Holidaymakers underestimate the cost of Covid-19 tests by 34%, according to research.
A survey of 2,001 Brits for credit card firm Capital One showed that travellers are budgeting for £78 per pre-departure test when the average cost is £118.
Nearly three quarters of those polled have not budgeted enough, with more than a quarter (27%) setting aside less than £50 per person.
The study also found the cost of testing varies “significantly” depending on where and when it is purchased.
Airport testing costs £104 on average, 30% less than the average £148 for in-store testing.
The average cost of testing that provides results in 12 hours or less is £171, compared to £114 for results in 24 hours and £100 for tests in 48 hours.
Furthermore, travellers are unprepared for overseas holidays – only two in five (40%) of those planning a holiday abroad have found out how many tests they need to take for their trip and return home, while only a third (33%) have found out what additional documentation they need to travel.
Fewer than three in 10 have found out how far in advance they need to book their tests (28%) or budgeted for the cost of tests (28%).
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The research follows news that the government has called on the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate “excessive fees” for Covid travel tests – and controversy about test kits piling up at drop boxes as demand rises.
Edward Heywood, a director of Corona Test Centre – a government-recognised provider of Covid-19 testing, welcomed the CMA’s investigation but said it needs to go further and look at the “suitability” of some of the testing providers.
“As we’ve seen from the overflowing returns outside larger provider clinics, clearly there are some in the market that are overwhelmed by demand,” he said.
“This overwhelm isn’t just a customer data and security risk, which is alarming enough. It’s the very real risk of someone potentially losing their holiday or having to stay at home to quarantine longer than necessary.”
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