COVID-19 Testing Locations and Prices in Canada

[Josie201]

Heads up for those looking for tests.  Check often, specifically I’m referring to the Walmart and Costco options.  Appointments pop up, disappear, reappear, etc.  you might think you’re out of luck and then new slots open up.  

[loman]

5 hours ago, Forecheck said:

Any idea if Cruise lines will perform a test on the last day of a Cruise to accommodate  flights out the day of disembarkation?

Royal Caribbean will do the test for free on the last day of the cruise to enable you to board an aircraft to return home. Provided you test negative that is .

[Emh01]

Has anyone used the testing service at Pearson Airport? I'd love to hear about your experience.

[cruiseamm]

Air Canada launches portable Covid-19 self test kits

 

https://www.travelweek.ca/news/air-canada-launches-portable-self-administered-covid-19-molecular-and-antigen-test-kits/

 

https://switchhealth.ca/en/partners/aeroplan/

 

[Fouremco]

14 minutes ago, cruiseamm said:

Air Canada launches portable Covid-19 self test kits

 

https://www.travelweek.ca/news/air-canada-launches-portable-self-administered-covid-19-molecular-and-antigen-test-kits/

 

https://switchhealth.ca/en/partners/aeroplan/

 

A terrific option for those whose cruise line doesn't provide a free PCR test at cruise end, or for those wanting to extend their holiday post-cruise.

[cruiseamm]

Seems like Switch Health has different prices for Aeroplan members.

The Rapid Antigen test is $39 +earn 500 Aeroplan points per test and the RT-PCR test is $129 +earn 1000 Aeroplan points per test. 

The 2 pack Rapid test kit is $79 +earn 500 Aeroplan points per kit and the RT-LAMP Test Kit is $149 +earn 500 points per kit. 

https://switchhealth.ca/en/partners/aeroplan/

https://switchhealth.ca/en/travel/

 

 

Edited October 25, 2021 by cruiseamm

[Fouremco]

Good to know. Thanks!

[Lizabu]

I’m in London Ontario and my husband was just at Sobeys tonight and he asked if they have the rapid antigen tests and they do and they’re $40 and they test on a Saturday. We cruise on a Monday and ideally need to test on Saturday and shoppers drug mart near me said they only test Monday to Friday so I’ve been checking my other options. Pearson has the rapid antigen tests for $60 if all else fails.

[K_e_short]

5 minutes ago, Lizabu said:

I’m in London Ontario and my husband was just at Sobeys tonight and he asked if they have the rapid antigen tests and they do and they’re $40 and they test on a Saturday. We cruise on a Monday and ideally need to test on Saturday and shoppers drug mart near me said they only test Monday to Friday so I’ve been checking my other options. Pearson has the rapid antigen tests for $60 if all else fails.

 

Oo that is good to know. Thank you

[Lizabu]

I’m not sure if anyone mentioned Rexall yet. They charge $30.

https://www.rexall.ca/covid-19/testing?fbclid=IwAR2PEm_tnNrQ6Rt91s6weTE8tSVmHc_p8o35fLGnzne7M0Bf6tjFbpHhQkQ

[K_e_short]

4 hours ago, Lizabu said:

I’m not sure if anyone mentioned Rexall yet. They charge $30.

https://www.rexall.ca/covid-19/testing?fbclid=IwAR2PEm_tnNrQ6Rt91s6weTE8tSVmHc_p8o35fLGnzne7M0Bf6tjFbpHhQkQ

 

They are the only online booking that allows booking up to 6 weeks ahead of time (Christmas break).

 

The rest are only 1-2 weeks ahead of time.

 

So anyone who wants to book for holiday trips can do that with Rexall.

[GeriatricNurse]

5 hours ago, K_e_short said:

 

They are the only online booking that allows booking up to 6 weeks ahead of time (Christmas break).

 

The rest are only 1-2 weeks ahead of time.

 

So anyone who wants to book for holiday trips can do that with Rexall.

I booked my appointment at Rexall several weeks ago, for April 1st., 2022!

[OrcaGirl]

18 hours ago, Lizabu said:

I’m not sure if anyone mentioned Rexall yet. They charge $30.

https://www.rexall.ca/covid-19/testing?fbclid=IwAR2PEm_tnNrQ6Rt91s6weTE8tSVmHc_p8o35fLGnzne7M0Bf6tjFbpHhQkQ

 

In Ontario and Alberta only. (Not that I'm bitter. 😷)

[RomyRomy]

Hello,

 

First time cruiser here and trying to navigate the timing of the antigen tests.

 

We'll be travelling on a Celebrity cruise in December, and I am wondering if the following timing would work?

 

Thursday - Antigen test

Thursday - Flight from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale

Friday - A full day in Fort Lauderdale

Saturday - Cruise Embarkation

 

One Antigen Test should should satisfy both the airline and cruise ship requirement, correct?

 

Has anyone tried similar timeline?  Thank you!

[XLVIII]

16 minutes ago, RomyRomy said:

Hello,

 

First time cruiser here and trying to navigate the timing of the antigen tests.

 

We'll be travelling on a Celebrity cruise in December, and I am wondering if the following timing would work?

 

Thursday - Antigen test

Thursday - Flight from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale

Friday - A full day in Fort Lauderdale

Saturday - Cruise Embarkation

 

One Antigen Test should should satisfy both the airline and cruise ship requirement, correct?

 

Has anyone tried similar timeline?  Thank you!

Yes, testing on Thursday before your flight works. Celebrity wants the test no more than 2 days before sailing, not counting the day you sail. 

[Fouremco]

As @XLVIII confirmed, that timing meets Celebrity's requirements. ✅

[tert333]

1 hour ago, XLVIII said:

Yes, testing on Thursday before your flight works. Celebrity wants the test no more than 2 days before sailing, not counting the day you sail. 

I am doing the exact same thing next weekend.  Booked for an antigen test on Saturday morning,.  Flying out in the afternoon and staying 2 nights in Miami and then cruising on Monday.  

 

I looked at taking two tests - one a couple days before I fly and then one when I arrive to Miami, but felt comfortable just doing the one after talking to the pharmacist at the clinic where I am getting the test.

 

Both have the advantages and drawbacks, but in my case, I would feel better leaving Canada knowing that I have  a negative test that will allow me to get on the cruiseship.

 

 

[Russ Lomas]

23 hours ago, Lizabu said:

I’m not sure if anyone mentioned Rexall yet. They charge $30.

https://www.rexall.ca/covid-19/testing?fbclid=IwAR2PEm_tnNrQ6Rt91s6weTE8tSVmHc_p8o35fLGnzne7M0Bf6tjFbpHhQkQ

Thanks for sharing.  Unfortunately, I checked for tomorrow for in-laws who were going to go to Shoppers tomorrow anyways, and Rexall is all booked til next week at the 3 near us.  Maybe I should book now for March break in case they do not get rid of this requirement by then...

 

2 hours ago, RomyRomy said:

Thursday - Antigen test

Thursday - Flight from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale

Friday - A full day in Fort Lauderdale

Saturday - Cruise Embarkation

 

One Antigen Test should should satisfy both the airline and cruise ship requirement, correct?

 

Has anyone tried similar timeline?  Thank you!

We did pretty well the same thing in August, but when it was permitted to test 3 days prior to cruising.  Wed - antigen test at Pearson airport, catch a flight to Florida, Thur & Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Sat - boarded the Odyssey. 

 

On 10/25/2021 at 3:28 PM, cruiseamm said:

Seems like Switch Health has different prices for Aeroplan members.

The Rapid Antigen test is $39 +earn 500 Aeroplan points per test and the RT-PCR test is $129 +earn 1000 Aeroplan points per test. 

The 2 pack Rapid test kit is $79 +earn 500 Aeroplan points per kit and the RT-LAMP Test Kit is $149 +earn 500 points per kit. 

https://switchhealth.ca/en/partners/aeroplan/

https://switchhealth.ca/en/travel/

We paid $60 x 6 for our family at Peason with Switch Health.  Wish I would have known I could have shown my Aeroplan card and saved over $120.

 

On 10/25/2021 at 11:16 AM, Emh01 said:

Has anyone used the testing service at Pearson Airport? I'd love to hear about your experience.

We used it in August.  It worked great.  Got tested at 5:30 am, went to McDonald's for breakfast at 6 am and even before we arrived at McDonald's we had our result emails.  Entered Pearson at 6:30 am.  Used Nexus and was at the gate by 6:50 am for our 8 am flight (which left 2 hours late - thanks Air Canada for understaffing)

[Ex-Airbalancer]

When to Walmart to pick up meds and flu shoot, noticed they had a sign for testing for $19.95 

[K_e_short]

To Summarize for Ottawa Area - Antigen Testing - 3 days before to enter the U.S. BUT 2 days before to board a cruise

 

Costco - $19.99 - you can book up to 22 days in advance depending on the location - - https://costcopharmacy.ca/appointment

 

Walmart - $19.99 -  you can book up to 25 days in advance depending on the location - https://portal.healthmyself.net/walmarton/forms/Dpd#/

 

 

Rexall - $30 - some locations only have 3 days in advance, others go up to end of December - https://www.rexall.ca/covid-19/testing?fbclid=IwAR2PEm_tnNrQ6Rt91s6weTE8tSVmHc_p8o35fLGnzne7M0Bf6tjFbpHhQkQ 

 

Shoppers Drug Mart - $40 - you CAN NOT book online at the moment and every place that does testing confirmed you can only book 6 days in advance (walking in to book or calling) https://covid-19.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/testing/antigen-screening  

 

 

Edited November 10, 2021 by K_e_short

[Fouremco]

7 minutes ago, K_e_short said:

To Summarize for Ottawa Area - Antigen Testing - 3 days before to enter the U.S. BUT 2 days before to board a cruise

 

Costco - $19.99 - you can book up to 22 days in advance depending on the location - - https://costcopharmacy.ca/appointment

 

Walmart - $19.99 -  you can book up to 25 days in advance depending on the location - https://portal.healthmyself.net/walmarton/forms/Dpd#/

 

 

Rexall - $30 - some locations only have 3 days in advance, others go up to end of December - https://www.rexall.ca/covid-19/testing?fbclid=IwAR2PEm_tnNrQ6Rt91s6weTE8tSVmHc_p8o35fLGnzne7M0Bf6tjFbpHhQkQ 

 

Shoppers Drug Mart - $40 - you CAN NOT book online at the moment and every place that does testing confirmed you can only book 6 days in advance (walking in to book or calling) https://covid-19.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/testing/antigen-screening  

 

 

Thanks for the summary and the contact info. Very handy.

[MamatoJack]

25 minutes ago, K_e_short said:

To Summarize for Ottawa Area - Antigen Testing - 3 days before to enter the U.S. BUT 2 days before to board a cruise

 

Costco - $19.99 - you can book up to 22 days in advance depending on the location - - https://costcopharmacy.ca/appointment

 

Walmart - $19.99 -  you can book up to 25 days in advance depending on the location - https://portal.healthmyself.net/walmarton/forms/Dpd#/

 

 

Rexall - $30 - some locations only have 3 days in advance, others go up to end of December - https://www.rexall.ca/covid-19/testing?fbclid=IwAR2PEm_tnNrQ6Rt91s6weTE8tSVmHc_p8o35fLGnzne7M0Bf6tjFbpHhQkQ 

 

Shoppers Drug Mart - $40 - you CAN NOT book online at the moment and every place that does testing confirmed you can only book 6 days in advance (walking in to book or calling) https://covid-19.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/testing/antigen-screening  

 

 

 

Just two small things, Costco is $16.99, and Rexall has some locations you can book quite far ahead (I was able to book for March 12). I am hoping to go to Costco to save a bit of money but happy to have found one that is Saturday, we fly Sunday and cruise Monday so should be able to use the tests for both.

[K_e_short]

30 minutes ago, MamatoJack said:

 

Just two small things, Costco is $16.99, and Rexall has some locations you can book quite far ahead (I was able to book for March 12). I am hoping to go to Costco to save a bit of money but happy to have found one that is Saturday, we fly Sunday and cruise Monday so should be able to use the tests for both.

 

Oops typo for the price - thank you.

 

And good to know you can book into March with Rexall.

[CruisinFinsUp]

Can I get some clarification please because I am totally confused by all this!!!  

 

On the Rexall website, they talk about a Travel PCR test with a 24-48 hour turnaround.  

Rexall also offers a 30 min rapid antigen test.  

 

Does the Rapid Antigen test qualify for both the CDC flying into the US AND for Princess Cruises?  

 

So if we book that, or any rapid antigen test offered at many places like Shoppers and Costco, we are ok?   

 

We are hoping to test on Monday, fly Air Canada to FLL on Tuesday, and cruise on Princess on Wednesday.   

Would that work ok?  Or am I missing something?   

 

 

But we need the PCR test (and ArriveCan) to come back into Canada and right now Princess says they are offering them outside the customs building at Port Everglades for return to Canada after disembarkation, with approx 1 hour turn around.   We are staying an extra night after the cruise just to make sure.  

 

 

Thanks so very much!!!!    

 

 

[Fouremco]

3 minutes ago, CruisinFinsUp said:

Can I get some clarification please because I am totally confused by all this!!!  

 

On the Rexall website, they talk about a Travel PCR test with a 24-48 hour turnaround.  

Rexall also offers a 30 min rapid antigen test.  

 

Does the Rapid Antigen test qualify for both the CDC flying into the US AND for Princess Cruises?  

 

So if we book that, or any rapid antigen test offered at many places like Shoppers and Costco, we are ok?   

 

We are hoping to test on Monday, fly Air Canada to FLL on Tuesday, and cruise on Princess on Wednesday.   

Would that work ok?  Or am I missing something?   

 

 

But we need the PCR test (and ArriveCan) to come back into Canada and right now Princess says they are offering them outside the customs building at Port Everglades for return to Canada after disembarkation, with approx 1 hour turn around.   We are staying an extra night after the cruise just to make sure.  

 

 

Thanks so very much!!!!    

 

 

Rexall rather confuses the issue as both the Rapid Antigen and the PRC test are good for travel, but which one to take depends on your destination. The Rapid Antigen test is all that is required for flights to the US, and for boarding Princess, and your timeline for testing, flying and boarding is perfect.