Walmart Canada Testing For Travel

[Bronx12]

I know that others have used Shoppers Drug Mart for travel Covid testing for embarkation, I am wondering if  anyone has personally used Walmart for Covid embarkation testing. In Nova Scotia, Shoppers Drug Mart charges $40, and Walmart charges $19.97. When I called Walmart and asked about the test, the person seemed unsure if the test would be good for travel.

I look forward to hearing your experiences 🙂 

[cmich068]

Walmart testing is fine.

[edrussell]

I can't speak to embarkation specifically but we used them 2 weeks ago for airline travel and they are 100% fine.  In fact the sign in our local Walmart specifically mentions travel.  The pharmacist took our passports and our passport numbers are clearly indicated as the identification type.  We had VERY bad experiences with SDM and found our local Walmart to be much better prepared and overall the experience was painless.

 

[Keata]

Used Walmart to embark on Princess out of LA  2 weeks ago - no issue at all.

Edited April 17, 2022 by Keata

[Bronx12]

Thank you very much for the information 🙂

[drakes2]

31 minutes ago, Bronx12 said:

Thank you very much for the information 🙂

Used Walmart for last 2 cruises. Very quick and efficient service. 20 bucks no tax only thing is now you must book online and download the form and have proof of  travel.  Previously I never had to do that.  For my cruise coming up this Saturday April 23rd I'm using Costco as my local Walmart did not have availability.  

[HSBC]

drakes2,

Please let us know that your experience with Costco.

[drakes2]

9 hours ago, HSBC said:

drakes2,

Please let us know that your experience with Costco.

@HSBCwill do its this Thursday and not a Costco member but anyone can book 

[tropical83]

 

 

12 hours ago, drakes2 said:

Used Walmart for last 2 cruises. Very quick and efficient service. 20 bucks no tax only thing is now you must book online and download the form and have proof of  travel.  Previously I never had to do that.  For my cruise coming up this Saturday April 23rd I'm using Costco as my local Walmart did not have availability.  

There are no appointments to book online right now even though it says you must book online. I called my local Walmart and even though she didn’t sound confident, she said oh you don’t need an appointment, just walk in. 
This whole pre cruise test is stressful enough as it is, and these places that say they offer testing aren’t making it any easier with the contradictory information I’m getting lol. 
 

Edited April 18, 2022 by tropical83

[tropical83]

16 hours ago, edrussell said:

I can't speak to embarkation specifically but we used them 2 weeks ago for airline travel and they are 100% fine.  In fact the sign in our local Walmart specifically mentions travel.  The pharmacist took our passports and our passport numbers are clearly indicated as the identification type.  We had VERY bad experiences with SDM and found our local Walmart to be much better prepared and overall the experience was painless.

 

What happened with Shoppers? I am already not off to a good start with them and my test isn’t until May 5th. I asked my local Shoppers and he told me they wouldn’t do the rapid antigen for travel. I argued with him a bit as I said I can book an appointment online for a test right here at this store so if I came in with that appointment you wouldn’t test me? He said no. I ended up booking an appointment at a different shoppers and I’m going to call them and see what they say about it. So stressful!

[drakes2]

4 minutes ago, tropical83 said:

 

 

There are no appointments to book online right now even though it says you must book online. I called my local Walmart and even though she didn’t sound confident, she said oh you don’t been an appointment, just walk in. 
This whole pre cruise test is stressful enough as it is, and these places that say they offer testing aren’t making it any easier with the contradictory information I’m getting lol. 
 

Walmart only loads the appointments online 3 days in advance and you must also download the form print and fill out. It appears they have a shortage of antigen tests. I have an appointment for Friday first of the day but will cancel as I'm using Costco. I agree very stressful. Never heard of anyone accepting walk ins. 

[tropical83]

12 minutes ago, drakes2 said:

Walmart only loads the appointments online 3 days in advance and you must also download the form print and fill out. It appears they have a shortage of antigen tests. I have an appointment for Friday first of the day but will cancel as I'm using Costco. I agree very stressful. Never heard of anyone accepting walk ins. 

Yeah, there are 4 Walmarts close enough to me. Only one of them has appointments available. They are scattered though with the farthest one out showing April 30th. I’m so tired of stressing about this lol. I saw your posts about Costco. I didn’t consider them because I figured you’d have to be a member to get tested there. Maybe I’ll look into that. 
 

Edit - nvm my local Costco doesn’t do the testing. 

Edited April 18, 2022 by tropical83

[drakes2]

8 minutes ago, tropical83 said:

Yeah, there are 4 Walmarts close enough to me. Only one of them has appointments available. They are scattered though with the farthest one out showing April 30th. I’m so tired of stressing about this lol. I saw your posts about Costco. I didn’t consider them because I figured you’d have to be a member to get tested there. Maybe I’ll look into that. 
 

Edit - nvm my local Costco doesn’t do the testing. 

You don't have to be a member to use the pharmacy services just go to website and choose location book and create account. Very simple and easy. Where do you live? I'm in Mississauga Ontario and mine is about a 15 minute walk. Try another Costco perhaps 

[tropical83]

5 minutes ago, drakes2 said:

You don't have to be a member to use the pharmacy services just go to website and choose location book and create account. Very simple and easy. Where do you live? I'm in Mississauga Ontario and mine is about a 15 minute walk. Try another Costco perhaps 

I live in Windsor. There are no other locations close enough to me. I’d have to drive hours to find another Costco unfortunately. 

[edrussell]

3 hours ago, tropical83 said:

What happened with Shoppers? I am already not off to a good start with them and my test isn’t until May 5th. I asked my local Shoppers and he told me they wouldn’t do the rapid antigen for travel. I argued with him a bit as I said I can book an appointment online for a test right here at this store so if I came in with that appointment you wouldn’t test me? He said no. I ended up booking an appointment at a different shoppers and I’m going to call them and see what they say about it. So stressful!

A chain of mistakes filling out the results form.  The pharmacist who originally took our tests was completely inept.  Just an awful experience with them.  Then again we take our share of the responsibility for not analyzing every single thing they put on the results form.  I just don't trust them at all.  I've also heard a number of firsthand reports of similar experiences.  If you do go with them be sure to go over the results form very carefully.

 

When we compare the experience to ours with Walmart there is no comparison.  Now this is obviously only our experience with our local SDM, others experience have been flawless.  When it comes to testing though we always have a primary, a backup AND a third option just in case.

[tropical83]

3 minutes ago, edrussell said:

A chain of mistakes filling out the results form.  The pharmacist who originally took our tests was completely inept.  Just an awful experience with them.  Then again we take our share of the responsibility for not analyzing every single thing they put on the results form.  I just don't trust them at all.  I've also heard a number of firsthand reports of similar experiences.  If you do go with them be sure to go over the results form very carefully.

 

When we compare the experience to ours with Walmart there is no comparison.  Now this is obviously only our experience with our local SDM, others experience have been flawless.  When it comes to testing though we always have a primary, a backup AND a third option just in case.

 

Thanks for replying! 

I am trying to come up with 3 options. I hope Walmart will be able to do it, but the person I spoke to at my local store told me no appointment needed just walk in. I don't know if I trust that!

[drakes2]

1 hour ago, tropical83 said:

 

Thanks for replying! 

I am trying to come up with 3 options. I hope Walmart will be able to do it, but the person I spoke to at my local store told me no appointment needed just walk in. I don't know if I trust that!

I would not trust a walk in. They only have a limited amount of tests available and enter them into website as received   as mentioned i have a Costco test for April 21 and Walmart early morning on 22.  I will only cancel second appointment after I receive my results from Costco. Very sad we have to rely on booking this way 

[tropical83]

2 minutes ago, drakes2 said:

I would not trust a walk in. They only have a limited amount of tests available and enter them into website as received   as mentioned i have a Costco test for April 21 and Walmart early morning on 22.  I will only cancel second appointment after I receive my results from Costco. Very sad we have to rely on booking this way 

 

I agree. My husband just went to Walmart and talked to the Pharmacist. He said no to walk ins. (so different story than what the person on the phone told me when I called last week.) He basically said keep checking online if any appointments open up and if they do it would only show a few days before. He said that only specific pharmacists/staff do the tests and it depends on what day they work etc. So it looks like I can't rely on Walmart as an option. This is driving me crazy!!

[drakes2]

39 minutes ago, tropical83 said:

 

I agree. My husband just went to Walmart and talked to the Pharmacist. He said no to walk ins. (so different story than what the person on the phone told me when I called last week.) He basically said keep checking online if any appointments open up and if they do it would only show a few days before. He said that only specific pharmacists/staff do the tests and it depends on what day they work etc. So it looks like I can't rely on Walmart as an option. This is driving me crazy!!

Do you have a Guardian London  drugs or Rexall in your area? If nothing comes up you may have to travel a bit further to find something. 

[tropical83]

8 minutes ago, drakes2 said:

Do you have a Guardian London  drugs or Rexall in your area? If nothing comes up you may have to travel a bit further to find something. 

There may be a few, I'll check it out. Thanks for the suggestion.

[drakes2]

On 4/17/2022 at 10:17 PM, HSBC said:

drakes2,

Please let us know that your experience with Costco.

@HSBCHad antigen test done at Costco today. Was negative. Flying out Saturday.  Extremely quick and easy as you sign in to account and complete pre screening questions. Cost is $16.99 no tax.  No lineups at all

[HSBC]

drakes2

Did Costco send the test result to your email address?  Or did Costco provide you a hard copy?

Thanks for your latest update.

[drakes2]

19 minutes ago, HSBC said:

drakes2

Did Costco send the test result to your email address?  Or did Costco provide you a hard copy?

Thanks for your latest update.

@HSBC. Was a hard copy. I went in right away and results ready in 15 minutes. You need to show proof of travel. 

[HSBC]

drakes2,

Thanks again!

Enjoy your vacation starting on Saturday!

[waiting2retire]

I needed a rapid antigen test last Saturday April 16 for flight and cruise boarding April 17.  I first booked a test with SDM ($40) at noon, then when a Costco appointment ($16.99) became available at 10:10 a.m., I booked it as well. As a third option, booked a test with Walmart ($19.99) at 8:50 a.m. when it became available 3 days prior to test. 
 

Hated booking 3 appointments when only one was needed but felt more comfortable doing it this way. Attended the 8:50 appointment at Walmart, got my negative result in 15 minutes and immediately cancelled the other two appointments. 
 

Results were provided in paper form which I took a photo of and uploaded to VeriFLY for the cruise and to my Wallet for digital copy. Full disclosure my daughter did this for me 😁

 

No problem with Walmart test result for either flight or cruise. 
 

Happy cruising!