Travel: Traveling soon? Here’s where you can quickly get a COVID-19 PCR test for travel

© Provided by The Points Guy

Editor’s note: This post has been updated with more recent information.

Testing is much more accessible now than it was earlier on in the pandemic.

As more people are vaccinated against COVID-19, some countries have dropped testing requirements for fully vaccinated travelers. But depending on where you want to go — and as the highly transmissible delta variant spreads — a negative COVID-19 test result might be required, particularly if you’re not vaccinated or are traveling with unvaccinated children.

Oahu adds additional requirements to ding out: Everything you need to know about visiting Hawaii now

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Hawaii is again adding restrictions after desperate pleas from both state and local officials, who are intensifying calls for visitors to reconsider travel to Hawaii to combat the highly transmissible delta variant of the coronavirus. While they are adding new caps and anti-coronavirus …Hawaii is again adding restrictions after desperate pleas from both state and local officials, who are intensifying calls for visitors to reconsider travel to Hawaii to combat the highly transmissible delta variant of the coronavirus.

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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 amount of time — usually 72 hours — before departure. Many facilities can provide results between 48 and 72 hours, but that isn’t always true. 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 Vaccinated Travelers Need to Know About Coronavirus Testing

According to medical experts.

What type of COVID-19 test do you need?

© The Points Guy COVID testing at Porto Airport (Photo by Chris Dong/The Points Guy)

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.

What you’ll usually need for travel is a PCR test (polymerase chain reaction). 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.

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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 countries 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.

Some rapid PCR testing options include:

• COVIDCheck in San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Denver. Results in 1 to 8 hours for RT-PCR tests. $149 convenience fee for RT-PCR with insurance ($199 without insurance)
• Complete Health Partners in Nashville, Tennessee. Results in 30 to 45 minutes. Cost: $250, not billed to insurance.
• Urgent Medical Care and MRI in Jersey City, New Jersey. Results in an hour or less only for travelers who need documentation. Cost: $250 out of pocket, not billed to insurance.
• Elite Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Results in 24 hours. Cost: $299 with $49 off if using the promo code “Welcome Back Vegas.”
• Medical Offices of Manhattan in New York City, New York. Same-day results. Cost: $225 for the test, which doesn’t include doctor consultation.
• Frontage Laboratory in Exton, Pennsylvania (35 minutes from Philadelphia). Offers COVID-19 tests for travelers with same-day turnaround time. Cost: $200 for an RT-PCR test.
• WeTestU in San Diego, California. Offers mobile RT-PCR testing for travel. Cost: $199 for 2-3 day turnaround, $249 for 24-hour turnaround, $349 for same day, immediate results
• Saguaro Bloom in Scottsdale, Arizona. Offers same-day RT-PCR testing. Cost: $279, results back the same day.
• Venistat Mobile Labs in New York, New York. Offers RT-PCR test results in less than 24 hours; most results come back between 6 to 10 hours. Cost: $115 when using insurance, $190 without 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: $299 for next-day results.
• 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 (but you can file a claim with your insurance for reimbursement).

COVID-19 testing at drugstores

© The Points Guy Entry to Walgreens drug store (Photo by Don & Melinda Crawford/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

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

5 things to know about at-home COVID-19 tests for travel

Did you know that you can take a COVID-19 test from the comfort of your home or hotel room? Getting a COVID-19 test for travel has become easier and more common in recent months after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said airlines could accept at-home tests that included remote supervision. Airlines …Getting a COVID-19 test for travel has become easier and more common in recent months after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said airlines could accept at-home tests that included remote supervision.

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
• Walgreens: Turnaround time is based on when the sample arrives at the laboratory
• Rite Aid: Turnaround time is between two to five days

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

COVID-19 testing for children

© The Points Guy (Featured image by narvikk/Getty Images) (Featured image by narvikk/Getty Images)

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.

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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 old and up, 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, which may make it far less stressful to travel. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has officially been approved for use in kids ages 5-11 by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are only available to people 18 and older at this time.

Take-home COVID-19 tests

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (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 U.S. Food and Drug Administration). The test must also have a telehealth service that provides real-time supervision.

Abbott’s BinaxNOW COVID-19 Home Test is CDC-approved for travel to the U.S. Each test comes with two tests per box, and the company says to swab yourself twice within three days, with at least 36 hours between. There’s a second Abbott rapid test that you can buy at the drugstore, but it isn’t proctored and can’t be used for travel. Another at-home test, Amazon’s COVID-19 Test Collection Kit DTC, has received EUA from the FDA.

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Mail-in COVID-19 testing options

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.

Some 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. Cost: $109
• 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. 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. Cost: $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. Cost: $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 in New York City, Tampa and Van Nuys, California. Cost: Starts at $127.95

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.

Soon open to fully vaccinated Americans: Everything you need to know about traveling to the UK

On Wednesday afternoon, England made the announcement that many had been waiting on for months. As of Aug. 2 at 4 a.m., fully vaccinated Americans and EU travelers will no longer have to quarantine for 10 days on arrival in England when they are traveling from an “amber” country under the U.K.’s traffic light system. …In other words, England will be open again to American and EU tourists who are fully vaccinated.

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

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

© The Points Guy (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

A growing number of 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 non-residents.
• 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 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, as well as 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. Insurance is not accepted.

Hotels offering COVID-19 tests

© The Points Guy Baha Mar Cabana pool Baha Mar Hotel in the Bahamas. (Photo by Nick Ellis/The Points Guy)

Pre-travel testing is becoming more common at hotels as dozens of hotels and resorts now provide on-site testing.

Some current hotel COVID-19 testing options available worldwide include:

• Carlton Hotel Dublin Airport: “Test, Rest and Fly” package consists of an overnight stay, breakfast and one PCR test with results in 24 to 36 hours. The package starts at $295.
• Sofitel London Heathrow and London Gatwick: The hotels have a “Test and Rest” program, a package that includes a room and a PCR test. Test results can be returned overnight.
• The Baha Mar hotel complex in the Bahamas offers a complimentary rapid antigen test upon arrival and departure.

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

COVID-19 testing is required to enter the U.S.

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

Vaccinated passengers are required to get a viral test within three days of departure. 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.

However, the White House has tightened the rule even further, now requiring unvaccinated travelers to show a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than one day before departure. This significantly shrinks the time window for testing and means unvaccinated travelers will need to arrange for COVID-19 tests sooner than vaccinated travelers.

If you get a negative test, travel and return within three days, the test taken before departing the U.S. is accepted.

Related: What you need to know about getting COVID-19 tested for US-bound international flights

People who aren’t vaccinated face extra testing and hurdles

As the delta variant continues to spread in the U.S., more cities are following Europe’s footsteps and testing out proof of vaccination mandates for certain activities. Some spots in L.A. 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 12 and older. Unvaccinated New Yorkers can no longer participate in many indoor activities — including indoor dining, indoor fitness and indoor entertainment. And now that one COVID-19 vaccine is FDA approved, some nationwide businesses are mandating vaccines — and even penalizing employees who don’t get it.

As we’ve reported, United Airlines requires that employees be vaccinated. Delta Air Lines has no mandate but has higher health care costs for unvaccinated employees. Southwest abandoned a plan to put unvaccinated workers with pending exemptions on unpaid leave. American appears to be encouraging unvaccinated employees to apply for exemptions.

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 being 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

© The Points Guy (Photo by Summer Hull/The Points Guy)

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

Cost: Free

Appointment required: Walk-up and drive-thru testing available, all sites 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

Hours: Varies by location

Cost: Accepts most insurance, no copay for virtual visits

Appointment required: No

Turnaround time: Three to five days

Peachtree Immediate Care

Various locations throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area

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

Various locations throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area

Hours: Varies by location

Cost: No out of pocket cost with insurance

Appointment required: No

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 rapid PCR test, 48 hours 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

Hours: Varies by location

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.

Appointment required: Yes

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: 3-hour results are $699, 5-hour results are $450, same-day results are $199 and next-day results are $129.

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: See above

Color

Embarcadero site at Piers 30/32, Bryant and Embarcadero

Hours: Varies by location

Cost: Free

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: One to three days

Alameda Health Systems

Various locations throughout Alameda County

Hours: Varies by location

Cost: Covered by insurance

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: Two to three days

County of Santa Clara

Various locations throughout Santa Clara County

Hours: Varies by location

Cost: No upfront cost

Appointment required: Yes

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

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: See above

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

Appointment required: Yes

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

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: Varies

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

BetterMed Urgent Care – Charlotte

Various locations throughout Charlotte

Hours: Varies by location

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.

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: Three to five days

Carolina Pharmacy

Various locations throughout Charlotte, North Carolina and Lancaster and Rock Hill, South Carolina

Hours: Varies by location

Cost: Rapid antigen is $89, 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.

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: One to three days

StarMed Healthcare

Various locations throughout Charlotte

Hours: Varies by location

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.

Appointment required: No

Turnaround time: One to three days

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.

Appointment required: No

Turnaround time: 3-5 days

Howard Brown Health

Various locations throughout Chicago

Hours: Varies by location

Cost: Free

Appointment required: No

Turnaround time: Three to seven days

Innovative Care

1111 W. Diversey Parkway, Chicago, Illinois

Hours: Open seven 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

Appointment required: Yes

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

Appointment required: No

Turnaround time: 24 to 48 hours

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

WellNow Urgent Care

Various locations throughout Cleveland

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 $150 plus the cost of the base visit and any other necessary services.

Appointment required: No

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 accepted

Appointment required: Appointments encouraged, with walk-ins available each day

Turnaround time: One to two days

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

WellNow Urgent Care

Various locations throughout Columbus

Hours: Open seven days a week, hours vary by location

Cost: Most insurance accepted, or patients can self-pay $150 plus the cost of the base visit and any other necessary services.

Appointment required: No

Turnaround time: Results available same or next day. Check testing times to receive same-day PCR results.

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

Cost: Covered by insurance

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

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: 6 to 48 hours, depending on the test

DevLab Bio

4100 Fairway Drive, Suite 410, Carrollton, Texas

Hours: Open Monday to Saturday; see website for details

Cost: Covered by insurance, except for travel requests

Appointment required: Yes

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 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

Hours: Varies by location

Cost: Most major insurance covered

Appointment required: No

Turnaround time: Three to five days

Advanced Urgent Care

Various locations throughout Denver

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

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: Same-day for a rapid PCR test, three to seven days for other tests

Premier Diagnostics

Various locations throughout Denver

Hours: See site for details

Cost: Covered by insurance, the cost of the RT-PCR test is $125 if not covered

Appointment required: No

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.

Cost: No out-of-pocket cost with insurance

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: Two to three days

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

Curative

Various locations throughout Houston

Hours: See website for more information

Cost: No out-of-pocket cost when billed to your health plan or the government

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: One to two days

Any Test Now

Various locations throughout Houston

Hours: See website for details

Cost: $199

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: Two to three days

Memorial Village ER

14520 Memorial Dr. Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.‬ every day

Cost: $150 or insurance is accepted

Appointment required: No

Turnaround: Two to three days

Rapid COVID Clinic

Various locations throughout Houston

Hours: Varies by location

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

Pharmatech

546 N Eastern Ave Suite 130, Las Vegas, Nevada

Hours: See website for more information

Cost: $120

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: One to two days

Cuur Diagnostics

3450 S. Maryland Pkwy Las Vegas, Nevada

Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cost: $125

Appointment required: No

Turnaround time: One to two days

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., 7 days a week. Location hours may vary.

Cost: Free 1 to 2 day PCR available for the insured and uninsured (conditions apply). $299 for rapid 1-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

Hours: See website for more information

Appointment required: Yes

Cost: $195 for 24- to 36-hour turnaround, $175 for 1-hour turnaround (not covered by insurance)

Turnaround time: Depends on the level of service booked

Curative

Various locations throughout Los Angeles

Hours: See website for more information

Cost: No out of pocket cost when billed to your health plan or the government

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: One to two days

OnSite Safe

6411 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, California

Hours: Monday-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, 7 days a week

Cost: Partial coverage

Appointment required: Yes, for drive-up and in-home service

Turnaround time: Depends on service booked

Lab Doctor

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

Appointment required: No

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. 4 to 6 hour expedited results, $450.

Appointment required: No, but appointments can be scheduled at covidFLL.com

Turnaround time: Same-day, next-day and 4 to 6 hours. Tests for same-day results must be administered before 11 a.m.

Miami-Dade County testing sites

Various locations throughout Miami-Dade County

Hours: Varies by location

Cost: Free

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: Two to three days

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

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: Depends on the test booked

LabDX

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

CVS

3655 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: By appointment

Cost: No out-of-pocket cost with insurance

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: Two to three days

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.

Carecube

Various locations in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx

Hours: Varies by location

Cost: Accepts insurance or costs between $175 and $400

Appointment required: No

Turnaround time: Results in four to six hours

CityMD

Various locations across New York City and the boroughs

Hours: Varies by location

Cost: CityMD is not collecting copayments for COVID-19 related visits

Appointment required: No

Turnaround time: Five to seven days

OnSite Safe

Location in Chelsea with home or office visits for groups of five people or more

Hours: Monday to Saturday; see website for specifics

Costs: $184

Appointment Required: No

Turnaround time: Two days, next-day available with expedited processing for an extra cost

In-home COVID-19 testing programs include:

Zeel

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

Hours: Varies by location

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

Appointment required: No

Turnaround time: Same or the next day. Tests for same-day results must be taken before noon.

Paramount Urgent Care

Various locations throughout Orlando

Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Cost: Free for self-pay and insured patients, excluding Medicaid

Appointment required: No

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: $0 out-of-pocket PCR test, $75 rapid antigen test (self-pay only) | $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

Hours: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday to Sunday: 8 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: No charge for PCR tests with insurance

Appointment required: Yes, and telemedicine visit

Turnaround time: One to three days

RapiCare

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

Curative

Various locations throughout Pittsburgh

Hours: See website for more information

Cost: No out-of-pocket cost when billed to your health plan or the government

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: One to two days

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

Zoom+Care

Various locations throughout

Hours: Depends on location

Cost: Covered by insurance or lab fee of $100, as well as the cost of a virtual visit

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: Three to five days

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

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: 90% of tests returned within 48 hours

Premier Diagnostics

Various locations throughout Salt Lake City

Hours: See site for details

Cost: Covered by insurance or $125 for RT-PCR test

Appointment required: No

Turnaround time: Within 48 hours

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

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

Discovery Health MD

Two locations: DoubleTree Suites Southcenter and Seattle Airport

Hours: See site for details

Cost: $176 for next-day RT-PCR test, $349 for one-hour RT-PCR test

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: Same or next day, depending on what you booked

Seattle testing locations

Various locations throughout Seattle

Hours: Varies by location

Cost: Free

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: Two to three days

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

Appointment required: Yes

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

Appointment required: Yes

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

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: Three to five days, faster for 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

Appointment required: Yes

Turnaround time: See above

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.

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 yet available across the country.

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.

Featured photo by Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images