Least Expensive Return to USA covid test
April 2, 2022 6:34 PM   Subscribe

Coming back from Canada to USA mid April (Vancouver to California). Air Canada. Canada has dropped the incoming covid test but to come back to USA we still need to? Help me do this on the cheap, there are 4 of us: 2 adults and 2 kids (7 and 3). Right now what I'm seeing is $100 each test at the airport a day before, so $400 for all of us.

- do we even have to do incoming test? do they even care any more?

- what is the cheapest way to get the 4 of us tested... buy a home kit from the US and bring it with us? which kit? does someone watch us do it by video?

One kid is a US citizen the rest of us are terrible terrible job-stealing immigrants on visas. If that makes a difference.
posted by St. Peepsburg to Travel & Transportation (10 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
If your plans allow it, crossing into the US by land does not require testing so you could fly in/out of Bellingham, rent a car and drive through the border (or have someone drop you off). Otherwise the video proctored antigen tests are probably going to be the cheapest option (you can get a 2 pack for 70 bucks here, for example)
posted by btfreek at 6:47 PM on April 2, 2022 [1 favorite]


The last time I came back I used one of the at home video observed tests, and I am also in the US on a temporary visa from Canada.

I used an Ellume test I took to Canada with me and had no problems.
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 7:39 PM on April 2, 2022


There is a list here of pharmacies in BC offering rapid antigen tests for travel. Skimming over it, prices range, but definitely some for under $100 pp. I have no idea how complete the list is, but it at least might be a place to start.
posted by sonofsnark at 9:26 PM on April 2, 2022


A few options available at YVR for less than $100 CAD per person. I paid $82.95 including tax.
posted by Juniper Toast at 9:50 PM on April 2, 2022 [1 favorite]


I've been paying like US$75 at Bon Voyage Medical, which has a few locations around the YVR area. Quick and easy.
posted by praemunire at 10:44 PM on April 2, 2022


Best answer: I just used this company for a rapid test to enter the US from Canada. $30 CAD per person. Book in advance and they mail you a rapid test and then you have a video appointment with a nurse who watches you do the test. It was fine.

The US border agents will probably not care whether you’ve done a test, but the airline will require one to board the flight.
posted by mekily at 5:09 AM on April 3, 2022 [1 favorite]


Best answer: I just ordered a couple of eMed tests for my partner to use traveling. The reviews are good, and it's $150 for a pack of six. (I ordered through a reseller to get fewer, but paid $40 each for two). It's an online observed Binax test, and you don't appear to need an appointment set up ahead of time.
posted by another zebra at 5:14 AM on April 3, 2022


Response by poster: I ended up using ihealth

$10US a test plus $25 observing fee you can schedule 1mo in advance.

Fingers crossed!
posted by St. Peepsburg at 4:02 PM on April 3, 2022


Best answer: The eMed/ Binax Now AG tests are what we've been using lately to come back to US from Europe, Costa Rica, etc. Works well and it is nice not having to go anywhere for the test.
posted by zeikka at 6:51 PM on April 3, 2022


Response by poster: Follow up - ihealth worked just fine too.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 1:13 PM on May 5, 2022


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