I spent $200 more on COVID-19 tests than on flights for my vacation to Greece - but it was still worth it

Kate DuffyAug 14, 2021, 16:27 IST

Insider's Kate Duffy holding her passport and negative rapid antigen COVID-19 test.Kate Duffy/Insider

I had to pay for five COVID-19 tests to go on a week-long vacation to Greece this summer.
Overall, I spent nearly $500 on the tests, which I took before, during, and after my trip.
This was $200 more than the $300 return flight to Greece.

I went on a week's vacation to the Greek island of Santorini and was met with five expensive COVID-19 tests that cost more than the $300 flights.

Passengers queuing up to check their suitcases in before departure in Gatwick Airport. Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images

You must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test or proof of full vaccination to enter Greece.

Coastline of Fira, the capital city of Santorini, Greece. Kate Duffy/Insider

I took a rapid antigen test, which cost $42, within 48 hours of arriving in Santorini and tested negative.

Insider's Kate Duffy waiting in line to board the aircraft. Kate Duffy/Insider

After showing my negative test result to airport staff, I got a slip of paper indicating I was safe to travel.

UK passport and slip of paper indicating a passenger tested negative with COVID-19. Kate Duffy/Insider

Proof of a negative test meant I could board the flight and enter Greece.

Leaving Gatwick Airport, London, on an EasyJet flight to Greece. Kate Duffy/Insider

When I arrived in Santorini airport, I had to stand in line to show the authorities my $42 negative COVID-19 test and a passenger locator form for contact tracing.

Posters around Santorini airport instructed people to get their COVID-19 test results or vaccination-status certificates ready to show. Kate Duffy/Insider

Unexpectedly, I was tested for COVID-19 again at the airport. This time, the test was free.

Departures at Santorini airport. Kate Duffy/Insider

Six days into my chilled vacation, I had to pay $117 for a PCR test to return to the UK.

The coastline of Fira, the capital city of Santorini, Greece. Kate Duffy/Insider

My $117 COVID-19 test in Santorini got me onto an empty plane back to London.

Insider's Kate Duffy sat on an empty plane back to the UK. Kate Duffy/Insider

As soon as I arrived in the UK, I had to isolate for 10 days and pay $208 for COVID-19 PCR tests on day two and day eight of quarantine.

The COVID-19 test center in London, where Insider's Kate Duffy went to get tested. Kate Duffy/Insider

I went to the test center and took my first PCR test in the morning of day two. I received a certificate of my negative result by 6pm the same day.

First day of COVID-19 testing in quarantine. Kate Duffy/Insider

I chose to pay another $105 for a test on Day 5, which allowed me to come out of isolation so long as I tested negative. This is called the Test to Release scheme.

An optional, second test on day five. Kate Duffy/Insider

"Test to Release" is optional and cuts the quarantine period in half, but I still had to take a test on day eight.

Test to Release COVID-19 test tube for day five. Kate Duffy/Insider

I had my sixth and final PCR test on day eight and tested negative. Overall, the three quarantine tests after my vacation cost $312.

Final COVID-19 test on day eight. Kate Duffy/Insider

The five COVID-19 tests, totalling $470, were more expensive than the $300 return flights to Santorini, but it was still worth the money after such a turbulent year!

Sunset in Santorini. Kate Duffy/Insider

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