COVID-19 Testing & Quarantine

If you are planning to travel abroad you should check the rules that apply in your local area before you travel. Different rules apply for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You must follow all the rules that apply to you.

You must have a valid reason for travel. If you do not have a valid reason for travel you will be directed to return home and may face a fine.

There will be an increased police presence around the airport, and they may fine you if you do not follow the stay at home regulations.

Check your destination - certain destinations require specific tests and the results to be presented in a particular format. Make sure both the type of test and the test provider’s certificate (which could be paper or digital) are accepted by the country you are travelling to. You should follow government travel advice for your destination at all times, which may have changed since your last visit.

Facilities available at Gatwick

There are several COVID-19 testing providers based at Gatwick including:

ExpressTest - Drive through

This drive through facility is located in the South Terminal Long Stay Car Park, offering a Fit to Fly PCR swab test for £60pp. Tests must be booked in advance.

Find out more and book a test

ExpressTest - Walk in

This walk in facility is located in North Terminal arrivals, offering a Fit to Fly PCR swab test for £60pp. Tests must be booked in advance.

Find out more and book a test

Hilton

The Hilton London Gatwick offers a Test & Rest Package which includes a PCR self-testing swab kit and overnight accommodation at the hotel.

Find out more and book a test

Sofitel

The Sofitel London Gatwick offers a Test & Rest package which includes a PCR self-testing swab kit and overnight accommodation at the hotel.

Find out more and book a test

Boots

Get a private PCR swab test at the Boots store located in the South Terminal arrivals area. Appointments must be booked in advance.

Find out more and book a test

Anyone arriving into England from outside the UK, Ireland the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands must:

• take a Covid-19 test on day 2
• follow the national lockdown rules

Different rules apply in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You must follow the rules of your end destination.

Are you arriving from a country on the Green List? Check here

Before you arrive

• Have a negative COVID-19 test completed within 3 days of departure that meets the UK Government requirements.
• Complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) on the UK Government website.
• Pre-book a day 2 test from one of the Government approved providers.

ExpressTest meets the Government testing requirements and offers a PCR day 2 arrivals test at their Gatwick drive through facility in the South Terminal car park. Pre-book your test now.

When you arrive

• Take a PCR COVID-19 test on day 2, using your pre-booked Government approved test.
• The NHS Test and Trace will contact you with your COVID-19 test results.

You do not need to quarantine unless the test result is positive.

Anyone arriving into England from outside the UK, Ireland the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands must:

• quarantine for 10 days
• take a Covid-19 test on day 2 and day 8 of quarantine
• follow the national lockdown rules

Different rules apply in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You must follow the rules of your end destination.

Are you arriving from a country on the Amber List? Check here

Before you arrive

• Have a negative COVID-19 test completed within 3 days of departure that meets the UK Government requirements.
• Complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) on the UK Government website.
• Pre-book a home testing package from one of the Government approved providers.

ExpressTest meets the Government testing requirements and offers a PCR arrivals test package for Day 2 and Day 8 testing at their Gatwick drive through facility in the South Terminal car park. Available to pre-book now for £189pp.

When you arrive

• Go directly to the place you are staying to home quarantine.
• Quarantine at home for 10 days.
• Take a COVID-19 test on day 2 and day 8 of your 10-day quarantine, using your pre-booked testing package.
• The NHS Test and Trace will contact you with your COVID-19 test results.
• Optional - After 5 days, take a private paid test as part of the Test to Release Scheme, more details can be found below.

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
• anyone with residence rights in the UK

Different rules apply in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You must follow the rules of your end destination.

Are you arriving from a country on the Red List? Check here

Before you arrive

• Complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) on the UK Government website.
• Pre-book a pre-approved hotel quarantine package from the UK Government website.
• Have a negative COVID-19 test completed within 3 days of departure that meets the UK Government requirements.

When you arrive

• Proceed as usual to Passport Control. The UK Border Force will direct you to a G4S representative who will arrange your transport to your quarantine hotel.
• After your hotel quarantine ends, arranged transport will bring you back to the airport.