A new study by travel insurance provider Battleface has revealed that Brits would pay £22 for a PCR test before embarking on international travel.
The study was carried out by Opinium Research on UK adults at the start of this month, and explores the immediate motivators and barriers to international travel in 2021.
The £22 cost represents an average that people would be prepared to pay for a PCR test either at home or at the airport if it meant that they could travel internationally. The study also revealed that 33 per cent of respondents would not be willing to pay for a PCR test to travel, and only four per cent would spend £75 or more on a PCR test.
Additionally, 40 per cent of respondents would not be willing to pay for their family to have a PCR test to be able to travel.
As it stands, UK travellers are not allowed to use NHS tests for travel, and are required to seek private tests which can cost over £200 at some clinics.
Sasha Gainullin, CEO of Battleface, commented:
“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 per cent are still prepared to travel without adequate medical cover, which is worrying given that a similar proportion of those asked (22 per cent) said they have been caught out in fees when travelling without insurance.
“We urge travellers to check what the latest FCDO and destination entry requirements are before going away and, in addition to a PCR test or vaccine, ensure they have relevant and adequate travel insurance cover for the country they are travelling to.”
Airlines, airports and hotels are continuing to offer discounts on tests when you book a reservation with them. See our features below for more information:
