Covid Testing Availability At Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport, located in Horley, UK, is the second busiest airport in the country. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport offered testing facilities to control the spread of the virus while providing speedy transit services to passengers. Testing requirements depended on the traveller's origin country. Gatwick Airport partnered with ExpressTest to provide fast, private, and reliable COVID-19 tests. The airport also offered other testing providers, including Boots, Sussex Travel Clinic, and Bupa, located in the terminal buildings and the long-stay car park. As of July 2022, COVID testing has been scrapped for fully vaccinated passengers travelling through Gatwick Airport.

Gatwick Airport's Covid testing centre location and cost

Gatwick Airport, also known as London Gatwick, is located in Horley, UK, and is the second busiest airport in the country.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport offered testing facilities to help control the spread of the virus and provide speedy transit services for passengers.

Testing Facilities

Gatwick Airport has partnered with ExpressTest to provide the public with fast, private, and reliable COVID-19 tests. The ExpressTest centre is located at Perimeter Road South, RH6 0PQ. To get to the terminal, you can park your vehicle in the multi-story car park, and the terminal entrance will be on Level 3. The centre offers walk-through and drive-through testing.

The airport also has other testing providers, including:

• A centre located on Perimeter Road South (RH6 0PQ) offering Green Arrivals tests and Fit to Fly PCR swab tests.
• A walk-in centre located in the North Terminal Arrivals offering rapid antigen tests and PCR swab tests.
• The Hilton London Gatwick, which offers a Test and Rest Package, including an overnight stay and a PCR self-testing swab kit.
• The Sofitel London Gatwick, which offers a similar package.
• Boots, located in the South Terminals arrivals, offering private PCR COVID-19 swab tests.
• Collinson’s drive-through facility in the Airport Parking and Hotels car park, offering PCR, rapid antigen, and lamp tests.
• Sussex Travel clinic, offering instant COVID-19 tests and laboratory tests.
• Bupa, offering rapid antibody testing.

Testing Costs

Testing costs vary depending on the testing provider and the type of test. Here are some of the costs mentioned:

• ExpressTest: Lateral Flow Tests cost £35 per person, and PCR tests cost £99 for the general public and £69 for flight passengers.
• The centre located on Perimeter Road South charges £60 for a Fit to Fly PCR swab test.
• Sussex Travel Clinic offers instant COVID-19 tests for £79.

Covid testing requirements for travellers to and from the UK

Gatwick Airport, also known as London Gatwick, is located in Horley, UK, and is the second busiest airport in the UK. The airport offers COVID-19 testing facilities for travellers to and from the UK. Here is an overview of the COVID testing requirements for travellers:

Testing Requirements for Travellers to the UK:

As of 2024, there are no COVID-19 testing or quarantine requirements for travellers entering the UK. However, it is recommended that travellers who are currently infected with COVID-19 avoid travelling to reduce the spread of the virus. Travellers can purchase test kits in shops if they suspect they have COVID-19 during their stay in the UK.

Previously, travellers arriving in the UK were required to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 3 days of departure, regardless of their vaccination status. This requirement excluded travellers from the Common Travel Area, which includes Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands.

Testing Requirements for Travellers from the UK:

Gatwick Airport offers COVID-19 testing facilities for travellers departing from the UK. The testing requirements depend on the destination country's entry requirements. ExpressTest, a UK Government-approved testing facility, offers walk-through, drive-through, and pre-travel testing for PCR and lateral flow tests.

Previously, travellers from the UK were required to take COVID-19 tests before returning to the country. These tests could be booked in advance through the ExpressTest centre at Gatwick Airport.

Other Testing Providers at Gatwick Airport:

In addition to ExpressTest, there are several other COVID-19 testing providers at Gatwick Airport, including:

• A centre located on Perimeter Road South offering Green Arrivals tests and Fit-to-Fly PCR swab tests.
• A walk-in centre located in the North Terminal Arrivals offering rapid antigen tests and PCR swab tests.
• The Hilton London Gatwick and the Sofitel London Gatwick, which offer a Test and Rest Package that includes an overnight stay and a PCR self-testing swab kit.
• Boots, located in the South Terminal Arrivals, offering private PCR COVID-19 swab tests.
• Collinson's drive-through facility in the Airport Parking and Hotels car park, offering PCR, rapid antigen, and lamp tests.
• Sussex Travel Clinic, offering instant COVID-19 tests and laboratory tests.

Covid testing for NHS staff and key workers

NHS Test and Trace provides COVID-19 testing for key workers, which includes NHS and social care workers, in England. Key workers are those who are essential to the UK's COVID-19 response, national infrastructure, and those working in critical sectors.

Testing for NHS Staff

NHS staff are eligible for COVID-19 testing if they are symptomatic, asymptomatic, or have been exposed to the virus. Testing is available through:

• NHS hospitals
• Regional testing sites
• Mobile testing units
• Satellite testing units
• Care home testing units
• Community testing units

Testing for Key Workers

Key workers are eligible for testing if they are symptomatic or have been exposed to the virus. They can get tested at:

• Regional testing sites
• Mobile testing units
• Satellite testing units
• Community testing units

Types of Tests

The type of test available to NHS staff and key workers depends on their role and individual circumstances. The tests include:

• PCR tests
• Lateral flow tests
• Antibody tests

Gatwick Airport COVID-19 Testing

Gatwick Airport in London, UK, offers COVID-19 testing for travellers and locals. The airport operates as an ExpressTest centre, providing walk-through, drive-through, and pre-travel testing for PCR and lateral flow tests. Testing is available for both NHS staff and the general public. Results are typically available within 24 to 48 hours, and the tests cost £99 per person for the general public and £69 per person for flight passengers. It is recommended to book appointments in advance to avoid delays.

Covid testing for passengers arriving in the UK

Gatwick Airport, also known as London Gatwick, is located in Horley, UK. It is the second busiest airport in the UK.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gatwick Airport implemented various measures to facilitate testing for its passengers and the general public. Here is an overview of the COVID testing procedures for passengers arriving in the UK at Gatwick Airport:

Testing Facilities:

Gatwick Airport partnered with ExpressTest, a government-approved testing facility, to provide COVID-19 testing services. The ExpressTest facility offered walk-through, drive-through, and pre-travel testing for both PCR and lateral flow tests. The testing centre was located at the Perimeter Road South, with a specific postcode of RH6 0PQ.

Testing Requirements:

The testing requirements for arriving passengers depended on the country they were coming from, as categorized by the UK's travel list (green, amber, or red list).

• Green List Country: Passengers arriving from a green list country were required to provide a negative COVID test taken within three days of departure. They also needed to take another test on day two of their arrival and were not required to self-isolate.
• Amber List Country: Travellers from amber list countries had to provide a negative pre-departure test and quarantine for ten days upon arrival in the UK. They also needed to take a COVID-19 test on day 8 of their quarantine.
• Red List Country: Visitors from red list countries could only enter the UK if they were British or Irish nationals or residents. They were mandated to isolate for ten days and take tests before the second day and after the eighth day of quarantine.

Other Testing Providers:

In addition to ExpressTest, Gatwick Airport offered other COVID testing providers, including:

• A testing centre on Perimeter Road South (RH6 0PQ) for Green Arrivals tests or Fit-to-Fly PCR swab tests.
• A walk-in centre in the North Terminal Arrivals offering rapid antigen tests or PCR swab tests.
• The Hilton London Gatwick and Sofitel London Gatwick hotels, which provided overnight stay packages with PCR self-testing swab kits.
• Boots in the South Terminal Arrivals, offering private PCR COVID-19 swab tests.
• Collinson's drive-through facility in the Airport Parking and Hotels car park for PCR, rapid antigen, or lamp tests.
• Sussex Travel Clinic, offering instant COVID-19 tests and laboratory tests.

Testing Costs and Results:

The costs for COVID tests varied depending on the type of test and the method (walk-through or drive-through). Lateral flow tests at the ExpressTest walk-through facility were priced at £35 per person, with results available in approximately 20 minutes via email. PCR tests at the same facility cost £99 for the general public and £69 for flight passengers. PCR test results were typically provided by 10 pm the following day but could take up to 48 hours.

As of July 2022, COVID testing requirements for fully vaccinated passengers travelling to the UK were scrapped, meaning they no longer needed to take any tests or self-isolate upon arrival.

Covid testing for passengers travelling to destinations requiring a negative test

Gatwick Airport has a Covid-19 testing facility that offers "fast and accurate" PCR swab tests with next-day results. The facility is located in the South Terminal long-stay car park and is run by ExpressTest, a division of screening and healthcare services provider Cignpost Diagnostics. The testing site is open to both passengers and airport employees, who are charged £60 for the test, while the general public pays £99.

The service is designed to help passengers travelling to destinations that require a recent negative Covid-19 test. It can also be used by passengers arriving in the UK to reduce self-isolation periods, depending on the government's policy at the time of arrival.

Gatwick Airport recommends that travellers find out the entry requirements of their destination country before their trip and plan accordingly so that they have received all their results by the time they travel.

Testing requirements depend on where passengers are coming from. For instance, as of August 2021, those arriving from a country on the UK's green list were not required to self-isolate but needed to provide a negative Covid test taken within three days of departure and take another test on day two of their arrival. On the other hand, passengers arriving from amber list countries were required to provide a negative pre-departure test and quarantine for ten days upon arrival in the UK, with additional testing on days 2 and 8 of quarantine.

Gatwick Airport offers both walk-through and drive-through testing options. The walk-through Covid testing facility is open from 8 am to 9 pm and offers both PCR and rapid lateral flow tests. The drive-through testing site is open between 7 am and 10 pm.

Tests must be booked in advance, and travellers are advised to factor in enough time for testing, as it takes place after passing through security and immigration.

Frequently asked questions