Cost of Covid PCR tests by country for international travellers

Please add to table and insert currency type

CountryType of testCost & CurrencySource
AustraliaPCRAUD $120 - $150 (incl GST)
PCR same day turn aroundAUD $300 (incl GST)
PCR + IgM (China requires PCR neg and blood IgM neg)AUD $180 - $210 (incl GST)
PCR home collectionAUD $300 (incl GST)
BaliPCR 24hr turnaroundIDR $495000 = USD$34
GermanyPCR 1 day (MUC)EUR €128post
Express turnaroundEUR €178
Lateral flowEUR €45
Hong KongPCRHKD $240post
New Zealand72hr turnaround (not guaranteed)NZD $260post
ExpressNZD $330
SingaporePCRSGD $160
ThailandPCR (HKT)AUD $120 - $130post
RapidAUD $29
UKPCR one test NHS (green country or fully CovidVax from amber country)GBP £68
PCR two test NHS (amber country not fully CovidVax)GBP £136
Lateral FlowGBP £12 - £25post
USAPCR unregulated pricingUSD $120-200
expedited results cost more
 
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4Cyte seem somewhat less expensive, table updated.

 
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In New Zealand I'm seeing NZ$250 in Auckland and Wellington for PCR standard (48 hour), or NZ$330~ for PCR express (24 hour)
 
In New Zealand I'm seeing NZ$250 in Auckland and Wellington for PCR standard (48 hour), or NZ$330~ for PCR express (24 hour)

I need to get a pre-departure test in New Zealand next week and that's what I'm seeing as well. I will end up paying $260, and I'll even need to drive my own swab to the pathology lab!

It's outrageously expensive for a standard PCR test.
 
I need to get a pre-departure test in New Zealand next week and that's what I'm seeing as well. I will end up paying $260, and I'll even need to drive my own swab to the pathology lab!

It's outrageously expensive for a standard PCR test.
Outrageously expensive and (at least the ones I've seen) don't even guarantee result in 48 hours, it's simply best effort.
 
What was the bulk price the Cwth was paying the pathology labs for covid testing? Around the AUD $45 mark?

I would imagine the plane/ carrier would make more money doing PCR tests on the plane than selling meals, toys and goods. Maybe in the lounge or gate area. Time for the airlines to work on some solid partnerships to stop the test rip-off.
 
For Singapore, the $160 fee is for testing on arrival and should be pre-paid in advance of arrival into Singapore. For pre-departure tests if you shop around, you can get these for less (or more) than $160, although many of the cheaper testing providers are in the "heartlands" and not necessarily areas frequented by tourists.

Some good information here:
 
I have confirmed my accusation, that PCR tests are overpriced and a new tax on travel, and implied to be inefficient so as to spread the pork among the labs. Certainly it will diminish spur of the moment weekend travel.

Here is a Thailand travel horror story: Tourists returning to Thailand struggle with new travel system

“Some horror stories are coming out of £7k hospital bills, insurance companies saying ‘You’re not sick so it’s not covered’. That is my nightmare.”

With respect to Thailand, 98% of the fully vaccinated tourists who return an asymptomatic positive test result, just need ordinary secure hotel like accommodation - most should not need hospital admission. I can well imagine some 'exploitation' until word of mouth gets around. People like me like certainty. It sounds to me these forced Thai 'insurance' policies are excluding bad luck cases.

Therefore it is important Australians traveling overseas be given the option of an early 3rd dose booster jab, because on those numbers, it is cost effective. The Australian government has not explained why there is rationing of Covid boosters, or what our stock situation is. We know it is safe, based on some Americans having 20 shots in rapid succession, just to score freebies and meals. I suspect the line is being held, just in case Qld or NT has a NSW like uncontrollable breakout event. Or it is planned (like Thailand) to say boosters needed for those who had say Sinovac. There was loose talk of importing 120K foreign workers to Australia- real fast.

I think the people that did the right thing, and had AZ shots, who have 5-12% less test protection, have earned the right to have an early booster after the 3 month mark. Age, Sex, BMI independent living, remote location - and underlying - are determinates..

Australia has not learnt the meat worker/Airport shuttle driver/Ruby Princess lesson - Covid does not respect central planning committees or arbitrary guidelines.
 
There's anecdotal accounts
Basically NSW health results are available via email - the only bit of information not in result certificate is passport number

Not sure what happens if passport number needs to be inserted - does it automatically generate a fee?
 
Source was OzBargains less that 11 hours ago.

If someone ever got aggressive, I suppose a 'Testing Bus' could be parked to collect the swabs after leaving T1, feeding drive by sample couriers. Or the train station platform at sydney airport, has space to allow sample collection. Anything to impose competition on greedy airports.
 
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