Andrew Kunesh is TPG's Points & Miles editor. He has been active in the points and miles space since 2014, using them to travel far and wide around the world. He is originally from Chicago but moved to New York City after graduating from DePaul University. His work is featured on Credit Karma, UpgradedPoints, ValuePenguin and various other travel and finance publications. He currently holds Delta Diamond Medallion and Marriott Titanium status, and 20+ credit cards that each have a special place in Andrew's wallet.
August 16, 2021 • 7 min read
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Quick summary
Travelers returning to the U.S. from Canada must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of departure, with options including rapid antigen, PCR and approved at-home tests.
Booking a COVID-19 test for travel in Canada is straightforward, especially at major airports like Montreal, where multiple testing options are available with varying turnaround times and costs.
The process at Montreal airport involves online booking, prepayment in Canadian dollars and a quick, efficient testing experience with results typically available within 15 minutes for rapid tests.
On-site testing is also available at other major Canadian airports, but securing an appointment in advance is recommended to ensure availability.
What to consider
All payments for tests are processed in Canadian dollars, so using a card without foreign transaction fees can help avoid extra charges.
Travelers must still obtain a PCR test to enter Canada, regardless of vaccination status, while a rapid antigen test is generally sufficient for U.S. reentry.
Some offers or procedures referenced may no longer be current, as noted in the article.
What you'll miss from the article
Step-by-step guidance on booking, navigating and completing the COVID-19 testing process at Montreal airport.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Earlier this week, I traveled to Canada to cover the country's reopening to fully vaccinated American tourists. The entry process was easy — all you need is proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 PCR test and the ArriveCAN app on your smartphone. You can read my full entry story right here on TPG.
I returned from Canada two days later and had to get a COVID-19 test to reenter the U.S. As a refresher: The U.S. government requires a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than three days before your flight to the U.S. departs. This can be a rapid test, PCR test or approved at-home tests.
COVID-19 testing in Canada is harder to find than here in the U.S., but it's easy enough if you know where to look. (Photo by Bob Hilscher/Shutterstock.com)
Since I was returning to the U.S. from Quebec, I looked on the Quebec government's website to find a local testing center. This proved to be less than helpful. In short, it showed me local testing centers that are generally not for travel purposes. So, I then looked specifically for travel COVID-19 tests with a quick Google search.
Finding a COVID-19 test for travel in Canada
Here, I found a couple of different options. One was with Sante Medic — a local immediate care clinic. This company offers both PCR and antigen testing. You can purchase a PCR test for $199 CAD or a rapid antigen test for $150 CAD, equal to roughly $159 USD and $120 USD, respectively.
The other option was Biron, a Canadian healthcare company that runs a COVID-19 testing clinic at Montreal airport. You have three different options with Biron. The first is what most travelers to the U.S. will choose: a $149 CAD ($119 USD) rapid test with 15-minute results. You can also opt to get a PCR test with one-hour results for $299 CAD ($239 USD) or 48-hour results for $250 CAD ($199 USD). Of course, I opted for the rapid test.
Booking a COVID-19 rapid antigen test with Biron
I booked an antigen test online two days before my flight back to the U.S. I booked my test on Biron's website and selected the "Rapid antigenic" test, which promised 15-minute results. The sign-up process is pretty straightforward — start by picking the date you'd like to be tested and you'll move to a sign-up screen.
(Screenshot courtesy of biron.com)
Here, enter your airline, destination country and the time you'd like to take your test. Biron recommends you pick a time that's at least 3.5 hours prior to departure. This should give you more than enough time to take the test, get results and head through security. In reality, it was more than enough time.
(Screenshot courtesy of biron.com)
After this, follow the on-screen prompts to complete the booking process. You have to prepay for your test online and all tests are charged in Canadian dollars. Make sure you pay with a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card that earns 2x miles on all purchases.
Actually getting the test was remarkably easy. Montreal airport has a single terminal, and the testing center is located near door 4 in the departures area. This is in-between the domestic and U.S. trans-border gates. If you're taking a taxi or Uber, ask the driver to drop you off near the door so you don't need to walk through the terminal.
(Photo by Andrew Kunesh / The Points Guy)
There's a sign right near door 4 that directs you to the COVID-19 testing location. Follow the signs to the back of the terminal to find the testing center. The walk took less than a minute from the door.
(Photo by Andrew Kunesh / The Points Guy)
Once there, I approached the check-in counter 10 minutes before my test was scheduled. The check-in representative directed me to sanitize my hands and proceed to another check-in desk. Here, another representative asked to see my passport and order confirmation email. The email states that the confirmation should be printed, but the agent didn't have a problem reading it off of my iPhone.
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(Photo by Andrew Kunesh / The Points Guy)
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(Photo by Andrew Kunesh / The Points Guy)
I then made my way to the testing booth and was immediately tested. The swab wasn't as deep as I've experienced with other tests and was completely painless. The person who tested me directed me to sit in a waiting area across from the testing booth until my results were available.
(Photo by Andrew Kunesh / The Points Guy)
Roughly 20 minutes later, my name was called and I walked to another table where a Biron representative scanned my passport. She then handed me my test results (thankfully negative) and I was on my way.
(Photo by Andrew Kunesh / The Points Guy)
Oddly enough, my test was never checked during the check-in, U.S. preclearance or boarding process. I wouldn't count on this being the case for all travelers, though. I like to think that this was an early reopening mishap.
All in all, it was easy to get a COVID-19 test in Canada, albeit expensive. But if you're traveling back to the U.S., there's no easier way to get tested than at the airport. For reference, you'll also find on-site COVID-19 testing at other major Canadian airports like Toronto (YYZ) and Vancouver (YVR). Just make sure to secure an appointment ahead of time so your preferred time doesn't get booked up.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
