Cost of Covid tests at Edinburgh and other airports and how long results take

AuthorEllen Manning
Published date25 August 2021
Publication titleEdinburghLive (Scotland)
There are different tests you can get, depending on where you're heading, and plenty of places offering them.

But when it comes to getting the right one for travel, and making sure you get your results on time, the best option is at the airport.

Here's what the UK's major airports offer as well as how much they cost and how long your results will take:

Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport offers ExpressTest tests. These are available at the walk-up testing centre, open 8am to 6pm, as well as a drive-through facility, open 10am to 6pm.

Lateral flow testing gives results in 20 minutes, via email, and costs £50. While their PCR test provides results by 10pm the day after the test, but can take up to 48 hours. It costs £80 for airline passengers, £60 for airline staff and £90 for the general public.

Tests must be booked prior to arrival and with sufficient time prior to your flight.

More information and booking here.

Heathrow Airport

People wanting to travel from Heathrow Airport have access to PCR drive-through testing, park and test, in-terminal testing centre. It provides next-day results by 10pm and costs £59.

They also have lateral flow/rapid antigen drive-through testing, in terminal testing. This gives results within 30 minutes and costs £35.

The LAMP testing, also in the terminal testing centre, costs £85 and gives results within 120 minutes.

However, if you have time, you can undergo home testing with the lateral flow/rapid antigen test from £39, with results within 120 minutes. Their PCR Home Self-swab results come back within 24 hours (from receipt at the lab), and cost £69.

Gatwick Airport

This drive-through centre located on Perimeter Road South (RH6 0PQ), offers a Fit to Fly PCR swab test for £59. It also offers PCR Green Arrivals tests for £69. You must book in advance. Results by 10pm the next day.

At their Expresstest Walk-In (North Terminal), Fit to Fly PCR swab test costs £59 to have results by 10pm the next day. This is compared to a rapid antigen test which costs £35 and gives results in 30 minutes.

However, tests are also available in Boots (South Terminal Arrivals Area), with a Private PCR swab test costing £85 for results within 48 hours.

There's also a range of tests available via Collinson. (Collinson have consistent pricing so will match other airports).

Do you want 2Chill?

Luton Airport

Luton Airport has both drive-through tests and walk-in available with Collinson, which dropped its prices earlier this year.

Their Pre-Departure PCR...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT