Martin Lewis urges holidaymakers to shop around for Covid tests to get cheapest price
MARTIN Lewis has urged holidaymakers to save money by shopping around for covid tests and comparing prices before they travel abroad. Brits heading on holiday must take a coronavirus test to enter some countries, including popular summer spot Portugal, and when they return to the UK. ???? Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest updates Mr Lewis, […]
MARTIN Lewis has urged holidaymakers to save money by shopping around for covid tests and comparing prices before they travel abroad.
Brits heading on holiday must take a coronavirus test to enter some countries, including popular summer spot Portugal, and when they return to the UK.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest updates
Mr Lewis, who founded the Money Saving Expert website, said: “Don’t think tests are a fixed price, certainly not for those travellers from England.”
He added that there was far less choice for those in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
He said: “When it’s the UK test you need when you return from overseas, those in England can access a competitive market
“We see prices out there of £100 and £200 for an individual for the tests so do a comparison and go around and try a few [different places].”
Speaking to the BBC on Radio 4’s Money Box show, Mr Lewis also shared his top tips for finding the cheapest test.
He revealed that Brits travelling abroad were most likely to find the best prices at airports.
Mr Lewis said: “Airports – and even if you’re not flying from that airport – are often one of the cheapest places for the pre-flight test for the country you are travelling to.”
Meanwhile some holiday firms are offering cheap Covid test with package holidays.
TUI has launched £20 Covid test packages for Brits returning from green list countries this summer.
But Mr Lewis warned that holidaymakers might be paying more for the holiday and should factor that in as well to make sure they were getting the best deal.
The risks of booking a summer holiday now
SECURING a summer holiday may give you something fun to look forward to, but there are risks.
You may face a long wait to get any money back if your holiday is cancelled.
Holidaymakers last year reported having to wait months for refunds on cancelled bookings as airlines and travel companies dealt with a large backlog.
You may not find a suitable destination or time to rearrange your holiday for so could end up losing out or face the stress of regularly rebooking.
Quarantine rules are changing both in the UK and abroad on a regular basis.
You could end up booking somewhere and have to quarantine on arrival.
You should check your travel insurance to see if you are covered such as if you need a coronavirus test when abroad.
Whether or not you need a test before you fly depends on the rules of the country your flying to.
Testing upon returning to the UK depends on what list the country you visited is on: red, amber or green.
Travellers returning from countries on the green list need a negative lateral flow test to get back into the country and will have to take a PCR test on day two after your return.
People returning from amber list countries must do the same as well as a further test on day eight, or day five.
You can pay extra for a Test to Release on day five to cut the 10 day quarantine required after returning from amber countries.
Most Read in Money
For red list destinations, you will have to quarantine for ten days on your return in a hotel, at a cost of £1,750.
Here we explain your refund rights when booking a holiday.
We reveal the best travel firms and airlines which could save from expensive cancellation fees when booking a summer holiday.