can also find pop-up mobile testing sites at different locations throughout the five boroughs. Not all of these will return COVID-19 test results in a timely enough manner for travel, however. Even the cited turnaround time may no longer be accurate.

• 34 West 36th St, New York, NY 10018
• Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m, weekends 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Cost: $299 for an expedited RT-PCR with a three- to four-hour turnaround. Insurance can be used for a standard RT-PCR with 36- to 48-hour turnaround.
• Appointment required: Appointment not required.
• Various locations in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.
• Cost: Accepts insurance or costs between $175 and $400.
• Turnaround time: Results in four to six hours.
• Various locations across New York City and the boroughs.
• Cost: CityMD is not collecting copayments for COVID-19 related visits.
• Turnaround time: Five to seven days.
• Location in Chelsea with home or office visits for groups of five people or more.
• Costs: $184.
• Appointment Required: No.
• Turnaround time: Two days, with next-day results available with expedited processing for an extra cost.

In-home COVID-19 testing programs include Zeel, which offers COVID-19 swab PCR testing in homes and offices administered by LPNs and RNs to the New York metro area. Available in New York City, Westchester County, Nassau County, North Jersey and Lower Fairfield County, Connecticut. Cost: $249 for the first person tested in-home plus $50 per additional person. Turnaround time: Results within 24 hours.

There are several free COVID-19 testing options available for Newark residents, with no appointment or insurance needed. Get more information here .

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Orlando, Florida

COVID Testing LLC

• Various locations throughout Orlando.
• Cost: With insurance, $35 for next-day results, $75 for same-day results. Without insurance, $115 for next-day results, $155 for same-day results.
• Turnaround time: Same or the next day. Tests for same-day results must be taken before noon.

Paramount Urgent Care

• Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Cost: Free for self-pay and insured patients, excluding Medicaid.
• Turnaround time: Three to four days.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Vybe Urgent Care

• More than 10 locations throughout the Philadelphia area.
• Hours: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday to Sunday: 8 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: Free PCR test, $75 rapid antigen test (self-pay only) and $100 rapid RT-PCR test (self-pay only).
• Appointment required: Yes, appointments for rapid testing are required. Appointments are not required for other testing options.
• Turnaround time: Rapid test results are available in less than 24 hours. Non-rapid test turnaround time is two to five days.

American Family Care (AFC) Urgent Care

• 1444 W. Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Cost: No charge for PCR tests with insurance.
• Appointment required: Yes, and telemedicine visit.
• 620 East Welsh Road, Horsham, Pennsylvania
• Hours: Open even days a week, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: $165 for RT-PCR.
• Appointment required? Yes.
• Turnaround time: 24 hours for RT-PCR.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Various locations throughout Pittsburgh.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Portland, Oregon

• Various locations throughout Portland.
• Hours: Depends on location.
• Cost: Covered by insurance or lab fee of $100, as well as the cost of a virtual visit.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Sacramento, California

Anyone 18 years of age or older living in Sacramento County can ​get tested for COVID-19 for free after completing an online screening . COVID-19 testing will then be scheduled.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Salt Lake City, Utah

Intermountain Health

• Various locations throughout Salt Lake City.
• Hours: See site for individual location information.
• Cost: May vary if testing for travel versus symptoms or exposure.
• Turnaround time: 90% of tests are returned within 48 hours.
• Cost: Covered by insurance or $125 for RT-PCR test.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in San Antonio, Texas

• 4115 Medical Dr., Suite 210 San Antonio, Texas 78229
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST, Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.
• Cost: $125 RT-PCR for asymptomatic patients and travelers. Covered by insurance for symptomatic patients and noninsured symptomatic patients but need providers orders.
• Turnaround time: 24 to 48 hours; Same day turnaround if received by 11 a.m. CST.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Seattle/Tacoma, Washington

Discovery Health MD

• Two locations: DoubleTree Suites Southcenter and Seattle Airport.
• Cost: $176 for next-day RT-PCR test, $349 for one-hour RT-PCR test.
• Turnaround time: Same or next day, depending on what you booked.

Seattle testing locations

• Various locations throughout Seattle.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in St. Louis, Missouri

ARCpoint Labs

• 11255 Olive Blvd, Creve Coeur, Missouri
• Hours: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: $250 for same-day results.
• Turnaround time: Same day or 48 to 60 hours, depending on what you booked.

Where to get a COVID-19 test in Washington, D.C./Baltimore/Arlington

Farragut Medical & Travel Care

• 815 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, D.C.
• Hours: Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: $300.
• Turnaround time: Two days for expedited testing, or two to five days.

Preston's Pharmacy

• Various locations in Arlington and Fairfax.
• Hours: Monday to Saturday, check the website for details.
• Cost: $45 for three- to five-day PCR testing, expedited processing available for an additional cost.
• Turnaround time: Three to five days, or faster with expedited processing.

McLean Pharmacy

• 1392 Chain Bridge Road, Mclean, Virginia
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m to 5 p.m.
• Cost: $200 for a 48-hour turnaround and $250 for a 24-hour turnaround.

Bottom line

While it has generally been getting easier to obtain a COVID-19 PCR test for travel purposes in some locations, turnaround times can still vary especially as the omicron variant spreads in the U.S. and demand for testing rises as a result.

That means if you need COVID-19 PCR test results in advance of a tight travel deadline, the safest bet is to use a provider that can guarantee same-day or next-day service. Some providers that initially guaranteed results in 24 or 48 hours have increased their turnaround times, in some cases up to seven days. However, these rapid PCR test options will cost extra and aren't always available.

A few providers have also indicated that several insurance companies won't cover COVID-19 testing for travel purposes, so keep in mind that you may have to pay out of pocket.

Some destinations will allow you to quarantine upon arrival until your test results arrive. Finally, if you do test positive (whether or not you are asymptomatic), you will need to be prepared to quarantine in place wherever you are for at least two weeks.

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Where to get a COVID-19 test for travel

Going on a trip? Don't forget your COVID-19 test.

As more and more people get their vaccinations , the desire to travel grows stronger , fueled largely by the declining cases of COVID-19. The world is starting to feel a little bit safer. 

If you're preparing to cure your cabin fever, don't forget that you need proof of a negative COVID-19 test to travel to many destinations -- and to get back into the US, if you plan on traveling abroad . 

Though COVID-19 tests aren't in short supply anymore, some places still won't test you if you don't have symptoms or known exposure. That said, there are plenty of locations you can get tested for COVID-19 before traveling, as detailed below.

Community testing centers

Chances are, there's a park or parking lot near you reserved for drive-through COVID-19 testing. Some community testing sites are managed by state or local governments, others are managed through private companies and others may be a partnership between the two.

Color , for example, is a medical testing company that has several community testing sites across California.

To find community testing sites near you, check your local department of health website. If you can't find a testing site that way, a quick Google search of "COVID-19 testing near me" or "COVID-19 testing in [city]" should do the trick. 

You may have to pay for a test at a community testing center, because tests are generally reserved for people who have symptoms (and recreational travel is still not encouraged). However, some testing sites may offer free tests even if you don't have symptoms. 

A drive-through test might be the most convenient option.

Urgent care

Most urgent care centers offer both PCR and rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. You can check the website of local urgent care centers or call to find out if testing is available. Most cities have multiple urgent care centers, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding a test this way. Again, whether or not you pay depends on each urgent care center's particular policy. 

Doctor's offices and clinics

Your primary care provider may be willing to test you for COVID-19 if you don't have symptoms, although your insurance may not cover the test or the cost of the office visit for this purpose. It can't hurt to ask. 

Passport Health , a travel medicine and immunization agency with clinics across the US, offers COVID-19 testing specifically for travel. The agency has locations in 33 states .

Your primary care provider may offer you a COVID-19 test for travel.

Most large pharmacy chains offer COVID-19 testing for travel, but you'll probably have to pay out of pocket. Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid all have COVID-19 tests available for travel. The exact cost you incur may vary, but out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 tests generally hover between $100 and $150.

Kroger and Walmart pharmacies also offer COVID-19 testing in some states, and the same rule applies: The test is free if you have symptoms, but you have to pay for travel, recreation or simply peace of mind. 

If you go to a local pharmacy (not a chain), give the location a call to see if they offer COVID-19 testing for travel. There's a good chance they will have tests available, but it might cost more to get one from an independent business versus a large corporation. 

Medical labs

Cut out the middleman and head straight for a medical laboratory for your COVID-19 test. Quest Diagnostics, the lab where many tests go for processing anyway, offers drive-through COVID-19 testing . The lab requires you to pay for the test if you aren't showing symptoms. 

Curative is a new medical lab that was founded in January 2020 to develop a new type of sepsis test. The company quickly pivoted to making COVID-19 tests that March, and it now offers COVID-19 testing at more than 10,000 locations throughout the US. Curative processes all of its tests at its labs in San Dimas, California; Pflugerville, Texas; and Washington, DC.

Some travel destinations offer COVID-19 tests for guests. Call your destination to see if they offer return testing -- that is, the test you need to get back into the US. Keep in mind you still need to arrange your own test to get to your destination.  

Many airports offer travel COVID-19 tests for passengers. Whether or not it'll cost you depends on a number of factors, including what entity, exactly, is providing the test; whether or not they bill health insurance; and whether people showing symptoms are prioritized. 

To find out if the airport you're flying out of offers COVID-19 testing, search the airport's official website. You may also have some luck checking the website of your preferred airline. Delta has a handy tool where you can find a list of airport testing locations based on the country you're traveling from. United has information specific to certain cities and countries. 

Just keep in mind that some airports might not offer rapid tests, which means you shouldn't wait until the day of your flight to get your test. Not only could you miss your flight due to a long line, but if you can't get rapid results, you may not be able to board at all.

You may be able to find a COVID-19 test at the airport, but don't bank on getting your results immediately before your flight.

If you have some time to spare, consider buying an at-home COVID-19 collection kit instead of venturing out for a test. 

There are more than 10 at-home COVID-19 tests available for people without symptoms or known exposure, including those from Everlywell, LetsGetChecked and Picture from Fulgent Genetics. 

You can even order one on Amazon or call your local drugstore to see if they're stocking the new over-the-counter COVID-19 test from Ellume . 

From the time you order one of these tests, it'll take five to seven days to get your results, so this option is best for people who plan ahead. 

At home with a health care professional

Ready , a new urgent care telehealth platform backed by GV, Google's investment arm, offers in-home rapid COVID-19 testing. Book your appointment online and a qualified health professional will show up at your door to administer the test. You can also mail-order a test and take it while a health care worker supervises via a video call.  

BeeperMD offers a similar service, but only in Florida at this time. 

At-home kits are a good option for people who have time to spare before their trip.

When to get your COVID-19 test for travel 

Time -- or more accurately, timing -- is of the essence when it comes to getting a COVID-19 test for travel. The exact guidelines you need to follow will vary based on where you're going, where you're coming from and whether or not you're visiting multiple locations. 

In general, it's a good idea to take your COVID-19 test so that you receive results within three days of travel. This means you can take a rapid antigen test 24 to 72 hours before traveling or you can take a PCR test four to six days before travel. PCR tests usually take 24 to 72 hours to process.

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How Do I Get a PCR Test in Time for Travel?

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Executive Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Caroline has a passion for adventure travel and has hiked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the bottom of the Grand Canyon in pursuit of a good story. Follow her around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline .

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Although the United States accepts certain rapid tests for travel, there are plenty of other destinations that require a PCR test for entry—which can present a serious problem for travelers. Given the current shortage of PCR tests, finding an available appointment can be an impossible challenge—and then you might not even get your results back within the 72 hour window that most destinations require. So how can you get a PCR test in time for your flight? We’ve found some options for travelers. 

One warning: Be prepared to pay for the convenience of getting a PCR test back in time for your flight. Most health insurance plans do not cover COVID tests for travel, and many rapid PCR test providers will charge extra for quick results. 

Rapid PCR Tests

Check to see if your destination accepts rapid PCR tests. These RT-PCR tests offer PCR accuracy but results can be delivered quickly (sometimes in less than an hour). Rapid PCR testing sites can be found at many airports, but if you don’t have an appointment, lines can be extremely long (and you won’t be guaranteed to be able to get a test, no matter how long you wait), so schedule in advance if you can.

What Do You Need for Documentation of Recovery from COVID to Enter the U.S.?

XpresCheck operates many of the airport testing locations, and they offer Rapid PCR tests for $250 with results in as little as 60 minutes. Appointments can be booked online. 

CVS Minute Clinic

Some CVS Minute Clinics offer Rapid PCR tests, which promise results “within hours.” However, appointments for these tests are extremely limited, so you may struggle to actually book one. Lab tests cost $139 out of pocket. 

Urgent Care

Try your local Urgent Care center, as many are now offering rapid PCR test options. Make sure you call or book online (rather than just showing up) as wait times are extremely long at most Urgent Care centers across the United States.

10 COVID Travel Tips from Public Health Experts

PCR Tests With Fast Turnaround Times

Currently, many PCR testing locations are taking up to a week to return results. If you need results quickly for travel, there are some companies that specialize in COVID tests for travel, promising to get results back within a certain time frame.

If you’re relying on a test that requires you to mail in a sample (or doesn’t guarantee results in a certain amount of time), you may wish to book a second test with another company just in case your first one doesn’t come back in time. 

Amazon COVID-19 Test Collection Kit DTC

Even Amazon has gotten into the COVID test game, offering a FDA authorized PCR test for $39.99. This is a mail-in test, but Amazon claims you will get results within 24 hours of the sample arriving at the lab. However, this means you could be cutting it close for getting results in time for your flight if there are any mail delays. 

Passport Health

Passport Health focuses on providing tests specifically for travel or to return to work/school. They do not generally offer tests to symptomatic individuals or close contacts, meaning it may be easier to find a PCR appointment here than at other overwhelmed testing centers. Passport Health has locations in: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New JErsey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Washington, D.C. 

However, note that Passport Health does not guarantee results within 72 hours. 

5 Apps You Need for COVID-19 Travel

Looking for a RT-PCR test for Hawaii? Azova offers two easy options, both are which approved for the Hawaii Safe Travels Program. Choose from an in-person test for $119 or an at-home saliva RT-PCR test (with video observation) for $114.99. Be sure to follow Azova’s guidelines on when to book your test in order to get results in time for your test as the at-home test requires you to mail in a sample for processing. 

Same-Day COVID Testing Services

Many local companies have sprung up to meet the needs of travelers who need rapid PCR test results. If you Google: “Same-day PCR tests near me” you should be able to find a clinic or concierge medical service that will guarantee COVID results in time for travel. Some will even send a technician to your house to collect your sample, saving you the time and hassle of going to get a test. Of course, these concierge services tend to be pricey, and you can expect to pay anywhere between $150-$450 for these tests. 

Here are some examples of same-day PCR testing companies:

• Innovative Express Care , Chicago
• Longwood Health , Boston
• Carecube , New York CIty
• Drip Hydration , Various locations

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How to Get a COVID Test for International Travel

A negative covid test continues to be a requirement to travel the world—including for entry into the united states. here’s how to get the right test when you need it..

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COVID tests are the must-have travel item of the pandemic.

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The need for COVID testing doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon. Even as more people get vaccinated worldwide against COVID-19, variants such as Delta and Omicron have put numerous countries on high alert. Once again, there are new—and in some cases, stricter—COVID testing requirements for travel.

As of December 6, the United States began requiring that all international arrivals get tested for COVID no more than one calendar day before flying to the United States , regardless of vaccination status. That’s down from three days prior, making it even more of a last-minute challenge to get tested before flying to the U.S.

France and the United Kingdom also reintroduced COVID testing requirements in December for all travelers, regardless of vaccination status. The sudden developments served as a reminder of how quickly travelers sometimes have to scramble to find tests that satisfy new rules—for many, it’s overnight. How do you stay on top of so many changes? How do you know what you need? Look here for starters.

Whether travelers are in search of a COVID test before heading abroad or need to re-enter the U.S., here are the (numerous) options and ways to get a COVID test for international travel.

What kind of COVID test is required to enter the U.S.?

According to the official order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID tests that satisfy the U.S. entry requirement include a PCR test, antigen test (including a rapid antigen test), or an approved home or self test , which means that there are some easier options than a PCR test, the results for which can take longer to obtain—though, there are services that offer “rapid PCR” tests, usually for an added cost.

CDC-approved COVID self tests for international travel

The BinaxNOW Antigen home kit is sold as a six-pack for $150, which comes out to $25 for each kit.

Courtesy of Abbott

For travelers who are worried about obtaining a PCR or antigen test within a day of flying back to the U.S., there is the option of bringing a set of COVID-19 home or self tests with them. The CDC has approved a handful of self tests for international travel. They include the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Home Test , the Ellume COVID-19 Home Test with Azova , and Cue COVID-19 tests —all of which we have reviewed .

The tests can be self-administered—meaning you do your own nasal swab—but to meet the CDC requirements, they must be paired with a supervised telehealth video call in real time. (The above tests include the telehealth call service.) Travelers, take note: You must have a reliable internet connection wherever you plan to administer the test, so logging into the telehealth video call isn’t an issue.

Related We Reviewed the CDC-Approved COVID Home Tests for International Travel—Here’s What to Know

How to find a testing site abroad

Want to find out if the country you’re planning to visit has COVID testing sites that can turn around results within a day? A great place to start is the U.S. State Department’s detailed COVID-19 travel information and country-specific advisories , which include an entire section on COVID-19 testing for each country. Right up front, the section answers the question of whether PCR and/or antigen tests are available to U.S. citizens and whether test results are reliably available within one calendar day. It also often includes information about where and how to obtain such tests.

Another good resource is TestforTravel.com , where you can search any international destination for testing centers and filter by the specific type of COVID-19 test you’re looking for.

The good news is that testing has ramped up worldwide, and it has become more widely available at international airports and hotels. Travel companies—including airlines, cruise lines, and tour operators—and travel advisors are also stepping in to help international travelers either actually get tested or find testing sites in their destination. The bad news is that pricing varies wildly. Tests can run anywhere from several dollars to several hundred dollars, which can make travel budgeting a bit of a nightmare.

American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines have all developed resources to provide passengers with international testing information. American is doing so with the VeriFly app , a global health pass that allows users to more easily upload their health data.

Through its United app, United has added a feature called the “ Travel-Ready Center ” (located in the “My Trips” section of the app or online at United.com ). Once passengers access the Travel-Ready Center, they can identify COVID-19 travel requirements for upcoming trips, find local testing options, and upload proof of test results (as well as vaccination status).

Delta, too, has developed an easy COVID-19 testing search function on its website through which travelers can find testing center locations in numerous global destinations.

How to find a COVID test in the U.S. to travel internationally

First and foremost, you need to make sure you’re up to date on the latest entry requirements for the country or countries you plan to visit, or even just enter—there’s never been a better time to fly nonstop. As we have seen throughout the pandemic, these rules can change very quickly at times.

Again, the U.S. State Department’s country-specific COVID-19 advisories are a great place to start to find up-to-date entry rules and requirements. We have also rounded up our favorite interactive map tools that provide updated global COVID-19 travel information.

Once you know what’s required, whether you need a PCR or antigen test, for example, and within what time frame (between two and three days, or 48 to 72 hours, is the most common requirement), you can begin to track down testing options near you.

Mail-in COVID self tests

COVID testing throughout the U.S. is patchy at best in terms of availability and reliability, and it varies enormously from city to city, county to county, and state to state. Earlier this month, President Biden announced that at-home COVID tests will become more available and will be covered by private insurance plans. Additional details will be available in January, but there are a few home or self tests that travelers can stock up on with mail-in options that may qualify for health insurance reimbursement and that satisfy certain international government requirements for entry. (Of course, if the COVID test entry requirement is a very tight time frame—say, two or three days prior to travel—these mail-in options might not work.)

Note that these tests can be used for travel from the U.S. to international destinations that will accept the results , not the other way around. The tests that work for inbound travel to the U.S. from abroad were mentioned above and were reviewed by AFAR editors.

Here are some of the options we have found for self tests that could work for travel:

• EverlyWell COVID-19 Test Home Collection Kit DTC ($109 per test, or discounted for $81.75 with code GIVEMORE): This FDA-authorized PCR test is delivered within two to eight business days of order, so it should be ordered at least a couple of weeks before travel. Once you receive it, take the self-administered test and mail it the same day using the included overnight delivery label. Upon receiving the sample, the lab will provide results within 24 to 48 hours.
• Pixel by Labcorp COVID-19 Test At-Home Collection Kit ($119 per test): An FDA-authorized PCR test that is typically delivered within two days of order. The self test includes a FedEx overnight label that travelers use to send the sample back to the lab, where results are processed within one to two days.
• LetsGetChecked COVID-19 Pre-Flight Test & Lab Report ($109 per test): A home testing kit that travelers can order in advance. The company advises at least five days prior to travel (but why not stock up even earlier than that?). After collecting the sample yourself using a nasal swab, you then send it to the lab with a prepaid next-day delivery label, and results can be expected within 24 to 72 hours after arriving in the lab. This is also an FDA-authorized PCR test.

In-person COVID testing options in the U.S.

Large pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreens , healthcare networks, and county and state health agencies are among the numerous entities that offer COVID testing but not always with the guarantee of receiving results within a specific two- or three-day window. Travelers may need to rely on pricier local private providers and urgent care centers (such as CityMD and Medical Offices of Manhattan in New York and COVIDCheckToday in Southern California, Denver, Las Vegas, and Miami) to get a test for travel quickly. DMCOVID-19 Test is a nationwide testing service that does house calls and offers same- and next-day results—for a hefty fee; same-day services will run you around $300 and next-day around $220.

Getting tested at the airport

Another option (or backup option if waiting until just before departure is a little too nerve wracking for you) is to get tested at the airport.

XpresSpa Group’s XpresCheck brand now has COVID-19 testing locations at 11 U.S. airports, including Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Dulles, Houston, Newark, New York (JFK), Phoenix, Seattle, and San Francisco. Services include a standard PCR test with results within 48 to 96 hours (for $75) and a rapid PCR test with results within 60 minutes (for a much heftier $250). Beyond XpresCheck, countless U.S. airports have their own testing facilities as well now, so travelers can look into options at their local hub.

U.S. airports that have COVID testing facilities include:

• Los Angeles International Airport
• Oakland International Airport
• San Diego International Airport
• Connecticut’s Bradley International Airport
• Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport
• Miami International Airport
• Tampa International Airport
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu, Hawai‘i)
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport
• Chicago Midway International Airport
• Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport
• New York’s LaGuardia Airport
• Portland International Airport
• Philadelphia International Airport
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

What happens if you test positive?

“If you were to test positive for COVID-19 while overseas, you would need to postpone your trip back to the United States, potentially for several weeks. All travelers should have a plan B,” the U.S. State Department’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Ian Brownlee, said during a January 26 media briefing when the testing requirement for international travelers entering the U.S. was first introduced.

Brownlee noted that U.S. travelers should consider where they would stay, the cost of an extended stay, and the repercussions they would face if they could not immediately return, whether for work, for childcare issues, or other responsibilities.

“Think through the answers to these important questions carefully” prior to committing to travel plans, Brownlee said. Another recommendation he has for international travelers: Consider travel insurance that covers COVID-19 medical treatments and COVID-19 related travel disruptions.

And the same goes for outbound travel—travelers need to consider what kind of safeguards they have in place, including the cancellation policies for all components of their trip, in the event that they or anyone in their travel group tests positive before flying out.

>> Next: The Best Travel Plan This Holiday Season: A Backup Plan

PCR tests for travel: everything you need to know

Oct 26, 2021 • 6 min read

Which type of COVID-19 test do you need to travel? © Ergin Yalcin / Getty Images

Since the pandemic began in March 2020, PCR tests, antigen tests, and LAMP tests have all entered the common lexicon. But what’s the difference between all of the ways to test for COVID-19 and which one do you need to travel? 

It’s a labyrinth of acronyms and technologies, but getting it wrong when traveling can be a real headache of denied boarding ⁠—or even being sent back to where you came from. We explain what they all are, when you need them and how to find them when you’re on the road. 

What’s a PCR test and why do I need one?

A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test looks for genetic material within a sample via a process that takes a matter of hours. For COVID-19 purposes, it amplifies the sample taken from your nose, throat or saliva to try to find genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19. If the test finds that material, you have or have recently had the disease. The Cleveland Clinic has some further explanations of how PCR tests work .

PCR is usually officially called RT-PCR (RT for Reverse Transcription) and is one of a group of Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs) that include a variety of methods—NEAR, TMA, LAMP, HDA, CRISPR, and SDA—all of which are explained well by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . But all you really need to know for travel is what the relevant country you’re traveling to wants.

Use government websites to check for the latest entry requirements to your destination, or check out our Health Hub . In practice, you may need either a specific PCR or other kind of NAAT test to travel internationally. Many countries require a recent negative test in order to enter, with some even requiring testing for vaccinated travelers. Do check carefully, and either print out or screenshot the requirements so you can confirm that you’ve got it right with whoever is administering your pre-departure test.

Some countries require that tests be conducted by a healthcare provider like a doctor, nurse or pharmacist, while others are fine with the kits that let you swab yourself and mail a pack off to the lab for testing.

Some countries also require you to take another test after your arrival. You’ll want to check, but in this case the cheaper at-home, mail-off test kits might save you some money⁠—although if you have to quarantine until you get the result it’s faster to get swabbed in a healthcare setting with its own lab.

How is a PCR test different from other tests: antigen, LAMP, TMA or others?

PCR tests differ from others in what they’re testing for and how they process the sample. In many cases, the actual sample extraction from your nose, throat or saliva can be the same—it’s what’s done with it that counts.

But besides the common PCR test, some destinations accept antigen tests , which look for specific molecules on the surface of the virus. These are much faster—it might take 15–30 minutes for most of them—and come either as home test kits or in a healthcare setting like a pharmacy, test centre or doctor’s office. 

By and large, only antigen tests administered by a healthcare provider, with the written documentation you’ll receive, are considered valid for travel purposes. Bring the requirements of your destination country with you when you book the test to make sure. 

Read more: Everything you need to know about the EU's digital COVID-19 certificate 

As more destinations introduce vaccine passes to enter cultural sites and restaurants, some countries⁠—like France and Spain⁠—also accept recent antigen tests for the Digital COVID certificate. 

Where can I get a PCR—or antigen—test for travel?

Whether you’re entering a country or returning home, you may have to provide written proof of a PCR or antigen test over the last 24, 48 or 72 hours. Note that this validity window for PCR and antigen tests may well be different based on where you’re going. 

Antigen tests are widely available at pharmacies, with results within 15-30 minutes, but tests for travel purposes may incur charges—and tests for public health purposes may not give you the right paperwork for travel. 

PCR tests are less widely available and take longer, so you’ll want to do some more planning. In many countries you should be able to get a PCR test with documentation for travel at a pharmacy⁠—but be aware that in many places these are still quite expensive. If you’re struggling to find somewhere that provides tests, you could contact your airline and see if they can help. 

Check your own country’s embassy in your destination, that country’s embassy in your own country, as well as the relevant airlines and airports to get more information on tests. 

How do I get a PCR test abroad?

Since PCR tests take longer and require more equipment than an antigen test, it can be harder to find them. Given varying requirements that the test be conducted within one, two or three days, if you need a test to travel, it’s best to have one done in a healthcare setting (ideally at a lab) than using an at-home mail-in kit. 

The US Department of Health & Human Services maintains a list of community-based testing sites in the US , while the UK government maintains a list for arrival tests that may also be useful for passengers departing the UK . 

France, too, has a COVID test location database that allows you to search by location and to choose PCR, antigen or both. Germany does as well, broken out by region . Use a translation app or ask at your hotel for help.

For other countries, run a web search like “COVID travel test”, PCR or antigen, and the country name, but make sure you aren’t tripped up by private companies gaming the search results.

Can I take a PCR or antigen test at home for travel, or bring a test with me?

Most countries don’t accept self-administered tests for travel. That said, there are some options where you bring a test with you and book a video call with a healthcare professional who monitors you when taking the test—either then sent off to a lab for a PCR test or developed where you are for an antigen test.

On balance, with both PCR tests and antigen tests widely available in many locations, this seems like a lot of extra overhead, together with the possibility of tests going astray in the post. 

For more information on COVID-19 and travel, check out Lonely Planet's Health Hub .

You may also like:  What is a vaccine passport and do I need one to travel? What is the IATA Travel Pass and do I need it to travel? What happens if I'm denied entry to a country on arrival?

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Two states, four Walgreens and a sense of defeat: Travelers struggle to find timely COVID tests, putting trips in jeopardy

Nikki Schreader almost missed a trip to Hawaii last month for a family wedding.

She wasn't running late for her flight. She was scrambling to find a coronavirus test for her 8-year-old daughter, a requirement to enter Hawaii unless you're vaccinated.

Schreader studied the state's strict testing rules , which set out the type of test, approved providers and the timetable (no more than three days before the flight.) She stopped by the closest Walgreens, in Rochester, Minnesota, days before her daughter was required to test to ask about availability. Employees told her they were completely sold out of the diagnostic tests she needed and directed her to Austin, Minnesota, which is 40 minutes away.

►Traveling to Honolulu?  Get ready to show COVID-19 vaccine or negative test at restaurants, bars

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Learn more: Best travel insurance

Schreader snagged an appointment in Austin but it was canceled the night before. She found a last-minute opening the next day in Northfield, Minnesota, and grabbed it, even though it was nearly an hour away. When she arrived, the location was out of the rapid test she needed. Another eligible test was available, but she was told results would take three to five days. 

"I feel so defeated,'' she said when she struck out. 

Schreader was ready to cancel the trip until she found an opening the next day for an approved rapid test at a Walgreens in River Falls, Wisconsin, 90 minutes away. Her daughter took a rapid test and the results were delivered before they were home. They flew to Hawaii the next day.

Schreader's shuffle across state lines may be an extreme case, but her hunt for a timely, affordable coronavirus test for travel is far from unique. Travel message boards are filled with questions on how to find tests or warnings about a lack of appointments, canceled appointments and slow turnaround times for results.

Some frustrated travelers are turning to elected officials. The office of Rep. Brian Higgins, D-N.Y. – who raised questions about testing capacity in early August as Canada reopened to vaccinated Americans  – fielded recent calls from travelers unable to find affordable local tests that return results within Canada's 72-hour time frame, spokesperson Theresa Kennedy said. Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada, is a short drive from the district, which includes Buffalo.

Blame the delta variant , return to school and a host of other factors, which have combined to create a major testing crunch across the country. 

The upshot for travelers headed to Hawaii, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, on cruises and other destinations requiring tests for all or some: Planning is essential, backup options are a must. Note that those backup plans, including airport rapid testing, are often pricey, especially for those who are used to free tests at Walgreens or government facilities.

'I did not anticipate it being an issue': Five hours and $250 later, a coronavirus test to reenter Canada

Charlotte Mosher lives in Canada and flew to the United States in August to help a friend move from Denver to Florida.

She didn't have a problem getting a coronavirus test in Canada to board her flight to Denver. The problems arose when she tried to find a test for her return flight from Tampa.

Mosher, who is fully vaccinated, tried to book an appointment online with Walgreens, which is free, but came up empty in the three-day time period she needed.

"There were no tests anywhere within driving distance,'' she said. "They were all booked.''

She looked into at-home testing kits, but they would not guarantee the results in time for her flight. 

Her sister found one testing place in Tampa, but it couldn't guarantee results in time either, and she needed to get back to work.

Story continues below.

Story continues above.

"When I called them they said it wouldn't even go out to the lab until the next day,'' she said, with two days or more processing time after that.

She ended up getting a test through ARCpoint Labs on the recommendation of a friend.

The cost: 325 Canadian dollars, or about $257.  That's half the price of her round-trip airline ticket.

Her advice to others: Don't book a trip until you search for general testing availability using hypothetical dates.

"I guess I should have done that,'' Mosher said. "I did not anticipate it being an issue.''

More trouble getting to Canada: Late test results, turned away at the border. 

The testing troubles aren't limited to those traveling by air.

Paula McGibbon lives in West Seneca, New York, near Buffalo, and tries to visit her parents in Niagara Falls, Canada, every week. She is vaccinated and has dual citizenship.

Before the border reopened, test results from Walgreens   were delivered in about a day and a half. In the past few weeks, that has ballooned to five days, she said.

McGibbon took a test at the pharmacy this week so she could take the five-minute drive across the border to see her parents in their retirement home. She became worried when she received an email warning of prolonged wait times for results. The warning was dead-on: McGibbon didn't receive her results for five days, past Canada's 72-hour timetable. Her results were technically expired.

She decided to take her chances at the border since her PCR test was taken at the right time to comply with the rules, but she was turned away. An official told her to try the Buffalo airport for a rapid test. The cost: $150 to $200, she said.

"Overall we are able to meet demand, with a capacity to perform up to 3 million test per month, across our more than 6,000 testing locations throughout the country," Phil Caruso of Walgreens told USA TODAY. "We may experience intermittent delays in supply in some locations and are working with all of our testing partners to meet patient demand."

McGibbon opted for urgent care, figuring she'd have to pay only a $25 co-pay, but the bill was $150. She said her insurance company told her coronavirus "screening'' tests weren't covered like those performed for people with symptoms or COVID-19 exposure.

She called the Erie County health department and Higgins' office seeking tips on free testing options. She's worried that the price of tests will put her weekly visits with her parents, who are in their 90s, out of reach.

►Don't fake your vaccine card: Woman arrested for using fake 'Maderna' vaccine card during Hawaii trip

►Can Americans visit Europe this fall after EU decision?: It's complicated. What travelers need to know.

Kennedy, from Higgins' office, said the biggest issue for travelers trying to cross the border as testing sites are overwhelmed is the turnaround time. 

"Providers that offer tests at low or no cost to the consumer are not able to guarantee that the results will return in time,'' the spokesperson said.

Those who must have rapid tests with quick results find themselves paying $125 to $200 per person for a test, Kennedy added.

The cost is leading some to cancel trips, she said. One constituent from western New York, who owns property in Canada and visits regularly with his wife and son, called Wednesday to say they have had to cancel trips because of the high cost of rapid testing.

"I don’t know when I’ll see them again,'' McGibbon said of her parents. "I just have to keep going and trying to get COVID tests.''

Finding a test for travel during delta variant surge: 7 tips

• Have a plan B ... and C and D.   Check all testing options within a reasonable radius as well as testing options at the airport and other for-profit sites. Schedule appointments as far in advance as allowed and be sure to ask when results will be ready. Keep checking back for cancellations.
• Call your health insurance company to see what types of travel tests, if any, are covered and to what extent.  This is invaluable information to have on hand should your favored, free testing site be unavailable or slow to provide results. CVS spokesperson Matt Blanchette said people seeking testing for travel purposes should check with their insurer to determine if it covers such screening. Otherwise, the cost at CVS is $139 per test given laboratory costs, he said. Walgreens offers free testing regardless of insurance. Blanchette said the chain continues "to be able to meet the demand for COVID-19 testing, even with increasing numbers of patients seeking out tests at one of our more than 4,800 CVS Pharmacy locations across the country offering testing with same-day and future day appointments in most geographies.''
• Make sure you don't get the wrong test in the rush to find any test. Hawaii in particular is strict and won't accept just any coronavirus test from any health care provider, even if it's from the vaunted Mayo Clinic.  The state accepts just one CVS test, for example.
• At-home tests are also an option, but make sure it is the right at-home test. Many destinations won't accept those that aren't supervised by a health care professional. 
• Boost your travel testing budget if the trip can't be missed or canceled.  The airport sites are convenient but costly.
• Ask fellow travelers or scan Facebook message groups for testing strategies. One woman on the Maui COVID Travel Testing group on Facebook said she has been practicing logging into the Walgreen's site at the time new appointments are added each night so she's in practice when her trip to Hawaii comes.
• Know Hawaii COVID travel restrictions.   Learn how to navigate the state's entry requirements .

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Global Travel Clinics

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Global Travel Clinics offers reliable covid-19 PCR testing for travelers and non-travelers in convenient city center locations. We also administer video covid-19 antigen tests for travelers returning to the US.

We have clinics for covid-19 testing in convenient locations throughout the United States.

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We’re opening new covid-19 testing clinics every month, so if we can’t help you this time with a local pre-flight covid-19 test, we may be able to help you next time you travel.

How to book a pre-travel covid testing appointment at a clinic near you

Booking an appointment with Global Travel Clinics is easy! Book online right now or call tel: +1 888 672 0005.

What covid-19 test do I need for my flight?

There are two types of covid-19 test: the gold standard PCR test and the rapid-results antigen test. Some destinations will accept a recent negative antigen test result for a travel health certificate. Other destinations insist that all arriving travelers must have a negative PCR test result.

The test needs to be taken within a specific timeframe, often 48, 72 or 96 hours before arrival.

Do I need a PCR test or an antigen test?

Nations change their border and travelers’ entry requirements rapidly and with little or no notice in response to the pandemic situation. So it is important that you make certain you are getting the right kind of test for your journey. Our staff have access to frequently updated travel health bulletins, but it is your responsibility to ascertain what test you need before your trip.

We recommend checking a reliable source such as the US Department of State’s travel advisories when you plan your trip. Also take a look at the government website for your destination, and your airline’s website.

Remember that you may need to meet the requirements of any country you pass through on your way to your destination, too.

As the situation on the ground can change rapidly, please check the covid-19 testing requirements of your destination at each stage of your journey planning.

When should I book my pre-travel covid-19 test?

You will need to get your covid-19 travel health certificate within a specific time window before your journey. This is often 48, 72 or 96 hours before travel or before arrival. It is your responsibility to check the requirements of your destination and of any territories that you will pass through.

It takes about 24 hours to get your PCR covid-19 test results and travel certificate. The rapid-results antigen test result and certificate will be ready in three to four hours.

The testing appointment itself is very quick, taking a matter of minutes.

How to book an appointment with Global Travel Clinics

Booking an appointment with Global Travel Clinics is easy! Book online right now or call tel: +1 888 672 0005 . We like to be transparent about how much travel vaccines cost, so do take a look at our prices page .

Our vaccination and travel health clinics will ensure that you are up-to-date on all the travel immunizations recommended by healthcare professionals. Global Travel Clinics will ensure you are protected by all the recommended shots before you leave the country. We are currently focusing on Covid-19 PCR Swab Test, Antigen test, Antibody Test   &   Travel Certificates.

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COVID-19 In-Person PCR Test

This test is for those 18+, who are symptom-free, have no known exposure and wish to confirm they do not have COVID-19.

This test is for those who are symptom-free and have not knowingly been exposed to COVID-19.   

The risks of getting COVID-19 are higher in crowded and poor ventilated spaces where infected people spend long periods of time together. Outbreaks may occur when people gather together in crowded indoor settings. This test would provide a peace of mind and help ensure that you do not have COVID-19 just before deciding whether to participate in an indoor social activity. The results of this test may help limit the spread of COVID-19 to your family and others in your community.  

Testing requires a visit to a Labcorp location. Many Labcorp locations accept both appointments and afternoon walk-ins for COVID-19 testing (for those who are symptom-free and have no known exposure to COVID-19).   

NOTE: This test must be purchased online before you visit a Labcorp location. Please check availability before purchasing a test as not all locations are participating.  

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms or had a recent exposure, Labcorp COVID-19 PCR  testing is also available through pharmacy drive-thrus, urgent care centers and healthcare providers. Results typically arrive within 1-2 days of sample collection. If your result is positive, a third-party physician network, PWN Health, will contact you to discuss next steps.   

 See Additional COVID-19 Testing Options >

Considerations for this Test

Labcorp’s COVID-19 PCR test has not been FDA cleared or approved, has been authorized by FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), and has been authorized only for the detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens. The test is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostic tests for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner. 

Additional Information

Test Details

Preparation: No special preparation is needed. 

How It Works

Purchase your test, provide your sample, get your results.

View your easy-to-read results online in your Labcorp Patient™ account, including Linked Accounts . For certain results that require prompt attention, you will also be contacted by phone or mail.

Who should take the COVID-19 In-Person PCR Test?

This COVID-19 PCR test is not for people who have any symptoms or have been recently exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you've had any of the following symptoms within the last 48 hours, you will not be eligible for this test.

• fever or chills
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• muscle or body aches
• new loss of taste or smell
• sore throat
• congestion or runny nose
• nausea or vomiting

This list does not include all possible symptoms.  Symptoms may change with new COVID-19 variants and can vary depending on vaccination status.

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms or had a recent exposure, Labcorp COVID-19 PCR  testing is also available through pharmacy drive-thrus, urgent care centers and healthcare providers.

When can I visit the lab for my COVID-19 In-Person PCR Test

 You can visit a Labcorp location once you've purchased the test online and received the email that includes your lab requisition number. Bring your requisition number along with your photo ID.

Where do I go for the COVID-19 In-Person PCR Test?

Find a local Labcorp collection site to complete your COVID-19 In-Person PCR Test.  Please select “COVID-19 Unexposed/Symptom Free” in the locator since not every location provides this service. You must purchase the test online before visiting a Labcorp location. Note that Labcorp does not have locations for sample collection in HI, ME, ND, or VT. You can still purchase testing if you live in one of these states and are willing to travel for sample collection or you can choose an at-home kit .

Do I need to make an appointment for my COVID-19 In-Person PCR Test sample collection?

No. Afternoon walk-ins are welcome but scheduling your visit in advance may minimize wait time. Visit our appointment page to schedule your appointment. You must purchase the test online before visiting a Labcorp location.

How can I learn more about COVID-19?

Check out our COVID-19 FAQs for more information.

You can also find out more at the links below:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Coronavirus Disease
• World Health Organization: Advice for the Public Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know

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COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Infection with the virus can range from being asymptomatic to life-threatening respiratory illness. Infection has been detected globally and in all 50 states. Symptoms associated with COVID-19 include cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or new loss of taste or smell.  

COVID-19 can present with severe illness in individuals of any age and without any previous health problems, but the risk for severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk. Having  underlying medical conditions  may also increase one’s risk for severe illness from COVID-19.   

If you  have risk factors or an underlying health condition  which may put you at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, you should consult with your healthcare provider before using this test.

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What to Know About COVID-19 Testing for Travel

They can offer peace of mind, but most aren't accepted for return to the u.s..

With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  requirement that all travelers coming to the United States provide official proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within one day of their flight, travelers are understandably nervous — and a bit confused — about the whole process.

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Here are some answers to common questions about COVID-19 testing for travel.

What is the hotel testing process like?  Many hotels have the return COVID-19 testing process set up seamlessly. For example, on my recent trip to Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, the Dreams Bahía Mita Surf & Spa Resort gave me COVID-19 testing forms upon check-in, with a testing appointment scheduled the day before my checkout ($35 per test, free for Club Level guests). At my appointment time, masked guests were waiting with their passports in a hallway outside a conference room converted into a testing center. Inside, a nurse from a contracted health provider administered Abbott’s rapid antigen test with a nose swab. I waited semi-nervously to receive the text message about 15 minutes later, which indicated that my test was negative. (If the test comes back positive, the resort offers free quarantine lodging for up to 14 days.) The hotel provided an official form certifying the results (I took a photo of the page for backup). At the Puerto Vallarta airport, I provided my test results form when I checked in and was good to return home.

What are the U.S. testing rules for international travel?

For reentry to the U.S., the CDC requires all air passengers age 2 years and older (including U.S. citizens and fully vaccinated passengers) to provide either documentation of a negative test taken within one day of their flight or documentation of recent recovery from  COVID-19 , along with a letter from a health professional certifying that the person is cleared to travel. The test must be an authorized viral antigen or nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT).

Note that non-U.S. citizens need to show proof of vaccination prior to their flights to the U.S.  

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How and where can you get tested before your return to the U.S.?

Many international hotels are now offering approved and sometimes free COVID-19 tests for their guests that are almost becoming a standard part of the checkout process (see details of one example in sidebar). Local clinics and some airports offer CDC- and airline-approved tests as well, although costs, availability and timing vary widely — from free to sometimes well over $100 for a test.

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The CDC has started distributing free tests at three international airports around the U.S. (at Minneapolis-St. Paul, Miami and Chicago O'Hare), and has announced plans to expand the giveaways to other airports soon.

Many U.S. embassies, including in Britain, provide lists of approved local testing providers. Airlines also provide information about testing requirements and airport testing options.

Aside from finding an approved test to take (using local guidance from your airline, hotel and/or embassy), the most important step is to manage the timing of your test. If you plan to take a test at the airport, be sure to allow plenty of time for both the test and receiving the results, as wait times can be unpredictable — some travelers are facing long lines during the holiday travel season — and note that the test station may be far from your departure gate.

Can you test yourself?

While rapid off-the-shelf “at-home” (self-administered) antigen tests can provide an initial screening and peace of mind for travelers, they won’t meet the CDC requirements for reentry. ( See our story for more on home testing .)

For a home test to meet CDC reentry requirements, it must be a SARS-CoV-2 viral test (nucleic acid amplification test or antigen test) authorized by the FDA or the government of the country where you are. The test must also have an approved telehealth component that provides real-time supervision — so you’ll need a good Wi-Fi connection to consult with a medical professional from the test manufacturer who will confirm your identity, watch you administer the test and confirm the results.

And the test must be able to produce approved documentation to share with airline and customs officials. The CDC-approved travel reentry tests available online include Abbott’s BinaxNOW Ag Card Home Test ($70 for a two-pack), which will give you results within 15 minutes. The Qured Video Supervised Rapid Test ($45) is similar, with two tests included: The first is done under video supervision; the second, taken without supervision 24-36 hours later, is meant to confirm the result.

For frequent travelers, Cue Health has introduced its own testing device with a membership service. It's $474 for a device plus three tests, or a monthly service beginning at $50. To return to the U.S. after international travel, you'd need the Cue+ Complete membership, which is $90 per month.

What if you just want peace of mind that you don't have COVID-19 before traveling to visit family and friends within the U.S.?

In that case, you can use over-the-counter tests from drugstores. But there have been severe shortages for these quick-and-easy tests, which offer results in less than 15 minutes, as  omicron’s spread has led to a surge in demand .

While many countries have over-the-counter tests available for purchase once you get there, it might be a good idea to bring a few test kits with you (if you can find any). They can provide peace of mind if you are exhibiting symptoms, and save you time searching pharmacies for test kits (or a potentially expensive trip to a clinic at your destination). Again, these over-the-counter tests will not be enough to gain approval for return to the U.S., unless they have the certified telehealth component included.

What happens if you fail your return COVID-19 test?

Regulations for travelers receiving a positive test vary widely by country. Even if you're asymptomatic, you will typically be required to quarantine — either at a government-mandated location or one of your choosing — for at least a week, with a negative test required to exit quarantine. A few countries take care of the cost of quarantine food and lodging, many others do not, and costs can quickly accumulate.

This is the time when you should consider purchasing travel insurance — and choose COVID-19-specific options on your policy. Read the fine print carefully. Given the recent rapid spread of the omicron variant, it certainly would be wise to look into relevant travel insurance options for any international trip. 

A few more tips

· Stay on top of CDC guidance.  Before traveling, be sure to confirm the latest requirements on the  CDC website , and with your airline. You don’t want to be denied access to your return flight with an unapproved test or missing paperwork.

· Check your destination’s testing requirements.  Other countries’ testing and vaccination rules vary widely, but many require visitors to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within three days (some within 24 hours) of travel with approved PCR or antigen tests.  

Editor's note: This article was originally published on December 21, 2021. It's been updated to reflect new information.

Bill Fink is an award-winning travel writer covering global adventures for BBC , Lonely Planet , Thrillist and many other outlets. Follow him @finktravels.

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If you’re boarding a plane in the San Francisco Bay Area or Silicon Valley, find out the COVID-19 testing requirements for your destination countries and plan accordingly. Many countries (check the map here) and airlines require proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure. We provide same-day or 24-hour turnaround for your leisure and business travel peace of mind.

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My Care Labs operates free* COVID-19 PCR test sites around the SF Bay Area for travelers flying out of SFO. Make sure to check if your destinations require a negative COVID PCR test with this handy map. Book a test at your nearest My Care Labs location today and enjoy stress-free traveling! *Free with any health insurance plan.

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Passport Health in Arizona offers COVID-19 testing at the following locations:

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• Passport Health Tucson Travel Clinic

Do you offer the COVID-19 PCR Travel Test?

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Please contact us at to book your appointment.

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COVID-19 test results are usually available within 24-36 hours of the lab obtaining the sample. In certain cases, the lab may collect the sample on the same day as it is tested at the laboratory. In other cases, it will be delivered to the lab and checked the next morning. These depend on the local lab workload. In most cases, findings are available within 48 hours of collection time.

Are your CLIA research lab partners COVID-19 certified?

Yes, Passport Health depends on an ever-expanding portfolio of laboratories to ensure that test results are delivered as easily as possible. These laboratories are accredited by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Modifications (CLIA) program and include the following, among many other local laboratories:

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Can you give COVID-19 testing in areas other than Phoenix?

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What form of COVID-19 exam is available?

The most commonly accepted form of testing is the nasopharyngeal swab, or NP swab. Our medical practitioner will swab the nasal passage to extract a sample, which is then sent to one of our CLIA-certified laboratories for assessment.

Passport Health is now collaborating closely with our research partners as new processes are approved and made available. An example of this is a saliva-based procedure considered by the FDA to be reliable and approved for use. Passport Health will carry out saliva-based tests as soon as possible.

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California Today

Will California Have a Summer Covid Surge?

The answer is probably yes.

By Soumya Karlamangla

There’s a new Covid variant in town.

The variant, called KP.2 , is steadily overtaking what had been the dominant Covid variant for most of the year in the United States, raising the possibility of a summer surge in cases in California and across the nation.

It wouldn’t be particularly surprising. Covid has never stopped circulating in our communities, and every year since 2020 there has been a surge in cases in the winter and again in the summer.

So far in 2024, the rate of Covid spread has been relatively low. Most of us now have several layers of immunity against the virus through vaccines, past infections or both, so if we are infected again, the risk of serious illness is much lower than it once was. On April 2, for the first time since the pandemic began, California enjoyed a day without a single reported death from Covid, the Bay Area News Group reported.

That said, an important warning sign — the level of Covid detected in wastewater — has been increasing in the U.S. since mid-May, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, though it’s still considered minimal. The biggest jump has been in the West, where California has the highest wastewater levels, the data shows.

The percentage of people testing positive for the virus in PCR tests has also been rising in California since early this month, state data shows.

“The writing is on the wall in terms of a small uptick,” Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, told me. “I think it will continue to swell a bit, but it’ll probably be lower than last year.”

Tracking the spread of Covid is harder than it used to be, in large part because most people who take tests now do so at home, and their results aren’t reported. That makes it difficult to accurately compare new surges with the ones that occurred earlier in the pandemic.

Chin-Hong said that the recent trend in the data was quite likely the start of a summer surge, and that the new dominant variant might be better at infecting people and evading our defenses than previous ones. He recommended that people 65 and older get another Covid vaccination if they haven’t done so recently.

He told me that he had treated a handful of patients hospitalized with Covid in the past few weeks who were either over 65 or immunocompromised. “The common theme with all of them was that they didn’t get the vaccine in the last year,” he said.

How can you tell whether it is Covid , spring allergies or a cold?

If you read one story, make it this

San Francisco’s latest housing crisis? Where to put the sea lions .

The rest of the news

Enrollment by Black students in California public schools has fallen by 47 percent since 2003, according to a report by the American Civil Liberties Union, which determined that California is the third most segregated state for Black students, KCRA 3 reports.

California lawmakers have proposed measures to address concerns about algorithmic discrimination and deep fakes , The Associated Press reports.

Southern California

Southern California’s plan to establish the nation’s largest wastewater recycling plant will be aided by $99.2 million in federal funding, The Los Angeles Times reports.

For more than a decade, hundreds of dollars in damages in broken apartment and car windows in Azusa were a mystery with a single clue: a telltale ball bearing. Last week, the police arrested a suspect: an 81-year-old “serial slingshot shooter.”

Central California

The Catholic Diocese of Fresno said it planned to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August because of allegations of sexual abuse by clergy members, according to The Fresno Bee.

Firefighters have worked to slow the spread of a fire that has burned over 1,300 acres in Santa Barbara County, The San Luis Obispo Tribune reports.

Northern California

The riot-control agents used in a law enforcement training that sickened 20 elementary school students near the site of the exercise in San Bruno last week may have included chemical weapons that expired decades ago , The San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Many Silicon Valley developers and technologists have embraced Mark Zuckerberg as their champion of “open-source” artificial intelligence.

After nearly 17 years on the run from a rape conviction in Massachusetts, a man known as the “bad breath rapist” was captured by the police in Diablo, a small town outside of Danville, where he had been living with a woman for more than a decade.

And before you go, some good news

A notorious surfboard thief, Otter 841 , was spotted at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz by a surfer, The Mercury News reports.

Karl Anderle, the surfer, has seen this particular otter several times over the past few years and noticed her sitting on the back of his board, poised to chew it. Otter 841 was born in a U.C. Santa Cruz research center and was later released into the wild, gaining notoriety when a photographer captured her on video about a year ago.

The 6-year-old otter’s aggressive behavior has led to unsuccessful attempts by wildlife authorities to apprehend her. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it was handling reports of the otter’s encounters with surfers and kayakers in Santa Cruz.

Thanks for reading. I’ll be back tomorrow. — Soumya

P.S. Here’s today’s Mini Crossword .

Halina Bennet , Briana Scalia and Lauren Hard contributed to California Today. You can reach the team at [email protected].

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Soumya Karlamangla reports on California news and culture and is based in San Francisco. She writes the California Today newsletter. More about Soumya Karlamangla