Brits ready to pay USD 30 for PCR tests before international travel

A new study by travel insurance provider battleface reveals that Brits are willing to pay GBP 22 (USD 30.56) per person on average for a PCR test (COVID test) before embarking on international travel. However, 33% said they would not be prepared to pay for a PCR test – either at home or at the airport – before travelling internationally.

As the prospect of international travel nears, many countries are requiring travellers to submit a negative PCR test result on arrival, taken within a certain time frame before travel. UK travellers are not permitted to use NHS tests for travel, except for freight drivers in certain circumstances. Private tests can cost GBP 120 (USD 166.67) on the high street or over GBP 200 (USD 277.78) at some clinics.

Only 4% of those surveyed would be prepared to pay £75 or more for a PCR test, if it meant they could travel internationally, which is still considerably lower than the private PCR tests currently being offered to enable travel. After almost 12 months together under lockdown restrictions, families should be looking forward to escaping to warmer climes and reunite with loved ones on holiday. However, 40% say they would not be willing pay for their family to have a PCR test to be able to travel.

The study of 2,000 UK adults was carried out between 5 and 9 March by Opinium Research on behalf of travel insurance provider battleface to look at the immediate motivators and barriers to international travel for 2021.

Sasha Gainullin, CEO of battleface comments: “It’s good news that the majority of travellers will be willing to take a COVID PCR test in order to go on holiday. That said, the current costs of PCR testing makes this option unviable for most travellers based on what they are prepared to spend on testing. Whilst vaccination passports and PCRs are expected to be the two key requirements for travel to restart, there is still a high degree of uncertainty which changes the risk profile for travel. The data shows that 23% are still prepared to travel without adequate medical cover, which is worrying given that a similar proportion of those asked (22%) said they have been caught out in fees when travelling without insurance.”