Our experience - testing requirements/air travel to U.S.

[ilovetotravel1977]

@spewey When put in an address, most are all saying 0 appointments for the ID test. It doesn't give me the option to proceed to a calendar Does mean I'd be SOL?

 

[Juventus]

@spewey When put in an address, most are all saying 0 appointments for the ID test. It doesn't give me the option to proceed to a calendar Does mean I'd be SOL?

I just checked too and there is like only one test slot available for the next 3 days in the area. I will throw in the towel on my August 15th trip if this is the case.

 

[Starwind]

I’m quite puzzled as everything I have looked up elsewhere has said that rapid tests do not satisfy the Canadian requirements (needs to be a full PCR). All this great info in this thread has proven otherwise

THis is the Government of Canada's website for information on COVID-19 tests for travelers coming into Canada. It includes information (dropdown list) about the accepted test types. https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/t...ovid-19-testing-travellers-coming-into-canada

 

[jump00]

Most reports say you get the Walgreens NAAT test results by email in a few hours (that's what happened with us). Whether or not you can time the test 72 hours out of course depends on your flight time, and available appointments (the latest seem to be 4:45PM).

My family's flight was at 2:40PM on a Monday; I booked them 4:45PM on the Friday before, which is about 70 hours out. Could have done the Saturday or Sunday, but why wait ...

Thanks!!!!

 

[ChrisParker]

What Walgreens is a good one to go to? It's hard to tell just from what's closest as the crow flies which one to book at.

This thread seriously has been the most useful thing in planning my vacation and has taken all the uncertainty out of the Covid parts of the planning. Thank you so much everyone who contributed!

 

[torontominnie]

We were actually coming through Denver with the connection and did not have the kids with us (but did have them last time.). We just got the test box and did them today (took about 3 hours to get through). We are both vaccinated. Regarding the ID at Walgreens for testing this was the first time we got asked to show any idea at all and we just showed our nexus cards and they seemed fine with that. Hope this helps!

 

[spewey]

Yes, if you go to the Walgreens site and after searching for locations no appointments show up that means they’re booked solid for those days. With the situation in Florida at the moment people are reporting that getting a Rapid ID test is very difficult.

There are other options - it seems times for PCR tests at the same Walgreens are easy enough to snag, but those are costly in comparison (well I suppose anything is costly compared to free). If we do end up going later this month we will not count on the Rapid ID being readily available, like it was for my wife in Tennessee.

Here’s hoping for a short Delta wave, and cases crashing after mid-month.

 

[canpower]

Has anyone considered or used the Test Clinic at MCO? I'd love to hear how it went.

"Covid-19 testing is available at Orlando International Airport, Monday-Friday from 7:30am-5:00pm and Saturday-Sunday from 7:30am-7:00pm. The AdventHealth clinic is located in the West Hall, opposite the security checkpoint for Gates 1-59 and offers both rapid RT-PCR testing and rapid-result antigen testing. The rapid RT-PCR test is subject to availability.

The SARS-CoV-2 assay uses real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology to rapidly (approximately 20 minutes) detect SARS-CoV-2 from nasal swabs. The rapid-result antigen tests detect proteins from the virus and are most accurate when performed within five to seven days of the onset of symptoms. This type of test includes a nasal swab and provides results in approximately 15 minutes.

Below are the costs for a COVID-19 test at the AdventHealth Centra Care Orlando International Airport testing site:
Rapid RT-PCR test: $175
Rapid antigen test: $65"

https://centracare.adventhealth.com/urgent-care/covid-19-testing-orlando-international-airport
We are considering doing just that since we are flying back domestically (to Seattle) at the end of August and driving back across the border. Seems less hassle since Magical Express gets us to the Airport early anyway...

 

[Chip#1]

Has anyone considered or used the Test Clinic at MCO? I'd love to hear how it went.

"Covid-19 testing is available at Orlando International Airport, Monday-Friday from 7:30am-5:00pm and Saturday-Sunday from 7:30am-7:00pm. The AdventHealth clinic is located in the West Hall, opposite the security checkpoint for Gates 1-59 and offers both rapid RT-PCR testing and rapid-result antigen testing. The rapid RT-PCR test is subject to availability.

The SARS-CoV-2 assay uses real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology to rapidly (approximately 20 minutes) detect SARS-CoV-2 from nasal swabs. The rapid-result antigen tests detect proteins from the virus and are most accurate when performed within five to seven days of the onset of symptoms. This type of test includes a nasal swab and provides results in approximately 15 minutes.

Below are the costs for a COVID-19 test at the AdventHealth Centra Care Orlando International Airport testing site:
Rapid RT-PCR test: $175
Rapid antigen test: $65"

https://centracare.adventhealth.com/urgent-care/covid-19-testing-orlando-international-airport
We are considering doing just that since we are flying back domestically (to Seattle) at the end of August and driving back across the border. Seems less hassle since Magical Express gets us to the Airport early anyway...

DO NOT USE THE AIRPORT TESTING!!! Right up in the first section that says 'The rapid RT-PCR test is subject to availability' is the key phrase. I got burned booking there -- they had no PCR tests and anyone flying that day that needed one was hooped. I had to reschedule my flight, beg a place to test me and book another hotel night. And I'm hearing I'm not the only one that has experienced this with MCO/AdventHealth. It's a horrible experience to go through and I learnt a hard lesson -- never EVER book testing day of flying. You would think if you booked in advance and picked PCR test that they would have the common sense to let ppl know when they didn't have the supply but apparently that's too much to ask.

 

[ChrisParker]

I am so thankful for this board because the people at the two pharmacies I called did not know what was up or what test I needed. I did manage to get an appointment for two days before we fly. If you are in London, it's the Shoppers on Colonel Talbot you need. There may be others but the one on Wonderland directed me there.

Appointments are booked for two days before we fly - we go at 10 on the 16th in the morning and we test on the 14th at 11 am. Does that sound reasonable?

 

[spewey]

I am so thankful for this board because the people at the two pharmacies I called did not know what was up or what test I needed. I did manage to get an appointment for two days before we fly. If you are in London, it's the Shoppers on Colonel Talbot you need. There may be others but the one on Wonderland directed me there.

Appointments are booked for two days before we fly - we go at 10 on the 16th in the morning and we test on the 14th at 11 am. Does that sound reasonable?

I assume this is the $40- Rapid Antigen test at Shoppers? If so you should have your results before you leave the store.

And, yes, the times you picked are very reasonable. Keep in mind the CDC allows for a test anytime in the three days prior to a flight, so technically as you fly out on the 16th you could test at any point on the 13th. So the 14th is just fine.

And remember to print and fill out the CDC attestation as well.

 

[ChrisParker]

I assume this is the $40- Rapid Antigen test at Shoppers? If so you should have your results before you leave the store.

And, yes, the times you picked are very reasonable. Keep in mind the CDC allows for a test anytime in the three days prior to a flight, so technically as you fly out on the 16th you could test at any point on the 13th. So the 14th is just fine.

And remember to print and fill out the CDC attestation as well.

Thank you!!

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

I assume this is the $40- Rapid Antigen test at Shoppers? If so you should have your results before you leave the store.

And, yes, the times you picked are very reasonable. Keep in mind the CDC allows for a test anytime in the three days prior to a flight, so technically as you fly out on the 16th you could test at any point on the 13th. So the 14th is just fine.

And remember to print and fill out the CDC attestation as well.

Thank you from me as well!
We fly out Aug 15th and just made our shoppers covid test appt on August 12 @5pm. They said results within 15 min so now I wonder if we’d be better off to go Aug 13th? But we can only all go in the late afternoon.
Would Aug 12th at 5pm be ok for an Aug 15th 9 am flight? Should be right?

 

[Sue M]

Was it difficult to download your Covid test to the ArriveCAN app? Thanks for the info.
will it be ok to do test 48 hrs ahead of time?

 

[spewey]

Thank you from me as well!
We fly out Aug 15th and just made our shoppers covid test appt on August 12 @5pm. They said results within 15 min so now I wonder if we’d be better off to go Aug 13th? But we can only all go in the late afternoon.
Would Aug 12th at 5pm be ok for an Aug 15th 9 am flight? Should be right?

For a flight to the US on the 15th you can test as early as any time on the 12th, as that's three days prior. So 5PM is just fine.

Was it difficult to download your Covid test to the ArriveCAN app? Thanks for the info.
will it be ok to do test 48 hrs ahead of time?

COVID tests are not downloaded to the ArriveCan app. You take the physical copy of the results as well as the printed CDC attestation with you to board a flight to the US. It is your proof of vaccination that is uploaded to the ArriveCan app for the flight home that proves (along with another neg test, of course) that you do not require the quarantine.

And, yes, 48 hours is fine.

 

[skondo10]

We flew from YYZ to MCO on August 1 and YYZ was so busy! We thought for sure we would miss our flight. Thankfully Air Canada delayed many flights headed out that morning due to the backlog. When we lined up to check our bags, we had to show our completed attestation form. The AC staff member signed it before we went to the kiosk to print our boarding passes and check out bags. Then we had to line up for security. When we got near the front of the line for security we had to hand in our attestation forms and also show the proof of our negative antigen test from Shoppers. It was important to keep all of our paperwork out and ready to show people. The line up for security was long but it was the customs line that took forever! Thankfully we made it to our plane! If you are leaving from YYZ, make sure you leave lots of time!
Does anyone know what time Walgreens opens the testing availability window? Can you book at 12:01am for the following third day? We aren't coming home until later in the month but I'm trying to plan our tests for the way home!

 

[Sue M]

For a flight to the US on the 15th you can test as early as any time on the 12th, as that's three days prior. So 5PM is just fine.



COVID tests are not downloaded to the ArriveCan app. You take the physical copy of the results as well as the printed CDC attestation with you to board a flight to the US. It is your proof of vaccination that is uploaded to the ArriveCan app for the flight home that proves (along with another neg test, of course) that you do not require the quarantine.

And, yes, 48 hours is fine.

Yes, I was referring to returning home. Already here so did the attestation form and copy of test to board flight to US. Is the test to return home downloaded to ArriveCAN?

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Yes, I was referring to returning home. Already here so did the attestation form and copy of test to board flight to US. Is the test to return home downloaded to ArriveCAN?

We haven’t left yet but based on link below, or how I understand it, you don’t upload the test results to the arriveCAN, you need to show either electronic or paper proof

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/t...-travellers-coming-into-canada#getting-tested
How is your trip going? i keep saying we are still going (all fully vaccinated) but torn at the same time. When are you booking your return tests for?

Hope you are enjoying your trip!

 

[KNovacovschi]

Thank you so much for this information. Extremely helpful for our September trip.

 

[Sue M]

We haven’t left yet but based on link below, or how I understand it, you don’t upload the test results to the arriveCAN, you need to show either electronic or paper proof

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/t...-travellers-coming-into-canada#getting-tested
How is your trip going? i keep saying we are still going (all fully vaccinated) but torn at the same time. When are you booking your return tests for?

Hope you are enjoying your trip!

We plan on doing the Walgreens test 2 days before departing in the morning of the 12th. We fly out early on the 14th