COVID-19 Travel Testing London

Our tests are taken by a healthcare professional, however in some cases, you can perform a clinic-guided self-swab where applicable. PCR tests require a swab to be taken from the back of your throat and/or nose. Lateral flow tests require a swab from the nose. The testing procedure can be a little uncomfortable but should not hurt. 

Different airlines and countries have different requirements regarding when a test must be taken.  Many require a negative PCR test to have been carried out no more than 72 hours before a flight, but please check the government's foreign travel advice for your destination to establish their exact requirements. We have clinics across London offering same day and next day results. 

Please be aware that a very small proportion of PCR tests will return an inconclusive result and will require retesting, which we would arrange free of charge.  We do therefore advise you take your test as soon as permitted for your trip.  For instance, if you require a test taken not longer than 72 hours before your flight at 1pm on 10th May, the optimal time to take your test would be at approximately 2pm on 7th May.  

Many countries require a PCR test. We offer PCR tests with both same day and next day results. This is the gold standard of Covid-19 testing. Some countries will accept antigen (lateral flow) tests, but please check the requirements for your destination country as it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct test. DocTap cannot be held liable if you book the incorrect test.

No. We are only able to offer tests for patient who do not have symptoms of Covid-19. You will be asked to confirm this on booking.

When attending your appointment, please bring your booking reference number (in your confirmation email) and official, government-issue photo identification. Your ID needs to match the name that the booking is under.

Please Note: Under 16 year olds must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Both the minor and legal guardian must show a valid ID. 

PCR is the PHE approved, gold standard Covid-19 test.  This is a SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) reverse transcriptase real-time PCR swab. Whilst we are not aware of any countries not accepting our tests for border entry, please always check your exact requirements before booking.

A PCR is the gold standard test to determine whether you currently have Covid-19.  This is the test which most countries require for entry purposes.

An antigen test, also called a lateral flow test is also used to check for current infection.  This has the advantage of being quicker and cheaper than a PCR test, but can be less accurate at lower viral loads.

An antibody test looks to see whether you have had the virus in the past. Antibodies are believed to confer a degree of immunity to the re-infection by the virus.  

If you require your test for travel purposes, please check the latest requirements for your destination country before booking.

Please see the latest goverment travel advice and testing requirements for your destination country here.

DocTap have selected the Orient Gene Covid-19 antigen (lateral flow) test.  This is available from £24 and is a UK Public Health England (UKHSA) approved antigen test with a sensitivity of 97.3% and a specificity of 100% compared with PCR. Many countries accept antigen tests as a condition for entry, and they are significantly cheaper and quicker than PCR.  However, many places still stipulate PCR so check the requirements for your country before booking a fit to fly certificate.

A healthcare professional will take a swab from your nose and carry out the test. You will receive your results and doctor's certificate by email within 1 hour.

Our experienced healthcare professionals can carry out Covid-19 tests on young children. In some instances, the child may feel more comfortable if their parent performs the test. In this case, our healthcare professionals will be able to assist and guide the parent to take a swab from the child.

No. Given the critical importance of fast results and correct swab technique we do not entrust your test sample to the postal system.  All samples are taken in one of our 10+ London locations.  We then have our team of in house couriers who collect them to take to the laboratory. In this way we are confident we can offer the highest level of accuracy and reliability for your Covid test.

Different tests have different turnaround times.  These are explained at the time that you book your Covid-19 test.  You will receive your results and doctor's letter by email within the specified timeframe.  They will also be available to download from your DocTap portal at the same time.  We currently offer the following options for results:

• PCR - Same day (by midnight)
• PCR - Next day by 5pm
• Antigen fit to fly - 1 hour
• Antibody (Instant) - 3 hours
• Antibody (laboratory) - 1-2 days

Unfortunately we are unable to speed up your results once you have taken your test.  Therefore, if you need faster results, please change your appointment type to a faster service before taking the test. You can do this in your DocTap account portal.

You will receive your doctor's letter as soon as your results are ready. This will include:

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Address
• Passport / ID
• The test type. For PCR this will be: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RT-PCR Test
• The date and time that the swab sample was collected
• Confirmation that the swab was taken by a healthcare professional
• The result and date
• Confirmation from a doctor of your Covid test result and any appropriate actions to take.
• Doctor's signature and GMC number
• DocTap contract details and logo

For PCR tests you will also receive a separate results certificate produced by the laboratory themselves. This includes:

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Passport / ID (if provided and VAT is paid on booking)
• Test type & methodology
• Sample reference
• Sample collected date
• Reported date
• Results
• Details of the laboratory

After taking your test you will receive an email explaining all the notifications you will receive as your test sample moves through the testing process, together with when can expect to receive them.  These vary a little depending on the exact test and location booked, but they are typically:

• Your test is collected by our courier to take to the laboratory
• The lab start testing your sample
• Your results are ready

If you have not received a notification by the advised time then please do let us know and we shall look into it immediately.  If the notification is not yet due then please don't contact us as it will almost certainly still be being processed and we are unable to check up on tests until they are due.

No, you will still get your results in exacly the same timeframe, regardless of which day of the week  you have your test. Our laboratories and support team operate 7 days per week, including bank holidays.

Yes. Many countries require your passport number to be present on your test results certificate. You will be invited to enter your passport number or ID number on booking.  Alternatively, you can enter it at any time in your DocTap portal. It will then be shown on your test results certificate.

Once you have taken your test we are unable to speed up your results. We have integrated with our laboratory partners to ensure that you will automatically receive your results and doctor's certificate as soon as they are released by the laboratory.  If you have not yet taken your test, you can always change to a faster test if required. To change your test please log into your DocTap acccount.

To ensure the fastest possible turnaround, your results and doctor's certificate will be emailed to you.  Our doctor's letters are on a DocTap headed document and include the signature and GMC number of our medical director. We have had very few requests for paper copies or stamps.

Should you require one of these then we can arrange it to be stamped or signed at one of our London clinics at no extra charge. If you require this please let us know once you have received your results.  Please allow an additional 24 hours to arrange printing and signing of your certificate.  We only have a limited number of London locations where you can collect a certificate from.  We will be able to advise you on your options depending on the day your results are available.

No. We are only able to issue doctor's certificates for tests which have been booked with DocTap. If you are in a hurry you can book a same day or 3 hour PCR test here and you will get a doctor's letter along with your results.

We are pleased to have the widest range and best priced Covid-19 tests of any London clinic.  Please visit the booking page for a full list of tests, prices and availability.  Some of our most popular tests are:

• PCR Test (same day results if taken by 1:30pm) - £64
• Antigen Test - from £24
• Antibody Test - from £49 (+GP consultation fee)

All tests are booked online here. Simply select Covid-19 Coronavirus Test / Fit to Fly.  Then choose the type of test which you require and it will show you all the clinic locations and times you can book. PCR tests cost from £49 and lateral flow tests from £24. 

Should you require multiple tests for your trip then please book them all individually.  

Our tests are carried out at one of our London clinics, staffed by healthcare professionals.  To select a location, simply visit the booking page and select Covid-19 Coronavirus Test / Fit to Fly.  Choose the type of test which you require and it will show you all the available clinic locations and times.

We charge extra for changing the appointment date/time/location as our prices vary depending on peak times. We can refund in full so long as you have not yet taken the test, but unable to make changes or refunds after you have taken the test. To change or cancel your test please log into your DocTap account. 

Simply book a test for the first member of your party.  Then repeat the process for another test, but on the payment screen enter the details of the second person.  Repeat for any other members of your party.

If you have accidentally booked multiple tests for the same person then don't worry, you will receive an automated email checking that this is what you wanted.  To make a change simply reply to the email with the second person's details. Please ensure we have the correct details before you take your test.