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Review: the ExpressTest covid testing service at Gatwick airport

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HfP in Portugal

This is our review of the ExpressTest coronavirus test centre at London Gatwick Airport.

With Portugal virtually the only country on the Government’s green list to allow UK tourists in, we thought we would take a look at some of the ‘miles and points’ hotels that the country has to offer, in conjunction with Marriott Bonvoy.

Over the coming days you will see reviews of the brand new Moxy Lisbon City, the Ritz Carlton Penha Longa in Sintra as well as of Pine Cliffs, a Luxury Collection resort in the Algarve. Marriott provided our accommodation but Head for Points paid all of its other costs, including flights.

I’ll spare you the travelogue introduction about where Portugal is and what it has to offer – I assume most of you will be able to point at it on a map. I did want to outline the process of travelling there (and back) and what you can expect from a trip like this.

Testing requirements for travel to Portugal

Whilst the European Union has agreed to open its borders to vaccinated travellers, it will not publish its expanded ‘white list’ of countries for another two weeks. In the meantime, Portugal has opened its borders to UK tourists, provided you show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.

The good news is that the cost of PCR tests is finally coming down in price in the UK, with tests available from as little as £44. There is still a huge variance in price, however, and you can easily find yourself paying £200+ and if you want a same-day result the price can be even higher.

In December, Rob reviewed the testing facilities at the Regenerative Clinic in London. This wasn’t very cheap or convenient for me, so I chose to use the ExpressTest facilities at Gatwick Airport.

How is ExpressTest at Gatwick Airport?

ExpressTest is the direct-to-consumer division of Cignpost Diagnostics and currently has 19 locations UK-wide, mostly at airports. ‘Fit to Fly’ tests, which are the ones many countries require to let you in, are available from between £60 and £80.

Whilst it is possible to find cheaper tests – Eurofins sells home delivery kits for £44, or £40 via British Airways – I couldn’t wait for Royal Mail to deliver so drove a Zipcar down to the drive-through facility at Gatwick Airport.

You can book your ExpressTest timeslot on the website. The Fit to Fly test guarantees a result by 10pm the next day.

The testing facility is currently located in the long-stay car park of the South Terminal (remember all flights are currently departing from the North Terminal):

ExpressTest Gatwick Drive Through

It was exceptionally quiet when I went. I had no trouble booking a slot an hour in advance and could drive straight in, through the obstacle course of cones.

There are several lanes of testing, all under cover.

Once there, the staff scanned our QR code reservation, checked our photo ID and proceeded with the swab. Here is my nurse housemate modelling the process!

ExpressTest Gatwick Drive Through swab

All very easy and we were in and out within five minutes.

Whilst the staff tell you to expect you results by 10pm the next day, we got ours later that evening. I’m not sure if this is because it was a particularly quiet day or whether they try and turn around tests same day. I wouldn’t book a test expecting a same-day result, just to be on the safe side. Your test certificate is then checked at the airport.

Don’t forget that you also need to complete a passenger locator card for the Portuguese authorities after you check in for your flight.

Keep an eye on HfP over the next few days for my hotel reviews.

Category

General

Comments (81)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Louie says:
    3 Jun3 June 07:14

    How much did you pay?

  • WaynedP says:
    3 Jun3 June 07:51

    Thanks Rhys, that’s helpful insight.

    What time of day was your drive through test, both to know when is likely to be a quiet time, as well as likelihood of receiving same day results in my own case ?

    • Rhys says:
      3 Jun3 June 09:17

      Around 3pm. I really wouldn’t bank on receiving results same day – far too risky.

      • WaynedP says:
        3 Jun3 June 09:35

        Clearly, but 3pm to “later that evening” is an impressive turnaround time.

        Gives an idea of likelihood of same experience if I arrived at 8am for a test, all else being equal.

  • Tony says:
    3 Jun3 June 08:04

    I used their walk-in facility in the North terminal for my fit to fly test a few weeks ago. It was also very efficient and also quiet at the time I had my appointment.

    Only one thing I’d correct in your review is that they don’t guarantee a turn around time. In fact they advise taking the test not less than 48 hours before you need the result in case they need to retest the sample or due to some other delay.

  • Phillip says:
    3 Jun3 June 08:05

    I have been very impressed with ExpressTest at LHR! Exceptional customer service, very friendly, organised, speedy… can’t recommend them high enough. As mentioned above, I got all my test results back on the same day!

  • Andy says:
    3 Jun3 June 08:19

    Rhys

    Interested as to why you took the more expensive Fit to Fly than just the standard PCR test would be sufficient as evidence to enter Portugal?

    LHR drive through also very good

    • Rhys says:
      3 Jun3 June 09:18

      My trip was very last minute and I needed a test ASAP. This seemed the best, cheapest option.

  • Jane says:
    3 Jun3 June 08:19

    Very interesting to know how it all works, looks like there is one at Southampton which will be great for us if flights to USA are allowed by August. I am now wondering though about their capacity once travel takes off more widely. I see there are no gaps at Southampton this weekend or next Wednesday already so something to keep an eye on.

  • Tom says:
    3 Jun3 June 08:20

    I used ExpressTest at Croydon’s Centrale Shopping Centre last Thursday, for a flight to Portugal Saturday morning (and to be valid as pre-departure test on return to the UK on Sunday too). Cost £80.

    Tested at 10.30 Thursday and had the results back later the same day. Someone on my flight had used the same service but in the afternoon and had theirs back the next morning.

    So if you are pressed for time, I would say the earlier in the day the better.

  • WaynedP says:
    3 Jun3 June 08:24

    Will they allow you to take a test at Gatwick if your flight ticket is from Heathrow ?

    You’d think so in theory, but am not sure of any practical impediments.

    Gatwick closer and easier to drive to for me than Heathrow, but next flight is from Heathrow.

    • Colin MacKinnon says:
      3 Jun3 June 08:56

      Yes. Took a test at Edinburgh for a Manchester flight.
      Just put in the Ryanair Manchester flight number and got charged the passenger rate.
      There is a cheaper staff rate and a more expensive public non-traveller rate.

    • Jonathan says:
      3 Jun3 June 08:56

      Yes, can get tested anywhere. They’re only using airports as lots of big empty car parks with good transport links that they can presumably rent for pittance atm.

    • Rhys says:
      3 Jun3 June 09:19

      My flight was from Heathrow. I don’t think they care, as long as you have a flight.

    • WaynedP says:
      3 Jun3 June 09:36

      Thanks all, very helpful as always 🙂

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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