When you need to take a test and where to get one.
Travelling abroad from Gatwick
Always follow the latest travel advice on the UK Government website. It may have changed since your last visit.
Plan plenty of time before you travel to receive your results. You may need to present them in a particular format. Make sure your destination will accept both the type of test and the test provider’s certificate. (This could be paper or digital)
Check with your airline for the latest flight information before you travel. Many airlines also offer COVID-19 testing packages.
You must not use NHS testing centres for travel related purposes. You should not use private testing centres if you are displaying COVID-19 symptoms.
Need a rapid Antigen test? ExpressTest offers tests for £35pp at their North Terminal walk-in centre or drive-through centre. Tests must be pre-booked and receive results by email within 30 minutes.
Save £2 on your lateral flow Fit to Fly test using discount code LGWBTT2 at checkout.
Book an Antigen test with ExpressTest
Need a PCR test? ExpressTest offers PCR Fit to Fly tests for £59pp. Either at their North Terminal walk-in, or drive-through centre in located on Perimeter Road South (RH6 0PQ). Tests must be pre-booked and receive results by email by 10pm the day after your test.
Arriving from a non-red list country
What you must do when you arrive from abroad depends on where you have been in the 10 days before you arrive. The rules also vary based on your vaccination status.
Arrivals from a country on the UK Red list must follow the rules in the Red List section of this page.
Check if you are arriving from a country on the UK Red List
Vaccination Criteria
To meet the UK definition of 'Fully Vaccinated' you must have been vaccinated for at least 14 days:
- under an approved program in the UK (inc. overseas programmes), Europe, or the United States.
- or under another approved vaccine program as detailed on the UK Government website.
- you must be able to show proof of your vaccination status.
Rules for fully vaccinated arrivals
You must meet the vaccine criteria outlined by the UK Government.
Before 4am Tuesday 7 December you do not need to take a test before you travel to England.
From 4am Tuesday 7 December all arrivals aged 12 years and above must have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of departure. This can be a PCR or lateral flow test.
-
Pre-book a PCR test that takes place anytime up to day 2 after you arrive, either at home or at a testing facility from an approved provider.
- You must self isolate until you receive a negative test result.
Need to pre-book a test? ExpressTest offer Day 0-2 fully vaccinated PCR tests from £69pp. You can take this test anytime up to 2 days after you arrive at the drive-through centre located on Perimeter Road South (RH6 0PQ).
Book a Day 0-2 PCR Test with ExpressTest
Rules for other arrivals
Arrivals that do not meet the vaccination criteria must follow these rules.
Before you arrive
- Have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of departure. It must meet the UK Government requirements.
- Complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) on the UK Government website.
- Pre-book a PCR test that takes place anytime up to day 2, and after day 8 from an approved provider. (The day you arrive is day 0)
After you arrive
- Quarantine at home for 10 days.
- Take your pre-booked PCR COVID-19 test up to day 2, and after day 8.
- Optional - Take a Test to Release COVID-19 test on day 5 to leave quarantine.
Arriving from a Red list country
What you must do when you arrive from abroad depends on where you have been in the 10 days before you arrive.
You cannot travel to the UK if you’ve visited or passed through a country on the red list in the last 10 days, unless you are:
- a British national
- an Irish national
- a UK resident
Check if you are arriving from a Red list country
-
Quarantine in a Government managed quarantine hotel for 10 days
-
Take a COVID-19 test before day 2 and after day 8 of quarantine
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
-
Have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 3 days of departure. It must meet the UK Government requirements.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE
-
Proceed as usual to Passport Control. UK Border Force will direct you to a G4S representative. They will arrange your transport to your quarantine hotel.
-
After your hotel quarantine ends, transport will bring you back to the airport.
Testing facilities at Gatwick
There are several COVID-19 testing providers based at Gatwick including:
EXPRESSTEST - DRIVE THROUGH
This drive through centre located on Perimeter Road South (RH6 0PQ), offers a Fit to Fly PCR swab test for £59pp, and lateral flow Fit to Fly tests for £35pp. Also offers PCR and lateral flow Day 2 Arrivals tests. You must book in advance.
Save £10 on your PCR Day 2 Arrivals test using discount code LGWBTT10 at checkout.
Save £2 on your lateral flow Fit to Fly & Day 2 Arrivals tests using discount code LGWBTT2 at checkout.
Book a test with ExpressTest
View on Google Maps
View on on What Three Words
EXPRESSTEST - WALK IN
This walk in facility in North Terminal arrivals offers a Fit to Fly PCR swab test for £59pp.
Also offers lateral flow Fit to Fly tests for £35pp. You must book in advance.
You can also book a click and collect take-home test for arrivals at just £19.99pp.
Save £2 on your lateral flow Fit to Fly test using discount code LGWBTT2 at checkout.
BOOTS
Get a private PCR swab test at the Boots store located in the South Terminal arrivals area. You must book in advance.
Other COVID-19 test providers may exist in your local area and may include:
COLLINSONS
This drive through facility is located in the Airport Parking & Hotels (APH) car park. Close to Gatwick Airport, it offers a range of tests including PCR, antigen and Lamp. You must book in advance.
Find out more about Collinsons
SUSSEX TRAVEL CLINIC
Offers a selection of COVID-19 testing including instant and laboratory tests.
Find out more about Sussex Travel Clinic
Fast Test Centre
A private testing site including a location in Horley. It offers antigen, PCR and antibody testing.
Find out more about Fast Test Centre
iGen Testing
Offers a selection of fit to fly and arrivals tests.
Find our more about iGen Testing
BUPA
Offers a rapid antibody testing service
