OBSOLETE COVID THREAD [Outdated] No testing center at the airport of the Santiago de Compostela

[Pilgrim_95]

As our Camino trip is approaching, I have been researching the options of getting tested in Santiago de Compostela before our flight back as it might still be a requirement if you are not vaccinated or flying back to a country that might still not recognized vaccinated individuals.

I checked the website of the airport in Santiago and there was no mention of a testing centre, I read an article in La Voz de Galicia where they described a pilot testing program that took place at the airport during the Spring.

I called the aena customer's service and they confirmed there is no centre available at the moment.

There is a commercial centre Synlab in Santiago, which is a member of a big chain and we got tested by them in the Czech Republic and it worked smoothly. They operate Mon-Fri, so just advice for pilgrims planning a pilgrimage or are actually on the Camino. Make sure you take this into consideration.

Any advice or insight from people who live in Santiago would be appreciated

 

[ivar]

I have not been out to the airport for a long time (for obvious reasons , but my understanding was that SERGAS (the public health authorities in Galicia) had a place there for doing antigens test. They do not do PCR test, only antigens test. The last I heard about this, was this article:

Los primeros 1.551 test de covid en el aeropuerto de Santiago arrojaron un positivo en 43 días

El área sanitaria detectó 19.511 positivos con 523.085 pruebas PCR y serológicas

www.lavozdegalicia.es

If you want to be sure, get a test before you go to the airport. More on that here:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/pcr-test-santiago-de-compostela.70038/

Happy travels!
Ivar

 

[lisaflora]

As our Camino trip is approaching, I have been researching the options of getting tested in Santiago de Compostela before our flight back as it might still be a requirement if you are not vaccinated or flying back to a country that might still not recognized vaccinated individuals.

I checked the website of the airport in Santiago and there was no mention of a testing centre, I read an article in La Voz de Galicia where they described a pilot testing program that took place at the airport during the Spring.

I called the aena customer's service and they confirmed there is no centre available at the moment.

There is a commercial centre Synlab in Santiago, which is a member of a big chain and we got tested by them in the Czech Republic and it worked smoothly. They operate Mon-Fri, so just advice for pilgrims planning a pilgrimage or are actually on the Camino. Make sure you take this into consideration.

Any advice or insight from people who live in Santiago would be appreciated

I was concerned as well as I only have a 2 hr layover in Madrid. There are plenty of spots there for testing cheap if you have time.
I bought the Binax 6 pack home test that is associated with an app and requires an online we visit to ensure proper testing. $150. It links with your airline ticket too I believe and seems legit but can't tell til I open the pack as you have to do it in sight of the online observer. I will leave one in Santiago (blessed that my mom will be there before I arrive). It is temperature sensitive so should prolly not be carried in pack. Maybe ship to Ivar?

 

[Nick MJ]

Ivar, that’s very helpful thank you. I am flying on Monday morning out of SDC and am tearing my hair out trying to find a testing centre for an antigen test. Do you know of anywhere that does antigen tests over the weekend?

 

[ivar]

Ivar, that’s very helpful thank you. I am flying on Monday morning out of SDC and am tearing my hair out trying to find a testing centre for an antigen test. Do you know of anywhere that does antigen tests over the weekend?

I don’t know… try calling some of the places listed on the link in my list above and ask..

 

[loumarz]

I don’t know… try calling some of the places listed on the link in my list above and ask..

Ivar, that’s very helpful thank you. I am flying on Monday morning out of SDC and am tearing my hair out trying to find a testing centre for an antigen test. Do you know of anywhere that does antigen tests over the weekend?

Hi Nick, did you manage to find anywhere in Santiago for a weekend antigen test? Currently having the same problem!

 

[ivar]

Starting July 20th it should (if things go as they say) be possible to buy antigen test at pharmacies in Galicia. No prescription needed.
You don’t get a piece if paper (I think) saying you are negative.. but I thought I would mention this.

 

[Nick MJ]

Hi Nick, did you manage to find anywhere in Santiago for a weekend antigen test? Currently having the same problem!

Hi there - yes I did. The place to go is Suevia Salud, in Milladoiro, a few km to the South-west of Santiago. If you call them, Ana is brilliant, speaks English and the gentlest tester I’ve ever had. They are open on Saturday morning - do book ahead though as if you get an appointment you will be seen ahead of the people who turn up on spec. Good luck!

 

[loumarz]

Starting July 20th it should (if things go as they say) be possible to buy antigen test at pharmacies in Galicia. No prescription needed.
You don’t get a piece if paper (I think) saying you are negative.. but I thought I would mention this.

Hi there - yes I did. The place to go is Suevia Salud, in Milladoiro, a few km to the South-west of Santiago. If you call them, Ana is brilliant, speaks English and the gentlest tester I’ve ever had. They are open on Saturday morning - do book ahead though as if you get an appointment you will be seen ahead of the people who turn up on spec. Good luck!

Thank you both so much for the information. I have an appointment booked with Suevia Salud for next Saturday, you're a life saver Nick! Looking forward to my first Camino experience next week

 

[LaurieElizabeth]

I booked my flights from Santiago ( Monday morning) with only a 2-hour layover in Madrid, so not enough time to get the test in Madrid AP. I have been emailing some of the labs to find any place open on the weekend in SdC but have been unsuccessful. I will now try to track down Suevia Salud and set up our appointments. I was going to buy the home test but I do not want to carry it around in my backpack the whole time. Thank you for the great info everyone above. Buen Camino.

 

[ron lamb]

I booked my flights from Santiago ( Monday morning) with only a 2-hour layover in Madrid, so not enough time to get the test in Madrid AP. I have been emailing some of the labs to find any place open on the weekend in SdC but have been unsuccessful. I will now try to track down Suevia Salud and set up our appointments. I was going to buy the home test but I do not want to carry it around in my backpack the whole time. Thank you for the great info everyone above. Buen Camino.

There is a testing center at the Santiago de Compostela airport and many other airports throughout Europe. The test are done by Eurofins. I did the antigen test for about 26 euros, had my results in 20 minutes including an emailed pdf report, and used it to fly to the US the next day without any problem.

 

[C clearly]

There is a more recent thread about Covid testing at Santiago airport, by this same company. This thread will be closed because its title is not accurate any more.