Tossa

Hi QFFer's,

Flying internationally on Dec 27 to Sweden from Melbourne (MEL). I see that you can get a PCR test at Melbourne Airport but am concerned about possible queues and delays given constantly changing government rules and the rapid tick up in cases at the moment?

Does anyone have any recommendation of where to get a same day PCR test for results on day of departure?

Any advice welcome especially from recent experience.

Cheers and Merry Christmas to you all !!!

Mwenenzi

QF flight?
What time is your flight?

https://www.histopath.com.au/
https://www.histopath.com.au/locations/airport
https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/...ic-Specialists
And
https://consumer.healius.com.au/
About 3 weeks ago I did a PCR test at Dorevitch Pathology at ~14:00. Results emailed 22:50 that same day. This was the "normal" test. Not the same day service.

Note "same day PCR test for results on day of departure" is not the same as "24hrs"

Dr Google may show others

Freespirit1

You can book and pay online with Histopath entering your Passport and flight details. I am returning to Auckland and did it last night, it's a bit elusive but once you have the voucher add a further 90 minutes to your checkin and a good price $79

SHAAKQ

Your best and safest option is if ur flight is in evening then go to airport in morning and get it done and then return for flight according to flight schedule

Mwenenzi

Tossa has left the country !
Would be interesting to know what happened. And what time/airline to get an idea of issues with testing

Freespirit1

Add to that trying to get a test in NSW, there are wait times of 7 hours reported as the people needing a test to go interstate or are a close contact are clogging up the system
If Histopath can offer a 90 minute PCR test for departing travellers ALL departing passengers should be encouraged to use this from any company AND be made available for the Day 1 test

Freespirit1

Yes, I am interested. The Airport testing clinics changed to only accept prepaid, it takes a moment to find that link, International departing customers.
It now says on day of travel. I travel tomorrow, have filled in the form and paid, $79 great price, and am waiting on an Uber to take me to the Airport.
For anyone interested I will keep you updated.

Tossa

Thanks for all of the advice !

Went to the Airport testing clinic at 7am on the day of departure then returned in the evening for the flight. I think this was a smart move as there was only ~ 10 people in the queue and quickly in and out. Got an SMS with the negative test result in under 1 hour and picked up the printed negative Covid test before checking in the flight in the evening.

In the evening the queue for testing and for picking up the printed results was very large. My advice is to arrive 5 to 6 hours before your flight if you chose this option. They are now only testing for international passengers and not domestic due to the excessive demand.

DownUnderFlyer

[mod hat] I have changed the title and we will use this thread for testing requirements, tips and tricks before taking your QF flight or after arriving from one. [/mod hat]

BD1959

Interesting - so if you have a domestic connection to an international departure where are you supposed to undertake same-day testing?

07:45 departure from MEL with a 1:50 transit at SYD ...

Histopath Melbourne opens 6am ... would they recognize my flight ex SYD as International and allow me to book at MEL? Would it matter if my results were not available prior to departing MEL - could I pick up a printed version in SYD?

I'm actually thinking of changing my flight to go up the previous night and stay in SYD - throughts?

Regards,

BD

Mwenenzi

Phone and ask them
Keeping the topic to QF--->
https://www.qantas.com/us/en/coronav...uirements.html
https://www.qantas.com/us/en/coronav...locations.html
Hisopath are ~half the cost of the others. But QF have $20 discount codes for some others

M.Wilson

My experience was yes to this - testing in MEL for an international flight departing SYD - but it was before the rules were changed to day of departure tests only.

I tested on 2 December 2021 and flew MEL-SYD-SFO-YYZ on 4 December. As others have done, I went to the airport specifically to do the PCR test, the price had dropped to $79 that week. My test results were finalized in less than and hour and I received an email with .pdf's to save/ print. The airlines will want to see a printed copy of the negative PCR test.

At check-in with QF in MEL, they checked the proof of vaxx and negative covid test then tagged my bags a through to final destination and issued my SYD-SFO boarding pass (on UA). Once in SYD, UA required to see the proof vaxx and negative covid test paperwork again anyways.

If you fly up to SYD the night before, it would make sense to test in SYD. If all outbound travel is on the same day, it would be illogical for you to be refused in a test at Melbourne airport as you wouldn't have the time to test and transit in SYD.

Overall, my experience was it has been left up to the airlines to police any and all covid related documents required to fly. Landing in both the USA and Canada, immigration agents did not ask for my proof of negative PCR test.

Good luck!

serfty

In MEL - you cannot check in for the domestic connection in the same booking without it.

serfty

There has been some poor communication from Histopath.

The tests can be done within 24 hours of departure, even if day before. I have had this clarified.

So, for example, a test can be done at the airport in the afternoon before a next day 10am departure.

FlossieFlyer

Has anyone been able to get an Express PCR test at Sydney Airport then going on a domestic flight to connect to an international flight sine the Christmas kerfuffle?
All 1 ticket - SYD-DRW-DIL on QF

Thanks
Flossie